Epping asylum hotel to close by July, says MP

The asylum hotel in Essex which has been at the centre of protests will cease housing migrants by 11 July, the local MP has said.

Neil Hudson said the government told him the Home Office would terminate its asylum accommodation contract with the Bell Hotel in Epping.

All asylum seekers were removed from the hotel because of fire safety concerns earlier this week. The Home Office was approached for further comment.

"This situation has gone on for far too long," added Hudson, a Conservative, who said he was pleased the contract was coming to an end.

The Bell Hotel has been used on and off to house migrants since 2020.

There were 138 residents at the hotel in the autumn, but the number has dropped in recent months.

Demonstrations turned violent outside the hotel last summer after one of its residents was charged and subsequently convicted of sexually assaulting a child.

A government spokesperson said the removal of asylum seekers this week was a precautionary measure and it took the safety of service users and staff extremely seriously.

Epping Forest District Council spent £566,000 in a failed High Court battle to get asylum seekers removed from The Bell Hotel between August and March.

Chris Whitbread, its Conservative leader, said Thursday's announcement came "out of the blue" and accused the Home Office of failing to communicate with him.

Speaking on BBC Essex, he said: "We've never had anything like we saw last year in our town in my lifetime, and I've always lived in Epping.

"It was shocking last year what happened. It was terrible for the poor victims and the victim's family.

"It's terrible for the people who live next door to The Bell Hotel - it's terrible for the residents of Epping and the businesses of Epping - and it's time now for us to be given a rest from this situation."

A spokesperson for the Home Office said it was "working closely" with local authorities, property partners and across government to shut asylum hotels.

They added: "The government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain. That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving illegal migrants into basic accommodation like military barracks."

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