'We all have a right to know where asylum seekers will go after leaving Blackpool's Metropole Hotel'

Blackpool residents have been reacting after it was confirmed asylum seekers will leave the Metropole Hotel by the end of July.

The Home Office has said those currently staying at the seafront hotel will be moved into other accommodation outside of Blackpool as part of a managed transition.

The Metropole, owned by Britannia Hotels, has been used to house asylum seekers since September 2021, with families among those staying there. Its use has been the subject of long-running debate locally, with Blackpool South MP Chris Webb campaigning for its closure.

Following confirmation that the arrangement will come to an end, many readers said they wanted more detail about what happens next.

A number of comments focused on where residents will be relocated.

Steven McQuade said: “Where are they going? We all have a right to know, especially as we will be paying for it.”

Jane Fields added: “Where are they shifting them to? That’s the question.”

Gavin Breakell said: “You’re not saying where they are going,” while Natashya Bell asked: “Where will the residents staying there go?”

The Home Office and local leaders have said individuals will be moved to other accommodation across the country while their asylum claims are processed, including dedicated sites and other housing.

Some readers also raised concerns about housing pressures and whether local people could be affected.

Will Torz said: “My question is where are they going to put the people who are currently still living there? Are the council going to prioritise these people over locals for social housing?”

Janie Dawson added: “It’s not just about them being in the hotel, it’s how it looks to people coming to Blackpool, and again people who are waiting legitimately for a home will be overlooked.”

Others turned their attention to the future of the Metropole itself, with questions over whether it will be restored or left empty.

Sue Barraclough asked: “What happens to the Metropole after they move out? Will it be boarded up or refurbished?”

Stephen Claypole said: “Once it is empty, will the owners pay for the total refurb or get assistance from the government or council?”

Phil Bonell said the building would require “millions spent on it to bring it back to life”, adding that a closed hotel in such a prominent location could create further challenges.

There were also more positive reactions to the announcement.

Sean Lee Brimble said: “It’s definitely good for the tourists and the local businesses,” while Paul Lavin described the news as “excellent”.

William Perrett said: “It needs a lot of money spent on it. It’s a shame the state it is in.”

Others highlighted wider social issues, with Pete Roberts saying: “Give the local homeless who are living on the streets accommodation and the food and drink they need.”

Mr Webb has described the closure as the result of a long campaign and said the move would ease pressure on local services, while Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams said the Metropole was “never the right place” to house people seeking asylum.

The council has said it now wants to work with the hotel’s owners to see it restored and brought back into use as part of the town’s visitor economy.