- By Julia Bryson & Corinne Wheatley
- BBC news
image source, Corinne Wheatley/BBC
Jane Jennings’ salon was at the St Pierre Hotel in Newmillerdam
A salon owner says he was given two days’ notice to move his salon into a hotel after bosses told him it was closing to asylum seekers.
Jane Jennings has been told that the Best Western St Pierre Hotel in Newmillerdam, Wakefield, has accepted a contract with the Office and she has to move.
Wakefield Council has been trying to oppose the move because of already pressure on public services.
The Housing Authority said it is responsible for providing accommodation.
A spokesman said the increase in cross-Channel routes had made the system more difficult and needed to accommodate asylum seekers “who would otherwise be in need” while their claims were considered.
The spokesman said: “We are committed to doing everything possible to reduce the use of hotels and continue to engage with local authorities proactively whenever a property is used as accommodation.”
Ms Jennings, of the Jessica Harvey Beauty Group, said finding out she had been forced to move was “terrible” and she was now recuperating at home.
He said: “I had a message on Monday asking me to call the hotel manager, who said he didn’t know how to tell me but from Wednesday the hotel will be closed to the public so obviously I can’t continue my business there. .
“I’ve had to leave some women behind unfortunately, but I have people who are going on vacation, who are getting married, that kind of thing, so I’ve had to find another way for them in the short term, and I’m also trying to move all my things into the hotel.”
Council leader Denise Jeffery said the government needed to “manage” the situation
Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery said: “We have been promoting the Home Office since March.
“We asked them to reconsider their destructive and unstable gun.
“They need to be brave. They need to make quick decisions on cases, and put in place a proper support system that takes care of asylum seekers instead of blaming them for their own failure.”
He added that it should be “to assure our stakeholders of the progress of our operations”.
He added: “We are always met with silence. Until now, when they announce that they are filling up a local hotel in a few days.”
image source, Corinne Wheatley
The Best Western Hotel St Pierre was closed to the public on Wednesday
Dewsbury Conservative MP Mark Eastwood also said he was opposed to the plan, which would damage the tourism industry.
He said: “I am disappointed that the St Pierre hotel will be used again as a shelter for asylum seekers.
“The area around Newmillerdam is a tourist hotspot in Wakefield, and Cedar Court, which has long been used for asylum seekers, is damaging tourism in the area at a time when it is booming.
“It’s clearly not a good place. I promise to do everything I can to help.”
Wakefield Council said that while the asylum seekers were in the hotel, they would be received and monitored by the Home Office and the Mears Group.
The council and health services will work with a community of volunteers to support their needs.
Best Western has been contacted for comment.
