Pro-and anti-migrant groups demonstrate outside three-star hotel that has been closed to house emigrants – forcing the cancellation of dozens of weddings and parties

• The Chichester Park Hotel closed last week after announcing it would do so earlier in September

Pro-and anti-migrant groups demonstrated today outside a three-star hotel that has been closed, forcing the cancellation of dozens of weddings and parties.

The Chichester Park Hotel on Madgwick Lane in Chichester closed last week after announcing it would do so earlier in September amid uncontested reports that the decision was made so that the building could be used to house migrants.

Outside the hotel, protesters from both sides were seen holding placards, with one reading: ‘Welcome Refugees’.

Another carried the message: ‘£8m Payday Taxpayer’s Expense’.

Some demonstrators were also be seen using megaphones as police officers stood by. Images showed the hotel sealed off by a metal fence.

Demonstrators at the Chichester Park Hotel today. The hotel was closed last week after announcing it would do so earlier in September

Outside the hotel, protesters from both sides were seen holding placards, with one reading: ‘Welcome Refugees’

Another placard carried the message: ‘£8m Payday Taxpayer’s Expense’

A spokesman for the Home Office said last week that they would not confirm if migrants were now living there. 

The hotel was said to be a ‘big part of the community’ and this is not the first protest staged to fight the decision. 

Last Saturday, locals protested outside the hotel after it was closed.

The angry mob was met with opposing residents, who supported the apparent move to turn the hotel over to the Home Office. Police officers were present to facilitate a peaceful protest.  

A similar demonstration that happened the previous week saw locals claiming they had ‘no say’ in the decision.

The sudden closure has seen hundreds of events, including weddings and Christmas parties, cancelled at short notice. 

Locals believe this is due to migrants moving into the 86-room hotel after two local councils released a joint statement saying that a hotel in the area might be used as contingency accommodation for asylum seekers.

the hotel has been sealed off by a metal fence. The hotel was said to be a ‘big part of the community’ and this is not the first protest staged to fight the decision

Some demonstrators were seen using megaphones

Police officers stood by to facilitate a peaceful protest

The statement read: ‘West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council have recently been advised by the Home Office that a hotel in the Chichester area is being considered for use as contingency accommodation for people seeking asylum.

‘Decisions around use of hotels and placements for those seeking asylum are made by the Home Office.

‘We are not involved in the decision-making process.’

Read More: Weddings and Christmas parties are cancelled as four-star 86-room hotel closes suddenly ‘to house migrants’ as Home Office says small boat arrivals must be housed in three-star accommodation or better 

A grandmother-of-eight who attended the protest on September 23, said: ‘Most people in Chichester are fed up with it all being done underhand – we don’t have a say in it. We are angry and upset and I’m fed up.

‘I’ve come here ever since I was a kid, it was always here, it’s a part of Chichester.’

Chloe Bridger believes her 26th birthday party at the hotel, set to take place January, was cancelled but she wasn’t informed.

‘I have my party here every year,’ the carer said. ‘It’s home from home, it’s like a family because all the staff know us and are really friendly with us.

‘I had my last birthday here, my 21st and my wedding reception. To not be told your event’s been cancelled – it’s awful.’

Her father-in-law, Gareth, was set to have a joint celebration alongside her birthday to celebrate his 27th wedding anniversary.

The 51-year-old, who is also a carer, said: ‘Every function out family has had has been in here.

‘It has sentimental value. They must have known this was coming and in the pipeline so why were they taking bookings.’

There were more than 50,000 asylum seekers in hotels as of the end of June, costing £8.2 million a day, according to Home Office statistics. 

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We are working hard to reduce the unacceptable use of hotels by moving asylum seekers into alternative, cheaper accommodation, doubling them up in hotel rooms, and clearing the legacy backlog.’

Protesters outside the Chichester Park Hotel today

People holding placards outside for the protest

The deputy leader of Chichester District Council, Jonathan Brown, has said: ‘The decision to use the Chichester Park Hotel to house asylum seekers is a private and direct arrangement between the Home Office and a privately owned business.

‘The council were not consulted, were not given any input into the decision and have no powers to influence the workings of the Home Office.’

Mr Brown criticised the government for allowing ‘a backlog of asylum applications to build up’, stating that refusing to allow people to work while waiting for their applications to be processed ‘doesn’t help anyone’.

He added: ‘The local community shouldn’t need to be put in this situation.’

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