Talks ongoing over future of hotel used for asylum seekers

The operators of a large seafront hotel which was used to house asylum seekers have said "a lot of planning and discussion" is taking place about the venue's future.

There has been speculation about what would happen to the Metropole Hotel in Blackpool after those seeking refuge, who were living there between September 2021 and July this year, left.

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, who campaigned strongly to move the migrants to more appropriate accommodation, previously said it could once again reopen as a tourist hotel.

Hotel chain Britannia said "a lot of planning and discussion is taking place behind the scenes" but it was not yet in a position to disclose details.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Britannia said in August it was "reviewing its options" about what was to be done with the hotel, the only one to be located on the the sea side of the promenade.

While the hotel is in need of an extensive renovation, the government had said there would be no further money to revamp it after funding was provided to cover the time it hosted hundreds of asylum seekers.

A spokesman for the hotel previously, said: "We welcome constructive conversation regarding the future of The Metropole Hotel in Blackpool and fully understand the local interest in restoring this iconic hotel as a community asset.

"We are currently reviewing our options while giving due consideration to local perspectives, and we will share further updates with the community once a plan has been finalised."

After border security and asylum minister Anna Turley visited Blackpool in August to insist the government was delivering on its pledge to end the use of asylum hotels for good, she praised the "gorgeous" hotel and said it could return to bringing people to the town and adding to the heritage and the history of the area.

Webb also said at the time that he pledged to get this hotel brought back to the use of the town's tourism industry.

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