The Government has confirmed that it will use Leominster’s Talbot Hotel to house asylum seekers from this week.
Herefordshire Council said it had been informed by the Home Office that the disused hotel’s use as “contingency accommodation for people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications” will begin tomorrow (August 8).
“Just as with the existing accommodation at the Three Counties Hotel, Hereford, this is a private arrangement between the Home Office and the hotel, which is closed to the public,” the council said in a statement.
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“The council was not involved in this arrangement and will not be involved in running the site or providing day-to-day support, all of which will be managed by the Home Office’s contractor, Serco.”
Support and security on 24-seven basis at the hotel is being funded by the Home Office. Residents, expected to be single men, though their number is as yet unknown, will be free to come and go.
The council will however work with Serco and community and voluntary groups to support the placements, “and to respond to any matters raised by businesses and residents”.
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“We continue to see the generous support extended to Ukrainian refugees and the compassion shown by local communities to those in need, and it is hoped that asylum seekers coming to Herefordshire will receive the same warm welcome,” the council said.
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In a FAQ it has published to address public concerns, it says: “It is likely that the Home Office will actively consider other hotels in Herefordshire which they feel are appropriate for this use.”
It added that those coming to the Talbot will be registered with the local GP practice and given an initial health assessment.
After this, the residents will be entitled to request appointment "in the same way as for all other patients" - for which "a small amount of funding" is being provided, the council said.
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