THE EVESHAM Hotel has finally closed its doors to refugees after four and a quarter years of providing contingency accommodation for asylum seekers.
Evesham Vale Welcomes Refugees (EVWR) confirmed that the last person left the property on Tuesday (May 26), which marks the end of an era for the charity that has supported more than 500 men, women and children, who have passed through its doors.
The formerly privately owned hotel in Coopers Lane, near Waterside was managed by Serco on behalf of the Government to house individuals seeking asylum while their claims were being processed.
The hotel will now be returned to its owners Oyo, in line with Home Office plans to house all asylum seekers in military barracks.
In a statement on EVWR website, co-ordinator Ros Gowers, who works in a voluntary capacity for the charity, said it had been their “pleasure” to welcome and support the vast majority of people seeking refuge.
“We believe our community has been enriched by our new friends and neighbours and we look forward to others joining us as time goes by.
“These last few weeks have been emotionally quite difficult as we have seen the people left in the hotel being relocated on the usual ‘no choice’ basis, often to places where support is difficult to find.
“We will miss the ‘buzz’ of working with an ever-changing population, despite the many problems and challenges this brought us,” she said.
Mrs Gowers ended with a thanks to all the staff in the Evesham Hotel, who she said met their new challenges with “open hearts and a real ‘can do’ attitude”.
The use of hotels for housing asylum seekers resulted in fierce protests and counter demonstrations across the country last August, with Evesham no exception.
A protest on August 25 by around 20 people passed peacefully despite heated exchanges between protesters and counter-protesters.
Rev David Haslam MBE, a trustee of EVWR and Methodist minister, spoke about how the closure of the hotel was a mixed blessing.
He said: “There have been three real positives over the last four plus years.
“Firstly the jobs for local people and businesses, secondly, that Evesham has shown itself to be such a welcoming town and thirdly, the cultural diversity the refugees have brought into our community.
“They have helped change people’s outlook. Many refugees are now making contributions in our wider community, both in paid and in voluntary work.”
The Observer understands that over the last few months, some 60 individuals have been moved on to alternative accommodation across the UK, many going on to privately-rented HMOs (house in multiple occupation).
Some have remained in Worcestershire, whilst one family with young children was sent to Aberdeen.
He said that despite the downsides, hotels did offer vulnerable asylum seekers a sense of security and community, as they shared their stories with one another.
“Hotels also meant groups like ours could offer support and help integrate them into our very different society, and they have always been extremely grateful for the welcome they received,” he added.
The Government’s use of hotels to handle the asylum backlog has been ongoing since around 2020/2021.
EVWR has been providing support to refugees in the Vale since 2019. It moved in January from its base in Riverside Shopping Centre to a new location in Bridge Street.
Visit https://evesham.cityofsanctuary.org/ to read the full statement.
