War-stricken asylum seekers currently housed at The Station Hotel in Perth are to be moved from the accommodation this month following its recent takeover.
The individuals placed at the Leonard Street hotel on request by the Home Office will be relocated to allow a multi-million pound refurbishment to transform the premises into a 4/5-star venue.
The asylum seekers are also being moved on due to rooms becoming unavailable from next month having been pre-booked last year by “long-standing tour operator contracts”.
Perth and Kinross Council and Mears – the UK housing and social care provider in charge of housing the asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office – will work together to relocate the families to “alternative accommodation” by April 30.
The nationality and number of asylum seekers currently staying at the hotel has not been disclosed by Mears, however The Station Hotel general manager Asen Panagonov revealed they supplied essential support to people “running from conflict and war this winter”.
A number of asylum seekers are also being housed at The Queens Hotel across the street as part of the humanitarian programme.
A Mears spokesperson said: “Mears have recently used both The Queens Hotel and The Station Hotel in Perth for contingency accommodation following the rise in the number of people entering the asylum system.
“Following new ownership of The Station Hotel, Mears will source alternative accommodation for the service users housed there before the end of April. Mears will work closely and positively with the Home Office, local authorities and with other partners – including health and welfare teams and NGOs – to provide support to our service users as we find them new accommodation.”
Last month the PA revealed The Station Hotel had signed a partnership agreement with the Radisson Hotel Group which includes a multi-million pound investment to refurbish the entire hotel to meet the standards of the Radisson Blu franchise.
Radisson Blu is the “upper upscale hotel brand” in that portfolio and specialises in providing high-end four and five-star hotel services.
The Station Hotel, located opposite Perth Railway Station, will open the new revamped areas of the building in the “second quarter” of 2022.
In the past Queen Victoria became a frequent guest, which prompted the creation of a ‘royal passage’, linking the nearby train station with the property.
Mr Panagonov said the hotel was “not in a position” to help the asylum seekers from May onwards, but that the venue could offer support again in the winter months.
“The Station Hotel was able to support asylum seekers during the winter months when their need was most crucial,” Mr Panagonov went on to add.
He continued: “This arrangement was made on the request of the Home Office.
“We were glad to provide essential support to people running from conflict and war this winter, albeit never having had Afghan refugees in particular, but other nationalities.
“From the end of this month onwards, due to the need to complete essential refurbishments, the hotel is not in a position to help them.
“Also some of the beds from May onwards were not free as they were pre-booked in 2021 and earlier by long-standing tour operator contracts. Total refurbishments are part of a multi-million pound refit of the hotel which will be coming to an end by summer.
“The hotel is providing support to the council and Mears in relocating the asylum seekers.
“If the hotel has vacant beds in winter then the hotel will happily provide support to the local council and the Home Office in their endeavours.”
