A country house hotel on the outskirts of Bolton will not be used for asylum seeker accommodation after intervention from an MP and Bolton Council.
Last week, it emerged that the Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel on Manchester Road, Blackrod, had voluntarily offered to use its rooms and facilities to house people being processed by the Home Office for asylum.
However, having learned of the Mercure offer, the leadership of Bolton Council and Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Atherton, said they had worked together to prevent any contract with government agencies from taking place.
The MP said earlier today that after talks with immigration ministers he could confirm that the Home Office will not be taking up the hotel’s offer. He said that although Bolton is a 'welcoming place and has a proud record of taking in those who need it most', it was time for others to step up and do their bit.
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Mr Green, added: “Following my conversation with the minister, I can confirm that this proposal is not going ahead.
“Having discussed this matter with the leader of Bolton Council, Coun Martyn Cox, it was clear that this proposal would have negatively impacted the local community and placed additional strain on local schools and GP services which do not have extra capacity.
“The proposed hotel is also isolated from any local amenities and shops and is not accessible by public transport. Bolton already does its fair share to support asylum seekers and I am pleased that the minister has listened to these local concerns.”
The Mercure Bolton Georgian House is a former country house with spa and leisure facilities. Its website states: “Few hotels in Bolton can match Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel for sheer style, comfort and scenery.
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“Set in beautiful countryside this Georgian manor house is one of the most desirable wedding venues Bolton has to offer, the perfect location for meetings and events and home to one of the finest restaurants in Bolton with a sun terrace and landscaped gardens.
“The three star hotel also boasts a swimming pool, sauna, gym and fitness studio, making it one of the finest spa hotels Lancashire has to offer.”
Council leader Martyn Cox said: “Public services are already stretched and asking Bolton to support 300 more asylum seekers is simply not fair on anyone. We must also consider the significant impact on the local economy of a key flag-ship hotel no longer being available to the public.
“Bolton is a friendly, welcoming place that is always willing to do our fair share and take in those in need. But it is time for other areas to step up and do more.
“Bolton does more than many regions of the country – what we cannot have is an indefinite continuation of the existing scheme and what we will fiercely oppose is further strain on our services, community relations on our ability to assimilate people.
“This is about numbers and ability to cope and most of the disadvantaged areas of the town carry the heaviest burden.”
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