A four star hotel just eight miles from Nottingham city centre has been taken over by the Home Office to house asylum seekers, according to reports. Local jobs are at risks as a result of the move.
From Wednesday, October 19, the Novotel at Junction 25 of the M1 motorway will be contracted for the purpose of Government use only. News of the change was confirmed to employees in a message from the hotel's general manager. Staff were told the situation would affect jobs considerably, with workers at risk of redundancy. It is understood the current proposal will affect more than 20 people in the company.
In the letter, which has been seen by Nottinghamshire Live's sister publication Derbyshire Live, staff at the Long Eaton hotel were informed: "The board of directors have made the decision to contract the hotel for the purpose of government use only. This means the Home Office have exclusive use of the hotel effective from October 19. The restaurant and kitchen will be closing as the company contracted to oversee the occupancy will be bringing in their own catering company to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner."
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The statement of reason also detailed what staff can expect over the coming days. Addressing whether staff would be expected to work, it said: "You will be advised if you are required to attend work. You may be asked to assist housekeeping and management in making the hotel ready for the arrivals on Wednesday.
"If you are advised to remain at home, you will be paid however you should be available to work and attend meetings when asked to do so. Please note front-of-house will be working as normal."
The Home Office did not deny the new arrangement, but a spokesperson said the department does not comment on operational arrangements for individual sites used for asylum accommodation.
It said: "The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.
"The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – there are currently more than 33,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer more than £5 million a day. The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.”
Novotel Nottingham Derby is currently still listed on the hotel chain's website but reads 'unavailable for the selected dates". Novotel's head office and the hotel itself have both been contacted for comment.
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