Families who have escaped from wars and persecution across Africa, Asia and The Middle East have been placed in a hotel on the edge of Bristol while they wait for the Home Office to recognise their status as refugees. The majority of the 60 residents at the Almondsbury Interchange Hotel, just outside of Bristol, have been living there since January and although they will have to leave the hotel in May, their future in the UK remains uncertain.
Residents said that the food is getting worse and the menu has not been adapted to accommodate those who are currently fasting for Ramadan. Some of the residents receive £8 per week, while others are given no money and say they have little agency in what they eat and cannot afford public transport.
Residents have complained that the renovation works at the hotel for the last three months have disturbed their sleep due to hammering and drilling. The shower and windows are said to be faulty and for those with children it has been particularly difficult as they have to share one room and have only started at the local primary school in the last few weeks.
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The hotel is managed by Crest Hotels Group who is responsible for providing the accommodation and housekeeping for the residents. The chain says it is not responsible for the catering which is provided by a third-party. The Home Office has been approached for comment.
One resident, who has lived in one room with her children since January, explained her difficulties: “It’s been very difficult, the food is not good at all and the place is so isolated. With kids it’s difficult with nowhere to go and no schooling and we are all in one room.
“I called Refugee Rights and they got me a social worker who managed to get my eldest in school two weeks ago. I don’t even get the card with £8 a week, I applied [a few months ago] and I’m still waiting.
“Since the day we came here, every morning at 7.30am or 8am it’s drilling or somebody is using a hammer. It wakes us up. As the hotel is under renovation, initially there was no water in the cold water tap and sometimes there’s no water at all for half an hour or so. In the shower the water is suddenly cold and then suddenly hot.”
Alison Rowe, a local resident who has been supporting some of the women and children at the hotel, is concerned about their health. She said: “I’ve known them for the last month or so and I’ve watched them go downhill. They came to us and we’ve been supplying them with meals through the community.
“One of the residents said she felt ill because of the smell of the glue. "It can’t be good to live in a building site,” added Alison.
Abdul Malik, whose mosque in Easton has collaborated with others to raise funds to support the families during Ramadan, said that what they are getting is "basically tasteless hospital food.”
With support from The Sweet Mart and other local community members, they will supply 50 meals per day, during Ramadan. Mr Malik who alongside being the chair of Easton Jamia Mosque is also the owner of Pak Butchers, who will be supplying Halal meat as part of the charity initiative.
Mr Malik said: “If the food is culturally specific then it will help them through the day because every culture has its own way of managing Ramadan.”
The hotel's response
Almondsbury Interchange Hotel was closed up until recently after the previous owners sold the hotel. The hotel is now managed by Crest Hotels Group, a Bristol based company who buy, develop and manage "uniquely positioned hotels in the UK."
The Crest Group operations director, Jason Hiley said: "Almondsbury/ Interchange Hotel is currently providing accommodation to an agent, this contract is due to end in the coming weeks. The agent provide all services to those staying, which covers all catering, a 24 hour hosting station for those staying, along with a security provision.
"The only service the hotel team provide is housekeeping, we also have representation on site 24 hours a day in the interest of safety. The concern regarding the catering provision has been escalated this to the agents leadership, who I know take all feedback seriously.
"It is with regret hearing the limited upgrade works to the restaurant and bar that is currently not being used has caused some disruption, we intentionally limited the scope of works to 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and we only use water based paint. I can confirm this work has now ended."
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
