The Royal Hotel in Crewe (Image: Google Maps)
A Labour MP has called on the government to end its asylum hotels arrangement in his constituency – saying locals have “faced the consequences” of the approach. Connor Naismith, the MP for Crewe in Cheshire, voiced his “deep concern” over their continued use in the town, in a letter addressed to Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, on February 3.
As of early February, two hotels in the town were housing asylum seekers, The Crewe Arms Hotel and The Royal Hotel Crewe on Nantwich Road, both of which are close to Crewe Railway Station, as per Crewe Nub News. A number of demonstrations against the two hotels took place in 2025 amid a wave of national protests against the sites, with locals voicing concerns about safety and their impact on the community. Counter protesters also came out in the town, including demonstators from campaign group Stand Up to Racism.
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The Crewe Arms Hotel is one of two sites that have been the subject of protests. (Image: Google Maps)
Asylum hotels are commercial hotels contracted by the Government to become “contingency accommodation” for refugees while their applications are processed.
But a large backlog has meant many have had to be used on a longer-term basis than originally intended, and in recent years more have had to be arranged to accommodate the growing number of asylum seekers.
Mr Naismith acknowleged the need for asylum seekers to be treated with compassion, but highlighted pressures brought on the town by the hotels.
“While I believe that we have a moral responsibility to treat those seeking refuge with dignity and compassion, it has become increasingly clear that housing individuals in hotel facilities is neither appropriate nor sustainable, for asylum seekers themselves, local services and the wider community,” he wrote.
“These facilities were never intended for long-term accommodation, and the lack of suitable infrastructure has resulted in challenges for both residents and those housed in the hotels.”
He added that the arrangement “fails to provide the stability, integration and support that asylum seekers need while they await the outcome of their claim”.
“Moreover, the people of Crewe have faced the consequences of a system that was implemented without adequate consultation or transparency.”
Mr Naismith, who was elected in the 2024 General Election, said local authorities and community organisations have “repeatedly had to respond reactively rather than being properly engaged or supported in managing the impact of these decisions”.
“I therefore urge the government to bring this arrangement to an end and put forward a clear, actionable plan for closing the asylum hotels in Crewe as a matter of priority.
“This must go hand-in-hand with establishing more suitable. purpose-designed accommodation that ensures the safety and wellbeing of asylum seekers, while restoring the proper balance and fairness to our local community.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain.
“That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving illegal migrants into basic accommodation like military barracks.”
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has committed to closing every asylum hotel in Britain by the end of this Parliament, which would be in 2029 at the latest.