![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_The-scene-outside-the-Kings-Gap-Hotel-in-Hoylake-Wirral.jpg\")
The scene outside the Kings Gap Hotel in Hoylake, Wirral, in July(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\nFour arrests took place in August<\/p>\n
17:43, 12 Sep 2025Updated 17:45, 12 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
The scene outside the Kings Gap Hotel in Hoylake, Wirral, in July(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n
A Wirral man has been charged after police made arrests following a protest outside a hotel where asylum seekers were staying. The arrests took place after a demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Hoylake<\/a> in August<\/p>\n Wirral<\/a> Council has said the Home Office<\/a> is planning to use the building in the future for male asylum seekers. <\/a>The hotel has previously been used for this purpose and more recently used to house families. The ECHO <\/a>has previously reported how there have been four arrests following the protests outside the hotel.<\/p>\n Merseyside Police has now confirmed a man has been charged.<\/p>\n James Peter Martin, 43, of Old Chester Road, Higher Bebington, was arrested and later charged with a section 4 public order offence (using threatening\/abusive\/insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence).<\/p>\n He was conditionally bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on October 3.<\/p>\n On Sunday, August 3, a 28-year-old man from Wirral was arrested on suspicion of a section 5 public order offence (displaying threatening or abusive writing or signs). He was later conditionally bailed.<\/p>\n A 30-year-old man from Wirral was arrested on suspicion of a section 5 public order offence and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He was conditionally bailed.<\/p>\n After reports about the Home Office plans, there have been regular protests outside the hotel. Wirral Council<\/a> has been reviewing whether planning permission needs to be sought going forward after being informed of the latest plans and some councillors want the local authority to take legal action.<\/p>\n Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett said people \u201chave expressed clear opposition\u201d to the housing of asylum seekers at the hotel and have asked the government<\/a> to listen \u201cas a matter of urgency\u201d. However a recent Court of Appeal decision could make things more difficult for the local authority.<\/a><\/p>\n For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news<\/a><\/p>\n Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter<\/a> @LivECHONews<\/a> – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time.<\/p>\n