Travelodge’s Chief Executive has confirmed its forthcoming Upminster hotel will not host asylum seekers, after local MP Julia Lopez asked her to address residents’ concerns following bubbling social media speculation about the purpose of the new site.
Mrs Lopez wrote to Jo Boydell, boss of the hotel chain, before Christmas to make sure residents got the facts about Travelodge’s intentions for the Station Road site, which is currently under construction. The hotel has been caused local controversy since Havering Council’s decision to deny planning permission was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate. Speculation has since been rife on Havering’s social networking groups that the building would eventually be turned into asylum accommodation as the new government struggles to stem Channel migrant crossings.
In an email received today from Ms Boydell, the company confirms that Travelodge has not applied to the Home Office for consideration as asylum accommodation for this or any other hotel in their portfolio. Ms Boydell went on to assure the local MP that ‘there are no plans to use the Upminster Travelodge for such purposes once the development is completed, and nor are there for any other developments’.
Since taking office in July, the new Labour Government has scrapped the Rwanda deportation deterrent, alongside military sites and the Bibby Stockholm barge as options to house Channel migrants – options the Conservatives had brought into play to end the use of costly hotel accommodation. With rising numbers making the dangerous crossing, Ministers have commissioned new hotel places in the South East as the Home Office has scrambled to deal with overcrowding at the Manston processing centre. As a result, Havering social media speculation has led to many constituents writing to the Hornchurch & Upminster MP to ask if local hotels are being prepped by the government as options.
Welcoming the news, Mrs Lopez said:
“I know that residents have been particularly concerned by speculation over recent months about the new Travelodge. I want to make sure we deal in facts when it comes to addressing worrying social media rumours like this, so I’m really glad to have secured assurances from Travelodge about the future of the site as well as their desire to make a positive contribution to the local Upminster high street. I hope that this puts residents’ minds at rest.”
Below is the full text extract from Jo Boydell, CEO at Travelodge:
Dear Julia,
Thank you for your letter regarding our new Travelodge hotel being developed at 11 Station Road, Upminster. We appreciate you bringing the concerns of local residents to our attention and ensuring that they receive clear and factual information.
As you are aware, this 82-room hotel is part of a transformative town centre project, including new retail units on the ground floor, and we believe will be a valuable addition to Upminster’s bustling High Street. The development represents significant inward investment in the area, creating new jobs during both construction and operation, while supporting local businesses through the additional footfall it will generate. Our hotels also attract visitors who spend significant sums in local shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and attractions, further boosting the local economy.
This development is our 86th hotel in London, strategically located close to Upminster railway station, offering convenient access to Central London for both leisure and business travellers. Upminster currently has a shortage of hotels, and the new Travelodge will provide excellent quality, great-value accommodation that meets the needs of the community while complementing the town’s wider amenities.
I want to assure you that Travelodge has not applied to the Home Office for consideration as asylum accommodation for this or any other hotel in our portfolio. Furthermore, there are no plans to use the Upminster Travelodge for such purposes once the development is completed, and nor are there for any other developments.
We understand the sensitivity of this issue and the concerns expressed by your constituents. As a responsible hotel operator, Travelodge recognises the pressures faced by Local Authorities in relation to housing demands. Our primary focus remains on delivering high-quality experiences for our guests, and we recognise that a hotel room is not a substitute for a home.
We would be happy to keep you informed about the progress of the Upminster development and look forward to working with you to address any further questions or concerns your constituents may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require additional information.
Yours sincerely,
Jo
