The Best Western Quality Hotel on Trinity Street in Hanley has closed its doors after housing asylum seekers for over a year. The hotel, which accommodated up to 280 people at its peak since November 2022, has now shut down following a Home Office review of accommodation across Staffordshire. All residents have been relocated elsewhere in the UK by contractor Serco.
The closure comes as new figures show a significant shift in Stoke's asylum seeker population. Numbers in Stoke-on-Trent have dropped from over 1,300 to just over 1,000 in the past year – a 25 per cent reduction. This follows another asylum accommodation site closing in January 2024 and reflects the city council's sustained campaign against using hotels for vulnerable people.
The Government has committed to moving away from hotel accommodation entirely, pledging instead to use what it describes as "more appropriate and sustainable" housing. Officials say this approach offers better value for taxpayers while providing more suitable conditions for asylum seekers. Stoke has been at the centre of this policy shift.
Councillor Duncan Walker said the reduced numbers are important for the city. "We have always been a welcoming city, but the numbers were above capacity. It is important these figures were reduced so we can manage our resources and ensure community cohesion," he stated. The council has long argued that hotels were unsuitable for vulnerable people requiring accommodation.
The changes mean Stoke residents will see continued shifts in how asylum accommodation is managed locally. The closure represents progress in the council's campaign, though questions remain about where residents from Stoke will be permanently housed as the transition away from hotels continues across the country.