Derby's future as tourist destination under threat from asylum hotels, says ex MP
A former Derby MP is calling on Derby City Council to act on the issue of asylum hotels or risk the city's future as a tourist destination.The city council recently published a report that confirmed that hotels housing asylum seekers in Derby are in breach of planning regulations - but said it was unlikely to do anything about it and that enforcement action was not considered appropriate given the level of harm, cost to the public purse and wider societal impact.The most recent Home Office data shows that Derby is accommodating 329 asylum seekers in the Midland Hotel and the Station Hotel, both in Midland Road near the railway station.The city council leader, Councillor Nadine Peatfield, has distanced herself from the report by saying that "decisions are dealt with by the planning committee or are delegated to planning officers. The administration cannot be involved or influence planning".But former Derby North MP Amanda Solloway has accused the city council of failing residents and visitors by not acting decisively on Government guidance to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.Her comments follow the continued use of hotels in Derby city centre to house asylum seekers, despite the Government making clear that hotel use should be phased out and that local authorities should assist in returning hotels to their original purpose wherever possible.Mrs Solloway said the situation is having a growing impact on local people, businesses and visitors, and warned that Derby risks missing out on tourism and economic opportunities at a time when the city is receiving positive national attention.She said: “Derby is a proud, welcoming and multicultural city, and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. People from all backgrounds play a vital role in our communities, our economy and our culture, and that should always be celebrated.“But being welcoming and fair must go hand in hand with standing up for local residents. It is not right that Derby people and visitors are being disadvantaged because the council is failing to act.”The former MP highlighted the continued use of the historic Midland Hotel, one of Derby’s most recognisable landmarks.“The Midland Hotel should be a jewel in the city’s crown,” she said. “It is part of Derby’s heritage and a key asset for tourism and the local economy. It should be welcoming visitors to the city, not being removed from public use altogether.”She warned that Derby’s tourism sector could be adversely affected, particularly as the city has recently been named by Time Out magazine as one of the UK’s top 10 destinations worth visiting.“Derby is being promoted nationally as a great place to visit, with a strong cultural offer, a growing food and drink scene and a rich heritage,” she said.“But if people decide to come here and find there is nowhere to stay because hotels are unavailable, that damages the city’s reputation and hurts local businesses.”Time Out magazine placed Derby as the seventh best place to visit in 2026, citing it as a base for exploring the rest of the county and mentioning its new ULTRA warehouse club, Joseph Wright exhibition and the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships taking place in October.It also reminded readers that 2026 will see the 30th birthday of Lara Croft - designed in the city - and the dual celebration of twinning with Osnabruck 50 years ago in 1976 and in 2027, it's 50 years since Derby became a city.Mrs Solloway stressed that her concerns were not about diversity or community cohesion, but about leadership and fairness.She said: "Our multicultural communities are a strength, not a weakness. But that should never be used as an excuse for delay or inaction. Other areas are moving forward, and Derby should not be left behind."She is now calling on the city council to set out a clear plan to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation in line with Government guidance, saying residents deserve transparency and action.She added: “This is about fairness for Derby, for the people who live here, the businesses trying to recover, and the visitors we are actively encouraging to come and enjoy the city.”City council leader Councillor Nadine Peatfield wrote to the Government before Christmas and has received a response this week reiterating the intention of closing all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.The response also said: "The Home Office closely monitors the impact of all our policies, including the move on period, on the number and occupancy of asylum hotels, the overall costs of the asylum accommodation estate, the wider effect on local communities, and any pressures placed on local authorities and public amenities."Mrs Peatfield said: "The number of asylum seekers in Derby hotels is falling, thanks to a focus on processing applications which was absent from the previous Government. Following the national pattern, there are more refusals than acceptances."If and when we receive a timeline and guidance on ending the use of hotels in Derby, we will work with Government."There is nothing that the council can act on at this moment in time and posturing with empty statements won’t change that."Where is the accountability of former Conservative MPs who sat silent in Parliament while Robert Jenrick boasted that he was acquiring more hotels? This Government is clearing up that mess and has promised to do so by 2029."The report to full council regarding hotel usage was clear regarding the planning decision-making process. Decisions are dealt with by the planning committee or are delegated to planning officers. The administration cannot be involved or influence planning."
