Blackpool politicians rubbish claims Norbreck Hotel will be used to house asylum seekers

Social media posts suggesting the Norbreck Castle Hotel will be the next home for asylum seekers have been slammed as “unacceptable”.

Messages on various chat sites have either claimed or made satirical jokes that the hotel will house migrants after they have left the Metropole Hotel in July.

Both hotels are owned by the Britannia group.

But the posts have been criticised for spreading misinformation and attempting to cause “further division” between communities on the Fylde coast.

Cllr Julie Sloman, a Conservative councillor who represents the Norbreck ward, said: “To say I am beyond furious is an understatement.

“One chap is posting regularly on social media, posts which are largely intended to be satire or a bit of fun, but are not seen as such in all quarters.

“Both Chris Webb and myself have been steadfast in our determination that the Metropole hotel was not the ideal accommodation for asylum seekers, for many reasons.

“Finally our voices have been heard and use of the Metropole is being wound down. Throughout the use of the Metropole there have been several rumours put about by people intent on causing further division in the town for their own personal or political gain, that the Norbreck hotel would accommodate asylum seekers.

“This is both incorrect and unacceptable. It was not the case and will not be the case that the Norbreck will be used. My understanding is the Government are now moving away from using hotels, not moving from hotel to hotel.

She added: “Some of my residents are very upset by this posting. The Norbreck Hotel will not be hosting asylum seeking families or individuals and I would urge anyone who sees anything to the contrary to disregard it. “

Mr Webb has also spoken out to rubbish claims that asylum seekers would be moved to other local sites once they have left the Metropole in three months’ time.

He said: “There have been a lot of rumours going around that there’ll be another hotel or more housing taking the asylum seekers in.

“That is completely false, the individuals in there will be sent to other locations on CIRCO sites across the country or in new-build military bases.”

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers has also refuted claims that the Norbreck will be used to house migrants.