PA MediaA hotel chain has been asked what it is doing to ensure no repeat of the “utterly appalling” treatment of two rough sleepers – who were told they could not stay despite having rooms pre-booked by a charity on a freezing night.
Parliament’s housing committee chair said the pair faced “inhumane” discrimination at the Holiday Inn Express in Manchester last week when it was -6C (21.2F).
Florence Eshalomi has written to IHG Hotels and Resorts, of which Holiday Inn Express is part, demanding an “urgent explanation”.
At the time, a Holiday Inn Express Manchester spokesperson apologised, saying it was “not in keeping with our policy of welcoming all”. IHG Hotels and Resorts has been asked for comment.
The rooms had been booked by the Two Brews charity, which aims to tackle poverty and homelessness in Manchester and Salford.
The charity had a volunteer present with the two men, and she filmed a member of hotel staff on reception telling the men, “I know you are from the street” and “company policy” meant they could not check in.
Eshalomi said at least two rough sleepers were known to have died in Manchester in recent weeks, adding: “The way in which these vulnerable rough sleepers appear to have been discriminated against is inhumane and utterly appalling.
The MP asked the hotel group to confirm whether it had identified any local or national policies that staff might have interpreted as a policy against providing accommodation to homeless people.
Or, whether the hotel in question had any such policies in place.
PA MediaShe also asked whether there had been any similar incidents at other locations.
Eshalomi also demanded to know what training staff had been given on dealing with homeless and vulnerable guests, as well as to set out what action it was taking to “ensure such an incident can never happen again”.
She gave the firm until 28 January to respond.
GeographThe company needed to urgently explain how the incident occurred and the concrete action being taken to ensure it could never happen again,” Eshalomi said.
The MP added: “Holiday Inn Express and other IHG brands are contracted by local authorities across England to provide emergency temporary accommodation to homeless residents.
“IHG really has no excuse for allowing this distressing situation to occur and I expect them to provide a detailed response to the committee’s questions.”