Homeless and disabled Travelodge residents turned out

Budget hotel chain, Travelodge has closed its premises turning families, including homeless and disabled people who were placed there by local councils, out on to the street.

The hotel issued letters to residents yesterday (March 24) asking them to leave as soon as possible that day.

The letter said the chain is temporarily closing its hotels until further notice, following ‘the government’s instruction to close hotels as part of the new restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus’, issued on Monday.

However, the move defies guidance that was issued the same day that stated ‘all hotels, hostels, and B&Bs providing rooms to support people who are homeless through arrangements with local authorities and other public bodies, should remain open’.

Anthony Morson, who was self-isolating at Heathrow Travelodge for 14 days so he could visit his father who has leukaemia, said guests were ‘kicked out onto the street’ with less than two hours notice.

He said residents were ‘begging’ for an extra night make alternate arrangements but were given no help.

Twitter user, Shaz C, said her disabled daughter had been left homeless after Travelodge in Bromley closed.

She said her daughter has a functional neurological disorder, fibromyalgia has lost the use of her legs. Her room was being paid for by Lewisham council while suitable accommodation was found.

Chains such as Travelodge have made millions of pounds in recent years from local authorities by providing emergency accommodation for homeless families waiting to be placed in more suitable temporary accommodation.

A Travelodge spokesman said:

‘Travelodge has been obliged to commence the temporary closure of its hotels in line with the instructions from the government on 24 March 2020.

‘We do expect to remain open in selected critical locations across the country to support accommodation for emergency workers and other groups.

‘We are reviewing daily which hotels are best positioned to support the needs that arise with the government while ensuring we comply with the new restrictions in place to protect the public.’

Photo credit – Travelodge