The Bell Hotel in Epping, located just beyond London, doesn't receive any new reservations, but it is always occupied every night. This is because, starting in 2020, the government has been using it to accommodate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive annually along England's southern coastline and end up stuck in bureaucratic uncertainty.
Safeguard the hotel operators, as no party is satisfied with the existing arrangement: neither the government and municipal authorities, which are required to cover substantial amounts for the profitable contracts; nor the asylum seekers, who may reside in a small room for years awaiting news on their ability to remain in the UK; and, more recently in the instance of the Epping hotel, not the local residents, some of whom claim they feel insecure due to the groups of young men staying in the area.
Occasionally, these issues escalate. In Epping, the trigger occurred last month when an asylum applicant from Ethiopia was accused of sexually assaulting a student on the local main street. He faces additional charges and is waiting for his court date. He has denied the accusations.
Numerous locals were outraged. Certain individuals organized demonstrations in front of the hotel—driven by those from the far-right—which became violent.
However, the protesters had something to celebrate on Tuesday when the council secured a significant High Court decision that will prevent the Bell Hotel's owners from accommodating asylum seekers. This came after the council raised concerns that the hotel was not being utilized for its designated purpose. The 138 individuals currently residing there will need to relocate next month.
The court decision has placed this three-star hotel at the heart of a political controversy and created significant challenges for the Labour government. Determining where these asylum seekers will go next presents the most difficult issue for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
For Nigel Farage, the outspoken leader of the far-right Reform UK party, the decision was a reason to rejoice.
Farage, who was previously a key figure in the UK's Brexit campaign and is now a member of parliament, praised what he described as a "significant triumph." He urged comparable demonstrations at migrant hotels throughout the country, aiming to "exert pressure on local councils to take legal action" in an attempt to prevent additional hotels from accommodating asylum seekers.
If UK councils decide to pursue similar legal actions, it might lead to significant challenges for the government. In the UK, approximately 210 hotels are currently accommodating about 32,000 individuals. Should additional councils obtain decisions similar to Epping's, the government may need to locate alternative housing for these individuals within a few months, as their asylum claims progress through the British system.
A turning point
Mohamed Khador mentioned it took him three years to travel from Somalia to England. The 24-year-old spent the most time in Austria, where he worked for a short period as a dishwasher, but mostly he was constantly moving. Upon arriving in Dunkirk, northern France, he had saved approximately $1,000. This amount allowed him to secure a spot on an old dinghy with around 70 others, hoping to soon glimpse England's white cliffs. The trip across the Channel was described by Khador as "scary, painful, and cold."
When he came four months ago, he was directed to a processing center. From that point on, he has been staying at the Bell Hotel.
Initially, everything was "normal," he stated. As the locals played cricket, he would play soccer with others who were staying at the hotel. "We would go out. No one paid attention," he said.
Then occurred what he refers to as "the incident."
The "event" appeared to serve as a key reference point in the town's shared consciousness.
In July, Hadush Kebatu, a 38-year-old from Ethiopia, faced charges including sexual assault, harassment, and encouraging a minor to participate in sexual activity. The victim was 14 years old.
Eddie and Elaine, a pair who have resided in the region for 15 years and chose not to reveal their surnames, mentioned that the last few weeks have marked a significant shift, following several years of peaceful existence.
This summer has been the worst one yet, with all the issues," Elaine said. "Honestly, no one believes it's a good idea to have 150 men in a place like that, right on the corner of town, just next to the school.
The following day after the court decision, numerous residents in the town expressed their opinions. Dozens of individuals drove by the Bell Hotel, honking their horns as if celebrating. Some shouted "Get Starmer out" and "Finally, get rid of them." There were several loud chants of "Niiigel," showing support for Farage, one of a small group of British politicians that the public feel they know by their first names.
For Khador, "the incident" altered everything. He mentioned that individuals have thrown beer bottles at him as he heads to the nearby store; others yell "scum" while driving past him.
Some claim you are innocent until proven guilty. It's the reverse now. It's as if you are considered guilty until proven innocent. Right now, you're just an immigrant. You're seen as guilty.
‘Our streets’
The street leading from the town center to the Bell Hotel has, over the last two weeks, been decorated with the white and red of the England St. George’s Cross flag.
I believe it's wonderful," remarked a pedestrian. "These are our streets.
However, some individuals were quietly concerned about the displays of nationalism, which others worried might take a negative turn. A man mentioned he didn't want to be quoted, as he was afraid that expressing support for migrants could make him a target for the protesters who had been gathering outside the hotel in recent nights.
"It's a small community. Gossip spreads quickly. Everyone is aware of where others reside," he mentioned.
Even though Farage has advocated for "peaceful" gatherings throughout the UK, some recent demonstrations have not consistently been non-violent.
Last summer, the UK experienced protests that turned into violent and racist behavior as false information sparked anti-immigration riots throughout the country. The tragic death of three girls in Southport, northern England, during a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class in July caused significant unrest, resulting in numerous arrests. In one case, demonstrators set a hotel that housed asylum seekers on fire while individuals were still inside.
Far-right groups were blamed for utilizing social media to disseminate false information, particularly the inaccurate assertion that the Southport perpetrator was an immigrant who entered the UK without authorization. In truth, the individual found guilty of the killings was a teenager born in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, to parents from Rwanda.
Since the Labour party took office last summer, approximately 38,000 individuals have arrived via small boats; this number has decreased from its highest point in 2022, yet it remains over a third higher than the previous year. Several of these individuals have been accommodated in hotel facilities.
Recent measures, like a "one-in-one-out" agreement with France, are not addressing the main issue: Thousands of individuals each year continue to take dangerous risks to cross the Channel.
Discontent with significant immigration rates, along with dissatisfaction regarding Britain's slow economic progress, has created an environment conducive to nationalist sentiments.
We're a small nation," Eddie remarked. "We can only take in so much before it alters our entire surroundings. However, we were raised here—by our parents, following World War II.
When asked where he believes the people staying at the Bell Hotel should be relocated, he stated, "We believe there should likely be specially designed camps. They've had years to consider this... They should be constructing some camps to handle the arrival and manage the situation."
After the court's decision, the government stated it is considering a "variety of suitable housing options" for asylum seekers in England. The Home Office, which attempted a last-minute effort to block the ruling, cautioned that the court's verdict would "significantly affect" its capacity to accommodate asylum seekers in hotels throughout the UK.
These effects are expected to become even more significant as additional councils consider filing their own legal disputes. Farage mentioned that the 10 councils led by Reform UK will "do everything possible" to achieve comparable decisions. In fact, some Labour-run councils have also declared similar intentions.
All 80 rooms at the Bell Hotel, which accommodate 138 individuals, must be vacated by the end of September 12.
For the Somali man known as Khador, this probably indicates many more months before he can, in his view, begin anew. Asylum applicants are not allowed to work while their application is being processed.
"I simply want to show that I'm not a criminal. Just demonstrate that I can make a contribution. I'm not someone who takes without giving back," he stated.
However, whether he is in another hotel or a completely different kind of lodging doesn't matter much. "It's going to be the same everywhere," he stated.