Holidaymakers are trying to cancel their holidays to a popular UK seaside town over the number of migrants in the area. The County Hotel in Skegness has housed asylum seekers for three years, recently sparking an anti-migration protest. Roughly 64 asylum seekers are staying at the hotel, and there are others in shared properties.
Julieanne Bunce runs the North Parade Hotel, and has done for nearly 25 years, but says holidays are now being cancelled amid backlash to migration levels.
She told The Sun: “The coach companies have been organising holidays with me for 15 years but now they are trying to cancel them.”
Ms Bunce claimed the visitors who are showing up are expressing their fierce opposition to the hotels, despite hers not housing any asylum seekers.
She added: “One shouted he was going to firebomb my hotel because he thought there were refugees here. There’s a lot of trouble from visitors and locals.”
The clock tower in Skegness was recently decorated in the St George’s flag, while red crosses have been painted on roundabouts, signs and bollards.
This comes after the district council said it was weighing up its options regarding legal action to close the asylum hotel and open it to tourists again.
Councillor Craig Leyland, the Tory leader of East Lindsey council, told The Telegraph: “We have always been clear to the Government that we stand strongly against the use of hotels in our district by the Home Office for those seeking asylum.
“I have followed the case by the Conservative-run Epping Forest district council and yesterday’s judgment with great interest.
“I have asked officers to investigate and understand this case and will take appropriate action once we understand if there are any similarities that we can act on.
“East Lindsey is one of the most visited holiday destinations in the country, and we are currently in the peak season for Skegness and our other coastal resorts.
“We remain absolutely committed to doing all we can to return this vital tourism accommodation to its intended use, and to preserving and promoting our position as a welcoming family holiday resort.”