“A once-quaint English village now hosts asylum seekers in its former ’boutique hotel’ — and frustrated locals say their peaceful way of life is hanging by a thread.”
Tensions Rise in Picturesque Datchet Village as Luxury Hotel Houses Asylum Seekers
A four-star hotel in the postcard-perfect village of Datchet, near Windsor, has sparked controversy after being repurposed to accommodate asylum seekers—allegedly leading to rising tensions with local residents.
Locals claim that some of the newcomers, believed to be from Pakistan and Afghanistan, have been causing disturbances by shouting religious chants like “Allah, Allah” and “Muslim is good” at passersby. There are also allegations of theft and verbal abuse, particularly targeted at members of the local South Asian community.
Abhi, a 24-year-old shopkeeper originally from India, told The Times that he has been repeatedly harassed while at work. “They abuse me because I’m from India and I’m Hindu,” he said. “They come in and shout, ‘Muslim is good, Allah Allah.’ They say, ‘Indians are not good, f*** Hinduism.’ It’s f***ing bad. They’re always coming in, taking food, [and they] don’t pay. I personally hate it.”
The asylum seekers are being housed at the Manor Hotel, a former boutique getaway, now funded by taxpayers. The situation has left many in the tight-knit village feeling unsettled, with calls growing louder for government intervention.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Pressure as Channel Migrant Arrivals Surpass 30,000
Just a Stone’s Throw from Royalty, Luxury Village Hotel Now Houses Asylum Seekers Amid Surge in Channel Crossings
Nestled in the heart of Datchet—just a ten-minute walk from Prince William and Princess Kate’s Adelaide Cottage—the 54-room Manor Hotel, once a charming boutique retreat, is now one of six new hotels repurposed to house asylum seekers since Labour took office in July 2024.
This move comes despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vow to “smash the people smuggling gangs” responsible for ferrying migrants across the Channel. Nationwide, over 38,000 asylum seekers are currently being accommodated in hotels, racking up a taxpayer bill of £5.5 million each day.
To make matters worse for Labour, a record-breaking 6,796 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year — the highest number since records began in 2018.
‘It Breaks My Heart’: Local Woman Says Fond Memories of Village Hotel Now Tainted
Irene Husbands, 91, who held her wedding reception at the Manor Hotel back in 1962, says the building once filled with joy and celebration now carries a sense of sorrow.
“It breaks my heart,” she said. “Nobody’s happy around here anymore.”
‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’: Locals Slam Hotel Profits as Village Businesses Suffer
Longtime resident Irene Husbands, 91, didn’t hold back her frustration over the government’s deal with the Manor Hotel.
“It shouldn’t be allowed,” she said. “The hotel’s making a nice lot of money, aren’t they, because the government pays them.”
While the hotel benefits from taxpayer-funded contracts to house asylum seekers, local businesses say they’re paying the price.
Cheryl Bohdjalian, 58, who runs the Nibbles café just across the street, says foot traffic has all but vanished since the hotel stopped taking regular guests.
“Business has dried up,” she said. “We relied on the hotel’s visitors – now we’re left struggling.”
‘They Don’t Contribute Anything’: Café Owner Says Village Feels the Strain as Hotel Stops Taking Regular Guests
Cheryl Bohdjalian, 58, who owns the Nibbles café opposite the Manor Hotel, says the once-steady stream of hotel guests that helped sustain her business has completely dried up.
“We used to get normal hotel guests coming in for breakfast or lunches, that sort of thing,” she told The Times. “But they [the asylum seekers] don’t contribute anything at all to the village.”
While frustration grows among residents and business owners, the government insists change is underway.
A Home Office spokesperson responded to the concerns, saying:
“We are delivering on our pledge to close asylum hotels, which will drastically reduce taxpayer costs and give control back to local communities.
“The asylum system ground to a standstill under the last government, but we are reversing that damage by fixing the foundations of our immigration system. We have increased asylum decision-making by 52 per cent in the last three months of 2024 and removed more than 24,000 people with no right to be here.”
Related Articles
- Drug-Dealing Foreign National Avoids Deportation Thanks to UK Legal Loophole
A shocking case raises questions about Britain’s immigration enforcement. - Tiny Village Turning Into ‘Ghost Town’ After Beloved B&B Becomes Migrant Hotel
Locals say community spirit is vanishing along with long-time residents. - Labour Minister Hints at Bombshell Move to End Migrant Hotel Crisis
Could a sweeping policy shift finally bring relief to struggling towns? - Small Boats Packed with ‘Over 400’ Migrants Headed for UK in New Channel Surge
Border agencies scramble to respond to latest wave of crossings.