The Government is terminating its contract with an asylum hotel that became the centre of protests when a resident sexually assaulted a teenage girl. All asylum seekers have already been moved out of the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which will officially stop being used by July 11, Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) said. They are understood to have been relocated as a precaution over fire safety regulations.
Council welcomes decision but criticises Home Office
The council welcomed the news, saying it would allow it to “concentrate on rebuilding our community”, but hit out at the Home Office which it said had shown “little regard” for the town. The hotel became the focus of protests last year after resident Hadush Kebatu sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Multiple demonstrations were held over the summer which spilled into the town centre at one point.
Background of the case
Kebatu was found guilty of five offences – including sexual assault – and jailed, and was then mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford last October before he was detained and deported to Ethiopia. The hotel will officially stop being used by July 11.
Statement from Epping Forest District Council
EFDC told the Press Association in a statement: “The Home Office has finally, this morning, confirmed to Epping Forest District Council that it is terminating its contract with the Bell Hotel, Epping, as asylum accommodation. It will cease being used by July 11, 2026, and all service users have been notified of the closure and relocated to other parts of its asylum estate. This follows repeated attempts by EFDC over the past two days to ascertain the situation at the site.
“The news came as a complete surprise, but a welcome one, as it brings an important opportunity to concentrate on rebuilding our community that has been so severely impacted and divided by the damaging events of the past year. Epping has traditionally been a community built on trust, inclusivity and mutual support with a strong sense of belonging, something recent events have tested to the limits.”
Council leader's criticism
Council leader Chris Whitbread added: “It is extremely disappointing the Home Office has failed to communicate with us in a timely manner on such an important issue that has had such a major impact on our town. It shows how little regard the Home Office has for our town, our community, and the people of Epping who have suffered immeasurably over the course of the last year because of the Home Office’s use of the Bell Hotel to accommodate asylum seekers.
“I am hopeful that our community, and particularly those residents living in the immediate vicinity of the Bell Hotel, can now be afforded some peace. We hope the Home Office will work with the hotel owner to restore the street scene around the Bell Hotel and we would welcome a conversation with Somani Hotels about its plans for the future of the site.”
Home Office response
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain. That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving illegal migrants into basic accommodation like military barracks. We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across government so that we can accelerate delivery.”
