REASSURANCES are being sought after more than 150 asylum seekers were put up in two Bournemouth hotels over the weekend.

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo on Saturday, the asylum seekers could stay in Bournemouth for up to two weeks but will not have access to statutory services such as schools and social services.

A total of 88 are understood to be staying at the Roundhouse Hotel in Meyrick Road and a further 67 are being accommodated at the Heathlands Hotel on Grove Road, East Cliff.

Both hotels are owned by the Britannia Hotels group, who also own the Royal Bath Hotel.

The Home Office has insisted the measure is a short-term one.

In a brief statement to the Echo, a spokesman said: “The UK has a proud history of offering sanctuary to those who need it.

“We have made it clear to our providers that the use of hotels is only ever acceptable as a short-term measure.”

But Paul Clarke, chairman of BAHA (Bournemouth Accomm-odation and Hotel Association), said the organisation will be seeking assurances this is a ‘one-off’.

“Firstly, we would like to make it clear that Britannia Hotels have chosen not to be members of BAHA”, he said.

“We do have to question why the Border Agency is using hotels in Bournemouth to house asylum seekers rather than using accommodation closer to Croydon, and whilst we respect that every business has the right to trade as it feels fit, we would be confident that our members would not feel this is a good mix of business to take.

“We do hope that the measures that the Border Agency have put in place to monitor this group will be robust and we will be asking for reassurances that this is a one-off situation from those involved.”

A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels was unavailable to comment over the weekend.

Council leader’s questions for the Home Office

Bournemouth council leader John Beesley, pictured, said he had asked ‘searching’ questions of the Home Office over the asylum seekers.

He said he would be asking for further assurances this was a one-off during a meeting with representatives from the UK Visas and Immigration department on Tuesday.

The meeting will be attended by the chief executive of Bournemouth council, Tony Williams and members of Dorset Police as well as Cllr Beesley.

“The assurances I am seeking are around issues for Bournemouth residents.”

“I’ve had considerable help from our members of Parlia-ment as well, which I am grateful for.”

He said the effect on the hotel trade and whether this could set a precedent was ‘a key issue at the very front of my mind.’