Locals plead for closure of migrant hotel as ‘loitering’ asylum seekers ‘ask for money and look in people’s windows’

People living near the Sandpiper Hotel, just outside Chesterfield, are asking for it to be shut down after two years of it being used to house asylum seekers. Locals say their lives have become more difficult, and they blame the people staying at the hotel for problems in the area.

Residents have complained about loud noise, litter on the streets, and groups of men standing around asking for money or looking through house windows. Some say they feel uncomfortable or unsafe, especially on the nearby walking trail, where social media posts have warned about men following women through the park.

One serious incident happened in December 2023 when a 27-year-old man staying at the hotel was arrested because of concerns about explosives. He was released on bail, and police later confirmed that nothing dangerous was found.

Many people living nearby say they were never told that the hotel would be turned into housing for asylum seekers under a contract with the Home Office. Some, like Shannon Freeman, said the situation has gotten worse in the past six months. She mentioned people looking through windows and said installing security cameras helped stop it.

Gary Cook, whose family used to own the hotel, said the building has gone downhill and the area has changed. He believes having so many people staying there has lowered house prices nearby and made it harder to ever return the hotel to its original purpose. He said the place looks run down and that it’s sad to see what has happened to it.

Others have shared their concerns too. A local mother, Chelsea Lodge, said men from the hotel approached her asking for money when she got off the bus. Marina Tamasauskas, another resident, said she’s not racist but believes the people staying there are causing trouble, especially when they are seen filming from the windows or hanging around in groups.

Overall, locals feel the arrival of asylum seekers has changed their neighborhood, and many want the hotel closed. They say they were not part of the decision and now feel their community has been negatively affected.