Rumour that hotel used to process asylum seekers will reopen to public soon

Rumours are circulating online that a hotel in West Reading that closed over four years ago to process asylum seekers is soon reopening.

The Best Western Calcot Hotel along the A4 Bath Road in Calcot has had a rocky history since the national lockdown in March 2020.

Hotels were forced to close during the coronavirus pandemic. Although they were allowed to reopen in May that year, they were typically used as self-quarantine hotels for people arriving from holidays and other countries.

The Calcot Hotel was also suspected as being used as a site by the Home Office to process the claims of asylum seekers arriving unannounced to the country.

At the time, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The Home Office does not comment on operational arrangements for individual hotels.

“The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable and we are working with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation across the United Kingdom.”

Now, despite stilling being cordoned off behind metal fencing, rumours suggest that staff are gearing up for the hotel to be reopened to the public.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to a staff member over the phone who said that the hotel is not taking bookings currently, but should be in a position to do so at the end of this month.

The news follows a report that refugees and asylum seekers left the hotel in August last year.

Barriers preventing public access to the hotel will remain until customers are ready to be welcomed in.

Best Western Hotels have been contacted for a response. The company also runs the Sure Hotel in Christchurch Road, East Reading and the Moat House hotel in Sindlesham.