Hotel Linked to Asylum Seeker Protests Acquired by Egyptian Investor
The Beresford Hotel in Newquay has been sold to HS Hotels Ltd amid ongoing discussions about its past as a refugee accommodation site
Newquay, Cornwall, Egypt, Asylum Seekers, Protests, Hassan Arif
Newquay: So, the Beresford Hotel, which was in the spotlight for housing refugees, has been sold to an Egyptian businessman. It was quite the scene back in 2023 when protests erupted over the Home Office’s decision to use the hotel for 200 asylum seekers. The town was buzzing with tension, and you could feel the energy during those protests.
Things got pretty heated, especially during a protest in March when clashes broke out between anti-fascist protesters and the police. By May 2023, the hotel was put up for sale as the refugees were moved out just in time for the tourist season.
Now, it turns out that HS Hotels Ltd has bought the Beresford along with two other hotels. They snagged the Valley Of Rocks Hotel in North Devon and the Carlton Hotel in Great Yarmouth too. Quite the haul, right?
Hassan Arif, the Egyptian-born businessman behind HS Hotels, is quite the entrepreneur. He’s listed as the director of multiple companies and even founded the H&H Hotels group, which recently acquired another hotel in Lostwithiel.
Interestingly, the Beresford Hotel made headlines again when it announced it would stop selling alcohol and pork due to the new owners’ cultural preferences. The deputy general manager mentioned that this change is all about promoting a healthier and more inclusive environment.
They even had a message on their website about it, but it seems that’s been taken down now. As for the sale, the director from Christie & Co said it shows there’s still a strong demand for hotels in the UK, especially in the South West. Even with the current economic challenges, buyers are still keen to invest.