Morecambe hotel which houses homeless families set to close
A Morecambe hotel which has been housing homeless people is to close next month.
As reported in January, families have been staying in hotels in Lancaster and Morecambe – the majority of them at Bay Roomz in Morecambe, the former Headway Hotel – while they await permanent rehousing.
They were placed by a number of local authorities after being declared homeless.
However, Bay Roomz has now announced it is to close on October 6 for a refurbishment – leaving families desperately needing new accommodation.
A notice at the hotel announcing the impending closure says: “The Bay Roomz will be closing for refurbishments on Monday 6th October.
"All customers and belongings must be removed and checked out by Monday 6th October – 10am.
"The Bay Roomz will remain closed for several weeks while works are carried out. If you need further advice regarding bookings for now, please speak to reception.
"Thank you for your cooperation.”
Coun Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “The city council has been notified by the owner of Bay Roomz in Morecambe that it will be closing in October.
“While the residents currently staying at the hotel have not been placed or accommodated there by the council, our representatives have attended the site to offer support and speak directly with anyone who may be affected.
“We are also actively working through individual cases to ensure that those with no other options available to them are able to access alternative accommodation ahead of the hotel’s closure."
Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge said: “I am obviously concerned about residents who have been asked to leave Bay Roomz and I thank the city council, Calico and Citizens Advice for supporting these residents.
“That families are having to regularly be housed in temporary accommodation at all shows how severe our housing crisis is and how much we need to increase the supply of housing locally.
"Everyone deserves a decent home to live in which is why the Labour government’s Spring Budget announced £2bn ringfenced for 18,000 new social homes.
“I have no information about the future of Bay Roomz as a business and would hope that people do not speculate. Untrue rumours can spread extremely quickly and are often then repeated as fact.”