Bangor hotel to stop housing asylum seekers

The Marine Court Hotel in Bangor triggered local protests in the city in recent years

A Bangor City hotel will no longer house asylum seekers, it has been announced.

The Marie Court Hotel has seen a series of protests and demonstrations, including people with signs saying 'we are not racists we are concerned residents' and 'keep our children safe'.

North Down MP Alex Easton revealed the decision on Friday, after receiving a letter from the Home Office confirming the end of asylum use at the hotel.

It's understood the premises will cease to house asylum seekers before the end of February 2026.

The North Down MP said he hopes the decison will ease any concern among residents.

"I welcome the decision to close the Marine Court hotel; this has been extremely controversial within the local community and has caused extreme concern and discord.

"I believe this will go some way towards addressing some of the genuine concerns within the local community and believe this to be the right decision by the Home Office."

Stephen Dunne MLA added: "We welcome the news that the Marine Court Hotel is set to close to asylum seekers in the New Year. It is important that this prominent hotel is reopened as a facility for the whole community to enjoy once again.

Councillor James Cochrane said: "The ongoing use of the Marine Court Hotel to house asylum seekers has been controversial and has had a negative impact on community relations.

"While this latest development is welcome, it remains vital that the open Planning Enforcement case is concluded to ensure the Home Office is held fully accountable.

"The UK Government must also ensure that those seeking asylum are not given preferential treatment in housing allocation."

The once popular hotel closed after the COVID-19 lockdown. It was repurposed to house asylum seekers in 2022, before protests began in 2023.