Nearly 100 residents gathered to condemn the transformation of Datchet’s Manor Hotel into an asylum hostel, demanding closure of the Home Office’s taxpayer-funded contract and calling for the hotel’s restoration amid fears over local safety and community cohesion.
Desperate villagers in the leafy village of Datchet, Berkshire, gathered for an emergency meeting to voice their anger over the transformation of the Manor Hotel into an asylum hostel. Nearly 100 residents crammed into the local hall, demanding an end to the taxpayer-funded arrangement that allowed migrants to reside at what many see as a once-thriving community asset. The hotel, previously a venue for weddings and social events, has been a source of turmoil since it was repurposed for housing asylum seekers.
Attendees at the heated meeting cited a sense of ‘chaos’ that has disrupted the village’s peaceful atmosphere. Some residents reported encounters with male migrants who, barred from working and with limited activities available, could be seen loitering in the village. One attendee didn’t mince words, describing the hotel as a “cr*p hole” due to years of neglect from the owners, MH Hotels. In the wake of numerous complaints regarding anti-social behaviour, residents expressed their frustrations regarding a lack of engagement from the hotel’s owners, Sam and Mandip Gill, who did not attend the meeting to discuss their future plans.
The situation in Datchet has stemmed from a series of decisions made by the Home Office, which, in September 2022, repurposed the Manor Hotel without prior consultation with local authorities. This abrupt change was met with significant backlash from community leaders, including Andrew Johnson, then Council Leader, who voiced concerns over the implications for local services and community cohesion. Local MP Jack Rankin also highlighted issues surrounding the lack of community consultation and the urgency depicted by the Home Office in relocating migrants to the area.
The Gills have faced criticism for not adequately maintaining the property, which has, according to residents, been allowed to fall into disrepair. Yet, with the Home Office contract set to expire on May 29, many in the community are optimistic that the hotel could eventually revert to its original purpose. Some residents believe that the Gills should earn back the trust of the community through transparency and genuine engagement.
As uncertain as the situation remains, the Gills are reportedly making efforts to modernise the hotel. Renovations have been undertaken, and rooms have started to be advertised online. However, many residents are sceptical. One local cab driver questioned why the hotel couldn’t simply go back to being an ordinary establishment: “We’re five minutes from Windsor, and there must be people who want a room.” The sentiment reflects a broader wish among villagers for the hotel to recapture its past identity as a focal point of local life.
Concerns about security have also surfaced, with some residents voicing apprehension about unvetted individuals living near a school. A local homeowner raised alarms about the potential risks, stressing it was critical to acknowledge previous mistakes and ensure community safety moving forward. The sentiment was echoed by parish councillor Ian Thompson, who lamented the loss of the hotel as a vital hub for events and social gatherings.
Despite the palpable distress felt by many residents, a police statement reassured the community that there have been no recorded crimes directly linked to the hotel’s asylum seeker residents, although the authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. As the community awaits further developments from the Gills, it remains to be seen whether the Manor Hotel can be fully restored to its former glory or if it will remain a point of contention within this picturesque village.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14775645/Villagers-revolt-leafy-Windsor-idyll-hotel-asylum-hostel.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.jackrankin.org.uk/news/migrants-be-moved-out-datchet-hotel-end-may-2025 – On 25 February 2025, the Home Office confirmed to Windsor MP Jack Rankin that individuals housed at The Manor Hotel in Datchet would be relocated by the end of May 2025. This decision followed Rankin’s parliamentary debate expressing concerns about the hotel’s location and previous reports of antisocial behaviour. The Border Security and Asylum Minister apologised for the short notice given to the local community before the migrants were moved in. The Home Office stated that residents would be moved to other parts of the asylum estate. ([jackrankin.org.uk](https://www.jackrankin.org.uk/news/migrants-be-moved-out-datchet-hotel-end-may-2025?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.windsorconservatives.com/news/local-conservatives-stand-datchet-residents-manor-hotel – On 9 October 2022, local Conservatives in Windsor expressed concerns over the Home Office’s decision to use The Manor Hotel in Datchet to house asylum seekers without consulting the local council. Council Leader Andrew Johnson and Windsor Conservative Chairman Lars Swann wrote to the Home Secretary, urging for proactive collaboration between the Home Office and local authorities to find sustainable solutions that work for both migrants and residents. They highlighted the lack of consultation and the potential impact on local services and community cohesion. ([windsorconservatives.com](https://www.windsorconservatives.com/news/local-conservatives-stand-datchet-residents-manor-hotel?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/20874962.manor-hotel-datchet-home-office-takes-site-asylum-seekers/ – On 1 September 2022, The Manor Hotel in Datchet was repurposed by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers. The Royal Borough Council was informed with minimal notice, leading to concerns about the impact on local services and community well-being. Duncan Sharkey, Chief Executive of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, expressed concerns about the short notice given to the council and the challenges it posed for service planning. The council was not involved in the arrangement and would not be responsible for the day-to-day support at the accommodation site. ([sloughobserver.co.uk](https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/20874962.manor-hotel-datchet-home-office-takes-site-asylum-seekers/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/200289/asylum-seekers-to-be-moved-out-of-the-manor-hotel-by-the-end-of-may.html – As of 25 February 2025, the Home Office announced that asylum seekers would no longer be accommodated at The Manor Hotel in Datchet after May 2025. The decision followed over two years of housing asylum seekers at the hotel, which had been controversial among villagers. Concerns included potential overload of local services and increased antisocial behaviour. Despite these concerns, police reported no crimes directly related to the hotel. Former council leader Andrew Johnson described the location as unsuitable for hosting asylum seekers. ([sloughexpress.co.uk](https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/200289/asylum-seekers-to-be-moved-out-of-the-manor-hotel-by-the-end-of-may.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/198823/datchet-community-powerless-over-asylum-seeker-hotel-decision.html – In November 2024, the Datchet community expressed frustration over the government’s decision to reuse The Manor Hotel for asylum seeker accommodation. Windsor MP Jack Rankin shared an email from the Home Office stating the urgent need to establish additional capacity, leading to the short-term contractual arrangement to repurpose the hotel. The community felt powerless, with concerns about the impact on local services and the lack of consultation with local authorities. ([sloughexpress.co.uk](https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/198823/datchet-community-powerless-over-asylum-seeker-hotel-decision.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/23191614.no-crimes-reported-asylum-seeking-hotel-datchet/ – As of December 2022, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber reported that there had been no crimes directly related to The Manor Hotel in Datchet, which was housing asylum seekers at the time. The police were closely monitoring the situation, and Barber acknowledged the community’s concerns but stated that no evidence of crime linked to the hotel had been found. ([sloughobserver.co.uk](https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/23191614.no-crimes-reported-asylum-seeking-hotel-datchet/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from the Home Office, dated 25 February 2025, confirming the termination of the contract with The Manor Hotel for asylum accommodation by the end of May 2025. ([sloughexpress.co.uk](https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/200289/asylum-seekers-to-be-moved-out-of-the-manor-hotel-by-the-end-of-may.html?utm_source=openai)) This press release was widely covered by various news outlets, including the Slough Express and Windsor Express, on the same date. ([sloughexpress.co.uk](https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/200289/asylum-seekers-to-be-moved-out-of-the-manor-hotel-by-the-end-of-may.html?utm_source=openai), [windsorexpress.co.uk](https://www.windsorexpress.co.uk/news/council-and-politics/200289/asylum-seekers-to-be-moved-out-of-the-manor-hotel-by-the-end-of-may.html?utm_source=openai)) The Daily Mail article appears to be a republished version of this information, with no significant new details or updates. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 25 February 2025. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from residents and officials, such as a local cab driver describing the hotel as a “cr*p hole” and a local homeowner raising concerns about unvetted individuals living near a school. These quotes appear to be original to the Daily Mail article, with no exact matches found in earlier material. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports, indicating that while the quotes may be original, the themes are not new.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the article appears to be a republished version of a press release from the Home Office, with no significant new information or analysis. This raises questions about the originality and depth of the reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims in the narrative align with previous reports about the Manor Hotel in Datchet being used to house asylum seekers, with concerns raised by local residents and officials. The Home Office’s decision to terminate the contract with the hotel by the end of May 2025 is consistent with earlier statements. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, which reduces its credibility. The tone and language used are consistent with typical reporting on this topic.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is a republished version of a press release from the Home Office, with no significant new information or analysis. The quotes included appear to be original to the Daily Mail article, but similar sentiments have been expressed in previous reports. The source is reputable, but the lack of originality and depth in the reporting raises concerns about the article’s value and credibility.
