Closure order granted for Swindon hotel

A closure order has been granted for a Swindon hotel which is housing the homeless during the Government's restrictions following the coronavirus outbreak.

Yesterday (08/04), a Partial Closure Order was granted by Basingstoke Crown Court for a period of three months for the Great Western Hotel, Station Road, Swindon. 

The hotel is being used by Swindon Borough Council to house those who are homeless during the lockdown situation.
 
The order prohibits people entering the hotel and its car park unless they are residents, hotel staff, Council and Threshold employees.  

PC Paul Bezzant said:  "These residents are extremely vulnerable and some are at risk of exploitation through their various associations; often linked with their illicit drug use.  
"There have been concerns raised around county lines and unwanted visitors to the hotel which also contravenes the current Government guidance. 
"Apart from the usual concerns with regards to the criminality, there were also growing concerns about a health risk to staff, who are supporting the residents, and the residents themselves. 
"The order has been sought in consultation with and the support of our partners and we believe this is necessary and proportionate to combat the issues and safeguard those providing the facility as well as supporting the residents and the wider community."  
Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said:  “This closure order is necessary to ensure the safety of some of society’s most vulnerable people during these difficult times.
 “It is vital to make the hotel as safe as possible for the rough sleepers who are staying there, and I would like to issue a personal thank you to the hotel, the Council’s Rough Sleeper Team and our partners at Threshold Housing Link who have been working flat out over the past few weeks to make sure Swindon’s homeless are properly cared for.”