Reform UK councillor Stuart Chapman MBE has confirmed that a Walsall hotel is "not full of migrants" after taking a guided tour of the premises. The visit followed social media posts claiming that asylum seekers were staying at the Barons Court Hotel on Walsall Road, Walsall Wood.
In a Facebook video, Chapman, who serves as Walsall's portfolio holder for housing support, resident access and communities, said: "I'm here at the Barons Court Hotel in Walsall Wood. I've just been given a guided tour of the facility by the manager, and I am happy to confirm that it is not full of migrants. There have not been coachloads of migrants bused into this hotel, and it is just full of normal people, who I have been speaking to just. So, I can assure local residents there is no cause for concern, and we will be monitoring the situation, but it is not full of migrants."
Rumours quashed by local MP
Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton also moved to dispel the rumours earlier this week. In a Facebook post, she stated: "I was made aware last week of posts circulating on social media concerning the Barons Court Hotel being used as a migrant hotel. Following these posts I immediately contacted Walsall Council. I am pleased to confirm that this post was not correct. The hotel hasn't been used at any point for these purposes."
Morton added: "This is not the first time that incorrect information has been shared on social media about the hotel being used and whilst we must remain vigilant, we also have a responsibility to the wider community not to share misleading information. I am also pleased that following an agreement by the former Conservative council, there remain no plans to host any migrant hotels in the borough of Walsall."
Hotel details
The Barons Court Hotel features 97 "comfortable" bedrooms with complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, 24-hour room service and LCD televisions, according to its website. Bookings can be made online, with the hotel promoting itself as "great for relaxing family breaks, business stopovers and romantic retreats."
The guided tour and subsequent statements aim to reassure local residents that the hotel is operating normally, with no evidence to support the social media claims. Chapman confirmed that the situation will continue to be monitored by the council.
