Town divided over migrant hotel's 'free private healthcare' row

by · Mail Online

A town which found itself at the centre of national uproar when it was suggested hundreds of migrants being housed in a hotel could be given private health care is bitterly divided over the fallout from the row.

Around 300 asylum seekers are being housed at the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, near Manchester, many of them arriving in the last few weeks having made treacherous small boat journeys across the English Channel.

News of their presence sparked a row because the Cresta Court has been newly turned over to migrants at a time when the government has pledged to end the practice of housing asylum seekers in town centre hotels.

And things only became more heated when Nathan Evans, Conservative group leader at the local council, claimed asylum seekers housed at the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham had been contracted to a private 'doctors' system'.

It later emerged that they are in fact getting treatment on the NHS from not-for-profit provider GTD Healthcare.

Fury also erupted after locals had weddings and other long-planned functions booked at the Best Western hotel, owned by a group chaired by former BBC director general Greg Dyke, had been cancelled because of its asylum status.

When MailOnline visited Altrincham today we found a town in uproar over the hotel being taken over in this way - with strongly held opinions on both sides.

Some blasted what has happened as 'disgraceful' but others insisted the migrants should be welcomed to their town and properly looked after.

Around 300 asylum seekers are being housed at the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, near Manchester
The Cresta Court Hotel in upmarket Altrincham has closed for one year as migrants are about to move in
Two migrants are spotted chatting outside the Cresta Court hotel and taking selfies

The free health care for migrants has not gone down too well with many residents. 

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The weddings that were cancelled to make room for migrants in hotel that has enraged local residents

Cleaner Jill Hobbs, 60, said: 'It's wrong that they can get free health care. It's a nightmare trying to get appointments as it is.

'It seems foreigners are getting the best treatment which is wrong. Everyone is talking about the migrants being here.

'They shouldn't be there. It's a lovely hotels and I know people's weddings and Christmas parties have been cancelled.

'It's outrageous.'

Web designer Warren Blinstom, 39, said: 'They shouldn't be getting free health care as we have enough problems for people here getting doctor and dentists appointments.

'My dad had to wait eight-and-a-half hours at Wythenshawe Hospital recently.

'It's not right. They should not be here.

The presence of the migrants at the Altrincham hotel has left the town divided
Web designer Warren Blinstom (pictured), 39, said his father had to wait eight-and-a-half hours at Wythenshawe Hospital recently
Cleaner Jill Hobbs, 60, said: 'It seems foreigners are getting the best treatment which is wrong.'
But engineer, Lara Webster, 25, who was pushing her baby daughter in a pram near the town's market, said: 'I want them here.'
The news caused outrage in the town as parties, weddings and functions have all been cancelled. Pictured: Migrants outside the hotel
Dan Butler and Katy Evans were due to get married at the hotel on May 24 next year and are among at least two couples who had their weddings called off
The hotel is part of Vine Hotels, which Greg Dyke  (pictured) - a former FA chairman and BBC director-general from 2000-2004 - chairs as well as being a major shareholder

'It is in the wrong place. The whole asylum system is broken.

'People who come on small boats shouldn't be allowed to get preference over people who make the proper asylum claim.

'There is not enough vetting of these people - we don't know whether a lot of these people are criminals.

'It needs sorting out.'

IT worker John Cumine, 64, said: 'It's a disgrace that they are here and will be getting NHS care.

'No one I know is in favour of them being here. There is enough pressure on health care here as it is.

'It's not right.'

Retired nurse Mary Cunningham, 66, said: 'They shouldn't be getting free health care of even private health care as it is.

'There is too much pressure on doctors surgeries and dentists as it is.'

However others were in favour of the migrants being in Altrincham.

Engineer, Lara Webster, 25, who was pushing her baby daughter in a pram near the town's market, said: 'I want them here.

Migrants were spotted at the hotel earlier this month - understood to be from Syria, Yemen, Iran and Somalia 
Worried residents gathered at a meeting earlier this month to voice their concerns 
But some residents gathered to show their support for migrants and refugees outside the venue despite the migrants being housed with no notice

'We should make them welcome not demonise them.

'My work is opposite the hotel and I've not heard of any problems.

'Any way the police station is just round the corner, so how much trouble can they cause?

'We should look after these people and they should be health care.

'I do understand if people are worried about not being able to get dentist or doctor appointments.

'But we should look after them and be welcoming.'

Student Mike Hall, 19, said: 'These people have come from terrible situations or dangerous countries at war.

'We should be helping them not trying to drive them away.

'Of course they should get free health care.

'We are a tolerant, welcoming country and we should show it.

'I want them here and I hope they feel welcome.'

Some of the migrants were seen having a smoke outside the hotel and one did praise residents.

Ali Mohammed, 20, said he had come to the UK from Iraq on a small boat like others in the hotel.

Smoking a cigarette as he walked towards the town centre, he said: 'I like it here - it is very welcoming.

'I am from Iraq. I came in a small boat like all the others in the hotel. I am not sure what health care we get.

'I can't say anymore - I am off to meet a friend.'

However their health cover will be provided by not-for-profit provider GTD Healthcare, which stressed it did not provide private care and was being commissioned by the NHS.

Asylum seekers are entitled to free NHS care while their claims are assessed.

However health care in the trendy suburb has become more stretched with the minor injuries ward at Altrincham General Hospital having been shut since the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

And it was recently announced that it would now be permanently closed sparking outrage among locals.