Homeless Men Refused Hotel Entry at City Centre

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="f1c7e45d-8d38-4ddc-84f7-592f6218aa3d" data-testid="conversation-turn-180" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Homeless men were denied hotel accommodation at a city centre hotel in Manchester on a night when temperatures dropped to minus six degrees Celsius, raising serious concerns about access to emergency shelter during extreme weather.

The incident occurred at the Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road after rooms had already been paid for through charitable donations. Despite payment and a damage deposit being provided, hotel staff refused to allow the men to check in after identifying them as homeless.

Charity-Booked Rooms Refused Despite Payment The rooms were booked by Amanda Thompson, a volunteer with the Two Brews charity, which supports people experiencing homelessness in Manchester.

Thompson explained that the hotel staff cited internal policy as the reason for the refusal, stating that homeless individuals could not be accommodated, even though the booking was valid and prepaid.

Each room cost £51.50 and was funded through donations from a friend of the charity. An additional £50 deposit per room was also paid to cover any potential damages. Thompson selected the Oxford Road location specifically because one of the men had a foot injury and required easier access to accommodation.

Video Footage And Staff Response He was captured on video by a charity volunteer and later shared on social media. In the footage, the men explain to the receptionist that temperatures outside were dangerously low and that they urgently needed shelter. The staff member responded by stating that it was company policy and confirmed that the hotel would not allow them to stay because they were “from the street”.

The exchange took place on a Monday evening, highlighting the risks faced by people sleeping rough during winter nights when emergency accommodation options are limited.

Hotel Apology And Policy Clarification Following public attention, a spokesperson for Holiday Inn Express Manchester issued an apology, acknowledging that the handling of the situation did not reflect the company’s stated commitment to inclusivity. The spokesperson confirmed that the incident should have been managed differently and said steps would be taken to improve staff training to prevent similar situations in the future ( https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxy09yl7d9o ).

The hotel emphasized that discrimination based on housing status does not align with its broader values, although the initial refusal had already exposed gaps between policy and frontline decision-making.

Alternative Accommodation Secured After being refused at the Holiday Inn Express, the two men were eventually able to secure accommodation at a Travelodge hotel in Moss Side. Thompson reported that staff at the Travelodge were supportive and accommodating, allowing the men to check in without issue despite their circumstances.

This contrast between hotel responses has reignited debate around how private businesses interpret policies when dealing with vulnerable individuals during emergency conditions.

Charity Reaction And Public Concern Amanda Thompson described the refusal as “disgusting” and questioned the morality of denying shelter based on appearance or housing status. She stressed that the incident reflected a broader issue of how society treats homeless individuals, particularly during harsh winter conditions when the risk of injury or death increases significantly ( https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxy09yl7d9o ).

Two Brews, founded in 2020, provides food, drinks, and emergency assistance to people sleeping rough across Manchester, relying largely on donations and volunteers.

Homelessness charities continue to warn that access to safe shelter during extreme weather remains inconsistent across the UK. Advocacy groups have long called for clearer guidance and cooperation between local authorities, charities, and private accommodation providers to prevent refusals in life-threatening conditions.

In England, organizations such as Shelter provide legal advice and emergency housing guidance for individuals facing homelessness or unsafe living conditions.

Key Takeaways Homeless individuals can still face accommodation refusals even when rooms are prepaid through charities. Extreme weather increases the risks associated with rough sleeping, making access to shelter critical. Discrepancies between corporate policies and staff actions can have serious humanitarian consequences. Charities and public pressure play a vital role in holding institutions accountable.