TWO Carlisle hotels which were housing asylum seekers and refugees have reopened to the public following long-term closures.

The Milton Hilltop Hotel on London Road closed to the public at the beginning of 2022 when male asylum seekers were first moved in.

Similarly, Stanwix’s Cumbria Park Hotel was being used exclusively for women and children seeking asylum in the UK at the end of 2022.

At the end of 2023, the UK government decided to relocate people from over 50 hotels across the country, opting to transfer them to military bases or vessels, forcing a move for many of Carlisle’s newest residents.

Over 200 people were moved from the hotels, with a small number remaining in Carlisle. 

The decision was criticised at the time by local groups such as Carlisle Refugee Action Group due to its ‘abrupt’ upheaval of the lives of those living within.

According to Booking.com, the Milton Hilltop Hotel is back on the website as a ‘new’ hotel to book.

It has since received eight new reviews since February, with options to book currently available.

Cumbria Park Hotel reopened back to the public on March 4.

A spokesperson from Cumbria Park Hotel shed light on their past year.

“We had no issues with the women and children over the year," they said.

"A lot of the ladies were at the college, kids at the school next door - more people were protesting when they were leaving as opposed to coming.

“People were saying it was disgusting - they weren’t able to finish college courses with kids being quickly removed from the school.

“They had really integrated into the community and then all of sudden it was landed on them that they were going...  it was sad to see the children go after being here for a year."

Since it reopened to the public, Cumbria Park Hotel has had a complete refurbishment with bookings and positive reviews coming in. 

“It’s all been fully refurbished, every room and every public area has been recarpeted and repainted. We’ve had a few nice reviews since.

“We’re looking forward to it,” they said.

Milton Hotels were approached for comment.