Hotel which houses homeless people from Tameside described as a 'filthy hovel'

Homeless people from Tameside are being temporarily housed in a hotel described on review site Tripadvisor as a ‘filthy hovel’.

The Victoria Park Hotel in Rusholme provides rooms for homeless people, including families, from Greater Manchester, including Tameside.

But visitors to the hotel – which received an overall rating of 2/5 on review sites – say the hotel is dirty and in disrepair.

This month, The Reporter revealed more than 500 homes in Tameside remain empty despite more than 500 people being homeless.

As a temporary solution, some are sent to Victoria Park.

The hotel is also open to paying guests but their reviews have revealed few return for another stay.

However, homeless people at the hotel have no idea when their stay will be over.

One reviewer wrote: “If you want a.bushtucker trial, then this is the hotel for you.

“This has got to be the dirtiest foul smelling hotel ever stains on carpets bloodstains on curtains mouse traps and droppings.”

Another warned: “Don’t stay unless your desperate for a place to sleep.”

A homeless person at the hotel said: “I was placed by the council and, yes it helped keep me off the streets but it’s still appalling that council would put people in this hotel. 

“The room was horrible and there was light outside my window keeping me awake most of the night. 

“There was constant noise from the corridor from the other guests. A smell of someone smoking throughout the hotel, the door didn’t even lock properly so didn’t feel safe at all.”

Another guest described the premises as a ‘filthy cesspit’ and added: “The room was filthy. Stains on the bed covers, stains on the carpet. 

“There was a dirty stained chair in the room and I’d sooner wash in the canal than go in the filthy, black mouldy shower.

“I refused to stay there and was refused a refund.

“What a filthy, dirty hovel. Avoid at all costs.”

A poster calling himself Michael B, said: “There was mould and damp near windows cracks in walls and ceilings even has cockroaches, how this place has not been shut down already is beyond me.”

According to homeless charity Shelter people should not be kept in bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks.

The breakfast at Victoria Park is limited to cereal and toast. The Muslim owners refused to offer pork products or allow alcohol on the premises.

A Shelter spokesman said: “Emergency housing is often basic and may have lower standards than longer-term housing. 

“Local authorities are responsible for providing accommodation to people who become homeless and may house them in temporary accommodation while they wait for a home. 

“When a bed and breakfast is used as a homeless person’s main residence, it must meet the same health and safety and overcrowding standards as Homes of Multiple Occupation.

“Local authorities must also ensure that fire safety regulations, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors have been followed before deciding if the accommodation is suitable.”

A spokesperson for Tameside Council confirmed that homeless families in Tameside were sent to the hotel. They said: “We do accommodate some households in this hotel. 

“At the time of the initial inspection on March 27, 2024, any deficiencies identified were raised with the establishment, once these were remedied the accommodation was approved.  

“Please note only the rooms used to accommodate Tameside residents were inspected, rooms used by other local authorities were not. Should any future complaints arise, we would be happy to liaise with the management company however any enforcement action will need to be pursued by Manchester City council as the property is outside Tameside.

“The housing demand in Tameside has seen an unprecedented rise over the last 12 months, with an increase in households seeking advice and assistance from the council. 

“As part of a wider plan to tackle the housing and homelessness situation we are starting to work more closely with the private sector to increase the options available in the short, medium and longer term and would encourage anyone in the private sector to make contact with us at Accommodation.THA@tameside.gov.uk”.