Homeless men denied entry at Manchester Holiday Inn in freezing temps

Two homeless men in Manchester were turned away from a Holiday Inn despite a paid booking as temperatures dropped to -6C, sparking outrage over discrimination

Homeless Men Denied Entry at Holiday Inn in Manchester

Two homeless men were denied entry to a Holiday Inn hotel in Manchester after temperatures dropped below zero. This occurred despite a charity booking and paying for their accommodation in advance.

A video shared online shows staff members telling the men, “I know that you’re from the street and the hotel doesn’t allow it.”

One of the men, Callum McDonagh, 30, expressed his feelings to the BBC. He called the situation “disgusting” and said the hotel staff made a judgment “straight away.” He has been homeless for eight years and described it as “scary” to sleep on the streets in such weather.

McDonagh added, “It made me feel inadequate. I didn’t feel good enough for that hotel. As a homeless person, I was made to feel embarrassed.”

Amanda Thompson, who works for the charity Two Brews, accompanied the men to the Holiday Inn reception on Oxford Street. Their £200 rooms were booked online with donations and her own money.

Thompson stated, “I put it through, got the confirmation and they were taken down to check in for the night. After getting there it was just complete discrimination by appearance. It’s disgusting,” she told the Manchester Evening News.

She continued, “I can’t wrap my head around how you can go to the desk, with a booking that is paid for, and be turned away just for being a rough sleeper. They could’ve been hard-working men and they have been judged on how they look.”

Temperatures fell to -6C on Monday evening, with an amber cold weather alert in place across the country and multiple weather warnings for snow and icy conditions.

In the video filmed by Thompson, the receptionist said, “Guys, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m not going to be able to check you in. Full truth and transparency, I know that you’re from the street and the hotel doesn’t allow it.”

The receptionist added, “It’s not a personal thing. We know people, I’ve been doing the door for a long while. It’s the company’s policy. It’s not mine personally, it’s the company’s.”

After being refused entry, the men were taken to a nearby Travelodge, which accommodated several homeless individuals that evening.

A spokesperson for Holiday Inn Express Manchester later apologized, stating the incident was “not in keeping with our policy of welcoming all.”

They added, “After speaking with team members, we recognize that this incident is not in keeping with our policy of welcoming all and should have been handled differently.” The spokesperson also mentioned that the hotel was “taking steps internally to strengthen our training.”