A hotel in north Leeds has opened its doors to more than 100 asylum seekers in need of accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mercure Leeds Parkway Hotel, on Otley Road, Bramhope, is currently closed to customers, but 118 asylum seekers have started moving in from this week to occupy every single room at the hotel.
The three-star facility will be used for at least the next three months under a contingency Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract.
However, Cllr Barry Anderson, who represents Adel and Wharfedale, has expressed concern about the lack of local amenities for the people who will be living in the area for the next three months.
"I'm not against the individuals, but why Bramhope?" he said.
"My issue is that Bramhope has not got the infrastructure to support these people.
"These people are free to move about as much as anyone else [in the current Covid-19 pandemic], but we've only got half a dozen or so shops in Bramhope.
"We need to make sure they have got access to healthcare in the area too. And where are their asylum cases going to be held?
"There must be another location where there are the support structures to give them as much help as possible."
