Customers who have had their bookings cancelled at two Derbyshire hotels have shared their frustration as they struggle to claim refunds.

Bookings at the Derby Midland Hotel on Midland Road, and the Days Inn by Wyndham Donington on the A50, have been abruptly cancelled after news emerged that both sites were being used by the Government to house asylum seekers.

Several people have since taken to review sites including TripAdvisor and Google Reviews slamming the hotels and the Government for not returning their money.

Giving the Days Inn a one out of five score on Google Reviews, Sandra Browne said: "A large group of former veterans had booked the Days Inn for 17-20 September 2021. They have stayed there for their reunions for the past 12 years without any problems.

"Payment has been taken for this year's reunion. However, one of the former vets, who is a local man, caught word that this year there would be problems because the Days Inn now accommodates asylum seekers. When he made enquiries he was informed that the booking was secure.

"Another vet made more enquiries and was informed that the management of the Days Inn were aware that the vets booking would be cancelled but were not going to inform the vets about the cancellation until at least 8th September.

"Now some of the vets are having trouble getting refunds even though Days Inn are responsible for the booking cancellation.

"Shameful behaviour by Wyndham Hotels towards our former armed forces and let's hope they are boycotted in future."

Several reviews on TripAdvisor also complained of difficulties in retrieving booking costs.

One user, Adam W, said in a review of the Midland Hotel: "I was contacted a week before my stay to say that the hotel was closed. No reason was given. I was offered a room in another hotel miles away from the railway station that was completely unsuitable.

"The hotel's website states that the hotel will probably be open in October. Avoid this odious company at all costs."

Another Midland Hotel review from Barkerbeeboo added: "Well there is not much to say apart from maybe they should let their guests know they are actually closed before letting them book and waste time and money on petrol (unable to contact by phone).

"A rare break away was ruined and restaurant booking had to be cancelled. Nowhere else available in Derby."

Derbyshire Live has approached the owners of the Midland Hotel and Days Inn for comment.

It is unknown how long bookings will be suspended for, although the Midland Hotel's website will not take bookings until April next year.

That comes a year after 230 asylum seekers were known to have stayed at the same site.

The UK government recently pledged to take on up to 20,000 Afghan refugees after thousands fled the country in recent weeks following the takeover by the Taliban.

Around 5,000 will be settled in the first year which includes former government staff and others who helped British forces while they were deployed in the country.

The Home Office had previously refused to confirm or deny whether the Days Inn, in Derbyshire, was being used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Home Office said: “The UK has a proud history of protecting people in life-threatening situations and we are determined to help as many Afghans as possible through the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme.

“The Home Office and MHCLG are working closely with local authorities across the UK to match the thousands of individuals currently in hotels, including our brave interpreters and their families, into accommodation.

"Those individuals have to remain in these hotels until the local authorities offer them appropriate accommodation.”

Derby City Council had previously called the situation at the Midland Hotel "undesirable" and said it was in contact with the Home Office to work on alternative arrangements.

However, it acknowledged it had no control over the situation and a year later said it remains concerned.

It said in a statement: "We are aware that the Midland Hotel is still being used by the Home Office and managed by Serco to house asylum seekers, although the hotel was not used between February and July.

"Derby, and the council, stand ready to help, and welcome those in crisis, however we do not endorse this approach, nor do we have any control over the placements.

"Hotels should only ever be a short-term solution. Hotel accommodation is ill-suited for any person seeking asylum."

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