A scabies outbreak has placed hundreds of asylum seekers under quarantine at a town-centre hotel in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, which was controversially repurposed as migrant accommodation.
The Best Western Cresta Court Hotel, formerly a mainstay of Altrincham’s hospitality scene, has housed nearly 300 male asylum seekers since late October. The decision, made without prior public announcement, has drawn sharp criticism from locals, who expressed concerns about community safety, stretched public services, and transparency from authorities.
The outbreak began when one resident, believed to have recently crossed the English Channel on a small boat, arrived with the infection. The highly contagious skin condition, caused by microscopic mites, has since spread to other residents. Symptoms include intensely itchy rashes, which require treatment with prescription creams and thorough disinfection of personal items and bedding.
Restrictions and treatment
Movement into and out of the Cresta Court has been halted to contain the outbreak, with Serco, the contractor managing the site for the Home Office, confirming a “small number” of cases. A GP stationed at the hotel is advising infected residents and offering NHS-prescribed treatment.
“All necessary steps are being taken in line with NHS recommendations,” said a Serco spokesperson. “Movement has been stopped to prevent the disease spreading further.”
Trafford Council’s public health team has also stepped in to manage the situation. “Scabies is a very mild illness that is easily treated,” a council statement read. “Our team regularly deals with this condition in various settings.”
Community concerns
The hotel’s sudden conversion into migrant accommodation in late October sparked a wave of local unrest. Residents voiced fears about the facility’s proximity to schools and its impact on local health services, particularly after the recent closure of the minor injuries unit at Altrincham Hospital.
At a public meeting attended by 175 people, concerns were raised about whether background checks had been conducted on the new arrivals. Additionally, early claims that migrants would receive private healthcare sparked further uproar, though these claims were later debunked. Healthcare is being provided by GTD Healthcare, a not-for-profit organisation operating under NHS contracts.
Local Conservative councillors accused the Labour-led Trafford Council of failing to act promptly. While council leader Tom Ross confirmed that the council was informed of the plans three weeks in advance, he stated that less than three days’ notice was given before the asylum seekers arrived.
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Ross emphasised that the council has since collaborated with the police, NHS, Serco, and community representatives to manage the situation and minimise disruption.
Petition and political fallout
Despite these efforts, frustration remains high. Over 6,500 people have signed a petition demanding the migrants be relocated. The controversy has highlighted broader concerns about the UK government’s use of hotels for asylum accommodation, despite Labour’s manifesto pledge to end the practice.
The situation in Altrincham mirrors similar tensions in Datchet, Berkshire, where residents have protested the conversion of a local hotel into a migrant holding centre.
Government response
The Home Office defended its approach, citing “unprecedented strain” on the asylum system. A spokeswoman stated that identity and security checks are mandatory for all small boat arrivals to ensure public safety.
Critics argue that the government’s handling of the asylum crisis has led to a reliance on unsuitable accommodation, further exacerbating community tensions.
As the scabies outbreak at the Cresta Court Hotel is addressed, the episode underscores the challenges of balancing public health, community cohesion, and the humane treatment of asylum seekers amidst the UK’s ongoing migration crisis.
