Homeless encampment near migrant hotel draws backlash in Bournemouth

A makeshift homeless encampment has appeared on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, just above a row of beach huts that rent for about £2,000 a year and within walking distance of the Britannia migrant hotel that has become a focal point for protests this summer. The clearing, halfway up the cliff, contains a single tent, a picnic table and a parasol and sits directly above a busy stretch of coastal facilities that locals say are being marred by the presence of the encampment.

The site marks the second time this year that the cliff-top clearing has been used as a temporary camp. It sits on a prime, highly visible location above the beach huts and amid concerns that government arrangements to house asylum seekers in nearby hotels have worsened local tensions. The encampment’s reappearance comes as Bournemouth continues to grapple with reports of petty crime, antisocial behavior and a sense among residents that public investment is not addressing underlying social needs.

Public sentiment has grown heated over what residents describe as a mismatch between the scale of taxpayer-funded accommodation for asylum seekers and growing hardship among local residents facing housing and cost-of-living pressures. A December 2024 encampment at the same site was cleared after several weeks, leaving locals to ask whether repeated use of the same spot signals a gap in long-term housing and homelessness strategies or simply a recurring cycle of temporary relief followed by renewed strain on the cliff-top area.

Stuart Henderson, a 52-year-old beach hut owner within yards of the new encampment, voiced a common concern: the disruption to a stretch that the public pays to enjoy. “We pay a lot of money for the beach hut, but it is getting very unsavoury down there,” he said. “Visitors coming out of hotels will take one look and decide they won’t come here again.” Henderson acknowledged the visible hardship faced by people living beneath the cliff but urged a broader, more balanced approach to housing policy that does not relocate vulnerable people into high-profile sites near tourist amenities.

The adjacent Britannia migrant hotel has been a frequent flashpoint in local demonstrations, with protesters carrying signs reading “illegal criminals out” and “stop the boats” during summer rallies. The hotel’s presence, together with other migrant accommodation in the town such as the Chine Hotel, has coincided with a broader debate about the use of public resources to shelter asylum seekers and ensure social welfare for local residents. Notably, officials disclosed this summer that dozens of charges had been filed against residents at Bournemouth’s migrant hotels, underscoring a fragile social climate that has fed both frustration and debate about safety and public order.

Local residents have become increasingly wary of the town’s changing dynamic, with some citing a perceived decline in investment and civic pride. Graffiti, broken park benches and overgrown verges have been cited by Deputy Mayor Anne Filer as indicators of a broader neglect of the area’s Victorian-era charm and infrastructure. “All I want is for the town to look clean and tidy again for both the locals and all the tourists who come here,” Filer told local press, noting that the appearance of the cliff area and surrounding parks has deteriorated since the lockdown period. The sentiment reflects a wider worry that Bournemouth’s appeal as a family-friendly resort is being eroded by visible signs of social strain.

Bournemouth Council officials emphasized that the encampment would be addressed through a multi-agency approach. Richard Herrett, the council’s portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said staff were engaging with occupants and would coordinate with St. Mungo’s homelessness charity to provide support where needed. He acknowledged the challenge of accessing the site because of its location but stressed that clearing the encampment would occur “as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.” The council said it would refer occupants to St Mungo’s if it determined outreach alone would not resolve the situation.

The broader context of the dispute includes protests against the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers and a sense that coastal towns like Bournemouth are bearing a disproportionate burden of national immigration policy. Local groups have attempted to fill perceived gaps in city services with volunteer patrols and safety initiatives. More than 200 volunteers have joined the Bournemouth Safeguard Force, an initiative launched by local business figures to deter crime and assist vulnerable residents. The group, which relies on donations and seeks endorsement from police, has raised funds to equip volunteers with body cameras, radios and protective gear and has proposed a mobile safety app to alert authorities when help is needed. Its organizers insist the group is non-political and inclusive, and that volunteers would undergo DBS checks and first-aid training before participating in any actions.

Despite these efforts, the tension around the hotels and encampments remains a central theme in Bournemouth’s public life this year. While the council has promised to work with housing and homelessness charities to address immediate needs, residents continue to call for a stable resolution that ensures both public order and compassion for those without shelter. The encampment on East Cliff stands as a stark symbol of the town’s ongoing struggle to balance the needs of people in crisis with the expectations of residents and tourists who help sustain the local economy.

As authorities move toward clearance, officials acknowledge the need for clear communication with the public about what steps will be taken next and when. The ultimate objective is not only to restore the cliff’s aesthetic and safety but also to connect anyone living outside with the services and support they require to transition into stable housing. The situation in Bournemouth underscores a broader debate across coastal towns that, while grappling with rising homelessness and social tensions, must also navigate the political sensitivities of asylum-seeker policies and the practical implications for local communities.