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A protest march organised over unfounded fears a Premier Inn extension could be used to house asylum seekers is going ahead this weekend, despite the firm categorically denying the plans.
Organised by Joshua Edwards under the Facebook group ‘Welsh Valley Child Protectors’, the march is due to head from Trethomas to the Crossways hotel on Saturday August 29.
Whitbread, the firm that owns Premier Inn, won planning permission to build a 24-room extension at the Caerphilly site in May last year.
In a video posted online, Mr Edwards, originally from Bedwas, said the protest was about opposing the housing of “illegal immigrants” in the area.
“Our main goal is to ruffle some feathers and make it known that we’re not willing to put up with illegal immigrants being housed in our areas,” he said.
However, the organiser admitted he was already aware the hotel claims were completely false.
He added: “In regards to the Premier Inn in Caerphilly, which has been the epicentre of us starting this movement, we have now been told by multiple sources, some of which we trust, some of which we don’t, that unequivocally the Premier Inn is not going to be housing refugees.”
Mr Edwards also claimed he had received a visit from Gwent Police regarding the planned demonstration.
A spokesperson for Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn and the adjacent Brewers Fayre, said: “I can categorically say that these rumours are false.
“Whitbread does not have any contracts with the government to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, and we will also not be seeking any. This fact has been widely and repeatedly publicised.”
The firm said the extension was part of a national investment programme, adding that the Brewers Fayre restaurant, which is due to close on September 7, is currently on the market for sale as a going concern.
Councillor Shayne Cook, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council and cabinet member for housing, urged residents to exercise caution before sharing misinformation online.
Councillor Cook said: “We are keen to set the record straight and clarify that there are no plans to create a new HMO (House in Multiple Occupation). The ongoing works are an extension to the existing commercial hotel at the site, to provide additional bedrooms together with alterations to the car park.
“We are seeing an increasing number of unsubstantiated rumours being shared online. These rumours are causing unnecessary concern and tension within our community.”
Cllr Cook urged people to ensure any information they share is supported by reliable evidence before forwarding it to others.
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