Hundreds have signed a petition calling for Stoke-on-Trent City Council to stop housing people at a city hotel. Jonathan Gullis who has organised the petition says the council should reconsider using the hotel.

The petition is calling for the council to stop using the Sneyd Arms in Tunstall. The Stoke-on-Trent North MP claims that homeless people who are under care of the city are being housed in the hotel, which is upsetting the local community.

He links a recent rise in crime – including vandalism and theft on the high street – with the council's use of the hotel. Staffordshire Police have made two arrests in relation to theft and damages on Tunstall High Street. 

Jonathan Gullis MP says the council should reconsider using the hotel (Image supplied).

However the hotel has hit back against the petition saying that the Stoke-on-Trent MP should be encouraging the business and have said if he continues they could close the hotel.

The petition, which was started March 18 has already been signed by 282 people who are calling on the council to find alternative accommodation. The Sneyd Arms is located right in the heart of Tunstall on Tower Square, opposite the refurbished town hall and market. 

A spokesperson for the hotel owner said: "It's wrong, we don't support this. We give a service to the council, we accommodate people who are really in need of accommodation. We provide a good service to them so what's wrong with that.

"Stopping people from the council will not solve any issues. I don't have any control over the square, the square does not belong to me, people gather there I can't stop them. This does not solve the issue, you raise a problem but you have no solutions, even when there is this issue it's baseless. 

The local MP links a recent rise in crime, especially on Tunstall high street, with the council's use of the hotel (Google).

"We are planning to have a big restaurant, this is an investment of £200,000 so we are planning to do this but if he keeps doing this we will close it down completely. He should encourage us, encourage this business. Instead of closing down the business he could encourage it."

A freedom of information request has also been submitted to the council requesting information on how many individuals are being housed at the hotel and from what date. However the council have not responded to the inquiry.

The MP states in the petition that such a facility cannot exist in the town centre if Tunstall is to remain safe for shoppers and business. He calls on the council to find suitable alternative accommodation.

He said: "The council should not be housing the homeless in the Sneyd Arms. It's right in front of the historic market and town hall which is the focal point of the community. My petition pressures the council to find better accommodation to house the homeless that does not impact the high street". 

The petition runs until April 22 and can be signed here.

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