Homeless men blocked from Holiday Inn room during sub-zero night

Holiday Inn staff in Manchester turned away two homeless men, despite a charity having paid for the room, and temperatures dropping to minus six degrees overnight.

Staff members told the two men that:

I know that you’re from the street and the hotel doesn’t allow it.

Two Brews — a homeless charity in Manchester had booked and paid for the rooms online.

Amanda Thompson, one of the charity’s workers who put some of her own money towards the booking, told the Manchester Evening News that charity staff accompanied the men to the hotel.

She explained that once they arrived at the hotel, staff met them with “complete discrimination” because of the men’s appearance.

She added:

I can’t wrap my head around how you can go to the desk, with a booking that is paid for, and be turned away just for being a rough sleeper.

They could’ve been hard working men and they have been judged on how they look. They just took one look at them and made the decision. It’s inhumane.

The charity took the men to a local Travelodge, where the staff were “so helpful”. In total, they accommodated six or seven people and four dogs.

A Holiday Inn spokesperson apologised and said it would strengthen staff training.

Homeless deaths

This comes only days after the police found two men dead, who were both experiencing homelessness in Manchester.

Police found the first, Anthony Horn, on Boxing Day. He had spent the night in freezing conditions and died on a walkway next to the canal.

They found the second, Michael Heaton, in a car park in Manchester city centre on December 30, 2025. He was only 26, and the coroner’s office is still awaiting the results of a post-mortem.

According to the Museum of Homelessness, 1,611 people died whilst homeless in 2024. This figure is 9% higher than the previous year, and most of the deaths were linked to suicide or drugs such as spice and nitazenes.

Back in November 2024, three women who were experiencing homelessness all died within 10 days of each other in Sheffield. One funeral — for a woman in her 40s, took place without a single person at her funeral.

The worst part is, the deaths of anyone who is experiencing homelessness is entirely preventable.

SWEP

When temperatures drop below zero for three consecutive nights, local authorities activate the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). When this happens, councils must make extra beds available so that no one spends the night on the streets. Often, this means using hotels — such as Travelodge or Holiday Inn.

Unlike other forms of accommodation, individuals who have no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK can use SWEP. As can individuals who have previously been turned down for accommodation or other forms of support.

While Keir Starmer’s government fails to get a grip on the homelessness crisis, the climate crisis is also intensifying. Going forwards, we are more likely to experience more extreme, unpredictable weather — which is extremely dangerous for anyone who does not have a home.

At the same time, public attitudes and misconceptions about homelessness are only deepening the problem — as we saw this week in Manchester. Preconceived ideas and judgements based on how people look mean that help and support — which has already been paid for, cannot be used. Ultimately, this will only lead to more deaths.

Feature image via Heliodoro Hotel Reviews/YouTube