Southampton Labour councillors are ramping up pressure on local police to move ongoing protests outside the Highfield House Asylum Hotel, arguing that the regular demonstrations are intimidating for local residents and disruptive to daily life.
During a recent Highfield Residents meeting, Labour Councillors Marie Finn and Councillor John Savage put their views on the record. The pair are frequently seen standing with ‘Stand up to Racism’ activists who stage counter-demonstrations in favour of refugees outside the hotel, where asylum seekers are being housed.
Councillor Marie Finn told residents, “The protests at the hotel have dominated conversations and emails this month. Many residents have reported feeling intimidated by them and object to the noise. Others have complained about flags being put up in unwelcome places, including covering 20mph signs. My personal view is that protests right by somewhere people live is intimidating for them and for their neighbours and protests should be held elsewhere. I have raised this with the police. The flare being thrown into the hotel has amplified the risks and concerns and the Cabinet member for Safer Communities is trying to arrange another police meeting. I may have more to update at the meeting on this subject.” It should be added Hampshire Police are still investigating the flare incident at the hotel, no arrests have been made, or CCTV been made available to the public to assist. Local residents reported the flare incident came shortly after some new arrivals into the hotel.
Councillor John Savage echoed the concerns, adding, “I have been attending most of the weekly counter-demonstrations at the Highfield House Hotel. After contacting the owners, The Abbotts Hotel Group, they made it clear that they did not want the protesters to be permitted on their property. However, there exists a legal right for customers of Ceno Wine Bar to park on the property. I have had numerous conversations and emails with senior police officers, and I have maintained that the Hotel owner’s wish is that the police should prevent the demonstrators from trespassing on the Hotel and. The police have maintained that it would be difficult operationally to remove the protesters and that their preference is to use their discretion over the matter to ensure no one is put at risk of injury, while allowing peaceful protest to take place.”
He continued, “Since the reported arson attack, the Hotel has become fenced off, with security guards in attendance. I have argued since the start, that a public address system is in breach of current legislation on protesting, and that the police should request that the protesters remove the PA system or risk its confiscation. Police acknowledge this is in their power. With the latest fencing off of the land, this becomes a distinct possibility. Our cabinet member for safer cities is now having weekly meetings with senior officers. We will report back on developments.”. It’s also worth noting the first public address system was used by the Stand Up To Racism counter protestors, so both the anti-illegal immigrant protestors and pro-refugee protestors are using PA systems.
The debate over protests comes amid record-breaking profits for Ashley Hotels Southampton Limited, the company operating the Highfield House Asylum Hotel. The latest accounts filed to Companies House show the group posted earnings of £1,982,979 for the year ending 31 December 2024—equivalent to just over £38,000 a week. This is a sharp increase from previous years, with profits of £1,455,533 in 2023, £1,189,191 in 2022, and £689,619 in 2021. The group’s total turnover reached £4,463,078 before deductions for tax and operational costs.
Ashley Hotels is owned and run by the Hirji family, who have steadily expanded their portfolio of UK properties since 1994, when Director Karim Hirji acquired his first hotel in Earls Court, London. The family-run business now operates a string of hotels including properties in Kensington, St Albans, Andover, and central London.
