**Homeless People Asked to Leave Swansea Hotel Ahead of Beach Festival**
A Swansea hotel has come under fire this week after claims emerged that homeless residents were being asked to vacate their temporary accommodation to make way for visitors attending the upcoming Tunes on the Bay music festival. The event, which is set to take place on Swansea Beach over the bank holiday weekend from 2nd to 4th May, is drawing large crowds, and hotel spaces in the city are at a premium.
The Dragon Hotel, situated in Swansea city centre, has been used by Swansea Council as temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, accused the hotel and the council of prioritising tourists over the city’s most vulnerable. The individual told Wales Online: “We were informed by housing options on Tuesday that we temporarily have to leave from Thursday to Monday so the Dragon can accommodate people going to the music festival in Swansea.”
Expressing frustration, the resident continued, “I know they are a business, but with the temporary accommodation at full stretch, they are sending people out of the area or asking them to stay with family and friends. Personally, I’m outraged by this seeing as we are in temporary accommodation for a reason—homelessness.” This sentiment echoes wider concerns that those facing housing hardship are facing additional instability at particularly challenging times.
In response to the criticism, the Dragon Hotel provided clarification. A spokesperson explained that all temporary accommodation bookings are for specific periods, with extensions needing to be requested in advance. “This allows us to manage availability for all guests,” they said. “Sometimes, rooms are sold once the original booking periods are concluded and no extension has been requested. This process is standard and applies throughout the year, not just during festivals.”
The hotel further stressed its ongoing commitment to supporting the local authority and accommodating homeless individuals whenever feasible. “Please be assured that we remain fully committed to supporting the local authority, local community, and their clients wherever possible and make availability when requested to do so,” the spokesperson added.
Swansea Council also addressed the controversy, outlining that it is working closely with local accommodation providers, including hotels and B&Bs, to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. A council spokesperson stated: “We will continue to support service users in need of temporary accommodation and ensure that when transfers to other accommodation are required, we work with them to find alternative arrangements.”
Looking towards more sustainable options, the council revealed plans for a new dedicated facility, Llys Glas, which is poised to offer a more stable solution for those relying on temporary housing. “We have an extensive network of accommodation to help people who need emergency or temporary accommodation. It is not unusual for people to need to move accommodation before moving to a more permanent home. We have a new dedicated facility coming online shortly as a dedicated temporary accommodation facility,” the council explained.
Officials noted their goal to reduce dependence on the private hospitality sector for temporary accommodation in the future. “The aim is to reduce our reliance on hotels and B&Bs being used for temporary accommodation if at all possible going forward,” the spokesperson added.
The council concluded by emphasising the need for a balanced approach, mindful both of Swansea’s responsibilities to those in need and the critical role that hotels play in the city’s visitor economy. “Hotels need to be available to support the tourism and visitor economy, and those needing temporary or emergency accommodation need to be supported in dedicated facilities.”
As festival-goers prepare to descend on Swansea for bank holiday entertainment, the situation highlights the ongoing balancing act between tourism and social care in many UK cities, raising important questions about how best to support vulnerable people while nurturing vital local industries.