**Premier Inn in Llanelli Clarifies Position Amid Claims Over Homeless Accommodation**
A Premier Inn hotel in Llanelli has openly refuted recent claims suggesting it is being used to house homeless individuals, following local concerns raised as the venue sought approval for a new premises licence. The hotel, situated within Pemberton Business Park, recently applied for the licence in conjunction with planned changes to the site, including the partial redevelopment and modernisation of its facilities.
The licensing sub-committee of Carmarthenshire Council gathered to deliberate the application, prompted by the hotel’s intention to demolish its existing bar and restaurant facilities and relocate them to the ground floor of its main accommodation block. Plans also outlined the construction of an additional bedroom annex to replace the old dining and bar area, as the chain aims to enhance its offering to both leisure and business travellers in the region.
Legal representative Tim Shield, speaking on behalf of Whitbread Group plc—owners of the Premier Inn brand— stated the redevelopment had already received planning consent and, crucially, reported no history of operational issues at the Llanelli site. He emphasised that the application had faced no formal objections from key consultees such as local law enforcement or council departments. Shield reiterated the company’s ambition to remain “a positive addition” to the area.
Notwithstanding this, the proposed licensing variation drew criticism from local councillor Sharen Davies, who represents the Llwynhendy ward. Davies contacted council officials expressing apprehension at the length of time alcohol would be on sale—potentially from 10am until half-past midnight every day. Her correspondence alleged that the hotel was sheltering “homeless individuals and vulnerable residents”, and warned that extended licensing hours might heighten the risk of noise and anti-social conduct, potentially disturbing both hotel guests and the nearby neighbourhood.
At the sub-committee meeting, Shield addressed Councillor Davies’s assertions, indicating only that the council sometimes arranged accommodation for various individuals, but refrained from divulging further details. Later, Whitbread Group released a clear statement denying that homeless people were accommodated at the site. Shield highlighted that Premier Inn’s business model is geared towards serving travellers and corporate guests, and stressed that no evidence had been presented to suggest any mismanagement or problematic behaviour associated with the venue.
Councillor Davies was not present at the session to expand on her concerns. Sub-committee member Mansel Charles acknowledged the clarity of Shield’s submissions and remarked on the absence of objectors, suggesting it was unfortunate not all perspectives could be represented in person for thorough scrutiny.
Official documents submitted in support of Whitbread Group’s application explained that the proposed licence mirrored current operating hours, but actually included fewer licensable activities than the existing arrangement. The sub-committee ultimately retired to consider all the evidence, before unanimously granting the new licence, subject to a series of safeguards and stipulations, some of which were brokered in advance with Dyfed-Powys Police. These measures include robust CCTV requirements and an identification policy that requires anyone who appears under 21 to show valid ID when purchasing alcohol.
A spokeswoman for Whitbread clarified: “We don’t accommodate homeless individuals. Occasionally, we provide hotel rooms to local authorities for various reasons, such as accommodating council staff or residents needing emergency short-term housing—for instance, due to repairs, maintenance issues, or flooding.” She added that in such cases, clear service agreements are upheld to ascertain suitability for guests’ needs, and emphasised that the hotel environment is not appropriate for long-term stays given its limited kitchen and communal facilities.
The episode highlights the complexities around how commercial accommodation providers interact with local authority needs, especially as communities seek to balance business growth, social welfare, and neighbourhood concerns. While the new licence provides Premier Inn with permission to continue its redevelopment, the broader conversation around temporary accommodation and community impact remains a live issue in many localities.
In the end, the sub-committee’s decision allows Premier Inn to proceed with its planned expansion and renovations, but the debate has drawn attention to the need for clear communication and transparency between hospitality businesses, local authorities, and residents—particularly where vulnerable groups and public safety concerns intersect.