Travellers are losing us business, says Plymouth hotel - Devon

From the Western Morning News

TRAVELLERS who have pitched up on a city business park are discouraging guests, a hotel claims.

A group of Travellers with large caravans and live chickens has set up an encampment just off Tavistock Road in Derriford.

They have been pitched outside the Future Inn on William Prance Road for around two weeks.

Now a hotel manager claims guests have told staff they will not stay there until the group has left.

Janice Carpenter, hotel general manager, said one client had cancelled all bookings until the situation was resolved.

At least 10 caravans turned up two weeks ago on council-owned land next to the approach to the hotel. Management say they believe there are now as many as 18 caravans on the site.

The Travellers have chickens in metal cages, washing hanging up on lines and a series of vans parked up.

"We are losing business," Mrs Carpenter said. "People do not want to come and drive through a Travellers encampment to get to their hotel.

"We have had customer complaints.. One client told us they are cancelling all future bookings until the camp has gone.

"In fairness to the Travellers, they have not done anything wrong but it is the stigma they bring. This situation is upsetting for us."

Plymouth City Council said it had made efforts to move the group on.

A spokeswoman said: "We have served notice to quit in accordance with our procedures. However, the Travellers have not left so we are now considering the legal options available to us."

Hotel staff said it was the third or fourth time Travellers had set up a camp nearby. The hotel wants reassurances that it will not happen again.

"I would like to know what the council will do after they have managed to scatter them," Mrs Carpenter added.

"Previously, the Travellers used to pitch up on the land at the back of the hotel but the council cordoned that off.

"I don't know if they will be able to block off the road they are situated on now."