Saracen’s Head

A number of constituents have been in touch regarding rumours concerning the future use of the Saracen's Head, 8-10 Eglinton Street, Beith.

The owners successfully applied for a change of use from public house to ‘house in multiple occupation’ (HMO) containing 10 bedrooms and communal living/cooking/dining facilities on 25 September 2024.

I can confirm however that rumours suggesting the location will now be used to house asylum seekers are without foundation.

Matters relating to asylum seekers are not devolved to Scotland.

The UK Home Office is responsible for deciding where asylum seekers are housed as asylum and immigration are matters reserved exclusively to Westminster.

When someone claims asylum in the UK, the Home Office assesses their need for housing support. If they do, it arranges accommodation.

The Mears Group provides accommodation on behalf of the Home Office for people while their applications are processed.

Mears manage 2,126 accommodation units in communities; residential properties primarily used for ‘Dispersed Accommodation’ for around 4,000 people currently.

These vary in type and size, and occupants are matched to appropriate accommodation, such as suitability for families or single persons.

Mears also manage 15 hotels in Scotland, accommodating 1,450 people, an Initial Accommodation centre in Glasgow for new arrivals with a capacity of 240 and a centre for vulnerable women in Glasgow with 38 beds.

I contacted the Mears Group to ascertain whether there are any plans to house asylum seekers at the Saracen’s Head.

Mr David Miles (Senior Management Team) said in an email response:

“I am not aware of the building you mention.”

Clearly, as Mears didn’t even know of its existence, there are therefore no plans for the Saracen’s Head to be used for people in the process of claiming asylum.

ENDS