Harrow Hotel taken over by homeless charity St Mungo’s Broadway to become shelter

The Harrow Hotel, in Pinner Road, ceased trading on Wednesday last week and since then has become a homeless shelter run by the charity St Mungo’s Broadway.

People living near the site, which has more than 100 rooms, were unaware of the change, and there have been reports of disturbances from some people living next to the site.

The charity helps people across the country who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by providing a bed and support.

Mr H Reid, who lives near the former hotel said: “My wife and I are very concerned about the hotel becoming a homeless shelter.

“We don’t know anything about it and we don’t know the people who are going be housed there.

“What we are most angry about is the lack of communication about what has happened. We didn’t know anything about it until the shelter was opened.

“They should have informed neighbours about what has been happening.”

Another neighbour, Alina Smith, said: “I honestly didn’t know about the changes.

“The fact is these people are homeless and they need a place to stay, and I don’t have a problem with that.

“What upsets me is that they didn’t inform neighbours about the shelter. I think they need to talk to people and let us know if there is some sort of contact number if there are any issues.”

A spokeswoman for St Mungo’s Broadway said: “The hotel has been bought by Notting Hill Housing, and St Mungo’s Broadway has taken out a short term lease of the building as temporary accommodation, both for some of our property guardians as well as clients who are waiting to move into their own private rented flats.

“Our Guardians4Properties scheme helps people in need of affordable accommodation, including key workers such as charity, nursing, teaching, nursing staff and students.

“The clients are likely to be there for about three weeks before moving into private rented accommodation across London, some of whom may be rehoused in Harrow, if they have a Harrow connection.”