Callum Donaghey had been gifted a booking at a Holiday Inn Express after sleeping rough by a charity worker, only to be told at reception that they were “from the street” and not allowed to stay
Two formerly homeless men have opened up on how they were turned away from a Holiday Inn hotel. This came despite temperatures dropping below zero in the depths of winter.
Callum Donaghey was one of two homeless men who were not allowed to stay at the hotel, despite having a pre-paid reservation, as temperatures dropped to a freezing -6C. Their stay had been paid for by a charity, but a staff member at the reception desk said the company policy was to deny people from the streets from staying.
The appalling incident, which took place at the Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road, Manchester, was captured on camera and sparked public outrage. Since then, the incident has lead to bigger and better things, leading to a significant change in Callum’s life.
Charity worker Amanda Thompson booked two double rooms, complete with breakfast, for the two men using donations and her own funds – spending just over £200 on Booking.com. But in the distressing video, the receptionist can be heard stating: “Guys, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m not going to be able to check you in.
“Full truth and transparency, I know that you’re from the street and the hotel doesn’t allow it,” the receptionist said, according to the Mirror. He further clarified: “It’s the company’s policy.
“It’s not mine personally, it’s the company’s.” The footage triggered huge public outrage and even prompted Florence Eshalomi, chairwoman of Parliament’s housing committee, to denounce their treatment as “inhumane” discrimination.
She declared: “The way in which vulnerable rough sleepers appear to be discriminated against in footage circulating online is utterly appalling. IHG need to urgently explain how this incident occurred, and the concrete action being taken to ensure it can never happen again.”
Callum, 30, revealed how the ordeal made him want “to shine”. The IHG hotel group subsequently paid for accommodation at a different warm hotel for the gentleman before he successfully completed a drugs test and accepted assistance at a rehabilitation centre, where he currently resides.
Looking at what happened to him, Callum fumed: “It’s still not enough. It’s not fair what they did to us. They have obviously owned it shouldn’t have happened and wasn’t company policy, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. It’s so sad because I am used to knockbacks.”
He further stated: “I would have taken it on the chin, but I am glad the way we were discriminated against has been shared in the way it has. I was suffering so much at the time, on the streets and with drug addiction, for someone to then make me feel so small. They took one look at me and judged me.
“I felt so low.” However, the tide seems to have turned for Callum and he is now in a much better place, where he feels better about himself.
Nevertheless, he still remains miffed at the situation and the way he was treated, saying he felt almost subhuman. Amanda, who paid for the rooms, said of the backlash: “They did help him, but we had to ask for it.
“It’s too little too late. I understand they have now held their hands up to what happened, but people need more understanding of life on the streets and how to help.”
Europe Managing Director for IHG Hotels, Karin Sheppard, stated: “We recognise that this isolated incident is clearly not in keeping with our expectations and should not have occurred.” She added: “Holiday Inn Express Manchester CC — Oxford Road has sincerely apologised to the guest affected and is taking internal steps to strengthen its staff training in accordance with our policies.”
The letter went on to say: “Given the gravity of the situation, I can assure you that we have swiftly taken a wide range of actions available to us, including ensuring that existing training was reiterated, and hotel colleagues reminded of the utmost importance of making all our guests feel welcomed and cared for. “.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.