Councillors have praised the Erskine community for showing its “welcoming and compassionate side” while asylum seekers have been housed in the Muthu Glasgow River Hotel.

Cllrs Iain Nicolson and Michelle Campbell shared a statement on their joint Facebook page earlier this week as it emerged that those living at the venue, formerly known as the Erskine Bridge Hotel, are to be moved to alternative accommodation by the end of March.

The Home Office has been detaining people seeking refugee status in hotels across the UK, with the premises in Renfrewshire used for the purpose since early last year.

As we previously reported, the UK Government has announced its intention to move away from the practice of housing people in hotels, and served notice to Mears Group on January 3 that use of the Muthu hotel by the Home Office will cease by the end of the contract on April 5.

The social media post by the Cllr Nicolson and Cllr Campbell, who both represent Erskine and Inchinnan, said: “Mutha Hotel Erskine. Home Office advises it is to cease using it as an refugee facility.

“Local Erskine and Inchinnan SNP Councillors and MP Gavin Newlands have been advised that Mears/Home Office have served notice to quit the use of the Muthu Erskine hotel as part of the national review of hotel accommodation.

“Three months notice to exit was served recently. Formal confirmation on this was provided by the Home Office.

“Residents in the hotel will be relocated to other Home Office accommodation.

“Renfrewshire Council will continue to engage with the various agencies on the process of de commissioning the hotel as an Asylum and refugee facility."

“As elected members we look forward to seeing the hotel back in use as part of our hospitality sector," they added.

“Many members of our local community and organisations provided vital support along with various agencies to the residents.

“Erskine as a community showed the welcoming and compassionate side that is a true reflection of the local community that we know."

Last year, protests took place outside the hotel, following the arrival of asylum seekers at the site, who it was we reported at the time, were all men aged between 18 and 40.

At the time of their arrival, fears were raised by some local residents that the new arrivals could put added strain on services such as health, which are already under significant pressure.

In February 2023, Far-right organisation Patriotic Alternative (PA) held a demonstration calling for the refugees to be removed from the hotel.

A counter-protest, organised by campaign group Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) in partnership with the Paisley and Clydebank Trades Councils, also took place.

It is understood there are currently 114 residents in the hotel, with that number to be gradually reduced over the coming weeks.

People will be moved to suitable dispersed accommodation across Scotland.