Dorset B&B offering free stays to Europeans to tackle post-Brexit xenophobia

30 June 2016 by Katherine Price

The Bakehouse bed and breakfast in Sherborne, Dorset, is offering free accommodation to European passport holders outside the UK in an effort to tackle post-Brexit xenophobia.

Since the EU referendum last week, reports have emerged of anti-foreign sentiment and incidents of racist abuse in the UK.

Malcolm Heygate-Browne, owner of the Bakehouse, is offering free stays on Sundays in July and August as a thank you to Europeans for their contribution to the UK. He said the eight-bedroom B&B was relatively quiet on Sundays and he wanted to do something to send out a message that businesses appreciate Europeans.

He said: "We use a lot of eastern European staff. Some of them are feeling very unwelcome in the country now. These people have only done good things for the UK; we should welcome them and celebrate the fact they're here."

Heygate-Browne explained that his business has been involved with European town twinning organisations and employed people from the Ukraine and Poland, who he described as "loyal and friendly". He added that European visitors have previously been a "big customer" for him, which he thinks may not be the case going forward, describing Brexit as "bad news" for his business.

Several European guests are already booked in to enjoy the free accommodation offer.

UK could see boost in visitor numbers, says Colliers International >>

Find the advantages in Brexit, Lord Hague tells hospitality industry >>

Food supplier reacts to Brexit by hiking prices 10% >>

Referendum result reignites VAT cut calls >>

Looking for a job? See all the current hotel vacancies available with The CatererFONT >>