Blackburn hotel manager claims guests damaged room

Mr Hussain, of Hill View Hotel in Blackburn said the guests intentionally stained their bed linen and put a plastic bag down the drain, and also complained they’d been electrocuted, despite the couple claiming the hotel was at fault.

However Dan Twyman and his partner, from Pendle, said they had to live in "disgusting conditions" when they were placed in Hill View Hotel in Preston New Road in February, after finding themselves with nowhere to live.

Pendle Council temporarily housed them at the property for a period of three months while alternative accommodation was sought, but not long after, the couple said they began to "find things were wrong" with their room, and experienced "ill treatment" from the staff.

The damaged plug sockets (Image: Submitted)

Mr Twyman said: “Myself and my partner were subject to the most disgusting treatment and conditions.

“Bullying by hotel management and targeting behaviour that, if I wasn't as in control of my emotions and able to walk away from situations, would have led to big altercations.

“I feel the management wind people up to the point they explode.

“The cleanliness of the hotel was also an issue, as wastewater had been backing up into our shower and the basin in our en-suite for the last eight weeks we were residing in the hotel.

“There were blood-stained sheets and soaking wet bedding being given out to residents. The list goes on and on.

Blood stain on the sheet (Image: Submitted)

“People are being placed in this hell hole by local authorities with no due care as to the conditions they face there, even after being told about the conditions the council's answer was ‘it's either that or street homelessness’.”

The couple also claim the windows in the room were mouldy and there were defects with the plug sockets.

However, Mr Hussain has rejected the claims his staff were not at fault, and levelled accusations at Mr Twyman and his partner that they damaged their room intentionally so they could speed up the process of being rehomed.

Stained bedding (Image: Submitted)

He said: “They intentionally damaged the bed linen, and also they put a plastic bag in the drain [to block it].

"They also complained at the time they had been electrocuted by one of the sockets in the room.

“Upon inspection by an electrical engineer no electrical faults were found and a plumber found a freezer bag in the drain.

“They were abusive to staff and the council were aware of their behaviour and actions.

"We have them on CCTV admitting malicious damage and making false complaints to the council - their reasoning behind this was so they could be given a house by the council.

“With regards to the windows - these are old and are currently scheduled to be replaced within the coming weeks.

"We refute the allegations made by the guests in the strongest terms. We have hosted many people for many years and we have attempted to provide a professional service.

"This particular guest who has been with us for three months has spoken to staff stating he wanted to show the hotel in a bad light with the council so he could be given more permanent residence.

"It is unfair to paint our family run hotel in a bad light when we have tried our best to help and assist guests whenever we can. 

"Any fixtures and fittings that are broken are seen too as soon as possible. We are open to any checks from local authorities and are deeply disheartened that anyone would wish to accuse the hotel in this way."

READ MORE: Resident's racist threats to brothers running Blackburn hotel

The damaged plug socket (Image: Submitted)

A spokesperson for Pendle Council said: “Where possible, Pendle Borough Council’s housing needs service aims to prevent homelessness. 

“Unfortunately, on this occasion it was not possible to prevent homelessness and we provided temporary accommodation at Hill View Hotel in Blackburn.  

“All hotels that are used meet required standards. 

“We were sorry to hear about a number of issues that were brought to our attention. These were quickly passed to the hotel’s management to be addressed. 

“Unfortunately, a few weeks later, we were re-contacted about some of the issues which had not been resolved to a satisfactory standard. 

“These were again quickly taken forward with hotel management but at around the same time alternative accommodation was found.”

Councillor Damian Talbot, executive member for public health, prevention and wellbeing at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “BwDC does not refer individuals to Hill View Hotel.

“We are awaiting the outcome of a recent tribunal to determine how the premises, which is currently classed as a bed and breakfast, is classified, and this outcome will inform any future considerations by the council.”