Anti-migrant and Stand Up to Racism protesters face off against one another in Southsea - but this time avoiding ugly scenes

Anti-migrant protesters gathered outside the Royal Beach Hotel in opposition “against illegal men being housed in hotels”, with simultaneous protests also held in Southampton and Bournemouth. All are locations where asylum seekers have been given temporary accommodation while their applications are processed.

In response, Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth held a counter protest at the same location “to show friendship and solidarity with refugees”.

It is the second time this month opposing protests have been held outside the hotel, with the first resulting in ugly scenes and reports of pushing, spitting and verbal abuse.

At the earlier protest a 64-year-old man from Portsmouth who was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon was bailed until October 5, and a 40-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order was given a conditional caution. Police also put in place a dispersal order across the area to avoid further trouble.

However yesterday’s protest passed off peacefully, with police able to keep the two opposing groups separate and avoid further confrontation.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “The protest was peaceful and passed without any incidents reported to police during the event.

“Our priority with protests is always public safety. Policing these events requires us to balance the rights of those lawfully protesting, and the rights of others to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption, whilst keeping the public safe.”

The protests come amid growing tensions over the the use of ‘migrant hotels’, with the government pledging an end the use of hotels to hold asylum seekers by 2029.

Southsea Beach Hotel has been used as temporary accommodation for migrants since 2022, leading to its closure to the public to the dismay of many with the venue used for weddings and functions by the local community.

Plans are already in place to end its use as offering temporary accommodation with the former hotel being transformed into housing. Planning permission for this has already been granted by Portsmouth City Council and work on some sections of the former hotel has been ongoing for some time.

The former Best Western Royal Beach Hotel was built on a one-acre field in 1866 on the junction between South Parade and St Helens Parade. It opened its doors for the first time on May 1 of the same year and became one of the most popular and fashionable hotels in Southsea boasting impressive views across the Solent