Stradey Park Hotel ‘closes with immediate effect’ just weeks after Scarlets partnership announced
The apparent closure marks the latest chapter in a turbulent few years for the hotel, which was at the centre of a prolonged and bitter dispute over plans by the then-Conservative UK Government to house asylum seekers at the site.
There has been no official announcement from the hotel’s owners, but its website is no longer accepting bookings. A member of staff confirmed on Monday that the business was “ceasing trading as of now”.
According to reports, staff were informed of the closure at 4.15pm on Monday.
The news comes just over a month after the Scarlets announced a new partnership with the hotel, which was hailed at the time as a sign that the venue was “moving forward once again” after a “challenging few years”.
The hotel was previously owned by Sterling Woodrow Investments/Gryphon Leisure Limited, but it was confirmed in late 2024 that a majority shareholding had been acquired by Ullcom Limited, a company based in Hounslow.
The original plan to house around 240 asylum seekers at the hotel led to the redundancy of almost 100 staff and sparked months of protests outside the venue, with Dyfed-Powys Police revealing that the cost of policing the demonstrations had run to more than £500,000.
Protestors at Stradey Park Hotel in 2023 (Image: Martin Davies / Facebook)
After a series of legal battles and escalating tensions which saw dozens of arrests, the Home Office eventually abandoned the plans in October 2023.
The hotel subsequently reopened in 2024, but the latest development throws its future into doubt once more.
The closure has left some customers out of pocket. One local business owner, Zoë Brinn, said she had booked and paid to host a mental health and wellbeing event at the hotel the previous evening, describing herself as “gutted” and saying she had contacted her bank and emailed the hotel requesting a refund.
Community reaction on social media has been divided. Some residents argued that a prolonged boycott following the asylum seeker controversy had made the hotel’s recovery impossible, while others expressed shock given what they described as a busy bookings diary and a recent upturn in trade.
Llanelli town councillor Shaun Greaney placed the blame squarely on the previous Conservative government, saying the asylum seeker controversy had cost the local economy around £8 million a year and resulted in a policing bill of £500,000.
He said: “The blame for the closure of the Stradey Park Hotel rests firmly with the previous national Conservative Government. Now with the hotel’s latest closure, and the sudden, sad loss of jobs, it is another disaster for Llanelli.”
Cllr Greaney added that the new Labour government was moving away from the policy of housing asylum seekers in hotels, and that any suggestion the hotel could be used for that purpose again was “pure scaremongering”.
Independent councillor Stephen Williams said he had contacted staff directly on Monday evening and met with some of them in person.
He said: “These are hardworking local people who have rebuilt the hotel’s reputation — hosting successful events, welcoming strong bookings, and recently securing an agreement with the Scarlets as their chosen accommodation provider. The business was clearly moving forward. Once again, staff face losing their jobs through no fault of their own.”
Cllr Williams raised questions about the hotel’s business model, noting that some bedrooms were individually owned separately from the main hotel operation, which he said could make finding a quick resolution more complex.
He added: “My priority is the workforce and their families. Llanelli deserves answers — and action.”
New, Independent Llanelli Town Council leader, Sean Rees said his immediate concern was for the staff who have lost their livelihoods without warning.
Cllr Rees said:
“This abrupt closure will cause significant financial and personal anxiety for those employees and their families, and they must now be our priority.
“I have written to the Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council for work to be undertaken swiftly with relevant agencies, including employment support services, to ensure that affected staff receive clear guidance on redundancy rights, access to benefits where necessary, and opportunities for retraining or redeployment within the local hospitality and tourism sector.
“The hotel has long been an important part of Llanelli’s economy and identity. It is essential urgent clarification is given from the owners regarding their intentions.”
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