Shame of Metro Hotel in Woking
A soldier on leave from Afghanistan was refused a hotel room when he showed his Army ID card at the reception desk.
Corporal Tomos Stringer, on leave after sustaining a wrist injury, was visiting a wounded colleague in Surrey when he was turned away by the Metro Hotel in Woking.
The Royal Logistics Corps NCO was forced to spend an uncomfortable night in his car after being told it was management policy not to accept military personnel.
Following her son's return to the troubled Helmand province Gaynor Stringer, of Criccieth in North Wales, spoke angrily of the hotel: "I can't believe this has happened to one of our soldiers in his own country. He just didn't know how to react.
"We've been to America and their military get treated like heroes over there.
"I think it's terrible they [UK service personnel] can't even wear their uniform with pride."
Defence Minister Derek Twigg said: "This case is especially egregious given that the individual concerned was on injury leave from Afghanistan and visiting an injured colleague
"The government and, it is fair to say, the vast majority of people in this country, hold the professionalism, courage and contribution made by all those who serve, and have served in the armed forces in very high regard.
"I am delighted that the armed forces generally enjoy immense respect and gratitude on the part of the nation and that contrary sentiments are rare, though evidently they exist."
So if you happen to be in the Woking area of Surrey make a point of not staying at the Metro Hotel. At £75 per night you'll probably be able to find somewhere much friendlier and better value for money.
Corporal Tomos Stringer, on leave after sustaining a wrist injury, was visiting a wounded colleague in Surrey when he was turned away by the Metro Hotel in Woking.
The Royal Logistics Corps NCO was forced to spend an uncomfortable night in his car after being told it was management policy not to accept military personnel.
Following her son's return to the troubled Helmand province Gaynor Stringer, of Criccieth in North Wales, spoke angrily of the hotel: "I can't believe this has happened to one of our soldiers in his own country. He just didn't know how to react.
"We've been to America and their military get treated like heroes over there.
"I think it's terrible they [UK service personnel] can't even wear their uniform with pride."
Defence Minister Derek Twigg said: "This case is especially egregious given that the individual concerned was on injury leave from Afghanistan and visiting an injured colleague
"The government and, it is fair to say, the vast majority of people in this country, hold the professionalism, courage and contribution made by all those who serve, and have served in the armed forces in very high regard.
"I am delighted that the armed forces generally enjoy immense respect and gratitude on the part of the nation and that contrary sentiments are rare, though evidently they exist."
So if you happen to be in the Woking area of Surrey make a point of not staying at the Metro Hotel. At £75 per night you'll probably be able to find somewhere much friendlier and better value for money.
13 comments:
For anyone wishing to express their dissatisfaction with the company's policy, here is the easiest way to send an email:
http://www.thebigapple.co.uk/contact.php
MJ
I've stayed at this over-priced town centre hotel before and really can't recommend it. It's too hot, and there's a night-club immediately next door, not to mention the hordes of drunks that lurch through the town until the earlier hours before being cleared noisily from the streets by the police.
The problem with Woking is that I believe there's only one other hotel in the town and the location is not immediately obvious. What a dreadful way to treat someone who's obviously served his country well, and as a citizen of Woking I'm really embarrassed.
As a freelance journalist I've asked the hotel for a clarification on their policy as there appears to be no mention of not accommodating military personnel anywhere: I'm not holding my breath though!
Hi, I like you, was disgusted to read about this indefensible policy of the Metro Hotel.
I have visited thier web site, via your link(thank you) and emailed them telling them my view. I wouls sugest that maybe anyone with a similar opinion also sends them an email, via the site.
Neil
Thanks all for your comments. I have a vested interest in this story and I'm heartened to hear that our service personnel are held in such high esteem.
I can't believe it! Is this a joke? If true, this is disgusting and totally unacceptable behaviour. Shame on Metro hotel!
There is a Holiday Inn just round the corner and I would have expected a corporal in the British Army to use some initiative.
Mmm, quite. He's from Wales so probably doesn't know the area too well.
I heard he'd already booked in earlier, then come back in later and had to show ID to the reception staff, and that's when he was challenged: "His mother, Gaynor, said her son checked into the hotel during the day in June but when he returned from visiting his friend the receptionist asked to see his identification and when he showed his military ID card she told him military personnel were not welcome". See the Wales Online article here
I followed your link too and have emailed with my disgust. I hope many other people do the same.
mh media online: I think that's even worse. They obviously didn't think he was a 'shifty' character to begin with and only changed their mind when they chanced upon the fact he was a squaddie. That's despicable.
The Metro Hotel in Woking is suffering a media hammering over this and rightly so. I don't think they'll be so quick to discriminate against their customers in future... assuming they survive all this bad publicity.
Despite their apologies I hope there is a sustained campaign to put this hotel out of business. Has the person responsible been sacked? She should be. This is a further example of the cringeing attitude of much of England at present. I frequently ask myself if all those servicemen who gave their todays for our tomorrows if given the chance would say it was worth it. RLH
Agree-This is appalling,The armed forces protect the UK in War Zones and also protect us from Homegrown terrorists when needed to, they should therefore be treated with respect and given full support. Don't stay at this Hotel
I just read this store and already sent a email from this old marine telling them what I think about it. its 5pm here in Seattle and in the morning they are getting a call from me. I may have to take vacation in Woking next year just to pay a little visit.
Post a Comment