A HOTEL used to house more than 100 asylum seekers who fled war-torn countries has been placed on the market.

The Skylark Hotel, off Aviation Way, near Southend Airport, was closed to the the public in September 2022 when 116 people seeking asylum moved into the site.

However, the hotel has now been listed on the market with the “potential for development”.

The building has a long history since the 70s, formerly being the popular Zero 6 Nightclub.

After the nightclub closed, it was transformed into a successful hotel and function suite.

Neither Essex County Council or the Home Office were able to confirm to the Echo if asylum seekers remained in the hotel, however Mike Steptoe, councillor responsible for the Roche South ward, said they were still there around six weeks ago.

He said: “It is a located extremely close to the airport, and the airport is really starting to increase its numbers now.

“So, it is a real ideal opportunity there for a business with the hotel.

“I hope that it will remain as a hotel.

"In my opinion, it is unlikely to be housing from where the airport is, and being that close to it as well as lots of industrial units around it.

“It was being used to house asylum seekers, and so if they have moved, it has been pretty recent, within the last four to six weeks.”

The site comprises mostly single-storey accommodation of 72 bedrooms, meeting rooms, offices, two smaller function rooms, a restaurant and bar, an enormous function suite, cloakrooms and a kitchen.

There is an excess of 6.34 acres with only 20 per cent building site coverage.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, added: “Southend needs more hotel space so I hope it remains in use as a hotel.

“Ultimately, that will be down to the new owners but I hope whatever plans they have for it, will benefit the community in the area.”