Riverside Hotel Colchester 'not fit for human habitation'

Natalie Smith, 53, has lived at the Riverside Hotel for around six weeks after being placed in emergency housing by Colchester Council.

Stuff has been thrown into one area which used to be a bathroom (Image: Credited)

The Riverside Hotel, which is the worst rated hotel in the Colchester area according to TripAdvisor, is one of the places used by the authority for emergency housing.

Exterior - the letters on top of the hotel are falling off (Image: Credited)

Frustrated - Natalie outside the hotel (Image: Credited)

Natalie said: “The hotel is not fit for human habitation.

"Everybody I talk to here has problems with bed bugs, the water is always turning off and the heating is dodgy. There was a day when we had no water for 24 hours.

“People in here are down on their luck and they have nowhere else to go. People shouldn’t be living like this.

Disgusting - there is a significant amount of dust and dirt built up on one of the radiators (Image: Credited)

“Conditions are appalling and the whole hotel is filthy. The place needs to be condemned.

“There are also no kitchen facilities, and I’ve had to buy my own bedding due to the state of the bedding provided, which have cigarette burns on them.”

Burn - a cigarette burn on the bedding provided has created a hole through it (Image: Credited) Natalie also said there are children living at the hotel and there is a realistic threat of violence.

A spokesman for Colchester Borough Homes said: “We understand the challenges and hardships that temporary accommodation can bring.

Dirty - cobwebs in the room above the curtains (Image: Credited)

“We strive to avoid placing individuals and families in cramped or shared living conditions. However, in urgent situations where no other options are immediately available, we may need to use temporary hotel rooms.

“The Riverside Hotel is one of several hotels used by the council to provide emergency accommodation for homeless people while we work to find more permanent solutions.

Lacklustre - the flooring in the hall is on its last legs (Image: Credited)

“All rooms are thoroughly cleaned before and during occupancy. The hotel is also used by other guests who are not part of our homeless accommodation programme. We have not placed any families with children in this specific hotel.

“We are in regular contact with the manager and will raise issues that guests report to us.”

Riverside Hotel was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of going to press.

Stains - a common theme of stains and paint coming off on the walls and ceilings (Image: Credited) RIVERSIDE HOTEL - Reviews, Photos (tripadvisor.co.uk)