Police issue warning about controversial Welsh hotel that's stood empty for months

Police have warned people to stay out of the former Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli after a rise in reports of trespassing linked to social media activity over the bank holiday weekend. Dyfed-Powys Police said officers received a number of calls about people entering the building, with concerns that some individuals were accessing the site to create online content. The force said enquiries are underway into alleged criminal damage and burglary offences, and officers are in contact with those believed to have been involved. Mystery continues to surround the future of this once-proud Welsh hotel which thrust itself into a whirlwind of controversy three years ago and then closed suddenly in March this year without warning staff or customers - leaving many of them out of pocket. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter The Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli announced in May 2023 that it was shutting its doors to paying guests. Instead the historic building would become a home to around 240 asylum seekers after a deal was struck with the Home Office. Huge protests and demonstrations took place outside the spa and wedding venue, lasting several months, before it was confirmed that the hugely controversial plan had been shelved one morning in October 2023. The hotel re-opened in 2024 and despite losing much of the local community’s trust, the site’s owners vowed to return the venue to its former glory. Eventually, the hotel changed ownership. Ullcom Limited - based in Hounslow in England - confirmed it had acquired a majority shareholding in a business previously owned by Sterling Woodrow Investments/Gryphon Leisure Limited. Then in March, the hotel shut once more and has stood empty ever since. Trespassers have been publishing footage on social media of what the Hotel's premises currently look like, saying "it felt like walking through a place where time had suddenly stopped." The hotel, which has been at the centre of controversy in the past, has attracted increased attention online, with videos and photographs circulating on social media platforms. Police said they are working alongside partner agencies and the site’s owners to address the issue and reassure nearby residents. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police urged members of the public not to enter the building and to report any incidents of trespassing or antisocial behaviour. Anyone with concerns can contact the force via its website, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk , through social media direct message, or by calling 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice