The Copthorne Hotel, tucked among pine trees just outside Gatwick, used to be a popular spot for family meals. Its Brasserie restaurant still advertises classic British dishes and a child-friendly setting.

But the Brasserie is now closed to the public. Since 2021, the hotel has been used as government-run accommodation for asylum seekers. After housing Afghan arrivals, it later became home to around 1,000 people from different countries, including many who crossed the Channel illegally.

In the days before Christmas, I visited the Copthorne after being invited by migrants I had met earlier in Calais. Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, warm, and organised. Aside from two small Christmas trees, there was little sign of the holiday.

Several residents told me they are allowed to leave for a few days by notifying reception. Some claimed that people sometimes don’t return and instead blend into communities elsewhere.

Others spoke openly about informal work, including cash-in-hand jobs at car washes and building sites. Most receive just under £10 a week in pocket money on a Home Office card, though a few admitted they have other ways of earning.

The building itself looks worn. Carpets are frayed, paint is peeling, and rooms have been refitted with basic single beds. Families live there too, with children occasionally seen in corridors and shared spaces.

Despite activities and charity visits, many residents described long waits, boredom, and uncertainty — while locals continue to protest and the wider asylum system remains under heavy strain.