The Lion Hotel: Kidderminster staff aim to change reputation

Harry Murdoch said The Lion Hotel is often "looked down on" due to the nature of its work accommodating homeless people in Wyre Forest and beyond. 

The hotel, which is located on Lion Street, works closely with local councils, probation services and charities to help offer shelter and signpost support to those who are living on the streets or have hit hard times. 

Mr Murdoch said he wanted more people in the Kidderminster community to hear about the positive work they are doing to help support vulnerable people in the area. 

The Lion Hotel is undergoing renovations (Image: Handout)

The 27-year-old said: "A lot of places that offer accommodation to homeless people face a lot of backlash from the public. The work is not seen as very desirable and those we help are often overlooked.

"We are a family-run business that has been in the town for more than 30 years. We are a very Kidderminster family and keep the community at the heart of everything we do. My grandad was even the caterer at the Harriers for over 60 years.

"We just think that the reputation we have is really unfair and negative. It is a privilege to help vulnerable people in our community and I hope residents will see that we are trying to make a difference."

The hotel works closely with local councils and charities (Image: Handout)

Over the past few years, the hotel has worked with charities including Cranstoun and HELP as well as ensured homeless people received vaccines during Covid. 

The business also ran the pilot for the No First Night Out scheme which helped provide shelter for homeless people in below-freezing temperatures. 

The scheme accommodated almost 100 people in its first six months. 

The hotel has around 200 bookings a year (Image: Handout)

The hotel takes about 200 bookings a year with referrals from Wyre Forest District Council, Worcester City Council, Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove District Council and more. 

The team, which includes Mr Murdoch's brother William, has also been renovating the hotel to help improve its appearance and sustainability. 

The Lion Hotel (Image: Google)

He said: "We have started renovating on the inside first and then we will also make improvements to the outside of the building. 

"We are really proud to be making efforts to run a sustainable business and I have given a talk for Clean Energy Worcestershire on how small businesses can help reduce their carbon footprint."

The hotel manager hopes that the community will see the benefit of the hotel and recognise the important work they are doing in the area. 

He added: "We want to provide a safe space for homeless people and we act as a bit of a middleman between the council and charity services to help in the rehabilitation process. 

"It doesn't always work but we love being part of a collaborative approach in the community and we hope to continue making a difference in people's lives."