Ards and North Down Borough Council has confirmed that the Home Office will cease using the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor to house asylum seekers before the end of February 2026. The council agreed to allocate £27,040 in dispersal funding to support the integration of asylum seekers and refugees remaining in the borough.

The hotel has accommodated hundreds of asylum seekers, primarily women fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for over four years. Its use prompted regular protests from parts of the local community and lacked formal planning permission.

The funding, administered via The Executive Office from the Home Office, will support the Refugee and Asylum Forum. Activities include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, visa support, orientation programmes, pastoral care, and information sessions on Northern Ireland's laws and culture.

A council report detailed that the funding comprises a £15,000 baseline plus £12,040 based on the number of asylum seekers in the area. It will be managed by the council's Good Relations Team, involving local churches, community groups, PSNI, health, education, and Mears Housing.

At the Active and Healthy Communities Committee meeting in February, Green Party Councillor Barry McKee welcomed the funding for community organisations supporting newcomers. DUP Councillor James Cochrane expressed ongoing party concerns about immigration's impact on public services but noted the funding originates from the UK government, not council ratepayers, and would not be opposed.