MELKSHAM Travelodge has denied showing the door to a homeless couple who had booked in for four nights to keep warm and dry.

Ollie Broome, 29, says he and his partner, Charlene Shord, 24, were told to leave the hotel in Commerce Way, Bowerhill, on Tuesday after arriving soaking wet and cold.

He claims the manager was “really rude” after saying they could not stay - despite having paid £177.96 for four nights from May 4-8.

“We were soaking wet through when we arrived and told the manager we had booked four nights.

“We had our sleeping bags with us and told her we were homeless but she would not believe us.

“She was really rude. It was absolutely disgraceful behaviour. She told me to have go and have a nice night in my tent. I won’t ever stay in a Travelodge again.”

Mr Broome, from Salisbury, said he rang back half an hour later to ask for a refund but is still waiting for it.

A Travelodge spokesperson said: “Mr Broome was never refused entry. In the current climate we have a duty of care to check and verify that all bookings are genuine and in line with the current Government guidelines.

"This policy was explained to Mr Broome and he was asked to wait whilst checks were made. Mr Broome chose not to wait and left the hotel. 

"Since leaving the hotel on Tuesday, Mr Broome has not contacted Travelodge directly regarding a refund.

"When it was brought to our attention, we immediately tried to contact Mr Broome on several occasions and left messages for him to return our calls; so that we can obtain the relevant information in order to give him an immediate refund. We are still waiting for Mr Broome to contact us.”            

Mr Broome and Miss Shord are living in a tent near the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington.

They moved there after thieves ransacked their tent in the Nature Reserve near Sainsbury’s in Melksham and stole around £1,000-worth of clothing and equipment.

Mr Broome has appealed for land on which to pitch their tent while they look for somewhere to live.

He and Miss Shord both have health problems which require medical treatment.

The couple have been inundated with offers of help and support from well-wishers, including places to pitch their tent, food and clothing.