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16
Sept 2023
Harrogate men spend night in car after youth hostel refuses entry for lack of ID
Two Harrogate men were forced to sleep outdoors on Wednesday night when they were refused a bed for the night at a youth hostel in the Lake District.
John France and Mick Murphy had just completed a 15-mile walk up three mountains when they turned up at dusk at YHA Patterdale, where they planned to stay the night.
But staff at the hostel said Youth Hostels Association (YHA) policy required visitors provide some official form of identification, such as a passport or driving licence. John had a driving licence, but Mick did not, so staff members said John was welcome but Mick was not.
Not wanting to leave Mick out in the cold, John refused his offer of a bed and both men slept in their car.
John said:
When visitors book places in YHA hostels online, they are told that “all guests aged 18 or over will be required to show a valid form of photographic ID upon arrival”.
It also warns: “We reserve the right to refuse accommodation at our discretion.”
Forms of identification accepted by the YHA include a passport or driving licence, a student ID card, a Travelcard, UK CitizenCard, an EU resident’s ID card, YOTI digital identification, or government-issued identification for members of local authorities, the police and fire services, the NHS or the armed forces.
But some walkers arrive at youth hostels without booking, so may not be aware of the requirement to show ID.
Asked about the policy, a YHA spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:
They added:
But John said he did not accept the YHA’s explanation of its ID policy. He said:
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