A shelter for homeless people that replaces a family-run business which has been part of the community for decades has sparked concern.

The three-star Harrow Hotel, in Pinner Road, ceased trading on Sunday, August 3 after being run for 40 years by the Flash family.

It was purchased by Notting Hill Housing Trust, which has now leased the property to St Mungo’s Broadway, a charity that provides shelter for the homeless.

Tony Raymond, who chairs Harrow Environmental Forum, said: “Of course these people need a place to stay but unfortunately we see these developments come and go without respect for local opinion. It needs to be monitored extremely carefully.

“You would also have to be concerned at the fact that it is being managed by Notting Hill Housing Trust, who we have seen in Stanmore, with the Anmer Lodge development, have a track record of not listening to local residents.”

Police reassured businesses last month at a meeting of Harrow Town Centre Forum that the charity would be ‘co-operating with the police’ and providing them ‘with information when required’.

A spokeswoman for St Mungo’s Broadway said: “The hotel has been bought by Notting Hill Housing, and St Mungo’s Broadway has taken out a short-term lease of the building as temporary accommodation, both for some of our property guardians as well as clients who are waiting to move into their own private rented flats.

“Our Guardians4Properties scheme helps people in need of affordable accommodation, including key workers, such as charity, nursing and teaching staff and students.

“The clients are likely to be there for about three weeks before moving into private rented accommodation across London, some of whom may be rehoused in Harrow, if they have a Harrow connection.”

Harrow Council said it is ‘confident’ that the charity will manage the property professionally and with respect for the neighbours.