North Yorkshire Police clearly do not want a repeat of last weekend which saw almost record numbers of people driving to popular walking destinations in the Harrogate district.

RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate shut its doors on Sunday after it was unable to control social distancing measures and Yorkshire Water had to close its reservoir car parks due to large numbers of visitors.

Ahead of this weekend, the force told people not to drive to the North York Moors, Dales or coast for exercise or any other non-essential reason.

Chief Inspector Ed Haywood-Noble, said:

“We do not want to see people travelling to beauty spots in rural areas for exercise or any other reason. In particular, do not arrange to meet up with family or friends. Instead, take your exercise near your home, with members of your household. And whether you’re in a car or on a motorcycle, do not go out ‘just for a drive’ or a ride in the countryside – if you break down, or have a crash you’re putting lives at risk.”

A police coronavirus checkpoint in action. Photo: Sgt Paul Cording

This weekend, officers will be stopping vehicles and asking motorists where they’re going, why they are going there, and reminding them of the message to “stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives”.

People ignoring these tougher restrictions on movement could be fined £60 fine initially and another for £120 for a second offence.

Louise Pullan, who owns a farm and runs a cafe called The Flock and Fold near Thruscross Reservoir, sent a video to the Stray Ferret earlier this week she was so upset at the crowds that turned up last Sunday. She said:

“There has not been as many walkers as there was at the weekend since the original Tour de Yorkshire in 2015. There was literally hundreds of people treading the footpaths of Thurscross, it’s totally unacceptable.”

Cars parked along the lane by Louise Pullan’s farm near Thruscross on Sunday.

Main image: Thurscross Reservoir photo:Geograph/Matthew Hatton

Olivia Grigoras is a Maternity Support Worker at Harrogate Hospital. She told the Stray Ferret that she was ‘In tears’ last night when she heard the applause and cheers for healthcare workers on the street outside her house. She then had an ‘even more tearful’ experience this morning, when she woke up to a lovely surprise from her 6 year old daughter, Iris.

At 8pm last night people from all over the Harrogate district took part in a nationwide “Clap for Carers” tribute, saluting NHS and care workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. People from all over the district have sent us videos of their applause. A message from the NHS on social media described the tribute as ’emotional’.

Harrogate based construction company, HACS Group stopped all work after the government’s ‘lockdown’ measures were introduced on Monday evening. Mark Smith, Managing director of the firm told the Stray Ferret that he was in ‘disbelief’ when it was announced on Tuesday that construction could continue If guidelines were followed, he said this would be ‘totally impractical’ to enforce.

On Saturday, Harrogate Hospital  made an ‘urgent appeal’ for more volunteers as the Coronavirus pandemic worsens. A spokesperson from the Hospital has since posted  to say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ with the rapid response from the community. We have been speaking to some of those who have applied to volunteer.

A family from Harrogate have ‘made the decision’ to live apart for 12 weeks. Leah Coates is a care worker and her husband Mark is in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ group after having a Kidney transplant 20 years ago. Leah told The Stray Ferret that ‘it is a very upsetting time, especially for our three year old son, but as a carer I need to be there for my patients too.’

For the self-employed in the district these are very worrying times and some have already experienced a serious loss of income due to the coronavirus crisis.

With flights and holidays cancelled and the Government advising against all ‘non–essential travel’ for at least 30 days it’s has been very challenging time for taxi drivers. Daniel  Williams, who lives in Harrogate and has been a taxi driver and is now a chauffeur, told the Stray Ferret:  

“Most of my work is airport transfers for airline staff and holiday makers, so it’s pretty bad… I was the main earner in my household a month ago and now I’m barely making any money. We have rent to pay, which I fear will be impossible.. I am even worried about putting food on the table for my wife and kids.” 

In last night’s speech Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a £300bn package of financial measures to shore up businesses against the coronavirus impact. But Daniel said he feels left out: 

“He mentioned help for home-owners and people with small businesses, but there was no mention for people like me.. My wife works for a company that supplies cleaning staff for gyms, if the gyms close, she will be out of work as well.” 

Charlotte Wilson is a make–up artist based just outside of Harrogate. She told The Stray Ferret that in last 48 hours alone she has had 5 wedding cancellations due to coronavirus. 

Charlotte Wilson Harrogate make up artist

“This week has been very strange. I normally see 10 clients a day but I’ve only seen that in a week. My dad’s health isn’t good at the moment so I really don’t want him to get it ill ... I have been sterilizing all of my products after each use, but I see different people each day and when I’m doing makeup and eye–lashes, I am close to people so it is more of a worry. I have told clients not to come if they aren’t feeling well, but I just hope my business will bounce back to how it was once this is all over.” 

Social distancing and working from home is a real issue for the beauty industry with many appointments requiring close contact and a high volume of clients coming in and out each day.  

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Ami Miller[/author_info] [/author]

Ruth Maddon, is a self–employed hairdresser, in Harrogate. She told the Stray Ferret she has the added concern of being 6 months pregnant: 

“I rent a chair in a salon 5 days a week but I have had to stop working as people were coming in with cold and flu symptoms. I told people to only to come if they were 100% well, but I don’t think people understand when to quarantine.” 

Are you self-employed and worried about the impact of coronavirus? Tell us your story and get in touch below.

Many restaurants within the Harrogate district remained opened today but it was very much a situation of business as ‘unusual’.   

The Tannin Level, which is in its 35th year of operating in the centre of Harrogate said that many people are ‘just assuming closure, which is not the case.’ 

 The owner, John Roberts, told the Stray Ferret he thought the government had let them down: 

‘We are stuck between a rock and a hard place, the government are telling people not to come but we aren’t being told to close so we are trying to stay open. The hospitality industry have been hung out to dry” 

Mama Doreen’s emporium, a popular tea room in the centre of Harrogate told the Stray Ferret that they were ‘not giving up.’  

Jessica Wyatt who started the independent tea room in 2009 has closed the eating area but is now offering a delivery service and takeaways.  

“If customers can’t come to us we will go to them. With 800 people booked in for mothers day we do not feel it would be a safe environment for anyone, so we have decided to close our tearooms and deliver afternoon tea to peoples doors.’ 

‘We had a busy weekend, I think people knew it may be the last time they would be able to eat out for a while, but since Sunday sales have been down by 30 percent. I hope that our new takeaway menu offers our customers an alternative and will hopefully bring a little joy through these difficult times by being able to have cake and afternoon tea delivered to your door.” 

Mama Doreen’s Emporium delivery message

Some Cafes staying open  have tried to make allowances for “social distancing”.  

Bowe and Co, a family run café in Boroughbridge reduced covers from a capacity of 30 to 15, now only offering tables of two. The owner of the small café, Adrian Domenico said 

“We are doing what we can to stay open but whether we will have a viable business by the end of the week or the end of tomorrow is unknown. We have just paid off our final business loan yesterday, but it looks like we may have to plunge into debt again.” 

With a huge degree uncertainty and potential job cuts and closures many restaurants are looking for alternative ways of making money and whilst many are ensuring social distancing. Al Bivio, an Italian restaurant on Hornbeam Park, told the Stray Ferret that “social distancing is not an issue when people aren’t coming through the door.”.

 Sandra Doherty, CEO of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:  

“We’re doing all we can to support businesses by spreading the word about what they’re offering in these difficult times. 

“Many cafes and food shops are now offering deliveries to customers, including drop-offs without contact for people who are isolating. This is a fantastic way that local people can both support our valuable businesses and get good quality food delivered directly to the door. 

“Our priority now is to ensure a clear message goes out that the Harrogate district is still open for business, even if it’s in a slightly different way from the usual” 

The West Park Hotel, Harrogate

Provenance inns, which owns the West Park Hotel and have 7 gastro pubs and boutique hotels across North Yorkshire, remained open for now but has seen most rooms cancelled:  

A spokesperson from the company has said 

 “The safety of our guests and staff is paramount, we are disinfecting all hard surfaces, door handles and chairs after each use as well as making sure we have a minimum of 2 metres between each table. We were fully booked for Mothers day but unfortunately have seen 30 percent cancellations since last nights government announcement, as well as most of our accommodation being cancelled or postponed”.