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11

Sept 2020

Last Updated: 11/09/2020
Harrogate
Harrogate

Harrogate council threatens to remove tables from outside bars

by Connor Creaghan

| 11 Sept, 2020
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The owners of The Blues Bar and The Empress said they received an "aggressive" letter from the council telling them that they can no longer use Stray land.

simon-and-sharon-colgan
Simon and Sharon Colgan pictured outside the Blues Cafe Bar in 2020.

Harrogate Borough Council has told the owners of two bars in the town that they must remove their outside tables and chairs by next week.

Simon and Sharon Colgan run both The Blues Bar and The Empress, and took advantage of the relaxed rules on outdoor dining in recent months.

The couple told the Stray Ferret recently that the alfresco-style dining had doubled bar sales compared to the same time last year.

But the party appears to be over. Mr and Mrs Colgan said they received an "aggressive" letter from the council telling them that they can no longer use Stray land.

The letter said the changing weather in autumn meant the Stray could be damaged, or customers could be put at risk, if the grass continues to be used. It advised that unless furniture was removed by next Thursday, the council would remove it and dispose of it.



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Sharon told the Stray Ferret that she would be willing to contribute towards maintenance of the Stray if it became an issue:

"There can be a small amount of damage from tables and chairs but we are willing to look after the grass. If the council had a conversation with us then we would have made that clear, but they have just sent us a letter out of the blue with a week's deadline."




The Blues Bar and The Empress appear to be the only businesses affected. Simon Cotton, the group managing director at The Yorkshire Hotel, said he has not seen any such letter after using the grass along West Park.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council told the Stray Ferret:

“Over the summer we have taken a pragmatic view of allowing businesses to use public open spaces so that they can operate while adhering to social distancing requirements.
"Given the time of year and the impending bad weather, we are now asking all businesses who have been using Stray land for tables and chairs to remove them. This is to prevent damage to the Stray and also reduce the risk of injury should it become wet and muddy.”


North Yorkshire County Council had previously said it would be "happy to review any requests for longer term use of the public highway” for alfresco dining.