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Apr 2021

Last Updated: 08/04/2021

Business

Harrogate district restaurants already fully booked ahead of reopening

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 09 Apr, 2021

Restaurants across the Harrogate district have seen an influx in bookings ahead of the April reopening next week. Some said they have seen more demand coming out of this lockdown than those in 2020.

There has been a rush to book tables at restaurants in the Harrogate district ahead of re-opening on Monday.

Restaurants can open their doors to eager customers as long as they have distanced outdoor seating.

Bookings have been overwhelming, with some places saying it's busier than it was after previous lockdowns.

After months away restauranteurs and staff are eager to get back to work, even if the circumstances are a little different.

Chris Richardson, operations manager at Six Poor Folk in Knaresborough, said:

"We have almost full capacity on Monday which obviously filters down through the week but we're pretty much fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After that, the bookings are similar every week throughout April and we just cannot wait to get back to it."

A similar number of bookings has been seen across the district.

Simon Wade, owner of the Grantham Arms and Fox and Hounds in Boroughbridge said:

"We've done really well with table bookings. We have extended the outdoor area [at the Grantham Arms] and now have seating for 90 people. Getting the green light from government to reopen like this is a massive help for our business."

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro in Harrogate, said:

"We've had a lot of bookings come in for next week I think so far it's only Tuesday that is looking quiet. We have 40-50 table outside. We didn't really have any preconceived conceptions of how we'd be, we aren't packed but we are looking busy. We are just going to have to pray for good weather."

After April 12, the next big step of the government's roadmap comes on May 17 when it is hoped restaurants and hotels can open fully to allow guests indoors.