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Aug 2020

Last Updated: 24/08/2020

Harrogate

Harrogate restaurants fully booked for final week of government scheme

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 25 Aug, 2020

Monday to Wednesday has been described as the "new weekend" following the government's eat out to help out scheme. After months of lockdown the scheme was brought in to encourage diners to support hospitality.

As the eat out to help out scheme enters its fourth week, restaurants in Harrogate have said its been "massively helpful".

The scheme has ran throughout August offering diners an incentive to support local restaurants Monday to Wednesday.

Several of the local restaurants have reported huge increases in bookings, many getting booked up quickly. The scheme is also said to have this has encouraged new visitors who may otherwise have never come out.

Lydia Hewitt-Craft, supervisor at So! Bar and eats Harrogate, said:

"We've been really busy, before the eat out to help out it wasn't too busy during the week but now we are fully booked Monday to Wednesday. It's the new weekend. The restaurants in Knaresborough and Ripon are just as busy and fully booked too. It's been massively helpful and it's a relief because it was hard at the start when everyone was worried about coming out but this has been great for us."

Nertil Xhallo, manager at Sarando on Station Bridge, said:

"It has been really busy, we've had a lot of bookings. Most people have returned which is good. The offer has been helpful for the business. We've had a really busy week, we are always busy at the weekend but now it is at the beginning of the week too. We're very grateful."

The scheme will continue this week and into next week's bank holiday morning.

The hope is that customers will continue to support these restaurants after the offer is removed.

Over 100 cafes and restaurants across the district are taking part in the scheme.

WATCH as a Harrogate chef describes the increase in demand for at-home cookery lessons after lockdown.

Sara Ferguson, acting chair of Harrogate BID and owner of two Harrogate restaurants, said:

"I think it's been a massive help, everyone I have spoken to says it's been worth doing. I think with the uncertainty going forward its given all those places a boost, it also gives diners the chance to try new restaurants. Everyone wants to participate which is great and knowing we won't be out of pocket has been great for us.

"It means for retail as well more people have come into the town centre and during the day who may not have done otherwise. They may have saved money on lunch so go and spend it elsewhere in the town."

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Harrogate restaurants fully booked for final week of government scheme

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