Subscribe to trusted local news

If you are accessing this story via Facebook but you are a subscriber then you will be unable to access the story. Facebook wants you to stay and read in the app and your login details are not shared with Facebook. If you experience problems with accessing the news but have subscribed, please contact subscriptions@thestrayferret.co.uk. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Aug 2020

Last Updated: 21/08/2020

Business

Hoopers store warns: 'Harrogate is not bulletproof anymore'

by Connor Creaghan

| 22 Aug, 2020

The department store has spoken openly about its financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic for the first time.

Nick Hubbert is the general manager at Hoopers.

Hoopers has warned that the store is not sustainable in its current form and that Harrogate's retail sector is "not bulletproof anymore".

The department store's general manager, Nick Hubbert, has spoken openly about its financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic for the first time.

He said that the way they have to operate under social distancing rules means that it is not able to make enough sales.

Hoopers' struggle in numbers

Trading is down 50% on the year

Only able to use 50% of the space

Staffing levels at 40%

Mr Hubbert told the Stray Ferret that he has concerns about the furlough scheme coming to an end:

"We are preparing for the worst. How long can businesses survive when they are losing money. Hoopers has been in Harrogate for a long time but this has been by far the most difficult time. Some people think that Harrogate is bulletproof but it isn't anymore. It's not sustainable, we cannot afford to fully open and we cannot afford to trade the full week. That is not ideal."

Shop owners open-minded ahead of James Street pedestrianisation

Charity welcomes James Street pedestrianisation plans

Harrogate retailer threatens to rip up pavement widening cones

Mr Hubbert has also weighed into the pedestrianisation debate on James Street with the general manager writing a strongly worded letter to Harrogate Borough Council.

James Street could be temporarily closed to traffic as early as next month after Harrogate Borough Council requested the measures.

Mr Hubbert does not believe that the temporary pedestrianisation of James Street will help businesses and said he is basing that on years of experience:

He added that he is not against pedestrianisation long term but he does not think that the middle of a pandemic is the right time to change things:

"Customers want to park up and jump into the shops. It's easy for young families and it's easier for older people. That's what increases footfall. We just need to leave things as is and concentrate on the basics. When someone pulled the cones away it was half full in half an hour and people were getting straight into the shops."

Subscribe to trusted local news

Hoopers store warns: 'Harrogate is not bulletproof anymore'

Hoopers' struggle in numbers

Read more: