The reopening of bars, restaurants and hotels across the Harrogate District is a vital moment as the hospitality sector looks to recover from the battering of three months worth of lockdown.
Since March, the industry, worth around £200 million a year for Harrogate alone, has borne the brunt of the economic impact of lockdown with furloughed staff, loss of customers and no income.
It’s been three months since the last pint was pulled and hotel doors were closed on an industry that relies on the public to venture out and part with their hard earned cash to survive.
Now, as revellers await that long awaited beer with friends or an evening meal, hospitality owners say they need to make the best of the lockdown relaxations.
Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Hotel and Spa in Harrogate.
Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, said the sector was entering “the great unknown” this weekend but it was vital for it to reopen.
He said:
“We are delighted that we are allowed to reopen.
“But we do not know what level of demand we are going to see or how customers are going to behave.
“The government has given us guidance that is open to our interpretation and everybody is doing what they think is best.
“It is like going into the great unknown.”
Meanwhile, the sector, which employs around 9,500 people across the district, has reopened at a key time.
Space has already been created by North Yorkshire County Council for some bars and restaurants, with temporary pedestrianisation expected on Parliament Street and Kings Road.
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Measures to ensure social distancing are also in place with pubs taking bookings for tables ahead of reopening and people registering their details with restaurants before they enter in order to help with track and trace.
But, while some are happy to see the sector reopen, owners are under no illusion that the spring months will be key for businesses to survive.
Simon Cotton, managing director of the Fat Badger pub and White Hart Hotel, told The Stray Ferret recently that for some firms the next three months is crucial to survive the winter period when custom often drops off.
Mr Banks added that some businesses were already looking six months ahead and planning into next year for bookings.
“The next three months will be crucial because people have built up a war chest of income.
“My concern is that from September or October that is going to reduce and the amount of money that will be in circulation will drop and it will be a tough winter.”
With that in mind, as Harrogate’s hospitality sector opens its doors once again, it will be on us to visit our favourite bars, restaurants, hotels and cafes to ensure they survive.
