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23
Jan
'Use it or lose it': CAMRA responds to recent Harrogate pub closures
A representative of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has spoken out about the recent losses of two pubs in Harrogate.
Allan Gauld, a member of the Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA branch, told the Stray Ferret the group is “always saddened and concerned” to hear about local pubs closing.
It comes after The Old Bell on Royal Parade this week announced it would cease trading after more than 25 years in business.
The pub became something of an institution and even served former US president Bill Clinton in 2001.
The Disappearing Chin on Beulah Street also called last orders last month. Owner Jack Woodruff told the Stray Ferret he and his wife Hannah were “absolutely gutted” to make the decision, but said running the pub did not fit their lifestyle anymore.
He said he wanted to focus on his young family, adding:
With the late nights and weekends, being this sort of size, I need to be there for most of them. I’m responsible 24/7 for the place.
It doesn’t fit where we’re at. We’ve just had a little girl and priorities have switched.
Jack Woodruff, owner of the Disappearing Chin.
The Stray Ferret asked the local CAMRA branch, which represents pubs across the district, about the closures and what it feels could be prompting them.
Mr Gauld said businesses are in “difficult trading times” with increasing costs, which he feels will only go up with the increased minimum wage and employer National Insurance contributions.
But Mr Gauld also said pub closures can be complex and rarely stem from a single cause.
“We are not privy to all the reasons behind the two closures in Harrogate”, he told the Stray Ferret.
We asked Mr Gauld what he feels made The Old Bell special.
It had its own house style when Market Town Taverns opened it in 1999. It was quite stripped back and sold around eight Yorkshire beers. It was very well executed.
The Disappearing Chin also had a unqiue offering.
Isle of Man-based Heron and Brearley bought Market Town Taverns in 2011.
The company continued to operate The Old Bell under the Market Town Taverns brand, but Mr Gauld said the pub was “still well thought of” after the change of hands.
He added Heron and Brearley appears to have “re-evaluated” some of its investments in England, and has sold a number of Yorkshire sites, including The Mitre in Knaresborough. The Mitre was also operated under the Market Town Taverns brand.
Mr Gauld said:
The reasons behind pubs closing can be complex; it’s not always a case of bad business decisions.
We hope new operators will take on both pubs and continue the range and choice that Harrogate has to offer.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Gauld what can be done to prevent local pubs from shutting their doors for good.
He told us:
How to save pubs? It is the old story of 'use it or lose it'. Even if people are doing Dry January, pubs offer a range of low and non-alcoholic drinks, please support your local pub.
The Old Bell was refurbished in 2023, before being listed for sale at an asking price of £1.25 million.
According to Rightmove, the property – which also includes a number of offices and a one-bedroom flat – is now under offer. It is not known if the sale is related to the closure.
The Stray Ferret contacted Market Town Taverns about the sale earlier this week, but we did not receive a response.
The Old Bell’s final day of trading will be on Saturday (January 25).
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