The HRH Group, which owns the Yorkshire Hotel, the Fat Badger and the White Hart in Harrogate, has so far declined to answer questions about an alleged illegal New Year's Eve party involving its managing director Simon Cotton.

On Wednesday, the Stray Ferret published claims that Mr Cotton flouted tier 3 covid restrictions by holding a party involving himself and 10 friends at the Yorkshire Hotel on New Year’s Eve. Mr Cotton is alleged to have asked staff to work at the event.

We spoke to multiple sources who claim the party ate on a single table, did not observe social distancing and that speakers were brought in to play music and bar staff were on hand to serve drinks into the early hours of the morning.

Mr Cotton has denied the allegations.

We contacted the hotel group yesterday to ask them a series of questions related to the claims. We are yet to receive a response.

We asked:

• Is the HRH Group co-operating with the police and Harrogate Borough Council investigations into the complaints?


• Is the HRH Group undertaking its own internal investigation into the events on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?


• What approach is the group taking to staff who were allegedly asked to work that night or in the morning?


• Will the HRH Group be making a public statement regarding the allegations and Mr Cotton’s denial?

Read more:

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  Police investigating alleged illegal New Year’s Eve party at Harrogate hotel

  
  


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  Claims well-known Harrogate hotelier held illegal New Year’s Eve party