Queues formed on James Street this morning for the opening of the new, relocated Hotel Chocolat store. Around 30 people waited for the store to open at 10am with staff serving hot chocolate to them whilst they waited.
The new store is almost opposite the old one but is larger with a cafe that can seat 30 people at the back of the shop. The chocolate chain has seen rapid growth in recent years and the new store will have up to 15 staff in the run up to Christmas — double the number of the previous store.
The co-founder of Hotel Chocolat, Peter Harris, said there was demand in Harrogate for the store to expand:
” Harrogate is a beautiful location and town. The community here like to support local businesses. We’ve been here since 2009, people have loved it and wanted the full Hotel Chocolat experience of drinks and ices as well as a larger store.
“We’re also delighted that we can provide flat access for wheelchairs and buggies which is an improvement on the previous location, which had a step in it and was very narrow.”
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The new store is a boost for James Street which has seen mixed fortunes in recent years with loss of key brands such as Next and Laura Ashley.
Local businesses have expressed concern that plans to pedestrianise the top of the street as part of the Station Gateway proposal will be damaging for trade. Harrogate Borough Council has argued that the plans will mean “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.
James Ogden, a new recruit to Hotel Chocolat, said he was excited to be involved in a store opening:
“I’m super excited to be working in my local area – I love coming into work every day and making people happy with chocolate!”
James Ogden at the cafe bar in the new store.
