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24
Sept
Work has begun to create a major new bar in Harrogate.
Durham-based Newgate Pubs and Bars applied for a premises licence in January to open The Mayfair Pub and Kitchen in the former Jamie Oliver restaurant on Parliament Street.
The company said at the time it planned to spend £750,000 transforming the unit into a large bar that would open from 9am to 1.30am seven days a week.
There has been little sign of progress since then. However, workers were seen entering the premises yesterday and signs have gone up in the window for Christmas bookings.
The company is also hiring for front of house, kitchen, cleaning and management staff.
Newgate Pubs and Bars already operate venues under the Mayfair brand in Newcastle and Doncaster.
The Stray Ferret spoke with the director of Newgate Pubs and Bars Joe Smith when plans for the bar were first revealed.
He said:
Harrogate is a great town to be in and we see it being ideal for us. There is a gap in the market, and it ticks all our demographics.
I’m sure we’ll be well received. Our quality is superb, and people will like what we do. We’ll see you soon.
The large building has struggled to find long-term tenants since Jamie's Italian closed in 2018.
It later operated as Wagyu Bar and Grill and Solita Foodhall, but has remained vacant since 2021.
Plans to open a Tomahawk Steakhouse at the site never materialised.
The back of the building also become vacant when Manahatta cocktail bar closed in July after five years.
There is still no confirmed opening date for The Mayfair Pub and Kitchen.
The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Smith and Newgate Pubs and Bars for an update yesterday but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
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