Speculation is mounting that schools and non-essential retail will be closed across the Harrogate district as the Prime Minister prepares to make an announcement tonight.

Local families, businesses and individuals must now wait until Boris Johnson’s 8pm briefing to hear if the country will face tighter restrictions once again.

One business organisation has said that further restrictions are inevitable. Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Looking at the sharp rise in the number of people with Covid, it is inevitable that we are facing tougher restrictions.

“The tier system has clearly not worked, and this was evident by the number of ‘Tier 3 and 4 tourists’ coming to Harrogate during December. And there are those who think because Covid has not personally affected them it’s a myth, and personally ignore all the rules designed to curb the infection rate.

“Regrettably, the only way we can halt this rise is to put the whole country back into lockdown, only coming out of it until a sufficient number of people have been vaccinated.”

It is expected that tougher rules will be announced tonight, with growing concern surrounding the reopening of schools in the coming weeks and the effect on the growing covid infection rate.

Currently, guidance is in place for schools to stagger their reopening, but this decision has caused controversy with some who believe schools should be closed completely. Teachers’ unions have called for a total closure, advising their members not to return to work in person if they do not believe it is safe to do so.

The Harrogate district moved into tier three last week forcing hospitality venues to close, except for takeaway food. If the district moves up to tier four, non-essential retail would close and a strong “stay at home” message would be enforced.

However, there is widespread expectation that the Prime Minister will announce a full lockdown, as has already been confirmed for Scotland. It could mean the closure of all schools and non-essential retail, if it follows the same pattern as the first lockdown last March.

Read more:

• Harrogate district venues ‘frustrated’ by abrupt tier change
• Union says New Year plans for Harrogate district schools ‘inoperable’

While lockdown has left some housebound and with little to do, the owners of one Harrogate bar have not stopped.

For Hannah and Jack Woodruff, who run the Disappearing Chin, Beulah Street, keeping themselves occupied has been the main way to handle the second lockdown.

Whether its delivering beer, looking after Hannah’s grandparents or playing with their new puppy, the shutdown has been anything but quiet.

Hannah said:

“I do not feel like we have too much time off.

“That is what keeps us sane. If we stopped then we would be worrying if the bar would make it through.”

Life as a bar owner has been tough throughout the pandemic. If it is not closure, then they have had to reduce capacity and shut at 10pm.

Read more: 

• Harrogate photographer moves from studios to doorsteps during lockdown
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Both Hannah and Jack made an effort to be covid secure by putting a screen across the bar and creating enough space to keep customers safe.

Hannah remains hopeful that the bar will make it through. Despite the closure, they continue to deliver cask beers to regulars and other customers seven days a week.

Drinkers enjoy a night in the Disappearing Chin pre-covid.

But when they’re not dealing with online orders and sending crates of beer to drinkers, Hannah is caring for her grandparents.

The couple moved to Harrogate from Newcastle two years ago to be closer and care for them.

Hannah’s Grandma celebrated her 90th birthday during the first lockdown and the couple have tried to keep things normal for them.

Hannah said:

“It’s been tough on their mental health.

“It has been quite unsettling for them. I do find it sad that they have not been out for their walks.”

In three weeks’ time, bars and restaurants could be reopened in time for Christmas.

The pandemic has been tough on the bar, which has only been opened since April last year.

But, Hannah says she remains hopeful and is looking beyond December to when they can bring good times back to the bar.

She said:

“I’m hopeful we can make it through [the lockdown]. We are trying to do our best to stay afloat.

“I would just love to get the atmosphere back again.”

The gardens and grounds of Ripley Castle and Harewood House will remain open to the public during the coronavirus lockdown.

The castle and house closed to the public today but the outdoor areas remain open. Both venues will provide takeaway food and drinks.

Ripley Castle will be open daily from 10.30am to 3pm with last entry at 1pm. Adult tickets are £3; entry for children is free.

The owners are also considering keeping the gardens and grounds open up to Christmas. They usually close during winter.

Read more:

• Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey to stay open
• Gardens centres and RHS Harlow Carr will stay open

Booking is currently unavailable online but tickets can be bought from the tea room. There is free parking in the main village car park, which is open from 9am to 6pm daily.

Harewood House will also keep its grounds, gardens and adventure playground open during the lockdown.

It will be open 10am to 4pm daily with last entry at 3.15pm. Pre-booked tickets are required.

Santa taking a break

Ripley Castle has also confirmed it will not be running a Santa experience in the run-up to Christmas this year.

The big man has decided to take a break this year so he won’t be in his grotto at the castle.

Harewood House has also cancelled its Lord Whitney’s Upon a Christmas Wish this year. However, it will be replaced with Christmas at Harewood.

Other places still open in lockdown

RHS Harlow Carr, Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey will also remain open for outdoor walks during lockdown.

They will all operate a takeaway service to keep people warm and fuelled for their autumnal and winter walks.

Garden centres are also open.

Shops and restaurants in the Harrogate district that will close this week due to lockdown are being urged to donate their leftover food to needy people.

Resurrected Bites, a not-for-profit group that aims to fill bellies not bins, provided weekly food parcels for 1,350 people in October.

It now hopes to generate enough donations to help vulnerable people during the second lockdown, which starts on Thursday.

Knaresborough businesses Mother Shipton’s Cave and Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms have already donated food.

Michelle Hayes, director of Resurrected Bites, told the Stray Ferret:

“The vulnerable people we have helped already have called us a life-saver. Businesses will be sad that they have to close but they are happy to help.

“At the moment we have around 180 people on our system that we help. Many were worried about the end of furlough so are happy that it will continue for a month.”

Read more:

• Charity calls on community to help spread Christmas cheer
• One incredible Harrogate man cooks 6,000 charity meals

When the March lockdown started, Resurrected Bites closed its cafes at St Mark’s Church in Harrogate and Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough and instead delivered food to those in need.

While it is still delivering food to those in need, its cafes will remain closed. The charity expects its cafes will remain closed until Easter next year.

Businesses wanting to help can email Ms Hayes by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate district golf clubs will fight the government’s enforced one-month closure.

Clubs in Harrogate and Ripon believe golfers have been able to play safely in recent months and should be allowed to continue to do so.

They have the backing of England Golf, the governing body for amateur golf, which is in talks with the government.

Catherine Grant, who is responsible for marketing and events at Oakdale Golf Club in Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:

“We could keep the clubhouse closed and just have two golfers playing together to make it even more safe. This has been a difficult year and another month of closure would be tough for us financially.”

Paul Spence, who works in administration at Ripon City Golf Club, said:

“I can see the arguments either way but I think that golf courses are quite safe. A lot of our golfers are in the older age group and this is one of the few places where they can see their friends in a safe way.”

Read more:

• Gardens centres and RHS Harlow Carr will stay open
• Andrew Jones MP criticised for lockdown U-turn
• Closing Harrogate teepee after three days a ‘devastating blow’

Jeremy Tomlinson, chief executive of England Golf, has written an open letter to the government saying it will “respectfully challenge the government’s rationale”. It says:

“It is our sincere belief that it is counter-productive to shut down a healthy pursuit. Golf naturally lends itself to social distancing in the open air.”

Golf returned on May 13 after the first coronavirus lockdown but this new lockdown will stop play again on Thursday.

People in Harrogate are rushing to get hairdressing appointments before lockdown begins on Thursday.

Some salons are extending their hours to fit in as many clients as possible before non-essential businesses are forced to close on Thursday.

Joseph Ferraro, owner of Joseph Ferraro hair salon in Harrogate, said:

“The phone just hasn’t stoped since the weekend. I’ve had to bring staff in for extra hours to fit all of our clients in.

“I’m feeling more angry than nervous. It is dangerous for businesses to have another lockdown. My business will be able to get through this but some will be struggling.

“The furlough system is great for paying my staff but it won’t cover the other bills.”

Hairdressers were among the last to reopen after the first lockdown. Salons had to introduce safety measures, such as mask wearing for clients and staff, sanitising stations and perspex screens.

Olivia Mitchell, the owner of BeBaBo on Cold Bath Road, is usually closed on Monday but opened today to meet demand.

“I think the lockdown may be longer than December 2. But I feel calmer this time: we have a blueprint to follow from the first lockdown, which will help us.

“All we can do is look to the government for additional help. I just hope that if it is a longer lockdown that they can keep that support going.”

Read more:

• A financial impact of a second lockdown could mean some businesses “won’t reopen”. 
• This initiative is helping independent businesses continue to earn money after Christmas events were cancelled. 

Terry Sowerby, who co-owns the Baroque salons in Harrogate and Ripon, said:

“It’s been challenging trying to fit everyone in over the coming days. I am not happy at all, I understand we are within a pandemic but we’ve spent thousands making our salons safe so it is frustrating. But we have to do it to reduce the virus.”

Harrogate’s “puppy boom” during lockdown has seen local people set up new businesses to capitalise on the new market.

More dogs and the needs of new pet owners has been the driving force for several new start-ups in Harrogate.

With more people working from home the number of puppy sales has increased. This is good news for local entrepreneurs who have been able to set up new businesses to work with the new dogs in the district.

New puppies increases the need for training, grooming and accessories – this has given a boost to business for three local business owners.

Holly Hamp has opened up Dog Spa Harrogate:

“I was working in a kennels and a lot of people aren’t going on holiday so it turned into the right time right place. There are a lot of people doing the same thing. People have been getting dogs over lockdown but there are concerns with that too. There has been a puppy boom which means people need their dogs grooming and walking especially as they return to work.”

Charlotte Wilson has put her work as a makeup artist on pause so instead set up a business making personalised dog accessories. She said:

“Its all based around personalisation anything from dog treats, bowls, treat baskets. It has been really successful, I didn’t think it would go that well. I am wanting to grow it with staff, eventually we hope to sell more each day to employ people that had lost their jobs. A lot of people have just got a new dog so want to spoil it with new products. People are just mad about them! I’d never tried it before but I have three dogs and I thought what do I love and that was dogs, so I ordered the printer and set it all up.”

Katie Bell has resumed her career as a dog trainer after seeing a niche for owners with new puppies over lockdown.

Read more:

• Harrogate pet shop says they missed out on puppy boom because people purchased online goods instead. 
• Police have reported a rise in people being scammed when trying to buy puppies online.

Katie Bell has trained as a dog behaviouralist but worked as a dog walker until lockdown when she saw a niche for new owners needing to train their dogs. She said:

“Since lockdown I knew there would be a lot of dogs needing help specifically with separation anxiety as their owners return to work. I am getting another dog soon so I have set up a facebook group to provide regular training videos for people to follow at home. My enquiries have massively increased, I think since people have been at home more they have realised their dog or new puppy has behavioural issues. Now the rules have eased I am able to do training in people’s gardens or indoors and I think that will only increase.”

Holly Hamp has set up a dog groomers in Harrogate after seeing the need for dog services grow.

A disability charity has distanced itself from a Harrogate pub which repeatedly broke the lockdown rules.

Horticap had agreed to work with The Coach and Horses and supply it with plants just before it opened.

The pub dubbed itself ‘The Hanging Gardens of Harrogate’ and planned to open as a “garden centre” serving refreshments when it opened.

Read more on this story:

• What happened on Saturday afternoon?
• Harrogate pub owners said they followed government guidelines
• Why did the council serve The Coach and Horses with a prohibition notice?

John Nelson, the pub’s landlord, said that he would give all of the proceeds to Horticap. However, the charity said the pub did not tell them about his change of plans to sell alcohol.

The pub has been served a prohibition notice.

Steve Scarre, chair of Trustees at Horticap, told The Stray Ferret:

“John from the Coach and Horses has been a great supporter of Horticap over many years. He said he would be serving tea and coffee over the weekend. That changed on Friday night when unbeknown to us he decided to serve alcohol because the weather forecast looked good. He did not inform us of this and the first I knew was the social media reports on Sunday morning at 7.00am.”

As a result, the charity took out all of its plants and refused to take any money from the pub’s sales. Steve added: “We are not happy about what transpired and have told him so.”

Some of the plants inside The Coach and Horses.

The Stray Ferret approached the Coach and Horses for a comment but the pub refused the opportunity.

Harrogate Borough Council officers served the pub with a prohibition notice because it had repeatedly breached the lockdown rules.

The Coach and Horses has opened again today to sell alcohol but crowds have not gathered in the same way as last weekend.

A Harrogate pub, which invited customers for takeaway food and drinks, breached the lockdown rules repeatedly over the weekend.

Harrogate Borough Council sent its enforcement team to two pubs on Saturday and reported that people were breaking the rules.

It gave advice to the licensees of both pubs and reminded them of the law.

The next day the Coach and Horses opened again and followed the initial advice before, the council says it committed a further breach of regulations.

As a result, the officers served the pub with a prohibition notice.

Read more on this story:

• What happened on Saturday afternoon?
• Harrogate pub owners said they followed government guidelines

When the officers were on site they were also subjected to verbal abuse from customers.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“While pubs are allowed to offer take away food (which may include alcoholic drink), they are not permitted to operate any kind of beer ‘garden’ on their property. This includes putting tables or chairs on, or anywhere adjacent to, their premises for customers to use. We will take all necessary enforcement action if a business breaks the current coronavirus lockdown legislation.”

Large groups of young people have gathered on the Stray in the hot weather – breaking existing lockdown restrictions and new the rules that are due come into force.

From Monday, people can meet in groups of up to 6 people in outdoor spaces like parks or private gardens – as long as they remain two metres apart.

The Stray Ferret witnessed many groups of up to 11 young people on the Stray yesterday evening and today who were lying or sitting close together.  There was no police presence at the time these pictures were taken.

North Yorkshire Police have said their officers would be out and about today and

“continue to engage with members of the public, explain the regulations and encourage people to adhere to them, using enforcement as a last resort”.

What’s your experience of being out in the sunshine today? Have you felt people are abiding by the lockdown rules and staying 2m apart? Get in touch: contact@thestrayferret.co.uk  or follow us and comment on social media @TheStrayFerret