A pub landlord in Harrogate says the council should speed up paying a £1,000 grant to pubs that don’t serve food, calling the application process an “absolute farce”.

On December 1 prime minister Boris Johnson announced a £1,000 grant for “wet-led” pubs that do not serve substantial meals and have closed due to lockdown restrictions.

But almost three weeks later, pubs in Harrogate are still waiting for Harrogate Borough Council to accept applications for the fund.

Marik Scatchard, landlord of Christies Bar on King’s Road, told the Stray Ferret that despite being a relatively small amount the grant is “really needed at the moment”.

According to HBC’s website, applications for the grant will open “by the end of this month”, which Mr Scatchard says is not good enough:

“It’s an absolute farce that HBC is treating businesses like this, even with the grant being so little it’s still needed. Other councils have paid out or are paying out.”

Jack Woodruff runs the Disappearing Chin on Beulah Street with his wife Hannah. He said the council “really needs to speed up” the payment.

“We’ll be OK for a bit longer but there will be businesses that are desperate for the grant.”

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After being forced to close for over a month, Christies Bar is now open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and is selling pie and peas as a substantial meal. The Disappearing Chin has decided to remain closed until restrictions are eased.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We anticipate applications will open before the end of December. We know that this is a difficult time for many businesses in the district and we are working hard to pay grants to eligible businesses as soon as possible.”

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.

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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.”

A Harrogate pub has won the CAMRA pub of the year award after just one year of opening.

The Disappearing Chin, Beaulah Street, has been awarded the prize for the Harrogate and Ripon district.

Owners Hannah and Jack Woodruff opened the pub in April 2019 and say they pride themselves on their loyal customers and good beers.

The Campaign for Real Ale award looks to recognise those pubs which serve quality beer and are “worth seeking out and visiting”

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But this year has seen pubs fall on hard times due to the coronavirus pandemic, with 10pm curfews and closures during two national lockdowns.

Hannah said the award was a ray of light during dark times for the pub.

She said:

“It has been really positive for us.

“For us to be recognised that we are serving good beer, that is really important to us. We never thought that we would get it in our first year.”

Like other pubs in the district, the Disappearing Chin had to make alterations in order to be covid secure and keep customers safe.

A screen had been put up along the bar so punters can still chat with the bar staff and space was created both inside and outside.

The pub was hoping to celebrate its first birthday this year, but the celebrations fell victim to the first national lockdown.

Hannah and Jack had specially brewed beers from the north east prepared, as well as a cake.

Instead, the occasion was commemorated with a Zoom call amongst the pub’s regulars. Hannah said it was a “real boost to morale”.

Now, Hannah is looking forward to when restrictions are relaxed and pubs can return to normal.

She said:

“I’m looking forward to taking a mallet to that screen on the bar.

“I cannot wait for the point when we can get back to normal and get more people in.”