Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

Lockdown will come at the “worst possible time for retail”, according to the owner of an independent bookshop in Harrogate.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagined Things Bookshop in Westminster Arcade, said she usually took a third of her annual takings in the eight-week run-up to Christmas.

Ms Eckert said she understood the government’s need to act but questioned how little time businesses had to prepare for the change.

“It’s come at the the worst time for retail. I know there is a lot of uncertainty but we didn’t have any time to plan for it.

“The government had said for ages there wouldn’t be another national lockdown.”

Ms Eckert is due to give birth in March and had recently extended her staff team from one to three. She said:

“I’m relieved the furlough scheme will continue. I just hope we can reopen in December but even if we can there is a limit to how many people we can have in the shop due to social distancing.”

Ms Eckert said her business would “do everything it can” to survive, by providing click and collect, home deliveries and developing its website.

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Being a former NHS employee, Ms Eckert said she understood action had to be taken to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed. She added:

“Let’s hope business will bounce back strongly but we have to get through this first.”

‘Upset and cynicism’ over October redundancies says Harrogate lawyer

A Harrogate employment lawyer says people who lost their jobs on the last day of October are upset and cynical.

Richard Port, principal solicitor at Boardside Ltd in Harrogate, said he was aware of cases where firms had put restructure plans in place for October 31, so will have lost staff on the same day the Prime Minister announced another lockdown and an extension to furlough.

The furlough scheme will see the government pay for 80% of employee salaries up to £2,500 a month. However, employers will have to cover pension and national insurance contributions.

The scheme was supposed to end on October 31, but now is going to end in early December.

Richard Port Boardside Legal

Richard Port, Boardside Legal

Mr Port said some businesses will have met the announcement with surprise.

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He said employees could return to their employer to ask for their jobs back, but most businesses have already made restructures due to the end of furlough.

Mr Port said:

“I think people are just disappointed. What they can do is go back to their employer and ask if they can take them back on.

“But I do not think many employers will want to do it.”

He added that the virus was taking its toll on all business.

“It is perfectly viable businesses that are shutting because of this. People are struggling to get their heads around it.

“The classic example is the pub. That is a part of our culture. It is a part of the British way of life and it is going.”

Harrogate district golf clubs fight month-long closure

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.”

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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.

Pre-lockdown rush for haircuts in Harrogate

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.”

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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.”

Closing Harrogate teepee after three days a ‘devastating blow’

A Harrogate hotel has said it has been dealt a devastating blow by being forced to close, just days after investing in a new Winter Wonderland Teepee.

The Majestic Hotel on Ripon Road hoped to offer a family-friendly dining experience with Christmas market-style food.

It had taken more that 400 bookings in the last week alone but will now need to close its doors for at least a month.

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Andy Barnsdale, DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa general manager, said:

“Going into a second lockdown is a devastating blow for the hospitality industry, particularly as we are entering our busiest period.

“In the three days that it was open it was a great success. The majority of those visited were Harrogate residents. It offered a bit of winter cheer in these difficult times and the atmosphere was great.”

The hotel had brought back all its staff from furlough in August and has said it will now put the majority back on the furlough scheme.

It will now look at options such as providing rooms for key workers and those who need to work away from home.

Another late night queue at Harrogate Tesco

Just three hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced another national lockdown yesterday, a large queue had formed outside the Tesco Express in the centre of Harrogate.

This video was taken minutes after 10pm — when pubs closed — and shows little sign of people conforming to social distancing guidelines.

The same situation arose last weekend at pub closing time.

But with all pubs forced to close from Thursday, further instances are unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.

Harrogate town centre was busy last night, with Halloween many people making the most of a final weekend of the pubs being open.

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10pm queues

The Harrogate district’s seven-day rolling average infection rate is 251 people per 100,000 people, which is the highest of the seven district and borough council regions in North Yorkshire.

It is also higher than the England average of 223 per 100,000 people.

According to government figures, Harrogate west and Pannal has recorded the most new infections in the district in the last seven days, with 43.

The next highest is Harrogate central with 36 followed by Killinghall and Hampsthwaite with 31.

Ripon north and west recorded the fewest new cases, with just four.

Second lockdown could mean some Harrogate businesses ‘won’t reopen’

The impact of the second lockdown on local businesses could mean some “won’t reopen” warns Harrogate’s Business Investment District (BID) .

The lockdown will come into place on Thursday and forces all non-essential shops and hospitality to close.

Many of Harrogate’s businesses have been using recent months to recover from the previous lockdown and have now been left uncertain of their futures.

Harrogate BID has said the main aim of its members is to protect their businesses and the local economy but has made it clear the long-term impact of this could mean some businesses can’t reopen.

Harrogate BID Acting Chair Sara Ferguson said:

“Every business that I know of has been dreading the prospect of another lockdown, as there’s a real chance many won’t reopen if they are forced into a long period of enforced closure.

“Over the last few weeks there has been a rising level of optimism, half term has brought plenty of people into town. If this ‘circuit-breaker’ doesn’t bring the R rate down then what? Is it extended for another month?”

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The lockdown is expected to end on December 2 in the hope many can still enjoy Christmas with friends and family.

The festive season brings an annual boost to trade for the hospitality sector.

Anthony Blundell, assistant general manager at the West Park Hotel in Harrogate, is hopeful this year will bring the same.

He said:

“Hospitality needs to be up and running for December. It is the biggest month of the year for the whole sector. We can flex and adapt to whatever is thrown at us but not all businesses are as resilient and it could be really devastating.”

Virtual Christmas market created to boost Harrogate’s small businesses

A Facebook group has been created as a platform for small local businesses to sell or promote their products after the cancellation of festive events across the Harrogate district this year.

Called the Harrogate Virtual Christmas Market 2020, the group gained 1,000 members in its first 72 hours, and has a growing list of 39 virtual stallholders. They are offering everything from handcrafted Christmas decorations to bespoke art to online photography lessons. 

Tiffany Snowden, who created the group, said: 

“I own a crafts business myself, and normally this time of year my weekends are filled November to December, but of course this hasn’t happened thanks to covid. There are national virtual markets that you had to pay £20 to join and there was lots of spam in them, but I did a quick check and there wasn’t a Harrogate one, so I decided to set one up.

“It is a way of showcasing those one-man bands that don’t have marketing potential, or don’t have enough time as they work full time too, and giving them a platform. It’s also a place to keep the money in the local community, so it’s not going to big shops or other parts of the country.”

Ms Snowden has a filter on the group that automatically allows those that live within forty miles of the Harrogate area to join, and after a consensus from stallholders, decided not to accept representatives or consultants attached to larger companies.

She explained:

“It’s not in the spirit of the market. People are putting their heart and soul into their products, and everything is all either hand-made or locally sourced. At a time when Christmas is so hard, people want handcrafted things and to feel like they’re supporting each other in buying their Christmas gifts.”

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Sellers have also agreed to give each other 10% discount on purchases that they make from each other, aiming to keep as much money as possible within the local community.

The online market will continue until Christmas Eve. If you’re a small business owner and interested in getting involved, visit the Facebook group or contact Tiffany on the platform.

Harrogate retailer says second lockdown would be ‘devastating’

A Harrogate retailer has raised their concerns saying “there will be casualties for sure” if another national lockdown is introduced for England.

The Prime Minister is reported to be considering a month-long lockdown for England in an attempt to curb the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The lockdown is expected to keep schools, colleges and universities open but the retail industry could be hit once again.

Bob Kennedy, owner of G23 and Porters has said another national lockdown would be “devastating” for the sector. Without customers being allowed into shops he is worried about the long-term impact on his own business and others.

He said:

“We are in for a long, hard winter. It will have a devastating impact on businesses. There will be some casualties for sure.”

“But we’ve got to do whatever it takes to combat this virus. We didn’t qualify for grants due to our rateable value. My business rates are high because of my location but I am still a small independent so I think that is something that needs looking into.”

The chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Sandra Doherty, has also raised her concerns for the impact on local businesses.

Sandra said:

“The economic crisis which is looming, not just on the high street, but more worryingly the self-employed who have not been identified in any of the government’s grants, will be further exacerbated.

“Balancing the nation’s physical health with its economic health is a difficult choice to make with nothing to measure against. I’m sure the trial and error approach which we seem to be using at the moment will see us steering a very wobbly path forward.”

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In Knaresborough there has been a number of new shops opening in the town in recent months. Steve Teggin, president of the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, has said the timing of this lockdown could be “disastrous”.

He said:

“Knaresborough’s businesses were down in takings but we were doing ok but this is going to be a bit of a blow for new businesses.

“Businesses will have to adapt and keep that momentum going to survive. It is important for the public to support the local businesses as much as they can to make sure they are here next year.”

The district’s seven-day case rate up to October 27 has dropped to 239 per 100,000 people. However this remains above the national average of 225.

The Prime Minister is due to make an announcement at 4pm this afternoon.

Stray Foodie: The Wild Plum, Harrogate

Stray Foodie is a monthly food review written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

The Wild Plum, Hookstone Road, Harrogate, HG2 8BW

 

Frances’ Lunch: Crazy A-Bao You for £13.50 and a cup of coffee for £3.25

Looking up at the pink neon ‘Wild’ sign I thought to myself, am I in the Hardrock Café or is this a dream?

I was in fact in a restaurant located above a very popular ladies’ couture venue, The Snooty Frox, in Harrogate.

The Wild Plum Café is busy, modern, clean and bright and I’ve been told customers queue to enter such a hallowed space. It certainly is the place to be; it’s a vibrant and trendy space. A great contrast to the entrance, where I was met by the Lady of the House who was most charming. I was shown upstairs and found Girl Power at its best.

Head Chef, Bethany, daughter of the Snooty Frox owners, rules with her two female colleagues dressed in great ‘modern Chef’ gear.

The three chefs, including the head chef, Bethany (middle).

They were dishing out bags of style from an open kitchen with fabulous bottles of fermented fruit and vegetables. This immediately says, ‘serious kitchen’.

This is clever food; artistic, creative and hot (in every sense of the word). The Menu included the sort of food you can eat at any time of the day, assuming the seasoning is taken care of.

I was spoilt for choice but had the home-made Crazy A-Bao You with Carrot Kimchi, Sesame Soy Crispy Egg and Sriracha Mayo with the Crispy Cornflake Chicken. It arrived as Bao Buns – which were as pink as the Neon sign – in a bamboo steamer.

Would you like Frances to review your restaurant or café?

From pop-up to fine dining, Frances would like to hear from you. If you’d like her to write a review on your food, send her an email to: foodie@thestrayferret.co.uk.

The Carrot Kimchi was on its base with Cornflake Chicken-style burgers and Crispy Eggs topped with a wonderful array of culinary flora. It had a syringe of Mayo at its side and some sweet jam. This was a very generous portion.

There were plenty of other choices and I was very tempted to have the Butternut Squash Fritter (GF) which was Mexican-style with smashed avocado, poached egg, rocket, sweet chilli jam, roasted garlic yoghurt and homemade salsa.

The indoor seating area of The Wild Plum. Above (and featured) image credit: Ben Bentley.

The Wild Plum Buddha Bowl sounded so exciting but with so much going on. Maybe – for a slightly reserved palate – a little confusing?

This food was exciting, tasty and young and I was told everything is made fresh on the premises. Looking around the Café, the other dishes were colourful and lovely.

Knowledge of flavour and ingredients comes with experience and perhaps not always so exciting but leaves a longer lasting impression.

These are exciting times in the culinary world, as it is all changing. It is young dedicated female chefs, like Bethany, who will shortly be leading the way in our industry, certainly in Harrogate.

To find out more about The Wild Plum click here. To read more about Frances’ fantastic career click here.

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