The Crown Hotel in Harrogate has had its operations taken over by a new management company.
RBH has added the historic building to its portfolio of 45 other hotels in the UK.
The Crown is one of the oldest hotels in Harrogate, dating back over 300 years. It has 114 bedrooms and seven conference rooms.
The hospitality sector was hit hard during lockdown, with hotels having to remain closed. But London-based RBH is optimistic booking levels will resume now that lockdown restrictions have eased.
Andrew Robb, RBH’s chief business development officer, said it was “an exciting new chapter for this unique venue”, which is owned by Singapore-based developer the Fragrance Group.
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- The Ripon Spa Hotel has now closed after failing to find a new buyer.
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Mr Robb added:
New Harrogate travel agent opens“Our ethos is very much based on developing and nurturing our people, and this will be extended to The Crown as we look to maximise the potential of the team and in turn offer an outstanding experience to guests.
The covid pandemic has resulted in an exceptionally challenging time for the hospitality sector, however RBH has emerged from lockdown in a strong position and we are eager to help guide The Crown through this period and on to continued success.”
A new travel agent has opened in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter.
The Travel Journal opened yesterday on the site of the former Isles of Wonder gift shop.
It has started trading at a time when quarantine rules are playing havoc with many people’s holiday plans.
However Ben Poole, the owner is buoyant about prospects.
Although some travel agents have seen bookings plummet during lockdown, as more customers turn to staycations, Mr Poole said bookings were bouncing back. He said:
“Business has been great for the past few weeks and green shoots are certainly appearing for our industry.
“The surge of high quality last minute bookings to places that remain on the government’s safe quarantine list has been a very welcome surprise as I had written off summer 2020 but I have probably done more business this summer last minute than I would have done any previous year.
“Yes there is a worry destinations could be added to the quarantine list without much prior notice but all my clients are made aware of the risks.”
This new shop is set alongside multiple other independent shops recovering from months of lockdown.
Mr Poole, who has been in the travel industry for 21 years, began his new venture at home in January and has been forced to cope with the impact of lockdown.
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- Boroughbridge travel agent says the industry has received unfair press during the pandemic.
- Harrogate district residents were thought to go “staycation crazy” over summer.
He hopes the pandemic will encourage more people to use travel agents after hearing stories of people unable to get refunds from some online companies.
Pedestrian injured in Harrogate town centre collision
A pedestrian was left with a serious ankle injury after a collision with a black BMW X6 in the centre of Harrogate.
It happened at the junction of The Ginnel and Montpellier Street on Tuesday at around 4pm.
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses, or anyone with CCTV footage of the area, to help establish the full details of what happened.
Anyone with information can call the force on 101, select option2 and ask for Chris Storey, or email chris.storey@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200143779.
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