Councils urged to help pubs and restaurants create more space

As pubs and restaurants have now been given the go-ahead to reopen next month, the political debate has shifted kerbside as councils are urged to allow businesses to create space on pavements for drinkers and diners.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this afternoon that pubs, restaurants and hotels will be able to reopen from July 4 after three months of lockdown.

The two metre social distancing rule will also be relaxed to one metre where possible, but people will be encouraged to use their “common sense” and keep their distance.

But the debate among local politicians has now shifted onto how to help businesses deal with the number of customers who are eager for a pint while abiding social distancing guidance.

Ahead of the announcement, trade bodies in the Harrogate district called for quicker licensing laws to help pubs and restaurants open more space onto pavements to increase capacity.

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Geoff Webber, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on North Yorkshire County Council, said that the district and county authority should support businesses where possible and monitor social distancing.

He said: “My first reaction is that it is too soon.

“But as a county council we should do everything we can to assist business. There is a danger that the pavements can get congested, so it needs to be monitored.”

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate, said in the House of Commons this afternoon that he supported using outdoor space for hospitality and added that jobs in the district “depended on it”.

Pleased to be able to ask @BorisJohnson about using outdoor space to ensure space for hospitality businesses to open safely. Many jobs and businesses depend on this locally in #Harrogate & #Knaresborough. pic.twitter.com/lrdHA8qEpy

— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) June 23, 2020

In response to Mr Jones, the Prime Minister urged local authorities to “be more creative” and said that there was “plenty of space to be found”.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton, has been contacted for comment on the news but has yet to respond.

Jack Woodruff, owner of The Disappearing Chin in Beulah Street, Harrogate, said a quicker licensing process would help  to open up more space in front of the bar.

He said: ”I’d like to hear a relax in outdoor licensing law from the government,

“I had one in from months ago but you have to go through several agencies.

“A relaxation to those rules would be ideal and it would be a really big help as we have a few areas that would allow that at the front but currently can’t use.”

The news comes as businesses in the district called for clarity on the the rule in order to reopen in July.

Pub, hotel and restaurant owners said the rule needed to be relaxed in order for their businesses to be viable after lockdown.

Two North Yorkshire recovery plans launched to save tourism

Two county-wide recovery plans are set to be put in place to help tourism and hospitality as the industry faces a battle to recover from coronavirus. 

Analysis by the York and North Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership has forecast 20,000 jobs losses and a drop in value of 40% across the sector this year as a result of the pandemic.

The industry in the wider-county, which is worth around £9 billion a year, has taken a hit due lockdown as hotels, attractions and the hospitality sector have been closed for the past three months.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement today on the two metre distancing rule and further relaxing of restrictions.

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Bosses at the North Yorkshire LEP have launched an economic recovery plan for the region which will focus on getting people back to work, greater digital connection and safer, greener public spaces.

David Kerfoot MBE DL, chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has bought challenge in one way or another to every single one of us, yet it has undoubtedly impacted heaviest on those in our society who already had the least.

“It is absolutely crucial that this vision is realised. We must ensure those who have previously been left behind aren’t pushed further into the margins. 

“We must seize the incredibly unique opportunity we have to grow and strengthen our economy, whilst positively mitigating against climate change.”

Meanwhile, Welcome to Yorkshire has also launched its own recovery plan to help the industry and its 225,000 employees.

The organisation has said it will offer regional support for businesses, introduce a Yorkshire gift card for customers and launch a marketing campaign for the county.

The move comes as owners of firms in the Harrogate hospitality sector have urged for clarity on the one metre rule in order for hotels, bars and restaurants to reopen.

But some restaurant owners have warned that some in the industry may not survive.

David Straker, co-owner of popular Harrogate restaurant William & Victoria told The Stray Ferret that the situation is perilous for many restaurants in the town.

He said:

“It’s hard. It’s really, really hard. We’re fortunate here as we own our property and we have a fantastic loyal clientele which is absolutely paramount to a business.”

Harrogate restaurant suppliers anxiously await one metre update

The suppliers that provide Harrogate and Ripon’s restaurants with its meat, vegetables and dairy are hoping a government announcement on social distancing today will help kickstart their businesses.

JG Bellerby in Killinghall supplies several well-known restaurants in Harrogate with a range of produce — from fruit and veg to milk and cream.

But Luke Derbyshire of JG Bellerby told the Stray Ferret that it’s been a difficult few months.

He said:

“It’s been pretty rough, to be honest. Most of our customers were restaurants, hotels and cafes. Quite literally overnight that changed so we had to diversify with deliveries. But we’ve been hard hit, that’s for sure.”

With new social distancing guidelines for restaurants expected to be announced by the government tomorrow, Mr Derbyshire is hoping a relaxation of the two-metre rule will give his clients some confidence.

He added:

“It’s all very much up in the air with social distancing and it’s a difficult time. A lot of our customers are saying, ‘we’re a rural pub and with the two-metre rule we can’t justify opening’.

Mr Derbyshire suggested that due to a fear over catching coronavirus the “new normal” could spell the end of some familiar eating-out traditions.

“Some [restaurants] are starting to re-emerge but volume-wise it’s not what it was. I think we’ll be back by the end of the year, but the effects will go on a lot longer.

“Will still people want to eat out? Are the days of the Sunday dinner at the pub gone? Will people risk it?”

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Marleys butchers in Ripon supply every restaurant in the city with meat as well as several in Harrogate.

Wayne Morgan from Marleys told the Stray Ferret that several restaurants have told them that with social distancing it may not be worth re-opening until they are allowed to be at full capacity.

The announcement on restaurants will have big implications for businesses like Marleys and Mr Morgan said the butchers is anxiously awaiting fresh guidance.

“We’re going to wait until they change it to one metre, then we’ll call out restaurants and have a chat with them.”

Like JG Bellerby, Marleys has relied on home deliveries to bring in some crucial revenue whilst restaurants have been closed.

Mr Morgan added:

“It hasn’t worked out so bad for us. A house isn’t as big as a restaurant but at least we had something to fall back on.”

District hotels, pubs and restaurants desperate for one metre clarity

Hotel owners, pub landlords and restaurants in the Harrogate District say they are desperate for clarity on the reopening of the hospitality sector after a tough three months of lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement today on cutting the two metre social distancing rule and relaxing restrictions as pressure mounts on the government to revive the economy.

It comes as the industry has been hit hard by lockdown with hundreds of staff furloughed and hotels, bars and restaurants closed to the public since March.

In Harrogate, Simon Cotton, owner of The Yorkshire Hotel and White Hart Hotel, said introducing a one metre rule would “without question” help his business and boost capacity to around 80% compared with just 25% under the current guidance.

The Yorkshire Hotel, Harrogate.

Mr Cotton added that he was eager for the government to give more clarity on social distancing rules so that hotels can prepare for a July opening.

He said: “We need to know that now. We have prepared for a lot of things, but we cannot do more until we known the rules.

“We are desperate for this to be able to plan. We are in the time of the year where we normally make our money. It is where most businesses survive. If you do not have a good summer, then you will not survive the winter.”

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The need for clarity is shared by pub owners who will have to grapple with the number of drinkers looking for a long awaited pint.

Trade bodies have already called for local authorities in the district to speed up the licensing process to help bars in the district open out onto the street and create space for customers.

But Tony Brown, manager at The Crown in Pateley Bridge, said it would not be viable for his pub to reopen if the two metre distancing rule is not cut.

He said: “For us, it’s quite simple, if social distancing doesn’t come down from two metres to one, it won’t be financially viable for us to reopen on July 4.

“Even with a change in social distancing, we will still need to look at what other measures we will need to put in place, such as a screen at the bar and markings on the floor. I’ve kept in touch with our regulars and they can’t wait for us to reopen.”

Sara Ferguson, owner of Sasso restaurant in Harrogate.

Meanwhile, Sara Ferguson, owner of Sasso restaurant on Princes Square, Harrogate, said the need for a clear picture from government extends to staff.

She said: “We need clarity on whether it’s one metre or two metres and whether we are allowed customers inside or outside.
“We also need clarification on the coronavirus job retention scheme and if staff can work part time.”
Masks and visors for staff serving in restaurants to be new normal

Toilet traffic light systems and pre-booking an arrival time are to become the new normal as pubs and restaurants set to reopen from 4 July.

Hospitality businesses in the district are anxiously waiting to hear the reduced one metre distance to be announced during todays’s coronavirus briefing. Even with the new distance in place, the experience previously offered for customers is likely to be different when they reopen.

Jack Woodruff who owns The Disappearing Chin in Harrogate, said the distancing rule has made planning problematic:

“We are offering pre-booked slots for maybe two or three hours but due to our size the distancing is problematic when it comes to the toilets. For example, we couldn’t have one person walking to the toilet and another sat at the bar as they would be too close together so we’ve had to introduce a one-way system to the toilets.

“For the sake of the size of our bar we have also had to order perspex screens to use and we will have to limit contact between staff and customers.”

Simon Wade is the owner of the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge, like many others he will have to introduce new safety systems once he can reopen:

“We’re now taking orders from tables, those orders will then be placed on large barrels, that are dotted around, for the customers to collect.

“We also have a one way system for the toilets. It’s like a traffic light system, so a person will press a button with their elbow to indicate they’re inside and will press it again as they leave another way to let the next person waiting to go in know they can. We will also have staff constantly sanitising areas and we just hope customers are happy to follow our rules.”

Outdoor spaces are invaluable for pub owners who may be limited to indoor space.

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David Straker, is the co-owner of the William and Victoria restaurant in Harrogate, believes the new dining experience may not be as enjoyable for guests:

‘It will be a lot quieter. The width of the room is about two metres. We could fit four tables in downstairs, then the same in each room upstairs”.

“My biggest reservation is do people want to be served by people wearing masks and visors? It doesn’t lend itself to a nice experience. It’s not going to be forever but we’re going to have to. We have a responsibility to our members of staff and you have to give them the right stuff.”

Nick Rahmen, owner of Cardamom Black in Harrogate, said:

“There will be no toilets open and people won’t be allowed to congregate at the bar. We’ll have thermometers to test if somebody is visibly under the weather. But we cant go too far to offend people.”

Harrogate restaurants battle for survival

Harrogate’s highly competitive restaurant scene is preparing for an announcement this week from government on when restaurants are allowed to reopen but the financial scars of lockdown could mean some don’t survive.

David Straker, co-owner of popular Harrogate restaurant William & Victoria told the Stray Ferret that the situation is perilous for many restaurants in the town.

He said:

“It’s hard. It’s really, really hard. We’re fortunate here as we own our property and we have a fantastic loyal clientele which is absolutely paramount to a business.”

William & Victoria received a government grant and has taken advantage of the Bounce Back Loan scheme. From Thursday to Sunday it has also been providing a takeaway service which Mr Straker said has helped keep the restaurant afloat.

Mr Straker added that Harrogate restaurants were already having a “hard ride” before lockdown and many could cease trading the longer they are not able to open at full capacity. He said running a restaurant is all about “getting as many people through the door as possible”.

David Straker, William & Victoria.

He added:

“The streets in Harrogate aren’t paved with gold. It’s hard work. There are big rents and they need a big turnover.

“We’re all fighting. At the minute, it’s about survival. That’s what it’s all about.”

Nick Rahman, owner of Cardamom Black on Cheltenham Parade, told the Stray Ferret that due to the size of his property he wasn’t eligible to apply for a government grant of up to £25,000. He said this has created haves and have-nots in the town.

He said:

“There are two stark realities [for restaurants] and I’m on the dark side of it. All of my rivals are doing full fit-outs and decorating but it’s not something we could do. It’s been really tough for us.”

“We’re in a really bad position and we’ve had a big loss over the last 12 weeks. We’re just trying to survive. We just hope we can make that money back quickly.”

Cardamom Black is preparing to re-open on July 4th but Mr Rahman said extra cleaning and social distancing measures are “huge, significant costs.”

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Sara Ferguson, owner of Sasso on Princes Square, said because of economies of scale, the larger restaurant chains in the town have been able to better protect themselves against the losses incurred by lockdown.

She said:

“It gets tougher all the time to be an independent”

Like William & Victoria and Cardamom Black, Sasso has been providing a takeaway service to customers throughout lockdown. Not only has it provided a vital revenue stream it has been “psychologically” important to Ms Ferguson as it has continued the relationship with loyal customers. She said it’s important for the town that independent restaurants survive the months ahead.

She added:

“The more independents there are, the more vibrant we are as a town and more diverse our offering is but there may well be restaurants unable to go forward”.

Kirkgate Ripon flies the flags for NHS workers

Today’s 8pm tribute to the NHS workers has a colourful addition in one Ripon’s most prominent locations.

Red, white and blue bunting, consisting of flags and a message to the NHS reading ‘Big Thanks to our Amazing NHS Workers’ have been strung across  the bottom half of Kirkgate and fixed to the premises of shops and restaurants.

The street, one of the city’s prime shopping and leisure destinations, sweeps down from Market Place to Ripon Cathedral.

In addition to the bunting, numerous of the commercial premises, such as Pizzeria Ristorante Italiano (pictured above) have signs in their windows reading ‘Thank You NHS Heroes’ – this includes signs in businesses that have been temporarily closed because of the coronavirus crisis.

Marco Chessa, who has been running the pizzeria with his parents Mario and Maria, since the family moved to Ripon 16 years ago, told The Stray Ferret:

“It’s great to be flying the flag for the NHS and other front line workers, who put themselves in harm’s way every day to look after the rest of us. These are strange times indeed, but we should never lose sight of exactly what our healthcare workers are doing for us.”

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, who has a large sign paying tribute to NHS and frontline workers fixed to a wall at his pub, The Magdalens, from where has been hosting Thursday night tributes to key workers in his neighbourhood for the past seven weeks, said of the Kirkgate traders’ tribute:

“This is yet another example of the way in which our city, with its strong sense of community, is showing the kind of unity and support that will eventually see the end of this crisis.”