Harrogate vegetarian café hosts art exhibitions to create ‘neighbourhood feel’

Harrogate vegetarian café, Delicious, is to host art exhibitions every month highlighting the talents of local artists.

The café, on Mayfield Grove, has only been open since June this year.

It’s owner, Olivier Roch, told the Stray Ferret that he wants it to become a hub for the local community -whether or not they are vegetarian.

“The purpose is to promote local artists. My place is on Mayfield Grove and we are seeking to be a neighbourhood café and be a place of soul. To offer something else other than food.”

Mr Roch grew up in France but has lived in Harrogate for the past 30 years and previously ran the Zinc bistro on John Street where he also used to promote local artists.

Seven artists are booked at Delicious, with a new display and opening on the last Friday of the month.  The artist work is then hung on the café walls for the following four weeks.  There is also a writing course on Tuesdays.

Mayfield Grove has been the scene of violent crime in recent years. Mr Roch says no area is immune from crime but believes the street is changing:

“Unfortunately crime is everywhere and I do not think Mayfield Grove is particularly different from anywhere else.

“I think the area is getting a little bit like Cold Bath Road.

“When I first came to Harrogate, my first bedsit was on Franklin road – now a lot of those beautiful houses have been transformed into single homes.

“It has turned around and now people want to live in the centre of town. There is a neighbourhood feel in the area and people are looking for that – a sense of community and we are trying to establish that.”

Olivier Roch outside his cafe and an example of the art displayed

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