Success on tap for Harrogate craft bar at rail station

By Dan Raymond
wkd  The exterior of Harrogate Tap.  (140106M1)wkd  The exterior of Harrogate Tap.  (140106M1)
wkd The exterior of Harrogate Tap. (140106M1)

A Harrogate bar whose door opens onto Harrogate railway station’s platform one has been recognised as one of the UK’s best local pubs.

The Harrogate Tap was opened in late 2013, after the half a million pound transformation of a long-derelict building attached to Harrogate train station.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The red brick site, formerly a refreshments room and station bar, had been languishing in disrepair for many years, having originally been built more than 150 years ago.

But it’s now been hailed as one of 18 best pubs in Yorkshire by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

The General Manager at the Harrogate Tap, Sophie Pollicott, said she was delighted to be nominated as one of CAMRA’s local Pubs of the Year as part of their April Community Pubs month.

She said: “It’s amazing to win this award, we haven’t been open for that long so its a great achievement.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think the ever changing selection of beers we have, not just from across the UK, but from all over the world, really sets us apart from other pubs in the area.”

The Harrogate Tap is part of a small chain of craft ale bars owned by specialist pub company Pivovar, which is based in Elvington near York.

The Tap will now battle it out with 200 other pubs in the regional heats to become National Pub of the Year, and Pollicott is hopeful that they can go one step better and claim the crown.

“I think we have quite a high chance in the national competition, we have a really good team here, and are really proud of the achievement.”