Can Harrogate bars reopen next week in Tier 2, the answer is it's a mixed picture

All Harrogate bars will feel the impact of the town's move into Tier 2 restrictions for Covid but some will be hit even harder than others.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock's announcement today that the vast majority of areas in England were to be in Tier 2 or Tier 3 from next week when lockdown ends on December 2 will enable some bars to reopen in Harrogate, which will be in Tier 2.

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But the bars and pubs the Harrogate Advertiser talked to all said that footfall was likely to be lower than normal unless Harrogate moved back to Tier 1.

Hit hard again by Covid rules - Owners Rich and Danni Park at The Little Ale House in Harrogate.Hit hard again by Covid rules - Owners Rich and Danni Park at The Little Ale House in Harrogate.
Hit hard again by Covid rules - Owners Rich and Danni Park at The Little Ale House in Harrogate.

And, for those small pubs with no kitchen services, the new rules meant they could not open at all except for takeaways or delivery.

Tom Fozard, commercial manager of Rooster’s Brewing Co at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate, said its taproom would be reopening but the Government's whole approach was "hugely frustrating."

Mr Fozard said: "While we’re relieved that North Yorkshire has avoided being plunged into the misery of Tier 3, today’s announcement local hospitality establishments will have to either operate within the severe restrictions of Tier 2 or remained closed altogether is a massive blow for everyone affected – especially given the time of year and the trade our customers will have been hoping to do in the run up to Christmas.

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"Those venues that have effectively been forced to remain closed, because they’re not in a position to offer a ‘substantial meal’ have our deepest sympathies.

Simon Midgeley, who owns Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen in Harrogate, said he was determined to reopen safely within Government guidelines.Simon Midgeley, who owns Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen in Harrogate, said he was determined to reopen safely within Government guidelines.
Simon Midgeley, who owns Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen in Harrogate, said he was determined to reopen safely within Government guidelines.

He continued: "As a supplier to the industry, we’re left in limbo with Tier 2 when it comes to demand and production planning, as well as trying to ensure how house yeast strain is kept alive.

"The wider Tier 3 restrictions across the North of England are also incredibly hard for us to swallow, with, at the time of typing, no support mechanism having been announced for the sector.

"It’s a hugely disappointing and frustrating situation to be in, especially given no evidence has been supplied by the Government that shows dining out and visiting highly regulated and responsibly operated pubs and restaurants as being a major factor in the spread of the virus.

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Mr Fozard concluded: "Thankfully, with the street food kitchen in mind that forms part of our Taproom, we’re in a position, in line with the new Tier 2 restrictions, to continue to offer food throughout the hours the Taproom’s open, so we’re looking forward to welcoming customers back through doors from next week.

"We’ll be posting an update with more info on our website and via our social media streams in the next day or two."

Rich and Danni Park, who own the tiny but award-winning Little Ale House on Cheltenham Crescent in Harrogate, which has no potential for a food service, said:

Mr Park said: "Wet-led covid secure pubs have been let down once again, despite zero supporting science."

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The Little Ale House will continue to offer a click and collect service via its The Little Ale House Online Shop at www.https://alehouseharrogate.co.uk/

Toby Smith, who co-owns Major Tom's Social bar on The Ginnel in Harrogate said:

Mr Smith said:"We will be reopening and will continue to operate with in the safest way possible, adhering to social distance guidelines.

"We will continue to be offering our popular pizza collection service."

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Simon Midgeley, who owns Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen on Oxford Street in Harrogate, said he was determined to reopen safely within Government guidelines.

Mr Midgeley said: "I am really disappointed for Harrogate independents as a whole.

"We can open with out pizzas but I expect turnover to be suppressed from pre-lockdown 2 levels given there’s no household mixing and alcohol with substantial meals only.

"Those without a food offer/kitchen are effectively still on lockdown so for them we might as well be in Tier 3."

Pubs in peril nationwide

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At a national level, UK Hospitality boss Kate Nicholls has warned today tens of thousands of businesses would close without additional support.

Already Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Harvester chains, has cut 1,300 jobs and Fuller Smith & Turner made 350 redundancies.

Ms Nicholls said that 98% of its members were in areas with Tier 2 or Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, and nearly nine in 10 "say that they are not viable to operate at those level of restriction."

What are the Tier 2 rules as they affect pubs and hospitality?

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In tier 2 (high) areas, the rule of six will also apply, but people will be banned from mixing indoors.

Pubs and restaurants will only be permitted to stay open if they serve “substantial” meals.

Additionally, hospitality venues may only serve alcohol with substantial meals.

As with tier 1, last orders are at 10pm and pubs and restaurants will close at 11pm.

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Overnight stays are permitted only with those in your support bubble.

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