‘Critical time’ as Harrogate hospitality businesses eye Covid recovery

Jo Straker, who owns William and Victoria, at the bottom of Cold Bath Road, with her husband David, said the Prime Minister’s “roadmap” for easing Covid restrictions in England was a huge relief, as they needed to reopen as soon as possible.

Mrs Straker said her husband had been part of the business, which is affectionately known as Will and Vic’s, for more than 35 years, but the last 12 months had been “the most testing time”.

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She said: “This next period is critical to us, in terms of just making it through the other side.”

She described the last few months as “demoralising”, as there had been no pathway out, but the provisional date of April 12, which would see the pubs and restaurants reopen outdoors, would now finally allow them to put a plan in place.

She said: “We definitely are chomping at the bit to get back. We want our team back, our customers back, just some normality.”

According to the new roadmap, from April 12 the hospitality industry is expected to reopen outdoors with the rule of six or new two-household rule in force. There will be no curfew or restrictions on alcohol only being served with a substantial meal, however customers must be seated.

Then from May 17, pubs and restaurants will reopen indoors, again under the rule of six or two-household rule.

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Mrs Straker said: “We do intend to open outside because our gazebo that we put up worked well and was really popular. We will be extending that further down the driveway.”

There are also some menu changes planned in preparation for the summer.

“We do think it is going to get busy. We have already had the phones ringing with people enquiring. Everyone is very eager,” said Mrs Straker. “The only worry is if people don’t behave themselves and do what we all need to do so we can all return to some sort of normality. That’s what we are working towards.”

Mrs Straker said they were now waiting to find out if they would get further Government financial support, which has been crucial in the survival of their business.

However, she was confident they would be supported by their customers when they reopened, after already receiving continued support during lockdown with their takeaway service.

She said: “We don’t just shut up shop, we have a lot of overheads. We need to get people in, so we appreciate all the local support. A lot of people have been supporting us.”

Mrs Straker stressed that safety measures would remain in place when they reopened and they planned to extend their opening hours.

She added: “We are excited to reopen. These last few weeks in particular have been really hard emotionally and mentally. We just needed this so we have got something to work towards.”

Originally opened in the 1970s as the town’s very first wine bar, William and Victoria is loved for its period décor, cosy atmosphere and a menu focused on the best of British classics.

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At the other end of the scale, the owner of a Harrogate cafe which has only recently opened its doors said she was planning for a “strong and positive return”, with new ways of working together with other local businesses on the horizon.

Nici Routledge, who co-owns Hustle & Co, on Station Parade, with her best friend Jo Bradshaw, said that although Monday’s announcement meant the town’s high street and hospitality sector would miss the Easter trade, it shouldn’t be the main focus.

She said: “Knowing that we will hopefully be able to open our doors on April 12 in stage two of England’s roadmap out of lockdown is, for us, great news and we are already busy planning for a very strong and positive return.

“I think our future forward successes will come from collaboration and not competition with our business neighbours and we will find and enjoy new ways of working together.”

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Mrs Routledge stressed that businesses that had been forced to close would continue to need as much financial support from the Government as possible to navigate the first few months of trading,

She added: “As the need to support small has never been more vital as we begin to rebuild our communities, towns and high streets, we are full of enthusiasm and optimism for the new world.”