Harrogate braced to go into higher Tier of Covid rules as Government announcement looms

Flaxby Park dispute: Harrogate council welcomes result of judicial review

National press reports are already saying that very few areas of England will end up in the lowest category, tier 1 where Harrogate was before the Government introduced the latest lockdown in October.

Most areas, including London, are expected to be place in tier two with "significant numbers" in tier three, the highest level, from December 2 when lockdown comes to an end.

Differences between the tiers include limits on where households can meet up - for instance, in the new tier one, the rule of six applies indoors and out. In tier two, the rule of six remains outdoors but there is no household mixing indoors.

A key question for the Harrogate district, where figures are dropping rapidly now, is whether the tier system applies to entire counties and regions or whether the Prime Minister takes a more localised approach.

It's a question which Tory MPs and ministers are believed to have been debating intensively within the Government, for fear of the economic consequences on businesses of being put in a higher tier.

The town's hopes before this morning announcement rest on NOT being lumped in with the rest of North Yorkshire.

The last official information up to November 19 showed the Scarborough district and Ryedale and Richmondshire seeing a sharp rise in cases with the lowest rate of cases in Hambleton.

But figures are understood to have been dropping since then.

The November 19 figures had shown Harrogate’s rate at 191 cases per 100,000, but it is understood this figure has since dropped to 157 cases per 100,000, below the England average of 177 and well short of the worst affected areas across the country.

The concern for Harrogate will be that Scarborough’s rate was significantly higher at 333 cases per 100,000 on November 19 and while that number has since dropped below the 300 mark, it could mean the whole of North Yorkshire being placed into a higher tier of restrictions.

Once the new tiers are announced, the first review of the tier allocations is due to take place by December 16, and areas which make progress in slowing the spread of the virus could be moved down a tier before Christmas.

As well as the business world, Harrogate politicians, from the Tory MP to opposition councillors all fear moving into a higher tier would have serious consequences for the town's economy and, in particular, the hospitality sector.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones said: “Having been a member of Harrogate’s business community, I know that the businesses here have had a tough time and are itching to welcome their customers again.

"I am also sure that local people will want to support our fantastic local businesses in any way they can through the festive season.

"I hope we will move into the lowest tier possible that the case level suggests, but, whichever tier we are in, retailers will be open and our town centres will be busy again.”

Harrogate Lib Dem leader Coun Pat Marsh said: "As we remerge for another lockdown and if we want our town centres to survive and thrive we all do need to get out there and support our local high streets, especially our independent businesses.

"But in doing so we must do it safely, wear a mask and keep a safe distance."

The area’s business leaders are under no illusion what a possible move into even Tier 2 could mean.

Sara Ferguson, acting chair of Harrogate BID, which has invested in this year’s dazzling new Christmas lights in the town centre, said: “The retail and hospitality sector is champing at the bit to reopen next week and welcome customers back into their premises.

“If we go into a tier 2, I suspect a number of pubs and bars may not bother reopening. And if it’s tier 3, I fear it may well sound the death knell for a great many hospitality businesses.”

What time is the Government’s announcement?

The full announcement is expected later today, and Mr Hancock is expected to announce the tier locations in a Commons statement at around 11.30am.

What it all means: A guide to the Prime Minister's new tier system of Covid restrictions

(starts when lockdown ends on Wednesday, December 2)

Across all tiers:

People can leave their homes for any purpose and can socialise in outdoor places, subject to the ‘rule of six’;

Collective worship and weddings can resume but there are restrictions on the number of guests.

All shops can reopen.

New Tier 1 measures:

Last orders at hospitality venues at 10pm, with curfew extended to 11pm;

Spectators can return to sports stadiums, with limits of 4,000 fans or 50% of capacity, whichever is lower;

Grassroots sport can take place outdoors without restrictions.

New Tier 2 measures:

Alcohol can only be served at hospitality venues as part of a substantial meal;

Mixing with other households is banned indoors, but ‘rule of six’ remains outdoors;

Care home visits allowed with such arrangements as screens, pods and window visits;

Spectators can return to sports stadiums, with limits of 2,000 fans or 50% of capacity, whichever is lower;

Grassroots sport can take place outdoors without restrictions, but not indoors if there is interaction between different households

New Tier 3 measures:

Bars, restaurants and all hospitality venues must remain closed, except for takeaway and delivery;

Mixing with other households banned indoors and outdoors, except in public parks or outdoor spaces where ‘rule of six’ applies;

Grassroots sport can take place outside but not ‘high risk contact activity’. No spectators allowed;

Weddings with 15 guests allowed, but receptions are banned;

Indoor entertainment and hotels will remain closed.

New council report shows Harrogate civic centre office project was '£2.5 million under budget'

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.