Harrogate hospitality sector adapts ‘eating out’ scheme after major business boost

Harrogate hotels boss issues stark warning to avoid a 'horrendous' and 'devastating' second lockdown

Such has been the rejuvenating tonic on the town’s food and drink sector since the national cut-price scheme was introduced, cafes, bars and restaurants in Harrogate are being encouraged to continue with their own versions of the scheme even though the deadline has now passed for financial support from the Government.

Andrew Jones MP said: “The Government’s scheme had a huge impact in Harrogate and Knaresborough with 153 premises taking part.

“In total 136,000 meals were purchased under the initiative at a total discount of £931,000. That’s an average saving of nearly £7 for every meal.

“These amazing figures show the impact the Eat Out To Help Out scheme has had on pubs, restaurants and cafes. It has been a great way to kickstart a return to more normality.”

Nationally, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme, which ran for the whole of August.

New town fishmongers delighted to be a part of Harrogate food and drink retail scene

Acting chair of Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID), Sara Ferguson, who co-owns Sasso restaurant and Marconi cafe, said the benefits of the Government scheme were still being felt.

She said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, Eat Out to Help Out has been a fantastic success. Even though EOTHP has finished, many businesses are still feeling the benefit. Speaking as the owner of two town centre restaurants, we were packed all weekend, and I know we weren’t alone.”

Andy Barnsdale, general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa, said the momentum generated by EOTHO had not cooled despite the passing of the Government’s deadline.

Mr Barnsdake said: “During August we were full not only at weekends but mid-week too. And instead of going into town for a meal as customers used to do, they stayed in the hotel. Even though it has ended we have not seen a dramatic drop in business.”

The chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Sandra Doherty, said the discounts in combination with the reduction in VAT from 20% to five per cent introduced in July had provided a real “shot in the arm” for the hospitality sector as a whole.

She said: “The Government’s Eat Out To Help Out initiative provided the hospitality industry the shot in the arm it desperately needed.

Bonfire and fireworks display held on Harrogate's Stray cancelled due to Covid-19

“Since reopening, many accommodation providers have been offering very cheap deals - and continue to do so - way below what a VAT reduction should have been.

“They are certainly making hay while the sun shines, and it is bringing plenty of visitors to the town and wider district.”

Mr Jones said it was the VAT scheme which was encouraging so many loccal food outlets to carry on offering their own version of Eat Ouit To Help Out.

Mr Jones said: “The scheme was just one part of the Government’s help for restaurants, cafes and pubs.

“Many businesses are choosing to pass on the VAT reduction on to customers so that the spirit of Eat Out To Help Out continues.

“But the most important thing about these measures is they have given people the confidence to go out again.”

A popular Harrogate bar-restaurant says it has extended the period of Eat Out To Help Out discounts beyond the Government cut-off point as a ‘thank you’ to customers in a gesture replicated by a least a dozen other food and drink businesses in town.

Karen French, managing director of Provenance Inns & Hotels, which includes the West Park Hotel in Harrogate, said: “We will be continuing the offer from Monday to Wednesday for the month of September.

“It is our 10-year anniversary in September, and it seems fitting to kick off our celebrations with a genuine thanks to our customers.”

The Inn at Cheltenham Parade, which was run for many years as the Harrogate Brasserie before being taken over by Timothy Taylor’s family of pubs, is offering two-courses for £10 and three-courses for £15 throughout September.

Traders in Harrogate and Ripon targeted by coronavirus conmen trying to carry out inspections

Spanish restaurant La Feria on Cold Bath Road is offering its guests up to £10 per person off meals, though it is advising that, in order to comply with the latest Covid-19 guidelines on safety, tables are limited.

So Bar And Eats on Otley Road in Harrogate is continuing its own Eat Out To Help Out discounts until at least the end of September, though drinks will no longer be included in the discount.

Fashion House Bistro, which opened in July on Swan Road, is offering diners a quarter off their evening food bills on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus a number of other offers during the week.

Owner David Dresser, who is also a leading fashion photographer said: “Eat Out to Help Out was phenomenal. It got people back into town.”

Is your business continuing to run the Eat Out to Help Out scheme? Have you found it a great support in these troubled times? Please let us know by emailing [email protected]