Harrogate indies hoping for a reopening boost this summer

The co-owner of craft beer bar and pizzeria Major Tom’s in Harrogate said the roadmap seemed very promising and he hoped to welcome back customers.

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Toby Smith said: “We will be looking into trying to open from April 12 in some form of capacity but only if we are still allowed by the council to put outdoor seating on The Ginnel.

“Otherwise, we are excited to be welcoming all of our customers back on May 17.”

Sue Kramer of Crown Jewellers, who heads up Commercial Street Retailers Group, said additional financial support from the Government would be welcome to bridge the gap until reopening.

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She said: “It is a relief to have a roadmap and we are very excited at the prospect of bringing our street to life again.

“We have already been liaising with Harrogate Borough Council who have been supportive by installing a hand sanitiser station at the top of our street and some bollard covers.”

Phil and Helen Dolby, who first took over the popular Bean & Bud cafe on Commercial Street in Harrogate in 2018, said the roadmap had given them hope and they had decided to reopen on March 20 - for takeaway only.

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Phil Dolby said: “We have always taken the approach that, while nice, coffee has never been ‘essential’ and have based our decisions on what we felt was right at the time.

“We have decided to re-open on Saturday, March 20 as takeaway only - fittingly exactly a year to the day since we were locked down for the first time in 2020!

“All being well we look forward to opening our outdoor seating in April, with full service resuming in May.”