Harrogate plea to end 'crazy' 10pm curfew as changing lockdown rules split business opinion

The Harrogate business world is torn between the threat of people trying to get round Covid rules by travelling from one tier to another and the economic impact of what they recognise as a simple solution - a national lockdown.
Harrogate businesses on lockdown rules - "The only way to get everyone to follow one set of rules is take away complexity."Harrogate businesses on lockdown rules - "The only way to get everyone to follow one set of rules is take away complexity."
Harrogate businesses on lockdown rules - "The only way to get everyone to follow one set of rules is take away complexity."
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What should happen next to control the pandemic in a week which saw a very public squabble over the tier system of lockdown rules in Greater Manchester between the Government and Labour Mayor Andy Burnham is something which splits business opinion in Harrogate.

Gerri Dangerfield-Keane of Harrogate's Dangerfield and Keane hair salon - "I am in favour of saving lives over business but I can see the possibility of salons closing." (Picture Gered Binks)Gerri Dangerfield-Keane of Harrogate's Dangerfield and Keane hair salon - "I am in favour of saving lives over business but I can see the possibility of salons closing." (Picture Gered Binks)
Gerri Dangerfield-Keane of Harrogate's Dangerfield and Keane hair salon - "I am in favour of saving lives over business but I can see the possibility of salons closing." (Picture Gered Binks)

One thing they seem to agree on is the 10pm curfew for bars, which one leading Harrogate figure condemned this week as "crazy."

Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said: “As was seen in Harrogate this weekend, people will travel out of areas with more severe lock down restrictions to areas such as ours to spend their free time socialising, eating out and shopping. How do we ensure without security barriers between areas that this doesn’t happen?

“Logically we can’t, so a nationwide lockdown seems inevitable. But, the cost to jobs, the national economy and our nation’s mental health also poses a threat to our society.”

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Simon Cotton, managing director of the HRH Group which owns The Yorkshire Hotel, White Hart and the Fat Badger bar in Harrogate, said: “The reality is people are still travelling if they want to from one tier to another and it’s almost impossible to police.

"The only way to get everyone to follow one set of rules is take away complexity.

"I think a two, or maximum three week full lockdown would stop all this ever growing confusion of a tiered system.”

Although recognising this tougher step would help protect the NHS, at the same time, everyone is aware of the likely damage to businesses.

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Harrogate Business Improvement District’s acting chair Sara Ferguson said: “Of those businesses that did reopen following the last lockdown, many are operating on reduced staffing and opening hours.

“If we go into a new lockdown, th e Government needs to ensure we are financially compensated. However, even that will not stop some, particularly those in retail and hospitality, from potentially shutting up shop for good.”

Gerri Dangerfield-Keane of Dangerfield and Keane hair salon on 44a Cold Bath Road said he was in favour of saving lives over business and that everyone needed to “get on board with this situation” when it came to the rules.

But, he added, a new lockdown might hasten the demise of businesses, sealing the fate of some salons.

What Harrogate businesses say about a new lockdown: in full

Simon Cotton

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Managing director of the HRH Group which owns The Yorkshire Hotel, White Hart and the Fat Badger bar, Harrogate

Do you think a 'circuit breaker' full lockdown for the country of two weeks (or a month, even) is a good idea?

Whilst not wanting to sit on the fence, there's no one answer that will satisfy everyone, however yes, I think a two, or maximum three week full lockdown would stop all this ever growing confusion of a tiered system, most of which is guidance anyway and not law, being either ignored or abused.

The reality is people are still travelling if they want to from one tier to another and it's almost impossible to Police. It seems crazy that the Scots, the Irish and the Welsh are doing one thing whilst on England we're doing another, but I equally believe responsible businesses can operate safely.

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The only way to get everyone to follow one set of rules however is take away complexity and confusion and as in business, the simpler the rules, the easier they will be followed.

If it does happen, what impact do you think it will have on Harrogate businesses and the hospitality sector?

I think the furlough scheme that is currently there and the new system coming in from November t would at least allow businesses to plan and manage their payroll and keep jobs open.

If we knew a timescale, we could also plan in terms of wastage of fresh food etc.

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However, this would only be any good, if the Government relinquished the crazy 10pm curfew that is restricting trade with no visible evidence that it helps in any way at all, so this would have to be a trade off to allow for better trading when re-opening.

Gerri Dangerfield-Keane

Dangerfield and Keane hair salon, 44a Cold Bath Road, Harrogate

Do you think a 'circuit breaker' full lockdown for the country of two weeks (or a month, even) is a good idea?

Its a very tough call for the Government or local authority to balance the effectiveness of stemming the rising numbers of cases, with the damage that will be done to the small independent businesses if we have another lockdown.

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I am in favour of saving lives over business, but many people are flouting the guidance and conditions right now and that makes a lockdown or escalation in restrictions all the more necessary.

People need to get on board with this situation and likewise the guidance needs to be clear and precise so that rules are crystal clear.

If it does happen, what impact do you think it will have on Harrogate businesses and the hospitality sector?

I can see the possibility of salons closing, especially in the new year after the Christmas demand dies off.

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Perhaps more beauty salons may close as clients are perhaps more nervous of close contact in beauty than they are with hair.

I don’t know how some small salons will survive. It would be great to see some mergers of businesses that would keep premises open and staff employed. But another lockdown?

That could just hasten the demise of some businesses, seal their fate.

Sandra Doherty

Chief executive, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce

Do you think a 'circuit breaker' full lockdown for the country of two weeks (or a month, even) is a good idea?

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The far-reaching ramifications for a Full Lockdown even used as a circuit breaker have to be carefully balanced. The main reason would be to stop Covid-19 infections rising at such a high rate.

This rise is linked to admissions to hospital which I feel is the real reason for the need to have a lockdown.The NHS is so over stretched that even with the opening of the Nightingale Hospitals the staffing will become a problem as we have not as a country invested in training doctors, nurses and health professionals.

Neither have we valued these jobs and paid them accordingly. A situation whereby there were no beds available due to rapidly rising Covid19 numbers is to be avoided at all costs.

However, the cost to jobs, the national economy and our nation’s mental health also poses a threat to our society and these effects will continue for many years to come.

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The notion of a circuit breaker is hopeful but unless we all adhere then its benefit will perhaps not have the effect needed to delay the spread of Covid19.

If it does happen, what impact do you think it will have on Harrogate businesses and the hospitality sector?

Harrogate, like every other area which faces lock down, will suffer from lack of trade for our shops and hospitality businesses, many of those will close as this will be a final straw in their business planning for 2021.

My thoughts are that as was seen in Harrogate this weekend, people will travel out of areas with more severe lock down restrictions to areas such as ours to spend their free time socialising, eating out and shopping.

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This difficulty in guessing where people come from and inviting them into our area will no doubt keep spreading the virus from place to place.

How then do we ensure without security barriers between areas that this doesn’t happen?

Logically, we can’t so a nationwide lock down seems inevitable. Whether it’s to save lives or save to the NHS is debatable.

I am very glad I don’t have to make those tough decisions that will affect all our lives in one way or another.

Sara Ferguson

Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) acting chair

Co-owner of Sasso restaurant & Marconi cafe

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Do you think a 'circuit breaker' full lockdown for the country of two weeks (or a month, even) is a good idea?

We are soon to be entering what should be one of the busiest times in the retail and hospitality calendar, but have to accept this year is going to be extremely difficult for many businesses.

Town centre businesses have gone to great lengths to open in a safe manner for both customers and staff, but hospitality restrictions including social distancing and reduced opening hours are meaning a reduction in sales.

If it does happen, what impact do you think it will have on Harrogate businesses and the hospitality sector?

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While we recognise the need to protect the vulnerable, at the same time we need to bear in mind the health of the economy, and the very real prospect that if there are further lockdowns, businesses will close for good and jobs will be lost.

“Even with financial support, a proposed two/three week ‘circuit breaker’ would sound the death knell for many pubs, cafes and restaurants.”

Lockdown: What is happening in the rest of the UK?

Monday, saw the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, announce a two-week national “firebreak” lockdown from this Friday, October 23 until Monday, November 9, with people told to stay at home and pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops forced to close.

Scotland had already been utilising a circuit breaker as a tactic in the Covid battle.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was the first to announce a circuit breaker which she introduced north of the border on October 10, forcing pubs and restaurants in the country’s central belt to close and adding further restrictions for the whole country for just over two weeks.

A similar policy was also introduced in Northern Ireland, where pubs and restaurants will be shut until mid to late November

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