Harrogate's Mama Doreen cafe starts delivering during lockdown

Bettys in Harrogate reveals its plans for lockdown

Since it took the bold decision to move from its home of ten years on Cold Bath Road to the pricey heart of Harrogate’s retail centre at the top end of James Street in September, this luxurious family-owned cafe has thrived offering scrumptious afternoon teas and more.

The sharp-thinking and stylish independent even made the decision to launch a brand-new website at the same time, which may turn out to be its smartest move of all.

But the sheer pizzazz of this cupcake and cocktails business run by Jessica Wyatt and her mother Justine cannot disguise the scale of the challenge the latest change in lockdown restrictions poses for businesses, even one as successful as Mama Doreens.

Jessica Wyatt said: “We have had to take the difficult but responsible decision to close our doors but we can’t wait to see everyone again in December.

“In the meantime, our takeaway service from our bespoke on-site bakery will start on November 13 and will be available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout lockdown.”

Two of Harrogate’s other best-known independents are also turning to digital means to keep their business alive over the coming days when life will get tougher.

Scandi cafe Baltzersens only opened its first bakery shop on Oxford Street at the beginning of October to enable customers to enjoy the artisan bread and pastries created in its own bakery, which itself was only launched in March.

Owner Paul Rawlinson may be faced with shutting his award-winning cafe but Bakeri Baltzersens will carry on trading from its location next to Harrogate Theatre.

Mr Rawlinson is encouraging Baltzersens regulars to head to the bakeribaltzersen.co.uk website to order bread and pastries for collection or delivery.

Harrogate’s Imagined Things says it, too, will keep trading, albeit that the shop itself has closed for lockdown.

Owner Georgia Eckert, who found her shop in the national limelight when one of her tweets went viral, says this independent bookseller at Westminster Arcade may have had to shut its doors but it is very much alive online.

She said: “We’re offering free local delivery within two miles of the shop when you spend £35 or more. We’ll be out delivering at least twice a week. We will also be offering post and pick-up.”

The never stay die spirit is also shown by Harrogate indie brewers Rooster’s which has issued a simple message: “Our Taproom may be closed but this won’t affect our web shop service and our ability to deliver direct to your door!”

We fight on: Harrogate independent traders vow to battle to keep customers during lockdown

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