Here is how things look in Harrogate today as pubs and bars reopen

Life has finally come back to the town centre today as Harrogate's bars reopened - with the first one throwing its doors open at 8am being Wetherspoons on Parliament Street.
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Harrogate bars say they are 'excited' to reopen today in 'Super Saturday'

But popular independent Cold Bath Brewing Co on Kings Road wasn't far behind the national chain bar welcoming regulars back at 10am.

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Overall, having opened their doors to customers for the first time in 14 weeks today, the landlords and bar managers the Harrogate Advertiser talked to hailed 'Super Saturday' as a case of "so good so far" - seeing steady business rather than being swamped on this cloudy day.

Locals enjoying a pint at the Fat Badger pub with leading Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton.Locals enjoying a pint at the Fat Badger pub with leading Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton.
Locals enjoying a pint at the Fat Badger pub with leading Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton.

The manager at Wetherspoons said there had been a few early drinkers but full capacity was only approached at around 2pm.

All had been well behaved and peaceful, the manager said with the reassuring sight of a policeman outside the bar.

As the town centre saw the return of footfall to not only its shops but cafes, pubs and restaurants, the mood has been relaxed up to now with worries of trouble forgotten for the moment.

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The need to be seen to act responsibly because of the pandemic is shared by everyone and social distancing has clearly had a major impact on venues' capacity at most bars and cafes the Harrogate Advertiser visited.

By early afternoon people were already sitting outside the likes of The Old Bell Tavern, The Montpellier, The Fat Badger, Christies and Cold Bath Brewing Co, among others.

At Cold Bath Brewing Co, there was a real bustle within the safety rules the bar had introduced, including a simple 'track and trace' system customers were happy signing up to.

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The bar's co-owner Mick Wren said: "It's been nice so far. Everybody is adhering in the bar to social distancing and no one is moving tables or chairs around.

"If it was mobbed it would be trickier. The weather has helped by not being sunny.

" It's great to see our regulars enjoying themselves again.

Food and drink will be back in Harrogate this weekend - just not quite in same way

"Even the Stuzzi boys from the restaurant next door have popped in for a pint."