The Bear at Carriages in Knaresborough pushes back indoor reopening date due to refurb

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Although the next phase of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown is due to roll out on Monday, May 17, a refurbishment currently taking place at The Bear means its indoor opening date has been pushed back.

The venue has confirmed it will be closed on Monday, but will continue serving food and drinks outside from Tuesday-Thursday.

It will then launch its new menu and indoor space on Friday, May 21, when the refurbishment is complete.

The Bear has been open outdoors for the past month, treating visitors to a terrace and BBQ, and has proved extremely popular.

The announcement comes as bars, pubs and restaurants across the district get ready to welcome customers back inside next week - welcome news for many as a full week of rain has been forecast.

Despite the typical British weather, many businesses have said that reopening outdoor hospitality has been a big success and that the full reopening inside will only continue to boost the local economy.

Simon Cotton, Managing Director at HRH Group, which owns The Yorkshire Hotel and the Fat Badger in Harrogate, said: “Despite the weather of the last two weeks, talking to industry friends and colleagues around the town and district, it appears that the five weeks of outdoor hospitality has been a great success overall.

“The main complaint if any, has been the fact that people haven’t been able to get booked in, it’s been that busy."

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He now believes the district is preparing for a ‘bumper summer’ as things begin to fully open up and visitors flock to the district once again.