Column: Finding the positives in a tough year

A Year half-empty, or half-full?

December is always a great time for reflection, as we think about what kind of year we’ve had; and I suppose the easy answer to jump to for most would be one that included several expletives when trying to sum up events of 2020. However, in an attempt to try and not mention the ‘C’ word, I’m going to try to look at it from a glass half-full point of view and think about all the highs of the year.

Within hours of being told to close our doors back in March, we turned the Fat Badger into a takeaway which took off faster than we could have imagined. With the world in lockdown, our town fell very still, but we quickly realised that people still wanted a feeling of connection.

So, having a takeaway gave an opportunity to connect outside of your own home, chat to someone, share with others what you were having and what they’d recommend. But it quickly went a step further with all the normal celebrations of birthdays and wedding anniversaries coming and going and people wanted to arrange something special.

Well I’m not sure the first person banked on me walking up their drive with a sound system blaring, singing Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday, but it quickly took off and unbelievably, people were ‘booking’ a singing takeaway! My apologies for the fact that I can’t hold a tune in a bucket, but that seemed to add to the sense of fun.

At the same time, we were supporting the NHS with accommodation for both Harrogate Hospital and the building of the Nightingale Hospital.

Re-opening on July 4 allowed us to get creative and launch Badger Beach which soon became Costa Del Harrogate as we bought a little bit of the seaside to the middle of town and again, created smiles. We’ve had so many calls to make it an annual thing as people loved it so much, especially the continental feel it created outside of the Yorkshire Hotel.

Whilst all that was happening, Harrogate Town FC got themselves promoted and brought a real buzz to the town. I will long hold fond memories of the open top bus parade after their Wembley win.

Lockdown 2 meant time to think creatively again and as well as filming our short series of Lockdown Laughs which I think delivered as much fun as we had making them. We also built our Fat Badger Igloos which have been so well received.

Apologies to the hundreds who’ve been disappointed and not been able to book them, but gift cards are available for Christmas and the igloos will be there until March so call today and get ahead of the new year rush.

To cap the year off, we completed the refurbishment of The Yorkshire Hotel and launched The Pickled Sprout, a fabulous new restaurant and bar. We also turned the Yorkshire Hotel into a live Advent Calendar complete with stunning lights across the front of the hotel which has had the desired effect with many smiling faces using it as a backdrop for photos.

The saying that ‘you have to experience the lows to appreciate the highs’ has never been so true and I think in 2020 we’ve all learnt to appreciate what we have around us a little more and how important it is to be happy and spend a little time trying to create a few more smiles in the world.

I’m smiling now knowing that 2021 will bring back the amazing things Harrogate has which we’ve missed out on this year, like Harrogate International Festivals and Harrogate Theatre. A full stadium at Harrogate Town, the Christmas Market, busy hospitality venues, especially for large events which we’ve all missed.

David Ritson and I are already working on bringing a special Hospitality and Tourism Awards for 2021 so watch this space. But despite wanting a better 2021, I’m still grateful for all the upsides to 2020 and I hope those reading this will also be able to remember good times among all the tough ones.

Thank you Harrogate for all the support you’ve shown in 2020, you’ve been amazing!

Keep doing it in 2021 and in the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas, shop local and support independents, buy a newspaper, buy a calendar from HHCC and support our local NHS Hospital, be kind; and if you can, try and put a smile on someone’s face.

Merry Christmas.