OPINION: New year brings new challenges and new opportunities for Harrogate's hospitality industry

2026 has started with the same topic high on the agenda but with some glimmer of hope that the Government may do a U-turn on this highly controversial matter. I even did three live interviews from the Fat Badger Harrogate a week last Saturday on this subject, going out nationally on GB News.

Whilst the topic may not excite people, the opportunity to showcase Harrogate’s hospitality scene on national TV live brings fantastic profile to the town and I was somewhat surprised by the number of messages and emails I received after doing it.

Equally we start this new year how we ended the last with a mixed bag of news of closures and openings of venues across Harrogate – we see long standing bars like Banyan closing and one of the new pizza venues on Cheltenham Crescent throwing the towel in after only a short time of being open.

That said, there are new openings being announced all the time too, so it’s far from doom and gloom and as I always say, ‘if you can’t change it and have no control over the policy making, just get on and find the opportunities within it’ and that’s where I’ll be firmly focussing my efforts in 2026.

To be fair though, January has got off to a relatively positive start and we are seeing growth in overall trading which is much needed relief in what is our quietest time of the year. We’re fortunate in Harrogate to play host to two major events this month; firstly the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Show which ran from January 11-13 and BIGGA, the golfing industry turf management show which has been on all week in the town.

Both shows at time of writing seem to have run very well with great visitor numbers and excellent feedback from guests about the warm welcome Harrogate always provides to them and their guests, so long may this continue as these two events are so crucial to so many hotels, restaurants and bars in the town, which would otherwise sit empty in the cold weeks of January.

More great news is that we’ve managed to secure the support of HCC and the Royal Hall once again for this year’s Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards which will take place on Monday, June 1. The launch for voting opens in just one week, so watch out in next week’s Harrogate Advertiser for all the details coming out.

It’s a huge night for the town’s hospitality industry so I’m looking forward to everyone getting involved once again.

So with the January blues almost behind us and having had what can be judged as a pretty good start to the year, I’m feeling hopeful that 2026 could stack up to be a good one for everyone. Here’s hoping it is and until next month, stay safe, keep supporting local hospitality and if it’s not too late to say it….Happy New Year to you all!