VIPs and fellow independents welcome new bar in Harrogate town centre
The official opening of a new wine bar in Harrogate which may set a new trend in the town’s high-quality independent sector was a memorable occasion.
Following a soft launch, Ake & Humphris Wine Bar & Shop celebrated in style last night, Thursday at 20 Oxford Street with a champagne reception attended by civic dignitaries, family members of both Ake and Humphris and fellow independent business owners.
Ensconced amid the fabulous refurbished premises, which had been put together by the charismatic and creative Mark Hinchliffe and carried out by a property team consisting of NLG, SPX Architects and One Nine Signs, the new bar shop was packed out.
Located in a part of Harrogate occasionally overlooked, Ake & Humphris Wine Bar & Shop joins Baltzersen's cafe and bakery next door in carving out new territory in the town centre for premium independent businesses.
An exciting new addition to Ake & Humphris’s existing stores on Leeds Road, Harrogate and Hastings Court, Collingham, the new wine bar and shop hopes to provide a new additional town centre location for people to shop and to enjoy wines and whiskies by the glass, as well as local beers on tap.
Making a grand job of the speeches were Jonathan Humphris, one of the owners of Ake & Humphris, and Ake & Humphris Sales Manager Paul Auty.
Cutting the ribbon was Harrogate International Festivals Chair Fiona Movley MBE.
VIP guests included Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon, Deputy Mayor of Harrogate Coun Jenny Travena, Harrogate International Festivals Chair Fiona Movley MBE and Harrogate International Festivals Chief Executive Sharon Canavar.
Attendees from the town’s business world included Simon Midgley, Chair of Harrogate BID and owner of Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen; Martin Mann Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce; Gemma Aykroyd, owner of The Cheeseboard; and Your Harrogate radio station.
Tara Stagman said: "Building on our last 15 years as a locally owned and operated wine merchants staffed by wine enthusiasts, we’re so excited to be sharing our love of great wine, beer and whisky in our fantastic new town centre location."
Information: https://www.akeandhumphris.co.uk/