What Harrogate politicians say about July 4 reopening of bars, cafes and restaurants

Whether planning to get married or booking a haircut, life will change in some way for us all this weekend as lockdown rules are eased further and much of the hospitality sector reopens.
Life is coming back to the food and drink sectors in Harrogate this weekend but will it result in higher footfall in the town centre and the shops?Life is coming back to the food and drink sectors in Harrogate this weekend but will it result in higher footfall in the town centre and the shops?
Life is coming back to the food and drink sectors in Harrogate this weekend but will it result in higher footfall in the town centre and the shops?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that England’s “long hibernation” was about to end means Harrogate will finally start to resemble something close to pre-lockdown normality in almost every sphere - albeit with a whole new set of safety guidelines.

But what do Harrogate's politicians think of the big reopening of the hospitality sector this Saturday, July 4?

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Hospitality sector reopens: Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones believes that for the food and drink sector to revive in the context of the new safety guidelines, businesses need to be able to use pavements and roads to create space for customers.

When the Prime Minister announced the changes to lockdown last week in the House of Commons, Mr Jones asked him if he agreed that “councils should be encouraged to use available spaces to help the hospitality sector reopen, while of course ensuring social distancing?”

Mr Jones said: “I was talking about using squares, streets and pavements as spaces for hospitality businesses to expand into, to help them welcome back their customers and comply with the social distancing rules.

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"The reason that I asked that question is the importance of the hospitality sector to our local economy.

"The Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency is in the top 10 per cent of all constituencies in the country for hospitality, as measured by the number of people who work in it.

"That is almost 9,500 people in our case, making it the largest sector of the local economy."

"Our local councils have done a great job during the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve got grants to affected businesses, supported residents, made sure protective equipment has got to care homes with only a few problems alongside a multitude of other success stories. I am grateful to them for their achievements which have made a difference to people’s lives.

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“Now I am asking the County Council to continue this help by saving people’s livelihoods with a positive response to calls from hospitality businesses to provide space on the highway for them to be able to expand on to the highway.

“Ideally we should give businesses certainty and so I am asking the County Council to look at a three-month window – from now until the end of September - during which businesses can use the public highway.

"Conversations with local businesses are required to specify when and where. It would not be every street every day. Flexibility is the key. "

Hospitality sector reopens: Harrogate Borough Council leader Coun Richard Cooper

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Harrogate Borough Council leader Coun Richard Cooper also hopes more outdoor space can be given to reopening businesses which, he says, would otherwise find it “very, very difficult” to get back onto their feet following lockdown.

He said: “I still think it would be best to use the road space to help as many people as possible to socially distance in the town centres.

"In Harrogate this could be achieved by closing James Street and Albert Street to traffic.The parking spaces are already coned off so this doesn’t seem a difficult thing to do."

Hospitality sector reopens: Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem council leader Coun Pat Marsh

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Coun Pat Marsh said:"We have all missed our places were we meet up with family and friends and, therefore, if there is a chance Lockdown can be eased to allow us gradually to return to those places then that would be fantastic but the measures put in place must protect our health and safety.

"There must be clear clinical guidance and my plea to everyone is please, please adhere to that guidance for everyone's sake so we can return to normal life without putting our health and the health of our fellow citizens at risk."

Hospitality sector reopens: Judith Rogerson, Harrogate & Knaresborough Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson

Judith Rogerson, Harrogate & Knaresborough Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson, said:

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"The past four months have been an incredibly difficult time for us all so it's good news that life can finally start to return to something normal.

"Like many other people I'm especially looking forward to being able to do the things we used to take for granted like going to the cinema and getting my hair cut!

"Of course, this mustn't be done too quickly. I welcome measures making it easier to see our loved ones and get back to work so long as those changes are backed by the science.

"We’ve all missed being able to meet our friends and family in the wonderful cafes, pubs and restaurants that are such an important part of the economy in Harrogate District. "

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She also said she felt "frustrated" by what she said was not clear enough guidance from the Government on the new rules of reopening for the hospitality sector in Harrogate.

She said: "It’s frustrating that the messaging from the Government over the last few weeks has been confusing and that has made things difficult for those preparing to re-open their businesses.

"So it’s really important that we have clear guidance from the Government and support from the Council so that we can all once again safely enjoy the hospitality on offer in our area."

Hospitality sector reopens: Labour Party Harrogate & Knaresborough Constituency

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Margaret Smith, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough CLP, said: "The Labour Party welcomes the decision to permit the reopening of the hospitality sector.

"As Lucy Powell, Shadow Business and Consumers Minister warned on 15 June, the sector faced collapse with a wave of closures and redundancies likely unless Government ministers ensure specific support for the sector.

"She called on them to ensure that businesses could reopen safely in a way which “maximises economic viability while minimising the risk to the health of customers and staff.”

"The Government have responded, although choosing a Saturday to do so, after so many months of lockdown, is very questionable.

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"Let us hope the public act responsibly this coming weekend and observe the PLUS of the 1 metre + rule where possible, in line with the Chief Medical Officer’s advice.

Harrogate & District Green Party

Parliamentary Candidate & Press, Equality and Diversity Officer Shan Oakes said: "I have underlying concerns about reopening businesses which will find it very difficult to avoid people being close to each other.

"I am concerned about school,s too. We know that in Germany, for example, the infection rate has soared again, and our level of infection (R) is now higher than when we went into lockdown.

"We must all remember that this government is a puppet of the corporate world - serving big business - which means we have to be very circumspect about official guidance.

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"Who are they looking after? The health of people and planet or the corporate profiteers?

"Government support should be focussed on the needs of the public and the lowest paid staff, but instead significant government funding is now propping up the airline sector, for example – industries which have no future in a sustainable green recovery.

"A government should be leading on ‘building back better’, not dragging us in the opposite direction. "

Hospitality sector reopens: What is reopening?

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The list of activities and businesses allowed to restart and reopen from Saturday, July 4 includes: Pubs, restaurants, hotels, cinemas, hairdressers, libraries, community centres, bingo halls, museums and art galleries.

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks can also reopen for business, while places of worship will be able to open for prayers and services, including weddings with up to 30 guests - subject to social distancing.

But some important sectors have been left behind in the great reopening.

These include foreign travel, swimming pools, live music and theatre.

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Hospitality sector reopens: Changes of rules which will affect customers

The Government is reducing the two metre rule for social distancing to “one metre plus” where two metres is not possible.

And people will be allowed to meet with one other household at a time indoors, again subject to social distancing.

The guidance for bars, cafes and restaurants also means:

Strict limits on number of customers allowed in at any one time to ensure social distancing.

Reservations encouraged to stagger bookings.

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Customers encouraged to order drinks on smart phone apps, as opposed to queuing at the bar.

Pub staff will clean bar tops, door handles and fruit machines hourly.

Reduced menus likely as chefs try to minimise cross-contamination of ingredients.

Napkins and cutlery will only be brought out with food.

Contactless card payment encouraged.

Hospitality sector reopens: Changes of rules to help businesses

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Changes for the hospitality industry introduced by the government will:

Reduce the consultation period for applications for pavement licences from 28 calendar days to five working days, and grant consent after ten working days if the council does not issue a decision

Set a lower application fee for a pavement and street cafe licence of up to £100

Remove the need for a planning application for outdoor markets and marquees, meaning they can be set up for longer

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Provide more freedoms for areas to hold car boot sales and summer fairs.

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