Temporary bar to open at Harrogate Town in fortnight

A temporary bar is due to open at Harrogate Town‘s stadium in about two weeks.

Club chief executive Sarah Barry revealed the news at a fans’ forum last night — and added she hoped the Wetherby Road ground would have a second bar for home supporters by Christmas.

Not being able to get a drink on match days has been frustrating fans for some time.

Ms Barry told the forum she had been working on a solution since she arrived as chief executive just over a year ago, adding:

“We got planning permission on 6 September – that’s how long it has been. By the time we got planning permission unfortunately for us we can’t get the building slot we hoped.

“I’m absolutely delighted to say we have just had permission to put up a temporary bar which we hope will be put up as soon as possible. We will also be turning another part of the ground into a home supporters bar too.

“We will certainly have a temporary bar coming imminently and we will have a second bar, I’d like to say by Christmas, but don’t hold me to that as we still have to go through some hoops.”

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About 100 fans attended last night’s event at the Cedar Court Hotel and although many questions focused on Town’s poor form there were no direct calls for manager Simon Weaver to go.

Irving Weaver said it was a “fair question” when someone asked about the direction of the club but added it was “a bit early” for a change.

Last night’s fan forum also revealed…

Simon Weaver has turned down two job offers at other clubs

Chairman Irving Weaver revealed his manager and son Simon Weaver had rejected two job offers from professional clubs. He said:

“I’ve never disclosed this and he doesn’t know I’m going to say this: Simon has had a couple of offers because of the success of the club.

“One was from a Championship club and six weeks ago a League Two club went direct to him without any protocol of going to the chairman.”

The Weavers are “scrappers” who plan to battle their way out of trouble

Simon Weaver has been under pressure lately following a poor run of form that has left Harrogate just above the relegation zone.

Irving Weaver said he and Simon had no plans to quit and would work together. Talking about their relationship, he said:

“I’ve always said it was a linkage that was strong and if it failed it failed together. We are scrappers. We are going to graft this.”

Luke Armstrong has the manager’s backing – but is not “undroppable”

Asked about the struggling striker, Simon Weaver said:

“Nobody is undroppable. I have a really good relationship with Luke. He’s my Harry Kane. He has droughts, takes a battering, but I know there’s goals in there and there’s a real player there. I’m backing him but don’t be kidded – no player signs a contract where they are guaranteed a spot but the lad needs backing.”

Attendances are “not as bad as reported”

Sarah Barry was asked at the forum why ticket prices had been ‘hiked up’. She replied:

“I’d challenge that by saying prices have not been hiked up — we’ve aligned them. We were way, way, way behind average and had a price freeze for three or four years.”

She said there had only been a few home matches so far this season and there were mitigating circumstances behind some low attendances. She said “overall it’s not as bad as reported”.

Irving Weaver gave a more despondent answer when asked what the season’s highlights had been for him so far.

“There have not been too many highlights on the pitch. We’ve been down on crowds so that’s not an easy one to answer. It’s been a tough time all round. We need to be racking up the points.”

Cosy Club plans new bar on Harrogate’s Cambridge Street

A new cocktail bar and restaurant is planned for Harrogate town centre.

Cosy Club, which is owned by Loungers Ltd, has applied to Harrogate Borough Council for a premises licence at 37 Cambridge Street.

Cambridge Street is home primarily to retailers, including Marks & Spencer, WH Smith and Sainsbury’s.

The chain describes itself on its website as a place for “relaxed dining, drinking and lounging in a fabulous, welcoming setting”.

It currently has bars in 31 cities across the country, including Albion Street in Leeds and Fossgate in York.

In its licensing application, Cosy Club has proposed opening hours of between 8am to 1am Monday to Wednesday and Sunday.

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It has also proposed opening hours of 8am until 2am from Thursday to Saturday.

The application includes the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment.

The unit on Cambridge Street earmarked for Cosy Club.

The unit on Cambridge Street earmarked for Cosy Club.

The bar has also advertised for jobs online, including a head chef and general manager.

The Stray Ferret approached Loungers Ltd for details on an opening date, but it said it did not wish to comment at this time.

Three new restaurants and bars opening in Harrogate in next few days

Three new restaurants and bars are set to open in Harrogate town centre within the next few days.

Roland’s Bar, Samsons brasserie and The Giggling Squid restaurant are all set to add to Harrogate’s already-extensive hospitality scene.

Some locals may recognise Roland’s from its current venue in Leeds. The cocktail bar is owned by the same people, who also run the Domino Club in Leeds.

Based in the former Moss Bross shop on Parliament Street, it promises a “cool and relaxed” vibe.

Roland’s is open for bookings from tomorrow and is based on the top corner of the ginnel next door to All Bar One.

Samsons is a brasserie-style restaurant opening in the former Bistrot Pierre, above Sukhothai on Cheltenham Parade.

The kitchen team is headed up by executive chef Josh Whitehead, who is known for his work with the Harewood Food and Drink Project. He was also a semi-finalist on the TV programme MasterChef: The Professionals 2016.

The site — named after local philanthropist Samson Fox — will open on Monday.

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Giggling Squid will welcome its first customers in the unit next to Banyan on John Street on Monday.

This will be the Thai restaurant chain‘s first venture in Yorkshire.

The tapas restaurant will offer the opportunity to eat indoors, outdoors or at home through click and collect and delivery services.

Look out for sneak peeks of new venues in the coming days. 

Harrogate bar bans Russian vodka in support of Ukraine

Montey’s on The Ginnel in Harrogate has stopped stocking Russian vodka to show support for Ukraine.

The bar, which is celebrating its 25th year, had Stolichnaya vodka on the shelves to pour for customers.

Other bars across the UK have made similar stands and stopped serving vodka produced by Russian companies.

Montey’s owner Jay Smith said the bar has got rid of its remaining bottles of Stolichnaya and will soon stock Ukrainian vodka instead.

He said:

“It’s easy to think that you are unable to help.

“What can a small business do to make an impact on a world event? We figured that if we did what we could, and others did the same, then in the end our actions could be really effective.

“So we removed all Russian vodka from our shelves. We won’t be buying any more and we are sourcing Ukrainian vodka to take its place.”

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Increased Harrogate district police patrols to get people home safe

Police in the Harrogate district have increased patrols to help people get home safe over the festive period.

North Yorkshire Police has partnered with Harrogate Borough Council as part of an annual Get Home Safely from bars, nightclubs and restaurants campaign.

The key message of the campaign is for people to plan their journeys home in advance, look-out for one another, and look after their drinks and possessions.

Statistics show that domestic abuse incidents increase during bank holiday periods, and the campaign also aims to highlight emotional and practical support available through the charity IDAS.

Revellers will notice posters and digital boards with advice across the district. They will also notice more police on the streets.

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Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“The festive period is often a time when people catch-up with friends and enjoy themselves in pubs and restaurants, and we want them to be able to do so safely.

“For many, this will be the first festive period since before the pandemic, that they have celebrated the festivities and we want them to remember it for all the right reasons by staying safe, and following the latest vovid guidance and advice.”

Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, from North Yorkshire Police, said:

“The police and council continue to work in partnership to make the Harrogate district a safe place for all to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.

“The support of licensed premises in the Get Home Safely annual campaign is particularly prevalent this year and we hope that everyone enjoys a safe night out.”

Lauren Doherty, from Road Safety Talks was left paralysed during a night out with friends. She said:

“A moment of distraction during a night out can change your life forever. Have fun, enjoy yourselves and get home safely.”

Harrogate women call for action after recent drink spiking cases

Two Harrogate women have called for police officers and bar staff to take more action after recent drink spiking cases in the town centre.

Both wanted to speak out about the issue after hearing from friends and staff at Harrogate District Hospital that many others had been through similar experiences.

One of the women experienced the drink spiking first hand while out for a drink at a bar during the day on Sunday afternoon.

She wanted to remain anonymous but told the Stray Ferret:

“I did not quite understand what was happening at first. I really did not feel right so I went to the bathroom to sort myself out.

“It didn’t quite make sense. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me, I was slurring my words and I was all over the place so my son took me to hospital.

“The nurse told me to report it to the police because she had seen a lot of drink spiking cases recently. Luckily I came round after four hours on a drip.”

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The hospital took a blood test which found tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system. It is a component of cannabis which paralyses people and causes hallucinations.

Just a week before, a mother said her daughter had a similar experience at a different bar in Harrogate. She also wanted to remain anonymous but added:

“It does seem to be rife in Harrogate at the moment unfortunately. Both my children and their friends have had all similar experiences in the past couple of months.

“Luckily they had other people to help them but drink spiking is completely vile. My daughter walks around with her keys in her hand, a rape whistle and a wristband to test her drinks.

“She should not have to do any of that, it’s really scary. I just want to get the message out there, this is not normal.”

The Stray Ferret has raised the concerns of the two women with North Yorkshire Police. The force has not yet commented.

77% women have been sexually harassed in a pub, says Harrogate-based survey

A survey organised by a Harrogate company shows 77% of women and 27% of men have experienced sexual harassment whilst visiting a pub.

The survey received 741 responses and was set up by Women on Tap, a Harrogate community interest company which hosts an annual festival to remove stigma around women drinking beer.

It said the respondents were mainly local to the Harrogate district but also included a proportion from the North West and London.

The results were “shocking and worrying”, according to the event co-ordinator Nichola Bottomley, who said more needs to be done locally to tackle the issue.

The survey also found that only 9% of respondents who witnessed harassment had reported it to the police. Also, whilst working in a bar, 73% of women and 38% of men said they have been harassed.

Ms Bottomley said:

“One of the quotes we received on the survey was ‘you just become numb to it’ and that really stuck with me. But it is true for so many women. It’s awful. We really need to do something about this.”

Ms Bottomley, who has been harassed in Harrogate, says the results will be discussed with local bar owners, licensing organisations and North Yorkshire Police in hopes of finding solutions.

She is also hoping to build an education tool from the results to be used in schools for teenagers to teach them how to be safe.

She said:

“I do think hard stats are the only way to get through to people sometimes. I really hope the results will help people open their eyes in hopes of making change.

“As someone who works in a bar it’s important for me to talk to bar owners and staff to make sure they can and are comfortable handling a situation if someone reported something to them.”

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The survey was in collaboration with Chalk Back, an international movement, using chalk drawing to raise awareness for harassment. The festival has hosted two chalk events this weekend with quotes from the story written on Harrogate’s streets.

The survey’s respondents were mainly local to the Harrogate district but also included a proportion from the North West and London.

Bookings surge for Harrogate restaurants reopening next week

Previously closed pubs and restaurants in the district have been inundated with bookings ahead of restrictions easing next Monday.

This is the first time many venues without large outdoor seating areas have been able to open in five months.

We spoke to three local independent venues to hear how they’ve dealt with the sudden demand.

The Tannin Level on Raglan Street told the Stray Ferret that they’re almost fully booked for their first week of opening, with the second week filling up fast. Owner, John Roberts, describes the prospect of reopening as “daunting but exciting”.

“It will feel strange after having the place so quiet and empty for so long.

“We’ve taken time to redecorate and look at our menu. We’re trying to use ask much local produce as possible and support the North Yorkshire economy.

“By supporting local independents you’re supporting the local economy.”

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Mike Schofield owns The Shepherd’s Dog on Otley Road. While they could have opened sooner using outdoor space, they decided that it would be a gamble to open with such unpredictable weather.

They will be opening on a first-come-first-served basis but have already heard from people excited to get back.

“There’s a big demand from people wanting to drink inside.

“[Local pubs] have gambled their futures this year and now people want to support the local independents.”

The Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria in Knaresborough is also fully booked on 17 May. While the venue does have a courtyard, owner Nandor Ravasz told the Stray Ferret they were unable to use it for outdoor seating as it did not comply with covid regulations:

“We’re excited to get back and see out customers. We have lots of bookings coming in very fast.”

Harrogate bars and cafes bid for pavement licences

Several Harrogate bars and cafes have applied to serve customers on pavements outside their venues when they re-open on April 12.

Gron Kafe, Hidden Bar Harrogate and Cold Bath Brewing Co have all applied to Harrogate Borough Council for pavement licences.

It is likely that many other businesses across the Harrogate district will apply before the outdoor reopening of hospitality venues next month.

Pavement licences will help venues compensate for some of the capacity they have lost by spacing out tables and chairs for social distancing.

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Harrogate Borough Council said the move will help encourage people back into town centres to support local businesses.

Jim Mossman, co-owner of the Cold Bath Brewing Co, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are just trying to grasp any opportunity we can. We want to come back from coronavirus stronger than ever.

“This pavement licence will mean we can put out four benches. It just gives us a bit of leeway to expand our space and serve customers in a safe way.”

The government introduced pavement licences last year but has made them easier and cheaper to apply for.

The licence fee is now capped at £100 with a consultation period of five working days.

‘Very few’ covid infections in North Yorkshire pubs

Pubs and restaurants have been responsible for hardly any covid outbreaks in North Yorkshire, according to the county’s public health director.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant said there had been “very few instances” of coronavirus spreading between customers in the hospitality sector.

He also said schools and workplaces had been responsible for few transmissions. The main source of spread, he said, was households.

Speaking today at a press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of agencies that tackle emergencies, Dr Sargeant said:

“We have had very, very few instances of pubs where there has been outbreaks and spread to customers. It has largely been staff members that we have picked up.

“The predominant spread in North Yorkshire is between households.

“Our school heads and the teams supporting them have done a brilliant job of keeping schools safe from spread of covid. We are in contact with our care homes on a daily basis.”

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Harrogate has the highest weekly rate of infection of the seven districts in North Yorkshire, with 116 cases per 100,000 people. It also has the highest cumulative number of cases, which stands at 1,473, mainly because of its size.

Dr Sargeant said this could partly be due to the district’s high number of care homes.

North Yorkshire is currently classed in the lowest of the three tiers that were introduced this week, which means it continues to follow only national measures, such as the rule of six and 10pm curfew.

But neighbouring West Yorkshire is in the second tier, which bans different households mixing and socialising indoors.

This has led to fears some people may decide to cross the border into North Yorkshire if pub closures are imposed in West Yorkshire.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold command for North Yorkshire Police’s response to covid, said the force would be prepared to police those coming into the county.

He said:

“We will just have to see what the impact is of other areas being in the higher tiers and what impact it will have on us.

“It is the minority who decide to throw caution to the wind and breach those restrictions. Absolutely, we will be ready to deal with those individuals.”

Some northern mayors, such as Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester, have criticised the government for a lack of consultation.

But Richard Webb, director of adult care at the county council, said it had been well consulted by the UK government:

“We are in constant conversation with different arms of government and there is no one single point of government.

“I can only speak from our own experience. We have been involved in discussions all along the way and that feels quite productive and helpful. We are in a national emergency so things will move at quite a quick pace and in that situation you can’t necessarily consult with everyone.”