Bettys will open its Harrogate tea rooms on Monday, July 27 and you won’t need to book in advance to get a table.

It will be a slightly different experience for visitors in order to maintain social distancing. The cafe will also be offering a reduced menu.

Bettys said it will still aim to make sure the experience is “just as lovely as people remember”.

Bettys has announced its reopening date for later this month.

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Harlow Carr will follow, with a re-opening date set for Monday, August 3.

“I was thrilled to hear the announcement, our club has been actively involved in the Swim England Open Our Pools campaign so we are delighted. Our club has been doing all we can to ensure that our divers can return to training safely.

“All of our club members are competitive divers and were training for competitions pre-covid. Some of them have trained every week for years in preparation for these competitions, it’s a huge part of their life. Understandably it has been hard for a lot of our divers for this to suddenly stop. Like the rest of the country we are embracing a new normal.”

Swimming classes will look a little different as safety measures are implemented.

“We will be starting to make plans but we still have a lot of work to do including following all the guidelines. We’ll be starting very small to get confident, for example we’ll have to reduce the class sizes to 1-2-1s and 1-2-2s just to make it safe. Those that can swim 25m and be left alone can return to their lessons. We are all very excited to get back to teaching.”

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Harrogate Borough Council, who operate the majority of swimming pools in the district, said:

“We’re delighted the government has advised it is safe for leisure facilities to open from 25 July. Customer safety comes first. So we’re busy working on new guidance as well as staff training and cleaning procedures. We’ll have more news in the coming days of what facilities will open and when.”

The news that nail salons and beauticians can reopen from Monday came as a huge relief to Harrogate based salon owners.

Salon owners in Harrogate said they were “thrilled” to be able to reopen. Following the reopening of hairdressers on July 4, nail technicians and beauticians were confused when their salons had to remain closed.

When culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, made the announcements yesterday evening Harrogate salons received calls from their clients immediately as they rushed to book an appointment.

Louis Pedro owns Skin Sanctuary in Harrogate, said:

“I am ringing round clients already. I’m thrilled but slightly panicked that we haven’t got much time. I’m excited but nervous, we were ready to open on the 4th so when we weren’t allowed I was devastated. We had everything in place but without having a date we couldn’t plan much. I’m just frantically calling round to book people in. We can’t wait to get back in, I’ve never not worked so its been strange but I’m raring to get to it.”

Clients were eager to get booked in as the government announced nail salons and beauticians could reopen.

Read more:

• Hairdressers and barbers as they prepared to reopen following lockdown. 
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Some restrictions will still be in place, Mr Dowden said “”Of course that will be subject to some restrictions on particularly high-risk services”.

Danielle Currie from Nail Envy, in Harrogate is another salon owner who was pleased by the announcement:

“I feel relieved and so excited for some normality. I’ve already got people ringing to book in which makes me more excited to get back to it. It’s all going to be new with the PPE and visors but we’ve been ready for this day for the past month. I was devastated when our re-opening was delayed but now I can look forward.”

Libraries in the district have reopened this week for people to return their books and request books. There are plans to reopen for browsing by the end of July.

As well as returning their books, people can also take part in the ‘select and collect’ scheme. The scheme allows people to ask for specific titles but also asks for the reader’s preferred genres, the authors they like in order to create a personalised bundle.

Harrogate library is in the first phase of reopening. From next week people can book computer slots and collect the books they have requested.

Jane Trigoso, Harrogate library supervisor, said:

“The select and collect system has been inundated with requests but I know a lot of people are keen to get back to browsing and physically be in here choosing their books. From next week people will be able to come in and collect their bundles and also sign up if they want to become a new member.”

It’s unlikely these bookshelves will have any visitors until the end of the month.

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Through this period the library has increased its online posting to try and offer the group activities regular visitors are used to. Jane added:

“People can also look on our facebook page to see competitions, online events and story times too. So staff and partners we’ve worked with in the past are reading the stories online.”

Visitors to the library today were pleased to see it had began to reopen. Tom Benson said:

“I used to come her pretty much every week to grab a book so I’m really happy its reopened. I’ve been told I can request books for next week so I need to have a think what book I want. All the systems are for safety and that makes me feel good about it.”

Philip Davies said:

“I’ve really missed it, I’m an avid reader and it’s important to use the libraries. I’ve missed having them open, I’m quite happy with the measures in place and feel at ease.

Hair cuts are in high demand and the hairdressers and barbers of Harrogate are ready to serve their clients but the experience will have changed.

Many will reopen today with all members of staff wearing visors. Chairs have been placed within a one metre distance or screens have been put in between stations to maintain safety for staff and customers. The usual expectations that accompany a hair cut such as drinks and magazines won’t be available.

The new experience could see clients being asked to wear masks, their coats and bags placed in paper bags to combat cross-contamination and one barber shop said they won’t be offering bear trims or hair washing.

Michael Mackinnon is the owner of the Barber & Mack in Harrogate, said:

“We filled up the first two weeks within the first 24 hours we have split day shifts with three barbers at a time to ensure we are all spaced out. Each of the barbers has their own equipment and products that are kept in individual boxes.

“We aren’t offering hair washing but are asking clients to come with clean hair and we will just spray it down. We will be asking people to wear masks for the first two weeks for extra safety.”

Wearing visors is within the government guidelines to prevent transmission as salons reopen.

Read more:

• Ripon hairdressers are ready to reopen today following a huge wave of demand for appointments.
• Masks and visors could be the new norm for staff as they prepare to reopen pubs and restaurants. 

Hairdressers are having to work hard to change their habits to limit the amount of contact with their clients.

Gerri Dangerfield Keane owns Dangerfield and Keane salon in Harrogate, he said:

“We are trying to limit our contact points so nothing is being transferred when clients enter the shop. The way we’re approaching this is it’s not short term its for two years everything we have put in such as the screens can be lowered and raised as and when they are needed.

“We have to adjust to it but it will be very different for all of us, it’s what I’ve always done but I’m going to have to do it so differently.”

Jenny Addyman recently won the regional finals of the prestigious hairdressing competition, “Trend Vision Award” and will now compete at the national finals. She spoke of her excitement to return to work:

“I am excited to see my clients as its been a long time. I’m already fully booked until the middle August, of course it’ll be a little different with visors and fewer stylists. But im excited to be back its the longest I’ve not worked since I was about 15.”

A number of cafés in Harrogate have come up with different ways to take customer details as part of the track and trace system.

The track and trace system involves making a record of staff and customer details so they can be contacted if they have come into contact with someone who tests positive for the virus.

Restaurants, bars and cafés have been advised by the government to collect details of those customers who dine in. Customers can choose whether to give their information but are encouraged to do so to help track the spread.

Outside LMDC Espresso Bar on John Street.

Read more:

• What to expect as pubs and restaurants reopen
• A number of pubs across the district will not be opening this weekend 

LMDC Espresso Bar on John Street in Harrogate will take the name and contact number of one member of each party as they order and the details will be kept for 21 days, then destroyed.

Similarly, Slingsby’s on Tower Street will be taking the details of everyone who sits in the café. Andrew Ford, the owner of Slingsby’s told The Stray Ferret that it will be difficult because he can’t make people do it. He said:

“We will put books and pencils on every table and every guest will be asked to put their name, contact number and the date they were in. Every day I will take them off and file them. Pens will be wiped with sanitiser after every use.”

Slingsby’s are getting ready to reopen table service tomorrow.

However Phil and Helen Dolby, owners of Bean and Bud on Commercial Street argue that most of their customers don’t stay for more than 15 minutes. They said:

“I think out of respect for the customers it is a dilemma and it is the one think we haven’t settled on.”

A number of pubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough have taken the decision to not open their doors on Saturday, despite being given the green light to reopen.

This decision comes as many pub owners argue that it is too soon to reopen. They would rather “watch what everyone else does” this weekend. Many pubs said they were too small to open or not financially stable enough.

Blind Jacks in Knaresborough is one pub which has taken the decision not to open on Super Saturday. Owners Christian and Alice Ogley told The Stray Ferret that they do not want to rush into anything.

They said:

“We have ever precaution in place in order to keep it as safe as possible, but we have one chance to get this right from the beginning. We want to make sure we are completely ready.”

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• WATCH: Are you ready for pubs to reopen? 
• District pub, hotel and restaurant owners demand more clarity 

North Bar in Harrogate has been running a pop-up beer shop during lockdown but realised that reopening fully on 4 July was going to be a difficult task.

North Bar in Harrogate

Debra Przychodna, general manager of North Bar told The Stray Ferret:

“We decided to delay our reopening because we want to avoid risk, people are going to get very excited this weekend. We have had so much support from customers and we are really looking forward to when we can finally reopen.”

Similarly Hales Bar on Crescent Road in Harrogate has taken the decision not to open due to the size and layout of the bar. Manager Amanda Wilkson hopes to reopen next weekend but only from Thursday to Sunday.

St Vincent de Paul’s charity shop is described as a “lifeline” for its volunteers as it reopens this week.

The Knaresborough charity shop is now open for the public to browse and donate their unwanted goods to. Other charity shops in the district are yet to open due to their small shops, but as the St Vincents store measures are in place to open safely.

The shop has a one way system in place and all donations will be quarantined for 72 hours before being placed on the shelves. It has also began selling white goods for customers who may not be ready to venture to large homeware stores.

The charity’s main aim is to tackle poverty, alongside financial help, it also offers emotional support to those who are sick, lonely, in prison, or suffering from addiction.

Annette Haigh is the area manager for St Vincent’s North and West Yorkshire stores, she said:

“All our volunteers were excited to get back, all of them had to pass a back to work check before they returned to make sure they weren’t feeling ill or had been in contact with anyone who has recently been infected.

“Many of our volunteers live alone so it’s a lifeline for them, we’ve never not been in touch over lockdown whether thats a phone call or a coffee over zoom.”

The shop has clear signs for shoppers to keep their distance and all clothes will have been quarantined before going on display.

Read more:

• Other charity shops in the district aren’t opening just yet – some say it is down to the limited space inside their stores. 
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The shop, on Knaresborough’s high street, has a sanitising station on entry which all customers are encouraged to used and the shop is cleaned daily. Annette added:

“It was steady the first few days but as more non-essential shops reopen and the market gets busier tomorrow we’re optimistic for more customers. We have a lot of elderly customers and people who are shielding so it may be a bit quiet for a little while until more people get out to the shops.”

Toilet traffic light systems and pre-booking an arrival time are to become the new normal as pubs and restaurants set to reopen from 4 July.

Hospitality businesses in the district are anxiously waiting to hear the reduced one metre distance to be announced during todays’s coronavirus briefing. Even with the new distance in place, the experience previously offered for customers is likely to be different when they reopen.

Jack Woodruff who owns The Disappearing Chin in Harrogate, said the distancing rule has made planning problematic:

“We are offering pre-booked slots for maybe two or three hours but due to our size the distancing is problematic when it comes to the toilets. For example, we couldn’t have one person walking to the toilet and another sat at the bar as they would be too close together so we’ve had to introduce a one-way system to the toilets.

“For the sake of the size of our bar we have also had to order perspex screens to use and we will have to limit contact between staff and customers.”

Simon Wade is the owner of the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge, like many others he will have to introduce new safety systems once he can reopen:

“We’re now taking orders from tables, those orders will then be placed on large barrels, that are dotted around, for the customers to collect.

“We also have a one way system for the toilets. It’s like a traffic light system, so a person will press a button with their elbow to indicate they’re inside and will press it again as they leave another way to let the next person waiting to go in know they can. We will also have staff constantly sanitising areas and we just hope customers are happy to follow our rules.”

Outdoor spaces are invaluable for pub owners who may be limited to indoor space.

Read more:

• Restaurants fight for survival as they hope to reopen in July. 
• Council plans for outdoor space to be made available to Harrogate’s hospitality sector. 

David Straker, is the co-owner of the William and Victoria restaurant in Harrogate, believes the new dining experience may not be as enjoyable for guests:

Knaresborough Unlocked is the action plan, set up by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, to help the town reopen following lockdown.

After months of planning by chamber members, the Knaresborough Unlocked initiative was formed. Its main aim is to support local businesses as they make preparations to reopen.

The plan has a number of action points including engaging with voluntary organisations such as Knaresborough delivers to arrange a coordinated response from several of the town’s businesses.

The scheme has also allowed the chamber to keep businesses informed on funding opportunities, including discretionary grants, to ensure they receive all the necessary support. The main message that has been promoted throughout planning has been ‘shop local stay safe’.

A further focus of the action plan was to offer expert health and safety advice for smaller businesses who may not have formal training. The chamber partnered with local health and safety experts Cenheard to create a coronavirus safe pack which offers free health and safety training, guidance and posters for all local business owners.

These measures have been rolled out throughout the town to encourage its visitors and workers to social distance. Bill Taylor added:

“There’s still work to do and people’s behaviour towards the 2 metre distance is changing. There are so many questions about the distance and even though it might change its so important to keep it in the front of people’s mind. We’ve encouraged our shop owners to take part in the formal health and safety training to make sure the return is as safe as it can be.”

The Knaresborough Unlocked scheme aims to keep business owners and visitors safe.

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To promote their ‘shop local’ message further, the chamber has offered their support to a ‘Shopappy’ initiative set up by York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which will be live in the coming weeks. This scheme gives the town a portal in which local businesses can sell their products or services online.

Bill Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade told The Stray Ferret:

“Shopappy allows customers to buy direct from them or arrange to click and collect from the store. The local enterprise partnership supports towns such as Knaresborough and offers the portal for free for a year. It is great because those businesses without an online platform are given the chance to get orders online.”