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15
Oct 2020
Harrogate embraces coffee shop working culture
Fed up with your home office? An increasing number of bars and cafes are renting out tables and a plug socket and hooking you up to the WiFi while they keep the coffee or tea running.
The manager at North Bar Deborah Przychodna.
Bars and cafes in Harrogate are increasingly opening their doors to people forced to work from home due to covid.
The shops typically rent out a table and plug socket, hook you up to the WiFi and keep the coffee or tea running for a set fee over a set period of time.
North Bar Harrogate and the Harrogate Tea Rooms are two of a growing number of venues enticing workers away from their home offices with the promise of endless coffee and other perks.
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Since the offers began, people have turned up in numbers at both venues. Indeed coffee shop working has become so popular the venues are considering carrying on with it beyond coronavirus.
Deborah Przychodna, the manager at North Bar Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:
"This is the third day of Work From North and it has been great. The response from people has been amazing. I think a lot of people are tired of working from home, they want to see other people and they feel safe here."
What are the offers?
There may be other bars and cafes with similar offers - If your favourite bar or cafe has a similar offer then lets us know by email - but here is what we found:
North Bar Harrogate (five hours): For £15 customers get a refillable tea or coffee, a focaccia sandwich or similar and a pint of beer to end the day. Available from 12pm to 5pm.
Harrogate Tea Rooms (three hours): For £10 customers get unlimited tea or coffee and brunch. Available from 10am to 3.30pm.
How practical is it?
As one of those people working from home and tiring of the same four walls, I thought I would try the concept.
So I packed up my laptop, chargers, camera and notepad and headed to North Bar Harrogate at 12pm.
With a coffee boost I interviewed the manager Deborah, took a couple of pictures and connected my laptop to the WiFi to write this article.
It may not work for those who prefer privacy but for many it can be a welcome change of scene.
Personally, I enjoyed the coffee and the bright space at North Bar. The staff were welcoming and helpful.
At £15, I wouldn't rush back straight away but I definitely plan to head back sometime soon or try out the Harrogate Tea Rooms.
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