Harrogate hotel to reopen in boost for town centre's recovery once lockdown ends

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The historic St George Hotel, which boasts 90 bedrooms, is one of four North Yorkshire hotels also including the Royal Hotel in Whitby and the New Southlands and Norbreck hotels in Scarborough, set to reopen as part of the Coast & Country Hotel Collection, a newly-formed collection of former Shearings Hotels, which is seeking to reinvigorate the hotels’ offering, helping to showcase their amenities and wonderful locations.

St George Hotel grew out of the Chequers Inn and was renamed after George III's gift of the Stray to the people of Harrogate in 1778.

With all four hotels having gone into administration in May 2020 as part of Shearings Hotels, it was feared they would remain closed indefinitely.

However, under new ownership and following a Hotel Management Agreement with Bespoke Hotels, the Royal Hotel opened briefly last year until the latest lockdown forced the doors to close again.

Now all four properties are set to reopen as lockdown eases – with an opening date set for 17th May for the Hotel St George, the New Southlands and the Royal Hotel Whitby in accordance with Government guidance, while The Norbreck will open on the 1st June.

As part of their reopening the hotels are looking to recruit heavily within their local communities, with more than 120 jobs on offer across all four properties. Interested applicants are welcome to enquire about the positions available.

Paul FitzGerald, Portfolio Managing Director, said of the plans for the collection: “Given the enormous challenges of the last few months, we’re delighted to bring these properties back to market. Integral parts of North Yorkshire’s hotel offering, we know their initial closure was felt keenly amongst their respective communities.

"Now though, with reopening plans in place, we’re able to offer not just jobs and wider tourism opportunities, but hospitality services that people can engage with as restrictions lift.”

He continued: “With the country having been unable to enjoy the delights of hospitality for so long, everyone is eager to enjoy themselves post lockdown, and as people are starting to realise these properties are reopening, we’re already seeing keen interest to book - something that bodes really well for their future success.”

When news came out last May that the leading travel firm which operated the St George Hotel had collapsed into administration, there were dire warnings about the potential impact on Harrogate's visitor economy of losing such a historic and sizable accomodation asset.

The grade II listed hotel, which is located on Ripon Road facing the Royal Hall, was substantially refurbished in 2018 and is especially used by visitors to exhibitions, conferences and shows at Harrogate Convention Centre.

For further information, visit: https://bespokehotels.com/hotels/coast-country-collection

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