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The Harrogate Tea Rooms closes with immediate effect

Tuesday, 31 October 2023 02:00

The Harrogate Tea Rooms has been forced to close due to increased costs, including rent, energy and food costs.

The Harrogate Tea Rooms closes with immediate effect The Harrogate Tea Rooms in Westminster Arcade has closed with immediate effect. The cafe has been forced to close due to increased costs, including rent, energy and food costs. Owners Tony and Carrie Wilkinson announced the closure via social media last night (Monday) with “heavy hearts.” Their tenancy was up for renewal and the owners cited costs, lower footfall and ever-increasing competition as reasons not to renew. Tony and Carrie had run The Harrogate Tea Rooms in Westminster Arcade for 13 years. Speaking on social media, the couple said:

“It is truly a challenging time for many small businesses. “We have a massively supportive team of thousands of followers but it is the day to day running costs and effort that is just not translating into profit. “Obviously that is not sustainable, so we have had to take the decision to walk away. “We tried to sell, for continuity, but there is currently no market for the many local Tea Rooms/cafes up for sale. “We would like to thank all our loyal followers, supporters, sharers for being there over the 13 years we have been here.”

The couple have said they will continue making scones for delivery and will keep their Facebook page open for baking tips, advice and other ideas. Fine china from the venue has been donated to St Michael’s Hospice. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

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