Hotel boss praises Harrogate for delivering a ‘hospitality masterclass’ this summer
An award-winning Harrogate hotel boss has praised the town for delivering a “hospitality masterclass” in recent weeks during “one of the strongest summer trading periods in years”.
The cost of doing business may be higher than ever in hospitality but Simon Cotton says the sector has risen to the challenge in Harrogate in recent weeks, capitalising on a series of major events.
"Thanks to a trio of major events landing back‑to‑back, it’s all combined to create one of the strongest early‑summer trading periods we’ve seen in years,” said Mr Cotton, Managing Director of the HRH Group, which owns some of the best loved venues in Harrogate including The Yorkshire Hotel and The Fat Badger.
"The last two weeks in Harrogate have been nothing short of a hospitality masterclass, with the town’s hotels, bars, restaurants and attractions all enjoying a surge in trade.
"Hotel occupancy across the town has been consistently high, with many properties reporting full houses for multiple nights.”
Mr Cotton said the three events in question – The Great Yorkshire Show, The Home & Gift Fair and Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival – highlighted the fact that Harrogate’s reputation as a events‑driven town was stronger than ever.
"The Great Yorkshire Show remains the undisputed heavyweight of Harrogate’s event calendar,” said Mr Cotton.
"Its pull is extraordinary; farmers, families, exhibitors, and day‑trippers all descending on the town in their thousands.
"The Home & Gift Fair brings a different crowd; buyers, suppliers, and industry professionals, but the impact is just as strong.
"Fans of The Crime Fiction Festival run brilliantly by Harrogate International Festivals are a loyal bunch, and they travel.
"Hotels saw another wave of bookings, with many guests staying for the full programme of talks, panels, and book signings.
"The festival drives a real diverse mix of attendees and attracts a very social crowd wanting to take in Harrogate’s nightlife, with bars reported lively evenings and restaurants seeing strong pre‑event dining."
The end result of the harmony between Harrogate’s hospitality sector and its events industry was more business, concluded Simon Cotton.
"Early summer has seen a welcome boost for hoteliers who have spent the last year navigating rising costs, unpredictable demand patterns, and staffing challenges.”