North Yorkshire hotelier hails York's 'roaring' hospitality sector and summer surge

Simon Cotton (right) in the beer garden of the Guy Fawkes Inn, which is enjoying bumper trade, helped by the fine weather. (Image: Darren Greenwood)

A leading North Yorkshire hotel operator says York’s “roaring” hospitality sector has enjoyed one of its ‘strongest’ July trading periods in recent years.

Simon Cotton, managing director of the Fat Badger Group, has given a bullish account in contrast to figures compiled for York Bid, which for May 2026 reported a decline in sales and footfall of more than 8 per cent.

However, within that, tourism was shown to be up 3.5 per cent compared with May last year. Provision figures for June, which have yet to be formally published, were also better than in May.

Simon’s Harrogate-based business has seven sites across North Yorkshire, with three in York, namely Clementines, Fat Badger York and Guy Fawkes Inn on High Petergate.

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  Shambles and its links to a certain boy wizard is another factor in York's 'summer surge'

(Image: Pic supplied)

Simon credits York's event like the races, plus historic attractions like the Shambles, Jorvik Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum for delivering "a perfect blend of day-trippers, staycationers, international tourists and event-goers" in July.

York Races is another popular event in York that brings people and their money to the city centre.

(Image: PA)

The hotelier says hotel occupancy across York has been “exceptionally strong” with many hotels saying they are running at or near capacity for extended periods.

Simon told the Press: “Weekend demand has been particularly buoyant, but what stands out this year is the strength of midweek bookings, driven by families, cultural tourists and visitors attending York’s summer events calendar.”

York’s many attractions have played a “pivotal role” in this, meaning the “city centre has been consistently busy, creating a ripple effect for cafés, pubs and restaurants.”

The Jorvik Centre is one of the many attractions boosting York's hospitality sector.

(Image: Pic supplied)

York Races added further momentum, with high spending visitors filling hotels and restaurants.

Simon continued: “Hospitality operators say race days remain among the most reliable trading boosts of the year, and July’s fixtures were no exception.”

York’s success comes as Harrogate enjoyed major spikes in regional tourism from events such as The Great Yorkshire Show, the Home & Gift Fair and the Harrogate International Festivals Crime Writing Festival.

Visitors to Harrogate often go to York as well and businesses increasingly report such two-way traffic, further boosting York with “a summer surge.”

Simon said: “This alignment has created sustained footfall rather than isolated peaks, giving hospitality teams the consistency they need to plan staffing, stock and service confidently.”

Warm weather has also helped, with outdoor areas and beer gardens across the city buzzing, including the new beer garden at the Guy Fawkes Inn York.

The National Railway Museum is also credited with bring visitors to York

(Image: Pic supplied)

Simon describes the fine weather as ‘a godsend’ for hospitality as it “allowed people to plan days out and visits far better.”

He continued: “Operators locally are saying the combination of sunshine, school holidays and a packed cultural programme have created the ideal trading environment.”

Simon concluded: “What July has demonstrated is the continued strength of York as a destination city — one that thrives when its heritage, events and attractions fire on all cylinders. And when York thrives, the wider North Yorkshire hospitality ecosystem feels the benefit.

“As we move into August, the hope is that this momentum continues. If July is anything to go by, York’s hospitality sector is not just resilient — it’s roaring.”