Hospitality businesses across York and North Yorkshire are reporting a boost to trade thanks to our hot summer - but also some challenges.
The Fat Badger Group, which in York has the Guy Fawkes Inn and Fat Badger York, says this summer has been “one of the strongest in recent memory for York’s hospitality sector.”
Managing director Simon Cotton said: “Visitor numbers have been consistently high, hotel occupancy has been exceptional, and our beer gardens have been full from lunchtime through to late evening.”
Simon credits the hot weather as “a major contributor” to sustained custom at his pubs and hotels, as well as York’s growing appeal to tourists, fuelled by race days, events and attractions.
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Hot, dry days, he explains, have encouraged people to the city, to explore and enjoy its beer gardens. Warm evenings have extended trading hours with visitors spending more across food and drink. The long, hot summer has also allowed people to plan trips better, giving them the confidence to make a trip without worrying about the weather.
Simon Cotton with Guy Fawkes Inn general manager Leona Mozgvova in the beer garden of the Guy Fawkes Inn (Image: Darren Greenwood)
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
Simon told The Press: “The weather amplifies the city’s strengths; it doesn’t replace them.
However, York’s historic buildings, with their thick walls are hard to adapt to a changing climate. Installing air-conditioning units on listed buildings is either restricted or impossible.
And if such heat is the future, Simon says planning authorities need to offer clarity and flexibility to help businesses adapt responsibly, whilst protecting York’s heritage.
The Fat Badger Group has already improved ventilation at some locations with small portable internal cooling systems where permitted and adapted its operations to adjusting housekeeping schedules, monitoring guests comfort more closely and making changes where possible to ensure staff welfare during hotter periods too.
Chris Pegg says City Cruises York has already made some adaptations to the changing climate.
(Image: Pic supplied)
And had the business known Summer 2026 would be a record-breaker, it would have accelerated some of its cooling upgrades and sought planning clarity.
Simon said: “We have expanded shaded outdoor seating but may have gone further sooner — demand for shaded areas has been enormous. The truth is, hospitality businesses are now planning for hotter summers as the new normal, not the exception.”
City Cruises also reports a boost from the hot summer.
June saw trade 11 per cent down on recent years, but July was 31 per cent up and August is four per cent up so far.
Chris Pegg, Head of Regional Commercial, Sales & Marketing, says the biggest growth has been in its private hire division for summer parties and university socials.
Simon Wade says investment in outdoor areas had paid off.
(Image: Darren Greenwood)
Chris said: “We're an outdoor attraction, so the weather is a huge driver. Since mid-June we've seen wall-to-wall sunshine and when temperatures spike, visitors and residents gravitate towards the river.”
And with customers enjoying the breeze of the river, air conditioning is less of an issue for City Cruises, though he says hospitality and City of York Council will have to find workable solutions in adapting to hotter summers.
But already, City Cruises has fitted more umbrellas across its top decks and ensured each boat is fully stocked with water, as well as beer, wine and soft drinks.
Chris continued: “It's also important we look after our people, we provide our crew with regular breaks, hats, sun lotion, bottled water and ice lollies.”
Among York’s pubs, manager Mandy Pegg (no relation) reports people have been packing the beer garden at the Fox Inn at Holgate.
“It’s been beautiful weather. Thankfully our beer garden is very big. The nicer the weather, the more people who come out.”
Mandy added: “We are normally busy but the weather has certainly boosted trade, we are up a quarter on last year.”
This is confirmed by York CAMRA branch chairman Chris Tregellis who says the beer garden at The Fox in Holgate was “absolutely rammed” last Friday.
Once a month, members visit five York pubs on a Friday, which they call the Friday Five. Some of the other pubs, without beer gardens, were having ‘more normal trade,’ he said.
Chris added: “It’s the time for beer gardens. Hot weather beer gardens are at a massive premium in York. Those who have one are doing really well.”
Out in the countryside, Simon Wade owns the Blue Bell at Arkendale, The Punch Bowl at Marton Cum Grafton, the Fox and Hounds at Langthorpe and the Grantham Arms at Milby, Boroughbridge.
Simon said: “The current run of fabulous weather has ensured our investment in outdoor areas has certainly paid dividends. Long may it continue. We have already invested in aircon in our bedrooms.”
But will a hotter climate mean more salads on the menu?
Andrew Lowson of York BID says retail has suffered.
(Image: NQ)
Simon added: “The things that you least expect to sell are still proving popular. Steak pies and fish and chips are still a firm favourite come rain or shine.”
However, Andrew Lowson, executive director of York BID, says not all of York is benefitting from the heat.
Andrew said: "Like any extremes of weather, very hot and humid conditions are not great for retail in particular, because people do not go out as much.
“We do hear that some attractions, especially those in large stone buildings and those with aircon can benefit in the heat, but the majority of businesses would prefer more temperate conditions.
“The historic buildings in York can present challenges for the staff, especially those working in kitchens. Kitchens are often hot because of oven equipment, but if you add the facts they are often on top floors and in buildings that struggle to fit air-con due to conservation restrictions, mobile fans and iced water are in great demand!”
He added: “ I do know of businesses that have brought in mobile air-con for the comfort of both staff and visitors and if these type of summers are to become more prevalent, I suspect business owners will be planning accordingly.”