The Harrogate-based company Bettys has announced it's closing one of it's cafes.
The Harrogate-based company Bettys has announced it's closing one of it's cafes. After serving customers for over 50 years, 'Little Bettys' on Stonegate in York will not re-open once coronavirus restrictions ease. The shop there will re-open though, as well as all other Bettys cafes including the larger one in York. The company say the closure is not related to Covid-19, but is because Stonegate is it's smallest cafe and the unique, historic building it's housed in presents challenging working conditions, particularly in the kitchen and behind-the-scenes spaces for staff. They added that the Stonegate Cafe is also the 'least commercially viable'. Bettys say they're doing everything they can to redeploy staff at the Stonegate, York cafe to other outlets in a bid to avoid compulsory redundancies. Simon Eyles, Managing Director of Bettys, said:
"It’s with a heavy heart that we’re announcing that the café at Bettys Stonegate, York, will be closing for good. However, the shop at Bettys Stonegate is staying open and none of our other branches are affected. "We’ve been welcoming customers to a café on Stonegate for over 50 years. We’re incredibly grateful for the loyalty and kindness of York's residents and visitors over that time, and for the talent, commitment and dedication of our colleagues at the branch. "We haven’t taken this decision lightly, but we know it’s the right choice for the long term. Bettys is a 100-year-old family business and our history has shown us that we need to adapt and change: from closing branches in Leeds or Bradford, to moving Bettys Harrogate and opening branches in Northallerton, Ilkley and Harlow Carr. "Over the last few years, we’ve been looking at how to make Bettys stronger for the future – and it's that process, rather than the impact of the pandemic, which has led to our Stonegate decision. "You may well know that our Stonegate café is the smallest of our cafés, housed in a unique, historic building, full of charm and quirks. This character and layout, much loved by customers, has become an increasingly challenging environment to work in. The back-of-house kitchen area is very small and the behind-the-scenes space for our people is very different to the working conditions we offer elsewhere. It’s also the least commercially viable of our six branches. "Over the last few years, we’ve tried several different ways to make it work better for our people, our customers and our business. Sadly, we haven't been able to find a formula that fits. "The Bettys Stonegate team have shown great professionalism and resilience throughout. We know our people are our strength and we’re working together to look for opportunities for our colleagues in other roles within our family business. We’re hugely grateful for their ongoing support and commitment. "Our thanks also go to our customers. Many have visited the Stonegate café regularly for years, sometimes decades, and we know that lots of memories are bound up in 'Little Bettys'. We hope to help you create new Bettys memories in the years to come."Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here
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