Hidden bar in Harrogate aims to show that independents can still thrive

The owners of a new Harrogate bar and pizzeria are hoping to buck recent trends in the hospitality sector and add to the town’s dining scene.
Toast: Louise Robertson-Rennard and Jay Rennard raise a glass to their new bar and pizzeria, Hidden, which is set to open its doors on December 4.Toast: Louise Robertson-Rennard and Jay Rennard raise a glass to their new bar and pizzeria, Hidden, which is set to open its doors on December 4.
Toast: Louise Robertson-Rennard and Jay Rennard raise a glass to their new bar and pizzeria, Hidden, which is set to open its doors on December 4.

The bar called Hidden will open its door on December 4. Proprietor Jay Rennard wants to show that new independent businesses can still emerge in the current landscape.

He said: “Owning a bar is something I’ve always wanted to do and I felt like we needed to bring some positivity into 2020 for both myself, my family and local people.”

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Mr Rennard added that Hidden would bring a “different vibe to Harrogate”.

Previously named Porco Rosso and located in the Montpellier area of Harrogate, Mr Rennard hopes the locals will welcome the new addition to the area.

He said: “We hope that people come and enjoy themselves and become regulars. I love talking to and getting to know people.

“I also hope that people understand that we are trying to do something different. Something you don’t get in national chains, a more unique and bespoke approach. I’ve lived and worked in and around Harrogate for 30 years and it was a great opportunity to take it on – an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down.”

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Opening as the UK comes out of the national lockdown and Harrogate becomes a tier two area, joint partner Louise Robertson-Rennard wants to focus on providing as normal an experience as possible.

She said: “I think the hospitality industry has been through enough this year. It has been a crying shame seeing businesses fold and we think people need hope, so we are going to approach this without the emphasis being on Covid-19 – making the experience as normal as possible.

“All our suppliers are Yorkshire-based companies, and we have exclusive rights in Harrogate to 90 per cent of our wines and liqueurs and 100 per cent on our style.”

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