OUT we go, at last!

As the world starts to open up again, Yorkshire leads the way with al fresco dining options. We round up some of the best across the county and chat to well-known owners about the trials and tribulations of lockdown and beyond

- Bethan Andrews

ANDREW PERN

Owner of the Michelin star restaurant The Star Inn at Harome

‘One of the biggest challenges of opening up to this new normal, particularly in rustic, rural properties is that the wonky walls and cosy spaces don’t lend themselves to drinkers and diners being inside,’ he says. Until the announcement was made for restaurants to open up again, Andrew thought it was going to be solely outside dining, so he was pleased to hear establishments could open up inside as well. But, one of the main challenges for the hospitality industry is how much they’re having to cut their usual cover numbers inside to maintain social distancing.

‘As well as our decking, garden and terraces, we’ve made the paddock a ‘drinking field’,’ says Andrew. ‘We’ve called it The Star in the Garden’ and we’ve got an outside bar with hand pumps – so all we need to do is add sunshine. It’s good fun and Yorkshire folk are robust. We’ll put another layer on, stick a hat on and away we go!

‘It’ll be really nice and it’s about adapting. We’re talking about putting a rotisserie and a barbecue outside, it’s all quite exciting.’

Clearly, it’s about balance and taking each week as it comes through the next few months. ‘We’ve got a brilliant al fresco dining area, and a menu that suits inside and out,’ says Andrew. ‘But we’re not encouraging our tasting menus to start off with as it means too many visits to the table.