THE BIKE & BOOT

Doors shut .... Bike & Boot enjoyed bumper bookings until November

SIMON Kershaw and Simon

Rhatigan wanted to open their hotel almost a year ago – at people hope they will be able what turned out to be the to come away over Easter. worst possible time. “There is definitely a rise

But their dream for the Bike in staycations and I

& Boot in Scarborough, North suspect that will continue Yorks, was put on hold for to be the case. four months when the Covid “I only have to speak to nightmare kicked in. friends who have three

And, when doors opened in holidays abroad a year who July, business was bustling are now taking a lot more

– as staycations rocketed short holidays in the UK. after the first “Before Covid they lockdown. might have gone

They target for a fortnight in dog walkers, Spain but are hikers and now booking bikers who up two or want an three-night escape in the stays at home, countryside. which is

But they fabulous. have been “Covid has forced to shut made people since November. realise they can

Simon Kershaw have great holidays said: “Over in the UK. summer we had Home comfort...‘B&B’ room “People are occupancy in excess of 95 per finally seeing how good cent. It was just wonderful, holidays at home are but then in November we had compared to 20 years ago. to close. And we still are. “Bookings are looking good

“It’s not great. We hoped we from April 2 forward. I am just would be open again by terrified of having to turn to half-term so have had to families and say they can’t contact everyone who booked come. Easter weekend is 65 up. Without exception they per cent booked and it’s 40 have moved dates back. per cent throughout the

“But we have also seen a Easter week. July and August real surge in bookings as are looking excellent too.”