Wakefield tourism to play a key role as district's economy begins to reopen

And The Hepworth Wakefield is set to reopen on August 1 – Yorkshire Day – after closing in March, it was revealed this week.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, National Coal Mining Museum and many other attractions across the district are still yet to confirm their dates.

But tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire (WTY) has unveiled plans to boost tourism recovery in the county this summer.

Working with the county’s local authorities, national parks, many businesses and tourism representatives, WTY says it has taken on the challenge of aiding industry recovery from the pandemic.

Meanwhile bars and restaurants, which will be allowed to open from July 4, have been dreaming up inventive ways to make their businesses work and change the city for the better.

Layla Baker, who owns Lobby 1867 bar on Westgate hopes to be able to use the changes to create a “cultural quarter” in that part of the city centre.

It follows calls from cafe and bar owners in the city to embrace European alfresco dining and be allowed to move tables outside to accommodate more customers and keep their businesses afloat.

Layla, who is expecting her first child said: “I desperately want to be part of a movement to make Wakefield more cosmopolitan, and breathe new life into the city, so it is not always hanging on the coattails of Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield et cetera who all seem to be getting it right and have amazing footfall and trade, a lot of which is linked to the more ‘European cafe culture’.

“Wakefield has to move with the times and at some point, it has to take a risk and try to create a safe hospitality environment that reflects the European cities and culture – currently it is lagging behind and will always be a poor relation of more cosmopolitan cities - unless it is brave.

“For my bar personally, I want to create a smart, outdoor area outside my bar on Smyth Street - which is opposite the theatre, adjacent to the Orangery and Art House, within minutes of Westgate train station and near local restaurants such as Prego, Dolce Vita, Bengal Palace, Lala’s - all whom who would benefit from increase in footfall.

“What a wonderful ‘Culture Quarter’ we could create! “

Katie Town, the executive director of Theatre Royal Wakefield,said the idea could work and the theatre was already working with neighbouring organisations.

She said: There’s great potential for a cultural quarter around Westgate and Drury Lane.

“Theatre Royal Wakefield has already been working closely with The Art House, for instance before lockdown co-delivering projects for refugees and asylum seekers.

“The adversity caused by the coronavirus pandemic has made collaborative working to give the very best to our community essential.”

Former leader of Wakefield Council Peter Box – who is now chairman of Welcome to Yorkshire and a director at the Hepworth – confirmed the date reopening date for the gallery. The

Hepworth’s garden remains open to anyone who would like to visit.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park will be allowed to open from July 4 but said it needs more time. A spokesman said: “YSP has a unique and complicated set of circumstances to work around, so it will take us a little longer.”

Theme park Diggerland in Castleford is hoping to reopen in mid-July.