Scarborough's world-famous Harbour Bar wants to sell alcohol for the first time in its 75-year history - here's why

One of Scarborough’s most iconic businesses has revealed that it is looking to sell alcohol for the first time in its long and distinguished history.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Harbour Bar is known to people around the world as the traditional yellow and red-fronted ice cream and milkshake bar that is as popular today as when it opened its doors in 1945.

Owner Giulian Alonzi’s family started the business and he is now looking to diversify what the Sandside parlour can offer in the post-Covid world.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Alonzi said: “We want to make some milkshakes and ice creams with alcohol in them so that is why we have put in the application. We’d also like to be able to sell prosecco and wine.

The Harbour BarThe Harbour Bar
The Harbour Bar

“When you go abroad you can sit and have your ice cream and a glass of wine so we thought why not in Scarborough? At the end of the day we are ice cream people, a family business, it’s not a pub and I don’t think we will be selling anything anyone will find too objectionable.”

IN PICTURES: The Harbour Bar down the years, see HERE

The business, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary on August 1, will soon open up the second floor of its building to increase the number of people it can serve and Mr Alonzi says he has also been in contact with North Yorkshire County Council about expanding the seating area outside the front of his property.

The alcohol application has been lodged with Scarborough Council and would allow the Harbour Bar to sell alcohol to have on and off the premises between 9am and 10.30pm seven days a week.

Owner Giulian Alonzi makes the ice cream in the factory area.Owner Giulian Alonzi makes the ice cream in the factory area.
Owner Giulian Alonzi makes the ice cream in the factory area.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Alonzi said: “We have been approached a lot about hosting wedding receptions and funerals so this would help us to be able to do that.

“The pandemic has been so demoralising for everyone and people are looking for ways to diversify and this is ours.”

He added that he had also written to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asking him to take up the fight after ice cream sellers and suppliers were not included in a recent 5% reduction in VAT announced by the government for the hospitality industry to help it get back on its feet.

Mr Alonzi said: “I’m not sure why we have been left out and I doubt I will get anywhere but I wanted to make sure I tried to do something about it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The alcohol application is now out to consultation until August 7.

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Jean MacQuarrie

Editor-in-Chief