The Dr B’s restaurant on Knaresborough road in Harrogate is to close at the end of October 2014.
Barnardo’s opened the restaurant in 1985 to provide young people with skills and knowledge to develop and improve their social and employability skills. They also run specialised vocational training programme in the hospitality and catering sectors.
A service working with young people to improve their skills required to give them a better chance in life.
A spokesperson for Barnardo’s said: It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Dr B’s restaurant in Harrogate.
Unfortunately, current financial pressures and a drastic decline in numbers of young people seeking support from the service mean that it is no longer financially viable for Barnardo’s to run. As a result, we feel the only option is closure.
Barnardo’s is committed to supporting vulnerable young people and is taking every step to ensure that young people who are currently on placement at Dr B’s are being helped to find alternative provision.
Staff are also being supported in applying for other suitable roles.
We would like to pay tribute to their hard work and dedication over the years and also thank our loyal customers for their support.
The closure of the services has resulted in six posts being made redundant. We are working closely with the staff to support them in finding alternative employment.
I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Dr B’s is closing it’s doors. Two of my children were supported by their fantastic staff, my eldest is now a head chef at one of hgte central hotels and my daughter has continued too grow in confidence, she is now 25, about to be married and the proud mum of a little boy. This was her dream and thanks to the tireless work by the staff at Dr B’s she is living it. The bullying she endured is slowly being buried as the techniques she learnt live each day with her. THANK YOU Dr B’s what a shame. Young people will lose out.
This is so sad! As an Occupational Therapist I know the value of supporting people into employment…it’s vital to teach not only vocational skills but also social skills, building confidence etc. I will also missing popping in for lunch! :(
I worked for Barnardo’s for 14 years and visited DrB’s as a customer and as a worker many times. So very sad to hear it is closing. I met some amazing staff and young people who worked there I wish them all the very best in the future
i visited Dr B’s many times from my home in Lancashire as I thought it was well worth the travel. I was so sad to learn on my last visit there that they were closing. A great loss to all those young people who gained so much from their placements there. They were always. So cheerful and loved what they were doing and the food was fantastic. Good luck to you all for the future xx