The outbreak of war in September 1939 had an instant impact on Harrogate. Several hotels were requisitioned by the government including the Crown, Harlow Manor, Old Swan and Prospect, occupied by the Air Ministry, the Cairn Hydro, Granby, Prince of Wales, St George, Southlands and Stray, occupied by the Post Office, the Grand and Queen occupied by the Empire Pilots Receiving Scheme, with many branches of government being accommodated by the Adelphi, Alexandra, Beechwood, Studley and Wellington Hotels.
Harrogate’s Stray was greatly affected by the War. The desperate need for the nation to produce its own food was evident in August 1940, following the fall of France and the threat of Nazi invasion. On 27th August 1940 and the council agreed to create allotments for public use on the Stray between Leeds Road and the Railway line.
The surprise Labour victory in the general election of July 1945 ensured the introduction of national health provision with all that implied for such privately funded spas as Harrogate.
Image: 1944 Churchill visits, Harrogate Feb.1944