A YORK hotel owner has revealed he has lost about £400,000 since the start of the pandemic. And plans to create a Covid-safe dining area to help the business survive could be scuppered - as the council has raised concerns that noisy racegoers might stop for a meal. Simon Cowton, of the St George’s Hotel in St George’s Place, is planning to put up eight temporary glasshouses and a pizza oven in the garden of the property. He revealed the challenges he has faced during the pandemic, which included turning away £4,000-worth of bookings in December from customers who wanted to visit York from areas in Tier 3 or 4.