Harrogate district taxi driver shortage revealed due to covid

There has been a drop in the number of taxis on the Harrogate district’s roads in what drivers have blamed on the pandemic forcing them to abandon the trade.

Several cabbies quit during the lockdowns and many have now found new jobs with little desire to return as figures suggest around 60 fewer drivers are operating in the district.

Richard Fieldman, who runs A1 Cars Ripon, said his business only survived the pandemic by the “skin of its teeth” and that it has now continued to struggle.

He said:

“Times are still difficult for the trade.

“We are not back where we were before covid by any stretch of the imagination and we are not going to get there any time soon.

“As a driver for 29 years, I thought about packing it in myself during the lockdowns as this period highlighted to me how vulnerable we are.

“I personally managed to ride through this period, although I did end up in debt because of it.

“A lot of drivers have now realised there is very little reward in this trade.”

With fewer drivers on the roads, it has also had an impact on customers who could be left waiting on taxi ranks or unable to book journeys during busy periods.

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Kevin O’Boyle, owner of Central Taxis and the longest holder of a taxi licence in the district, said he believes the lengthy process that it takes to become a driver could be a reason why he is now finding it “impossible” to recruit them.

He said:

“I’m offering £600 for five shifts with tips and I don’t even get people coming through the door.

“Trade is still slow and the only reason people are making a living now is because the number of taxis on the roads have been diluted.

“We are involved with services for the NHS and if it had not been for these contracts we would have gone under during the pandemic, I have no doubt about that.”

Taxi licence fees frozen

The figures that around 60 fewer taxis are on the roads was revealed in a Harrogate Borough Council report, which has proposed no increase for taxi licence fees for the second year running.

Prior to this period, the council increased fees by 10% during 2020/21.

Mr O’Boyle said the proposed freeze for the next financial year would be “greatly appreciated” if approved by the council’s licensing committee on Wednesday, but added it only went so far to support the trade.

The report to the committee said: 

“Every year the licensing committee reviews the fees and charges for these licences. However, as a consequence of the impact of covid in 2020 there are now 60 fewer private hire vehicles.

“The proposed fees are set on a cost recovery basis and are not at a level that would discourage the trade investing in quality standard and accessible vehicles.”

Ramblers urged to stay safe to avoid Harrogate district cow attacks

A Harrogate district rambler has urged walkers to follow safety advice amid ongoing problems with cows on public rights of way.

The district is popular with walkers and also has a lot of cattle. Many walkers are nervous about passing the animals, particularly if dogs and calves are also involved.

A blog called Killer Cows, which includes accounts of livestock attacks, recently featured a post from hikers in Little Ribston, between Knaresborough and Wetherby.

It describes how a man and a woman walking a dog were “surrounded” by 50 cows on a public footpath. It says the cows tried to trample the dog and head-butted the man in the shoulder. The post concludes:

“We were both terrified. We are lucky to still be alive.”

It is not an isolated incident and sometimes the issue has tragic consequences,

An inquest in Harrogate in July found that Dave Clark, a deputy headteacher at Richmond School, died after suffering a blow to the chest from a cow which ran at him on a public right of way in a field in Richmond last year.

‘It is a problem’

Andrew Willoughby, who is part of the Harrogate Group of the Ramblers, said clashes on public rights of way between hikers and cattle continued to be an issue.

Farmers are entitled to graze cattle on public rights of way.

However, the number of incidents has prompted both the National Farmers Union and the Ramblers Association to issue advice to walkers and farmers.

Mr Willoughby urged walkers to follow the guidance when cattle start grazing again after winter.

He said:

“Yes, it is a problem.

“The main thing is when you go into a field, you just do not know if there may be some aggressive cattle.”

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What walkers should do

The NFU and Ramblers Association both urge walkers to be “mindful” that the countryside is a “working environment” where cattle graze.

The NFU says walkers should be “vigilant” and “try to stay away from animals and to be aware of their movement”.

Dogs should be kept under close control, but owners are advised not to hang on to them if threatened by cattle. Instead, they should let go of the lead and let the dog run to safety.

The advice says:

“This offers the best chance of a safe outcome to both you and your dog. If you feel threatened by animals protecting their territory or young, do not run. Move to the edge of the field and, if possible, find another way round.”

Further guidance urges walkers not to get close to cattle. Walkers should also avoid getting between cows and their calves, the advice says.

It adds that, if cattle do begin to follow, then hikers should walk on quietly.

Mr Willoughby added that people should avoid bright coloured clothing when walking in fields with cattle in them.

Harrogate district covid rate rises as 134 cases reported

Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has increased, as a further 134 covid cases were confirmed today.

Latest data shows that the rate has risen to 515 infections per 100,000 people, which is the second highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average stands at 481 and the England rate is 382.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.

Since March 2020, 197 people have died with covid at the hospital.

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Meanwhile, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital remains stable with 22 currently receiving treatment – a slight fall from 25 this time last week.

Planned new Harrogate restaurant and bar applies for alcohol licence

A proposed new bar and restaurant on Harrogate’s King’s Road has applied for a premises licence.

The premises would be situated in Ocean House and the former Ramus seafood shop. If approved, it would significantly liven a part of town not known for its nightlife.

GM Developments, which is based in Leeds, lodged plans with Harrogate Borough Council in October for the scheme.

Under a licensing application, the bar, called Frog, would be open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until midnight.

The application also seeks permission for the retail sale of alcohol on site.

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The new restaurant, which would be based in Ocean House and create up to 20 jobs, would seat 70 people indoors. There would also be a bar, external pavement and courtyard seating.

The business would be managed by Roger Moxham, one of the founding owners of Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewing company.

Mr Moxham said previously:

“We will serve a diverse array of global meals rooted in Asia and the Americas, which we intend to rotate throughout the year. 

“The menu will be underpinned by a weekend brunch offer all supported by a full range of hand crafted cocktails and beers and an interesting selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees.”

The council will make a decision on the premises application at a later date.

Wanted man could be in Harrogate, say police

A wanted man who breached his conditions of release from prison could be Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of 24-year-old Joshua David Greaves.

Greaves was jailed in September 2020 for stealing motorbikes and bicycles worth £12,000.

Police say he could be in Scarborough, but also has links to Harrogate and Eastfield.

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Greaves is about 6ft 2, of slim build and has dark brown hair and blue eyes.

A police statement added:

“If you see him, or have any info about his current whereabouts, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12210238354.”

All you need to know about next week’s police commissioner election

The countdown has begun for the election to replace former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott.

Voting will take place on November 25 to replace Mr Allott who quit last month following a two-week storm of sustained criticism over the comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

Mr Allott had only been in the job for five months having been elected in May and faced multiple calls to resign after saying Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

There are five candidates competing for the £74,000-per-year post with women’s safety already featuring as a key part of their campaigns:

Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the Conservative candidate and said her focus is on “improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.

Ms Metcalfe is a project manager for a property company in addition to being a member of Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Labour

Emma Scott-Spivey, who is a student paramedic and the daughter of two police officers, will contest the role for Labour.

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She said she wanted to stand in the election after hearing Mr Allott’s comments and that she would prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs.

She said: 

“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Philip Allott must be repaired.”

Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate is City of York councillor James Barker who served in the military for 24 years and also stood for the commissioner role in May when he finished in fourth place.

He said: 

“There is work to do to rebuild the trust lost with victim’s groups, women’s groups and the public at large.

“If elected, my priority on day one would be starting the long process of making sure everyone can have faith that the PFCC listens to and supports victims of crime.”

Independent

Keith Tordoff, who served for 20 years in West Yorkshire Police and ran the world’s oldest sweet shop in Pateley Bridge, has also decided to stand again as an independent after finishing in third place in the last election.

He said the county had been “badly let down” by the previous commissioner and that he will “prioritise responses for crimes against women, hate crime and fight for justice for all victims of crime”.

Mr Tordoff said: 

“With my policing, business and community led background, I will work tirelessly if elected to keep the people living, working or visiting North Yorkshire safe.”

Women’s Equality Party

The final candidate is Dr Hannah Barham-Brown who will stand for the Women’s Equality Party and works as a GP in Leeds.

She said she took part in protests against Mr Allott and that she would launch an independent inquiry into misogyny at North Yorkshire Police if elected.

Dr Barham-Brown said:

 “Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.

“I will not allow politicians to sit idly by while women lose their lives and freedom in the face of violence.”

The announcement of the election results will take place from Selby Civic Centre on 26 November – the day after voters go to the polls.

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How will the election work? 

Polling cards were sent out earlier this month with the deadlines to register and to vote by post having already passed, while the deadline for proxy voting is 5pm on Wednesday.

Voters are being urged to check their poll cards to see where their local polling station is as some may have changed due to the need for covid safety measures.

Anyone who has tested positive or has symptoms should not visit a polling station.

If you can not vote in-person because of covid, or because of your employment or a disability, there is an option to apply for an emergency proxy vote by 5pm on the day of the election.

Janet Waggott, election returning officer and chief executive of Selby District Council, said: 

“Covid remains an important consideration and we’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; such as hand sanitiser and face masks.

“Residents should be reassured that voting in these elections will take place in a covid-safe environment.”

Elections for commissioners use a supplementary voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference.

If no candidate receives a majority then all but the two leading candidates are eliminated and a second count takes place.

In the second count, the second preference votes of those supporting eliminated candidates are distributed among the two leading candidates.

In May, Philip Allott took 84,737 of the first and second-preference votes ahead of Labour candidate Alison Hume who finished in second place with a total of 53,442 votes.

The final results in terms of total votes were:

Ofgem appoints company to take on CNG customers

Energy regulator Ofgem has appointed a new company to take on customers of Harrogate firm CNG Energy.

CNG ceased trading this month after 27 years and entered the regulator’s Supplier of Last Resort process.

The SoLR procedure was established as a safety net to ensure that when a company stops supplying energy, affected customers are guaranteed continuity of supply through other companies.

Ofgem has now appointed Pozitive Energy, which is based in Colchester, to supply energy to 41,000 customers of both CNG Energy and CNG Electricity.

In a statement on Pozitive Energy’s website, it said:

“We’ve reached out to all current CNG customers by post and email to let them know we are taking over their supply and what to expect over the next four weeks. We’ve confirmed current rates and how to secure more competitive rates with Pozitive Energy.”

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Meanwhile, Neil Lawrence, Ofgem’s director of retail, said:

“We understand that this news may be unsettling for customers, however they do not need to worry.

“Their energy supply will continue as normal, and domestic customer credit balances as well as some non-domestic credit balances, will be honoured.”

Downfall of CNG

The move follows the demise of Harrogate company CNG, which told its employees about the SoLR process in an email on November 3.

However, the company’s troubles became apparent in October when Paul Stanley, managing director of CNG, sent a letter to customers saying it was exiting the wholesale market.

The company, which is based on Victoria Avenue, supplied energy to about 15 to 20 retail energy companies through its wholesale business arm and also had around 50,000 business customers.

It had been impacted by spiralling global gas prices over the past few months.

About 145 jobs have been lost and staff have been told that wages for days worked this month are not guaranteed to be paid.

 

Harrogate district covid cases rise by 109

The Harrogate district has reported 109 cases of covid, according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day average case rate is 480 per 100,000 people, which is the second-highest rate in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average rate is 444 and the England average is 363.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.

Since March 2020, 197 people have died with covid at the hospital.

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Meanwhile, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital remains stable with 22 currently receiving treatment – a slight fall from 25 this time last week.

The government announced today that third vaccine doses will now be offered to all over-40s in the UK after advice from the government scientists.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also said 16 and 17-year-olds, initially offered only a single dose, should now receive a second.

It is hoped the move will top up protection and help limit the spread of the virus over winter which bosses at Harrogate District Hospital previously warned will be “more challenging than ever before”.

New digital and tech office space to open in Harrogate

A new £500,000 office space dedicated to digital and technology firms in Harrogate is set to open next month.

Springfield House, which is directly above Harrogate Convention Centre on King’s Road, has been refurbished since Harrogate Borough Council staff left the premises in 2017.

The authority secured £540,000 of funding from the Leeds City Business Rates Pool to fund the project.

Known as Co-Lab, the offices feature 10 serviced offices with desk space for up to 10 people, high-speed broadband, a lounge and kitchen, meeting rooms and showers.

Tenants will also have access to information about issues such as funding and investment, supply chains and talent recruitment.

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Alistair Forbes, Harrogate Borough Council’s in-house growth manager who will support businesses at Co-Lab, said: 

“Over the last few years, we’ve lost count of the number of people who have asked us ‘are there any co-working or incubator office spaces in Harrogate?’.

“This got us thinking; we needed to find a way to meet this demand and it needed to be dedicated to digital, creative and tech businesses who really need this type of space.

“Co-Lab will be focussed on digital and tech businesses, but we are inviting anyone interested in collaborating with the business community to talk to us. From designers, to hardware specialists, technologists, marketers and developers, our aim is that everyone works together to help our community become more successful.”

Businesses wishing to join Co-Lab will ideally need to be in the digital and creative industries business sector.

This includes fintech, augmented reality and virtual reality, digital health, film and animation production, music, digital content creation and management, immersive technology and content, publishing, cyber security, data, gaming, or product design.

For more details email hello@harrogateco-lab.co.uk or visit: www.harrogateco-lab.co.uk.

New Harrogate cocktail bar given go-ahead

A new cocktail bar is set to open in Harrogate town centre.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans for the former Moss Bros clothes shop on Parliament Street to be converted into a bar.

Owners of Leeds-based cocktail bar, Roland’s, submitted the proposal along with a licence application to open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until 2.30am.

Roland’s website says it serves up “exceptional drinks, great music and a good time”. The Leeds bar opened in 2014 and is situated at 39 Call Lane, one of the most popular streets in the city for nightlife.

ELG Planning, which lodged the proposal on behalf of Roland’s, said in documents submitted to the council that the move was an opportunity for the bar to expand its business.

It said:

“The unit on Parliament Street, Harrogate provides the best opportunity for our client to expand their existing business Roland’s.

“The client has been looking for suitable premises for a long period and due to a combination of the location and size the application site is suited to their operational needs.

“They have considered a number of locations in the last five years to provide a similar facility in Harrogate to that already trading in Leeds.”

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The new bar would be the latest addition to Parliament Street’s nightlife scene, which includes the Harrogate Arms, Revolución de Cuba, Mojo, Wetherspoons and the Viper Rooms.

The Ginnel hosts bars Montey’s and Major Tom’s Social.

Some venues on Parliament Street have struggled to survive in recent years, including Jamie’s Italian, Wagyu Bar and Grill and The Restaurant Bar and Grill, which all closed.