New Harrogate TGI Fridays venue to open in November

A TGI Fridays cocktail bar in Harrogate is set to open in November, according to the company’s chief executive.

The new bar and restaurant, called 63rd+1st, will be based in the former Ask Italian restaurant on Albert Street.

The American restaurant chain has already been granted a late night alcohol licence and advertising consent by Harrogate Borough Council for the venue.

Now Robert Cook, chief executive of TGI Fridays and 63rd+1st, has confirmed that the bar is set to open next month.

In a trading update for Hostmore, which is the parent company of both chains, he said:

“We are delighted with the continued strong performance of our two brands, Fridays and 63rd+1st.

“Fridays continues to outperform the market and we are opening our next two 63rd+1st sites – in Glasgow later in September and Harrogate in November – following a successful launch in Cobham earlier this year in May.”

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The Stray Ferret asked TGI Fridays if there was a specific date for opening, but did not receive a response by time of publication.

The company launched the new cocktail-led bar and restaurant venture last year. It is named after the location of the original restaurant in Manhattan.

The company has promised it will be a “vibrant meeting place” and that it will have the feel of a New York loft in the 1960s.

When the new brand was announced last year, Mr Cook said in a statement that “audiences are becoming increasingly discerning and their attitudes towards food and drink are evolving”. 

Harrogate district reports 138 covid infections as rate falls

The Harrogate district has reported another 138 daily covid infections, according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day average currently stands at 530 cases per 100,000 people. The rate has fallen since reaching a record high of 580 at the start of October.

Meanwhile, the North Yorkshire rate stands at 434 and the England average is 332.

However, hospitalisations remain much lower than previous waves with 10 covid-positive patients receiving treatment in Harrogate District Hospital.

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No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

Elsewhere, 128,277 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 120,643 have had a second dose.

Fears for thousands of Harrogate district jobs as furlough ends

There are fears for the jobs of around 3,600 workers in the Harrogate district in the wake of last week’s ending of furlough.

The government scheme introduced at the start of the covid outbreak has protected millions of jobs during the pandemic, with Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones saying it “got our country through the darkest days of the lockdown”.

But Liberal Democrat councillors in the district have warned that businesses and employees could now be hit by a “tidal wave of job losses” unless more support is made available.

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition group on Harrogate Borough Council, said the Liberal Democrats both locally and nationally were demanding the scheme be extended for businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.

She said: 

“The withdrawal of furlough risks having a devastating impact on at least 3,600 people in the Harrogate area who are already facing a winter of soaring energy bills and cuts to benefits.

“Supporting them and their families is both the right and responsible thing to do.

“Although many may find work in recovering sectors such as hospitality and travel, there is also likely to be a rise in unemployment due to new redundancies as businesses fail without the support of furlough.”

Some workers who relied on furlough are also now facing the added worry of the end of the £20-a-week boost to Universal Credit.

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This temporary increase to payments, which was introduced in response to the pandemic, ends tomorrow.

Citizens Advice has described this as a “disastrous decision” by the government and warned around 1.5 million claimants across the UK could be pushed into hardship this winter.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of the charity, said: 

“Shop workers, nursery assistants and security guards are just some of the people on Universal Credit seeking our help because they’re already struggling to make ends meet.”

Supported 28,600 jobs in Harrogate district

The furlough scheme supported around 28,600 jobs in the Harrogate district for 18 months.

It saw the government pay around £70 billion towards the wages of employees across the UK who could not work, or whose employers could no longer afford to pay them, up to a monthly limit of £2,500.

At first it paid 80% of their usual wage, but in August and September it paid 60%, with employers paying 20%.

Since its end, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged more than £500 million in fresh funding to help people back into work and support sectors which are facing recruitment crises.

Funding for the new packages will not be set out until later this month and it comes at a time when Mr Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson are facing pressure to ease the historically high tax burden.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Mr Jones said while now was the right time for furlough to end, the extra funding showed the government was willing to continue its support for jobs during the covid recovery.

He added: 

“The furlough scheme is estimated to have cost £70bn and this will need repaying. But the human and financial cost of letting industries, businesses and jobs go to the wall during lockdown would have been catastrophic.

“It is going to be a bumpy road ahead even so but without the actions that were taken it is difficult to imagine what the situation would have been.”

Harrogate animal testing company bids to expand

Economy leaders at Harrogate Borough Council have backed plans for an expansion of a controversial animal testing company in the town.

Labcorp Drug Development, which was previously called Covance and is based on Otley Road, has lodged plans to refurbish and expand its site after purchasing six vacant buildings.

The company bought the former Nidec SR Drives offices, known as East Park House, in December 2020 for £2.45 million, according to HM Land Registry documents.

Under plans submitted to the council, the firm would refurbish and extend the former Nidec offices.

A new entrance would be created, and the ground and first floors would be reconfigured. A one-way system to access the car park would also be built to reduce “traffic complications” on nearby Otley Road.

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Labcorp also intends to refurbish five other buildings on the site to create office space, create extensions for “new plant requirements” and create further car parking and cycle space.

In planning documents submitted to the council, the company said:

“The design, configuration, and palette of materials for the proposal have been well thought out and are of high quality. The refurbishment works to the property will greatly improve the appearance of the building, but more importantly also ensure the continued life of the building by occupying a currently unused unit.

“Carrying out the proposed work creates a usable building for the new required use and will ensure that the building is occupied and maintained and does not fall into disrepair, which would result in a negative impact on the surrounding area.”

The proposed visual of East Park House, as submitted by Labcorp.

How East Park House would look.

In response to a council consultation, Rebecca Micallef, the authority’s economic and transport officer, said the council’s economic development team was “fully supportive” of the proposal.

She said:

“This proposal will enable expansion of the business within its current location and promote the adaptation, refurbishment and reuse of a currently vacant commercial property. The proposed capital investment from a foreign company is particularly welcomed during this time of economic uncertainty caused by covid and Brexit.

“The proposed expansion and development will support Labcorp’s future within the Harrogate district and secure additional high level, high paid skilled jobs, directly supporting the aims of our economic growth strategy.”

Harrogate Borough Council planning officers will decide whether to accept the plan at a later date.

Last month, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, requested a meeting with George Freeman, science minister, to discuss Labcorp’s proposed UK expansion over the next five years.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Jones told Mr Freeman that the company was “one of the largest employers in my constituency”.

The request was later criticised by animal rights charity PETA, which urged Mr Jones to “wake up to the advent of progressive, non-animal research”.

Plans approved to convert Harrogate bookmakers into chicken restaurant

Plans have been approved to convert a former Coral bookmakers in Harrogate into a piri-piri chicken restaurant and takeaway.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead to the plan, which was submitted by Foodie Zone Ltd, to convert the betting shop on Knaresborough Road.

Planning documents submitted to the authority indicate that the restaurant would open as part of the franchise Pepe’s Piri Piri, which has 132 restaurants in the country including in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield.

The restaurant specialises in frame-grilled chicken. According to the proposal, 15 full time jobs will be created as part of the proposal.

Documents say the restaurant would provide family-friendly ‘healthy grilled food’. They add:

“The proposed restaurant will provide a family-friendly dining experience with family seating areas, providing healthy grilled food, as part of the new healthy style of living, something which is limited in the area and would be very successful.”

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Harrogate hospital records another covid death

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another covid death, according to latest NHS England figures.

It takes the death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 to 189.

According to NHS figures, the death was reported on September 30.

The number of patients in Harrogate hospital being treated for covid stands at 10.

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Meanwhile, the Harrogate district has reported 130 daily covid cases according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day covid rate has also fallen to 549 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 445 and the England rate stands at 333.

Speaking last week, Louise Wallace, director of public health for North Yorkshire, said the rise in infections across the county was being “driven by school-age children”.

She said:

“From what we can in the terms of the age bandings from the most recent cases, they do seem to be coming from school children and young people.”

Elsewhere, 128,252 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 120,590 have had a second dose.

Unison in Harrogate to ballot on strike action after rejecting pay offer

Unison at Harrogate Borough Council is to ballot members on industrial action after rejecting a “derisory” pay offer.

Members of the union voted to refuse a proposed increase of 1.75% last month. The offer followed a national consultation from the Local Government Association over a pay increase.

Of a turnout of 62% of its members, 74% voted to refuse the pay offer. Union bosses described the proposal as inadequate and “derisory” and recommended that members turn it down.

Now, Unison has said it will formally ballot its members on industrial action.

Dave Houlgate, secretary of the Harrogate local government branch, said:

“This overwhelming majority makes clear the strength of feeling among local government workers about their pay, here in Harrogate but nationwide too.

“Council and school workers have been the unsung heroes of the covid-19 pandemic, working tirelessly and often at risk to their own safety to serve their communities.

“Meanwhile, since 2010 the value of their pay has fallen by 25%. The 1.75% pay offer is completely inadequate and Unison members have made their feelings about it clear.”

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Union officials said they intend to send out ballot papers in November or early December.

They added that any industrial action would be taken in the New Year, although this would be dependent on the outcome of the ballot.

The move to ballot on industrial action follows 79% of Unison members across England and Wales voting to reject the pay offer.

New restaurant and bar planned on Harrogate’s King’s Road

Plans have been submitted to open a restaurant and bar, three apartments and retail space on Harrogate’s King’s Road.

GMI Developments, which is based in Leeds, has lodged the proposals for Ocean House and the former Ramus retail unit on Kings Road.

The developer said the disused properties offered 7,300 square foot of space to be redeveloped into a mixed-use lifestyle and residential development.

The proposal will see a restaurant and bar, called Frog, open. It would be managed by Roger Moxham, one of the founding owners of the Cold Bath Brewing company.

The new restaurant, which will be based in Ocean House and create up to 20 new jobs, comprises a 70-seat internal restaurant and bar with external pavement and courtyard seating.

Mr Moxham said:

“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 Ocean House and former Ramus unit have stood empty since January last year.

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The proposals include creating two apartments above the restaurant. Meanwhile, the former Ramus unit will remain in retail use with an apartment above.

An industrial unit on Bolton Street would be demolished to create parking space and outside amenity space for the new apartments.

Chris Gilman, managing director at GMI Developments, said:

“Following the recent acquisition of the Kings Road property, we are excited to take this mixed-use development forward to regenerate the vacant site, subject to planning approval.

“With a proven, successful hospitality expert in Roger on board to create the new restaurant and bar, we are confident that his team will bring a unique and exciting destination restaurant offer to the town complemented by the rest of this high quality scheme.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive to retire in March

The chief executive of Yorkshire Agricultural Society is set to retire after 20 years in charge.

Nigel Pulling will step down from his role in March 2022.

Mr Pulling joined the society in 2001, when the Great Yorkshire Show was cancelled due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

It was the first time show had been cancelled other than for the two world wars. The show was then also cancelled after one day in 2012 due to torrential rain and didn’t take place at all last year due to covid.

Mr Pulling has overseen commercial projects such as the building of Fodder, the Regional Agricultural Centre (the society’s headquarters) and the multi-million pound rebuild of hall one in the Yorkshire Event Centre.

This year, he oversaw the Great Yorkshire Show return amid the covid pandemic. Prince Charles was among the guests at this year’s four-day event.

Mr Pulling said there were similarities between the event and the show held in 2002.

He said:

“We overcame the tough challenges on both occasions to deliver successful Great Yorkshire Shows and I couldn’t have ended my tenure on a better show.

“We were devastated to cancel last year and despite the challenges and restrictions placed on this year’s event, it was an incredible achievement for the team. The atmosphere of celebration and enjoyment from both the farming community and visitors was second to none.”

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Mr Pulling added:

“I leave my role on a high, the Great Yorkshire Show is in a strong position ready for next year. 

“Events are returning to the showground after this difficult 18 months, the charitable activities team is stronger than ever before in its support for farming families and promotion of agriculture to the next generation – and I know it will go from strength to strength.”

Rob Copley, chairman of trustees said: 

“Nigel has been a real asset, he is hugely respected in the industry and his leadership has taken the society up to the next level.

“On behalf of all the trustee and council members past and present I want to thank him for all his hard work, determination and expertise.”

‘No further action’ after Harrogate peer breached Lords code

No further action will be taken against a Harrogate peer who breached the House of Lords code of conduct, the standards commissioner has said.

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate was found to have committed a “minor breach” of the code after he did not make clear the nature of business of one of the companies of which he is a director.

A report published on Thursday by the Lords commissioner for standards, Martin Jelley QPM, said Lord Kirkhope was one of 24 peers to commit a breach.

However, he said the matter was resolved by each peer providing a description of the registered companies.

Mr Jelley said:

“Apart from the Duke of Wellington, the other 24 members committed a minor and inadvertent breach of the code of conduct by failing to provide a description of companies they had registered. 

“Each of them has resolved the breach to my satisfaction and I consider that no further sanction is necessary.”

The complaint against Lord Kirkhope followed allegations made by UnlockDemocracy, a London-based pressure group.

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Tom Brake, director of the group, wrote to Mr Jelley to allege that 39 peers had breached paragraph 53 of the House of Lords code of conduct, which says a peer should “give a broad indication of the company’s business, where this is not self-evident from its name”.

It said Lord Kirkhope did not make clear the nature of business of Reading-based Brass Trustees Limited, of which he has been a director since June last year.

The other peers investigated include Lord Sugar, the former Tottenham Hotspur chairman and founder of electronics company Amstrad.

Mr Jelley added in his report:

“It is the responsibility of members to ensure that entries within the register of interests are correct and up to date. It is in everyone’s interest that matters are reported accurately and fully.”

As Timothy Kirkhope, he was MP for Leeds North East and MEP for Yorkshire before being created a life peer in 2016. He has a keen interest in local radio.

The Stray Ferret has approached Lord Kirkhope for comment.