Developers silent over planned Harrogate Starbucks

Developers behind a former Leon restaurant in Harrogate which was due to become a Starbucks have remained silent on the scheme.

North Yorkshire Council approved plans to change the signage around the Wetherby Road site to Starbucks branding in August but the building remains closed.

Permission was given for a total of 20 signs, just over half of which would be illuminated, including totem signs, menus and directional signs around the drive-through.

Leon, which opened last June, closed its doors on April 2 with the loss of around 20 jobs.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

The Stray Ferret asked EG Group for an update on the project and whether it had confirmed an opening date, but received no response by the time of publication.

We also asked Starbucks whether it had a potential launch date for the new store.

In response, a spokesperson for the company said:

“I’m afraid we don’t comment on pieces of planning application.”

Currently, the building has been empty for seven months and has been stripped of its Leon branding and signage.

The coffee brand has only one existing presence in the Harrogate district, on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

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Harrogate Lib Dems criticise Yorkshire Water £2m executive payments

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have criticised Yorkshire Water after it paid senior executives £2 million in bonuses last year.

Companies House documents show the water firm paid a total of £2.09 million to four executives in the year ending March 2023.

The move comes as Yorkshire Water has faced criticism this year for pumping sewage into local rivers.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the water industry had become a “gravy train”.

He added that chief executives of water companies should be banned from taking bonuses.

Mr Gordon said:

“Our local waterways are being pumped full of raw disgusting sewage, all whilst the water firm hand themselves insulting pay-outs. The whole thing stinks. These salaries and perks have reached eye-watering levels, yet Conservative ministers refuse to act. 

“I was shocked that there was literally no mention of sewage in the King’s Speech.

“It is time to rip up Yorkshire Water so it no longer puts profit before the environment. The firm is clearly not working how it should and is not listening to local concerns on sewage discharges. 

“This country’s water industry has become a gravy train where sewage and money flows freely. This is a scandal and happening on this government’s watch.”

In response, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: 

“The pay of our directors is set by a remuneration committee, which is independent from our executives, and is comparable within the industry.

“Any incentive payments are strongly linked to company performance and align with best practice and regulatory guidance.”

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The comments come as Yorkshire Water recently submitted a £7.8 billion proposal to Ofwat as part of investment plans for 2025 to 2030.

The company’s plan includes £3.1 billion to improve resilience in the water network, £4.3 billion to protect river and coastal water quality and investment in customer service and financial support for customers.

However, it would mean average bills would rise from £438.12 in 2024/25 (£36.51 per month) to £518.76 in 2025/26 (£43.23 per month) with increases each year thereafter.

Mr Gordon previously described the move as “utterly scandalous”. 

However, Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the plan was a step up for Yorkshire Water and would help to “strengthen” plans for a bathing water application for the River Nidd.

Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, say liquidators

Failed tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, according to the latest liquidator report.

The organisation was placed into administration in March 2022 after officials blamed the impact of covid and the “task of securing sufficient funding”.

A report by Armstrong Watson, which was appointed liquidator in August last year, showed that it owed £3 million to unsecured creditors.

A previous administrator’s report from April 2022 had initially estimated Welcome to Yorkshire would owe £1.8 million to 67 creditors.

Among them is North Yorkshire Council, which is due £1.3 million in relation to the North Yorkshire Pension Fund.

The Stray Ferret has approached the council to ask whether it is still pursuing the money and if it expects a repayment from liquidators. However, we had not received a response by the time of publication.

Armstrong Watson said in its report that it was unable to confirm what payment would be made to creditors at this stage.

It said:

“I am currently in the process of reviewing and agreeing unsecured creditors’ claims as there will be sufficient funds to pay a dividend.

“Unfortunately, at this stage I cannot confirm the level of the dividend payable as this is contingent upon agreeing both secondary preferential and unsecured creditor claims.”

Meanwhile, staff claims totalling £9,570 have been repaid in full.

A sum of £296,000 owed to HMRC is also expected to be paid in full, but liquidators are continuing discussions with the body.

Keith Tordoff, who is running for independent mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said the loss of the brand was “a massive failure”.

He said:

“The loss of the Welcome to Yorkshire brand and of course the invested monies is a massive failure by some members of the North Yorkshire Council who were either on the board of Welcome to Yorkshire or those authorising the unsecured loans.

“The taxpayers deserve better and those councillors on North Yorkshire who were involved should consider their position.”

The move comes after administrators sold the tourism body’s assets and website last year.

Yorkshire Dales business, Silicon Dales, purchased Yorkshire.com, its social media accounts and the rights to the Tour de Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Council had initially bid for the assets, but was outbid by the private firm.

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Man in 90s dies after Harrogate collision

A man who was seriously injured after a collision between Harrogate and Killinghall has died.

The man, who was in his 90s, had just got off the bus when he was struck by a Ford Fiesta travelling northbound on Monday night (November 6).

He was left in a serious condition in hospital.

The incident took place on the A61, on the bridge close to the junction with Knox Mill Lane, at 5.50pm. A 36 bus stop is situated on the bridge.

This evening, North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man has died.

A force statement said:

“His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Officers have also appealed for witnesses and dash cam footage to help with the investigation into the collision.

Police added:

“Officers are continuing their enquiries and are renewing the appeal for information or dash cam footage.

“Anyone who could help the investigation is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or phone 101, quoting reference number 12230211344.”

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‘Teething issues’ to blame for more missed Harrogate bin collections, says council

North Yorkshire Council has blamed “teething issues” for an increase in missed bin collections in the Harrogate district.

Latest figures from the council show there were 1,579 missed collections in the first quarter of the year. The number is an increase on 1,535 in the same period last year.

Council officials said part of the reason for the missed collections, most of which were for garden waste, was due to a “route optimisation process” carried out by Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished on April 1.

This included changing routes and removing one lorry from the rounds.

However, Michael Leah, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director of environmental services, described the process as an “overall positive”.

He said:

“I am pleased of the level of waste collection services provided across the county. For the Harrogate area, the optimisation of the garden waste collection service has been positive overall for the council, both in terms of efficiency and reduction in its carbon footprint.

“We noted some ‘teething issues’ from this work with a slightly higher rate of missed garden waste bins during the first quarter of the year. We are already well ahead with resolving any issues arising from that work.”

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It comes as Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors raised concern over missed collections after it was claimed just 129 bins were missed across the county in the first 100 days of the new council.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East, raised the issue at a full council meeting in July when she challenged council leader, Carl Les, over the accuracy of the authority’s figures.

She said:

“Talking with my colleagues across the former Harrogate borough and hearing from my own residents, I understand that there has been a much higher than normal missed general, garden and recycling waste bins.

“Unfortunately it also includes assisted bin collections.”

Cllr Les apologised for the inaccuracy and later sent the correct figures to Cllr Gostlow.

Harrogate district adorned in poppies as Remembrance Sunday approaches

The Harrogate district has been adorned in poppies in the lead up to this weekend’s Remembrance Day.

Scores of poppies have been put up in Ripon, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and Masham and in villages in between in honour of the fallen.

Bilton Community Centre is among the organisations to mark remembrance with a wall display.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors, which is based on Hookstone Chase, has created a display in the shape of a poppy featuring old photographs of servicemen.

Meanwhile, Ripon Spa Gardens and Knaresborough Station are also adorned in poppies ahead of Sunday.

Remembrance services will be held across the district this coming weekend. You can read a list of the commemorations here.

Ripon Spa Gardens

Bilton Community Centre

Bilton Ladies Forum members have made many of the poppies on Bilton Community. Centre.

Knaresborough rail station

 

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors's display.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors’s display.

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Business Breakfast: Yorkshire Events Centre hires new events director

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

Yorkshire Events Centre and Pavilions of Harrogate have announced a new events director.

Richard Moorhouse has been promoted to the role after being venue manager at the centre for the last 12 years.

Mr Moorhouse will be tasked with heading up events and conferencing venues at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

In a post on its social media, Yorkshire Events Centre said:

“Richard has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and previously held operational roles at the Freedom Centre, Hull and in hospitality at Doncaster Racecourse.”

Grantley Hall recognised at hospitality awards

Grantley Hall near Ripon has been recognised at an industry awards ceremony.

The hotel was awarded the “best service” award at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024.

The awards aim to recognise excellence within the hospitality industry.

Richard Sykes, managing director at Grantley Hall, said:

“Receiving the award for ‘Best Service’ at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2024 is a moment of immense pride for the entire Grantley Hall family.

“This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, our dedicated team’s passion for hospitality and the genuine care we extend to each and every guest.

“We are deeply honoured by this recognition, as it only strengthens our resolve to continue exceeding the expectations of those we have the privilege to serve and experience the magic of Grantley Hall.”

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A59 Kex Gill resurfacing to be complete on Friday

Work to resurface a section of road on the A59 Kex Gill is set to be completed on Friday.

North Yorkshire Council closed the road for five weeks to undertake the resurfacing between Church Hill and Pace Gate as part of a £500,000 scheme.

It also involved essential stabilising work to the slope of the existing road as well as drainage repairs, gully-clearing, cat’s eyes replacement and maintenance of ground monitoring equipment

The move has caused a lengthy diversion through Pool in Wharfedale and Otley before rejoining the A59.

Now, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Council has said the work is on schedule to be completed on Friday (November 10).

The move comes as the council is constructing a new road off the A59 at Kex Gill after a series of landslips.

The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million for the £68.8 million Kex Gill re-alignment project, with the remaining £12.7 million allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.

A new four-kilometre stretch of road will be created, replacing an existing part of the A59 which has been affected by the landslips. 

The re-aligned route will leave the A59 at North Moor Road and re-join the existing road at Blubberhouses. It is due to be completed by autumn 2025.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate rental company appoints chief financial officer

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

A Harrogate equipment rental company has appointed a new chief financial officer.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP has announced that Kieth Winstanley will join its board from January 2024.

Mr Winstanley qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC and recently held senior finance leadership roles at KCOM Group plc and Lookers plc.

Anna Bielby, chief executive of VP, said:

“I am delighted to be welcoming Keith to Vp as CFO and I look forward to working with him again.

“Keith has significant finance experience which will be instrumental in driving Vp forwards.”

Harrogate care company recognised at regional awards.

A Harrogate and Ripon care company has been recognised at an industry award.

Continued Care won two awards at the regional finals of the Great British Care awards, which was held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Staff member Nichola Noble won in the care assessor award category, while Samantha Lathley was highly commended in the frontline leader award.

Both will go to the national finals in 2024.

Samantha Harrison, director at Continued Care, said: 

“Nichola is once again a worthy winner of her award. Well done to Samantha too, and to all our staff who were nominated.

“The most special thing about these awards is that the finalists were all put forward by the people they care for and work with.”

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Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems criticise homeless tent restriction plan

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she proposed laws to restrict the use of tents by homeless people.

Ms Braverman posted on her social media that the government would introduce new penalties for those who are believed to have refused help from the authorities.

She argued that many see the move to live in a tent as a “lifestyle choice” and that help should be offered to those who are “genuinely homeless”.

Ms Braverman said:

“The British people are compassionate. We will always support those who are genuinely homeless.

“But, we cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice.”

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the proposal as “wrong on so many levels”.

He said:

“I can’t stay silent about the recent comments by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who called rough sleeping a “lifestyle choice” and wants to restrict the use of tents by homeless people.

“This just feels wrong on so many levels, and it certainly doesn’t represent the views of local people that I know.

“Our towns have always been known for their sense of community, compassion, and the way we rally around those in need.”

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Mr Gordon rejected the suggestion that living in a tent was a “lifestyle choice” and described it as “the most desperate of politics”.

He added:

“The majority of homeless individuals are often dealing with difficult circumstances beyond their control.

“We should be focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as this governments chronic failure of housing policy, rather than penalising those who are trying to survive on the streets.”

Ms Braverman’s proposal is expected to be included in the King’s Speech tomorrow, which sets out the government’s legislative agenda.

Lifestyle choice comment is ‘not correct’

Meanwhile, Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the Home Secretary’s comments on the reasons behind homelessness, rough sleeping and street begging showed “a limited understanding” of the issues.

However, he added that Mrs Braverman also spoke of investment in wrap-around care and greater support for those who face such issues.

Mr Jones said:

“The Home Secretary’s comments in respect of the reasons behind homelessness, rough sleeping and street begging showed limited understanding of these issues.

“To describe homelessness as ‘a lifestyle choice’ and the people who are in these situations as mainly ‘from abroad’ is not correct. It is not surprising that those comments have been seized upon as they are a simplistic description of what most know are complex issues with many dimensions.

“She went on to talk about the need to invest more in wrap-around care and for greater support for the problems faced by homeless people, rough sleepers and street beggars. I agree with that part of what she said and wish she had restricted herself to those sensible and positive comments.

“We have invested in this kind of support nationally and locally I did so as a Harrogate councillor with responsibility for the borough’s finances. This is support that tackles the problems that underlie homelessness and rough sleeping –addiction, family breakdown, mental health problems and many more beside.”

Harrogate Homeless Project

He added:

“We have an example of excellence in tackling homelessness in the Harrogate Homeless Project. The project supports people back in to stable lives by helping them deal with the problems that contributed to their homelessness or rough sleeping.

“They continue that support as their clients build new lives in permanent accommodation. They deal with the complex issues in a measured and practical way; their approach to these issues is the correct one. Sound-bites aside, more emphasis on that approach is what I want to see in the King’s Speech.”