Harrogate BID has created social distancing posters to help customers keep two metres apart ahead of shops reopening in June.

The series of posters, called “Harrogate Welcomes You”, will be made available for free to all businesses in the town.

The “Harrogate Welcomes You” pack will be made available to businesses.

It comes as car showrooms will reopen from Monday and non-essential shops, such as clothes stores and electronic outlets, will open on June 15.

The pack provided by the BID will include a window graphic, six posters, six floor two metre stickers and six queue stickers.

Floor stickers will help to show customers where to stand two metres apart.

Harrogate BID Interim Manager Simon Kent said:

“We have used the slogan ‘Harrogate Welcomes You’ which is a simple, yet powerful, message which we believe will strike a chord with businesses and customers alike.

“With the town gradually coming back to life in the next couple of weeks, these packs will be available, free of charge, for all businesses within the BID district.

“They have been designed to work in any businesses environment, be it shops or offices, and as well as reminding people what they should be doing to minimise the risk of contracting Covid-19, they include the strong welcoming message.”

Yorkshire Water has again urged people to stay away from reservoirs this weekend as its sites have already seen an influx of visitors since lockdown restrictions were eased.

It’s the third week in a row the company has pleaded for people not to visit its reservoirs as it continues to put plans in place to protect its key workers.

Car parks at Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross are currently open after lockdown measures were relaxed and allowed people to travel to visit parks and other attractions for exercise.

It comes as people have flocked to reservoirs in the Harrogate district in the past couple of weeks to make the most of the sunshine. More than 50 cars were parked outside Swinsty reservoir in the first week of restrictions being relaxed.

Cars parked outside Swinsty reservoir in the first week of lockdown restrictions being eased.

But bosses at Yorkshire Water have urged people to only visit if they are in walking distance after incidents where cars have been parked inappropriately on nearby roads.

Emily Brady, marketing and content manager at Yorkshire Water, said reservoirs in the county had been busy since restrictions were eased and urged people to stay away.

She said: “Since the government guidelines have changed, we’ve been working hard to devise a plan to keep everyone safe while enjoying our beautiful reservoirs. 

“Our key workers visit our reservoirs regularly to do vital engineering checks so we’re putting plans in place to help protect them.

“While we do this, we want to remind everyone to not visit our reservoirs this weekend unless you live within walking distance. Unfortunately, lots of people are still visiting our reservoirs and they’re very busy at the moment. 

“We’ve had several incidences of people parking inappropriately on roads nearby causing traffic issues too and this has caused issues for emergency services so please don’t visit this weekend and hopefully we’ll be back to normal soon.”

North Yorkshire Police have issued a warning to residents and businesses after a high volume of bank fraud cases in the county, including £55,000 stolen from victims in Harrogate.

“Courier fraud” is when a victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from the police or their bank’s fraud team and who asks for money to be handed over to be used in an investigation.

They usually tell the victim they are investigating the bank due to allegations of theft from customers.

Police have issued the warning after three incidents were reported in Harrogate. One case saw a 65-year-old woman lose £50,000 to fraudsters after she was persuaded to withdraw money from her bank and to buy gold as a safer investment before it was placed into safe storage.

A further case saw a 60-year-old man conned out of £5,000. He refused to travel to London to hand the money over in person, but he agreed to pass it to a courier.

Meanwhile, an 80-year-old woman almost lost £6,500 back in March until she contacted her bank’s for fraud advice. The suspect did not contact her again.

Police continue to investigate these incidents.

Detective Detective Constable Neil Brodhurst, a fraud investigator, urged anyone who has been a victim of a courier fraud to come forward.

He said: “Courier fraud is clearly a despicable and malicious crime which preys upon vulnerable people who are genuinely frightened that their life savings are at risk.

“It is vitally important for residents to know that the police or a bank would never contact people in this way. They would also never ask for highly personal information such as PINs and bank account numbers over the phone.

“If you or someone you know receives such a call out of the blue, the best advice is to end the call straight away and report it to the police and the bank for investigation..

“Please do not feel foolish in any way. We are here to help and support victims and we will do everything in our power to bring suspects to justice.”

Harrogate businesses have been urged not to leave disabled shoppers behind as they gear up to reopen in the coming weeks.

Disability Action Yorkshire has called on companies to put in place measures to help disabled people shop safely and published guidance to follow.

It comes as car showrooms will be able to reopen on Monday and other non-essential stores, including clothes shops and electronics outlets, will open on June 15.

Among the measures suggested by the charity include widening aisles, clear signage at a height for wheelchair users and discretion on the limited people in a shop rule for those who need a companion to support them.

The charity has also suggested putting chairs out for queues at stores where there is likely to be a long wait.

Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire.

Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, called on businesses to bear disabled customers in mind when they put plans in place.

She said:

“As we gently ease through lockdown many businesses, shops and hospitality venues are thinking about making the necessary adjustments to make their premises, routes and spaces as safe for as many people as possible.

“We are asking that, when making those vital plans, you consider disabled customers. ‘Shop local’ is a message we hear a lot and we want to ensure that when disabled people cone into town they can do so in comfort and safety.

“Whilst it’s not an exhaustive list, we hope businesses find these suggestions both useful and beneficial.

“We would also ask disabled people to get in touch with us if they have other suggestions, as we know there’s going to be a lot of things worrying people that we haven’t considered.”

A total of 109 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have recovered and been discharged from Harrogate District Hospital – and increase of five since last week.

The latest news, announced this afternoon, comes as the hospital also reports no new deaths in patients with Covid-19, in today’s NHS figures.

It means the total number of deaths at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust remains at 64.

#teamHDFT #ThankYouNHS pic.twitter.com/tHE24r6oMU

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) May 28, 2020

Meanwhile, the NHS has reported a further 185 patients in England who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in hospital. Patients were between 28 and 99 years old, and five of those who died had no known underlying health conditions.

The figures mean the number of deaths in hospitals nationally has increased to 26,234.

Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to give its commercial tenants three months rent free is set to land local taxpayers with a £200,000 bill.

A report to council leader, Richard Cooper, and Cllr Graham Swift, executive member for economy, at the authority’s urgent cabinet meeting in March detailed the cost of the decision before it was approved by senior councillors.

Since then, the authority has seen its debt from the coronavirus outbreak spiral from an estimated £10 million to £15 million and is now considering furloughing staff to address the shortfall.

While most local authorities decided to defer rents for local companies, the borough council opted to wave them completely for its tenants.

Unlike other businesses, council tenants have had a double dose of public money with many applying for emergency government grants on top of a rent free period. It leaves the authority facing questions over whether the decision was a good use of taxpayer money or not when the cost of the pandemic is revealed.

One council tenant, who did not wish to be named, said that they knew of at least one fellow council tenant which was still operating and that most of the smaller businesses will have applied for the government’s £10,000 grant.

They said they were given no advanced notice of the decision until they received an e-mail to inform them of the rent free period.

They said: “I was shocked and could not believe it, nobody asked for it.

“Obviously I am pleased, but I wonder if it might have been better if they found out those businesses who cannot get the grant and supported them.”

At the time of the decision, a joint statement from Cllr Cooper and chief executive Wallace Sampson said the authority wanted to encourage others to offer support.

It said: “Our commercial tenants will be offered three months’ rent free and we’ll be doing all that we can to encourage other landlords in the district to consider what support they can offer their tenants.”

Earlier this month, some landlords described the decision as “unnecessary” at a time when the council is considering furloughing some of its staff in the future to help make ends meet.

Meanwhile, Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, said she felt the decision was rushed.

“I think in hindsight it was maybe a decision which should have been tempered,” she said.

“For me, I think it was a bit of a rushed decision that I wish I had given more thought.”

Harrogate Borough Council has been asked whether it intends to extend the rent free period, but had not responded at the time of publication.

Businesses in Knaresborough are preparing social distancing measures as some shops in the town gear up to reopen next month.

A range of measures designed to help shops in Knaresborough reopen safely are set be introduced following a Knaresborough Chamber of Trade initiative.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that non-essential shops, including clothes stores and electronic outlets, will be able to reopen from June 15.

The chamber has led a campaign called Knaresborough Unlocked which aims to keep the town open for business.

As part of the initiative, Knaresborough is set to introduce measures such as limited customers in shops at one time, bookings for those offering personal care, and some temporary road closures proposed by the chamber. Business owners are also encouraged to practise good hygiene in their stores.

Road closures

The chamber is in discussions with North Yorkshire County Council to close roads including Market Place, Castlegate and parts of Jockey Lane in order to help create space for people to queue outside businesses.

Bill Taylor, treasurer at Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said the measures are designed to keep people safe:

“These are temporary measures until social distancing becomes a thing of the past. We are just trying to keep everyone safe.”

Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty in Knaresborough, which is preparing measures to keep customers safe when it reopens.

Among the businesses that has put preparations in place is Kelly Teggin’s Hair and Beauty salon on Castlegate.

While the government has said salons will not reopen until July at the earliest, owner Kelly Teggin has started to prepare to reopen safely.

She has put in place social distancing measures in the salon, including personal protective equipment, a one-way system and staggering working hours to fit appointments in.

Customers will be told to turn up at their exact booking time in order for people to keep their distance and people will not be able to wait in the waiting area.

Kelly said the lockdown has given her time to prepare the business should it reopen next month.

“I would not have felt prepared if it was a June reopening. But now that it is coming up to July, I do think that by then we will be ready.”

Harrogate Borough Council has been given £141,177 from the government to help reopen high streets in town centres in the district safely.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that non-essential shops, such as clothes stores and electronic outlets, will reopen from June 15 and urged people to spend money to help the economy “bounce back”.

Now, councils across the country have been handed money from a £50 million pot to help with measures to make shopping areas safe and will be able to spend the funding from June 1.

The money is designed to fund measures such as new signs, temporary barriers, street markings and marketing campaigns to reassure people that High Streets are safe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to spend money to help the economy when non-essential stores reopen from June 15.

It comes as North Yorkshire County Council has already put out temporary bollards in town centres across the district to widen pavements to help social distancing. The authority’s highways chief was forced to defend the measures after criticism from some traders and on social media.

The funding is expected be among the last from the European Union Regional Development Fund which is allocated to the UK Government and handed to councils. The EU fund will finish at the end of this year.

High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP said:

“As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening our high streets will be key to kick-starting our economic recovery.

“Levelling up the regions and supporting our high streets has always been central to the mission of this government.

“Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.

“That’s why we are providing an extra £50 million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their local high street safely again.”

Harrogate Borough Council has been approached for comment on what it intends to spend the funding on.

A majority of residents in the Harrogate district have said they are “appalled” and “furious” at the behaviour of the Prime Minister’s chief adviser who made a 500 mile round trip to County Durham during lockdown to isolate.

Across social media and e-mails to The Stray Ferret, people have been reacting to the news. Though most objected to the adviser’s behaviour, some have defended Dominic Cummings’ actions and said those who want him to resign are doing so for political reasons.

Mr Cummings found himself in the middle of a political storm over the Bank Holiday Weekend over his decision, but he said he believed he acted reasonably and did not regret it.

Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly joined other backbenchers and called for Mr Cummings to resign, but there is still no word on whether Ripon MP, Julian Smith, has joined the call.

Neither MP has responded to The Stray Ferret’s request for a comment.

Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly called for Mr Cummings to step down. But Julian Smith, MP for Ripon, has yet to comment.

On social media, the majority of comments from the district’s residents revealed they were unimpressed with Mr Cummings and some have e-mailed their local MP to voice their concerns.

Racheal Bowen said on Facebook: “I am furious and emailed Andrew Jones yesterday to voice my opinion. Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives. Unless you are Dominic Cummings and then just do what you want and the NHS will pick up the pieces. Disgraceful behaviour from Cummings and all those in government who are supporting him.”

Susan Halliday said: “I am appalled at his arrogance. I have not seen my seven grandchildren for eight weeks and have followed the rules to the letter but now I’m not sure if I’ll pop and see them all and not feel guilty. I’m thinking the rest of the country may feel the same.”

No doubt Cummings should go. Don’t care if he resigns or is sacked, just as long as he goes.

— Marc Smith (@marcxsmith) May 25, 2020

But some have criticised the response to the story and said those who want Mr Cummings to step down are politically motivated.

Sue Stott said on Facebook: “I find it hard to comprehend the levels of hate that so-called respectable people are showing for this man & his family. What is this country turning into when all we can do is criticise and harass others.”

Cheryl Allan said: “I couldn’t care less. There are loads of people who have been out meeting other people and no one gives a damn. But if you’re in the public eye everyone goes mad about it.”

Most people wanting Cummings to be sacked are doing it for political reasons. #Gameplay

— Harrogate Stuff (@harrogate_stuff) May 25, 2020

Over the last four days we have looked at issues surrounding cycling in Harrogate. We put the questions raised from those reports to North Yorkshire’s highways chief, Don Mackenzie. 

As North Yorkshire County Council struggles to make a dent in its Otley Road project, campaigners have accused the council of having a lack of ambition on cycling. 

When asked whether the authority had a lack of ambition, Councillor Mackenzie said:

“We do have aspirations, but we need funding and we also need to take everyone with us.” 

He added that he was hopeful of starting the first phase of Otley Road next month and that funding was still in place for the project.

Councillor Mackenzie said the council had to speak to a range of people about its highways schemes and could not focus solely on one group. 

“People need to remember that North Yorkshire is a very big county and there are many demands on it. 

“Harrogate cyclists want to get things done, but we have to take everyone with us. We have to work with many other groups, not just cyclists.” 

His answer will be seen as less than emphatic for people who will feel there is no better time to get started while the roads are clear.

Will recent events make a difference?

Earlier this month the Department of Transport announced millions of pounds of extra cash to develop the region’s permanent cycling infrastructure. On Saturday it announced the Yorkshire and Humber region would be allocated a £24.5m emergency active travel grant for new cycling and walking lanes.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said laws had been amended to “reduce red tape and halve the time” it takes for councils to get schemes up and running  – “helping local authorities accommodate for the step-change in behaviour as more people turn to cycling and walking”

Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said:

“We’re living in a time where many people are cycling and walking more than they did before, and we must build on this opportunity to bring about longer-term change – where active travel is viewed as the default for shorter journeys, long after this crisis has finished.

“This funding for Yorkshire and the Humber will help councils provide more space for walking and cycling and make it easier for people to get out and about and reduce the pressure on public transport.”

Where the extra money will be spent will now be decided. Will the amended laws make a difference? Councillor Mackenzie, who faces the challenge of delivering such projects, will no doubt be hoping so.