Harrogate Mojo plans bar extension

Mojo in Harrogate has submitted plans to extend its bar area.

Voodoo Doll Limited, which trades as Mojo, has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council which would see additional seating downstairs and upstairs.

The plan includes converting current commercial office space on the first floor into additional seating space.

In documents submitted to the council, the company said the move would help to cope with demand at the bar.

It said:

“The proposed extended customer floor space seeks to address demand and reflects the success of the business in Harrogate and as such will positively contribute to the character and vitality of the town centre.”

Drawings of the first floor extension, as coloured in red.

Drawings of the first floor extension, as coloured in red.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

The move comes after Mojo was granted an extension to its opening hours at its Parliament Street bar until 6.30am. A council licensing committee approved the move in March.

At the time, Martin Greenhow, managing director of Mojo, told councillors that part of the reason for extending the hours was so the business can recover from the covid pandemic.

He said:

“One of the reasons that we’re here asking for these extra hours is that the business has found challenges since we have returned.

“We have accrued an awful lot of debt in just getting through lockdowns.”

The Mojo chain also has bars in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Nottingham.

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Trespass applies to open in former Ripon bank

A new Trespass store looks set to open in the former Barclays bank in Ripon.

The bank closed its doors on Market Place in August last year.

Barclays made decision despite the number of counter transactions at the branch increasing in the two years to March 2020.

Now, Jacob and Turner Ltd, which trades under the name Trespass, has applied to North Yorkshire Council for advertising consent at the site.

It would see two signs implemented at the former bank site.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

The Stray Ferret approached Trespass to ask why it had chosen the site in Ripon and if it had further details on an opening date, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The outdoor clothing specialist currently has a store on Harrogate’s James Street.

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Plan submitted to convert Knaresborough mill into banking hub

A plan has been submitted to convert part of a grade-II listed former Knaresborough mill into a banking hub.

Cash Access UK has lodged the plan for the building on Kirkgate in the town.

The mill was built in the 18th century and was most recently used as a tile showroom.

The developer plans to convert the ground floor of the former mill into a banking hub, which will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

It will also provide a community banker service where customers can talk to their own banking provider about more complicated issues, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The company identified the former mill as its site for the banking hub in June.

At the time, Gareth Oakley, chief executive at Cash Access UK, said:

“We know the new banking hub has been eagerly anticipated by the local community and so we’re delighted we’ve now been able to secure a fantastic location for you in the heart of the community.

“This brings us a significant step closer in being able to deliver improved access to cash services to individuals and businesses in Knaresborough.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Cash Access UK is owned and funded by 10 of the UK’s biggest banking providers: Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money.

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Business Breakfast: Knaresborough businesses sponsor Knaresborough Celtics FC

Two Knaresborough businesses have agreed to sponsor Knaresborough Celtics girls football team.

Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty and Huttons will sponsor the under 16s side this season.

It will see the businesses provide kit and training wear for the girls.

Kelly Teggin, owner of Kelly Teggin Hairdressers, said:

“Kelly Teggin hairdressing have sponsored the team for five years buying a kit every year so they can pass it down so all the age groups have a kit to play in moving forwards.

“Huttons have sponsored the training tops that the girls keep as they have their initials on and they will have them as a keep sake for all the hard work both the parents, team and coaches have put in over the last eight years.”

Pictured above (left to right) Kelly Young, Jaden Rigg, Issy Colbert, Lily Howliston , Lilly perry, Issy stobbs, Grace Denny, Amelia Trougton, Poppy Naylor, Poppy Johnson, Bella Richardson, Camilla Rishton ,Abigail Rushworth, Bella Bere, Freya Welbourne

Council awards Harrogate maintenance contract

North Yorkshire Council has awarded a contract for maintenance of public buildings in Harrogate to a Bingley company.

Europe Air Conditioning Ltd, which is based in Cottingley near Bingley, has been commissioned to cover “reactive call outs” in the area.

The contract is valued at £86,723.47, according to the council website.

It adds:

“This work forms part of legal compliance and is essential for the continuation of business and health and safety of our staff, occupants and public.”

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Council prepares alternative options to save £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway

Council bosses are preparing to submit alternative options for Harrogate’s £11.2 million Station Gateway project.

In a report due before senior councillors next week, North Yorkshire Council recommends coming up with a ‘descoped’ gateway scheme after the previous proposals were paused last month.

The report, which does not mention cycling once, said the revised scheme would retain the popular elements of the gateway.

It said it would focus on “a high quality pedestrian-focussed public realm scheme, with improved access into the bus station, and better traffic flow through co-ordinated signal timings”.

It added the Department for Transport, which funded the gateway through its Transforming Cities Fund, had “indicated initial support for a modified scope but have not yet formally responded”.

The council halted the scheme immediately after lawyers acting on behalf of local property firm Hornbeam Park Developments launched a judicial review.

Now it is hastily preparing new measures to prevent the funding from being lost.

Richard Binks, head of major projects at the council, said in the report:

“Other options could be to progress with the scheme originally conceived, either with the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders, but having objections considered at a public inquiry or alternatively revisiting some of the TRO proposals, such as not restricting loading hours; or to cancel the scheme in its entirety.”

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Councillors will consider the report at an executive meeting on September 19.

Council officers are then expected to bring further options for the gateway to an executive meeting in October or November.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he remains hopeful the £11.2 million of government funding will be spend on a transport improvement scheme for Harrogate.

Cllr Duncan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the scheme was “not dead yet”, but was “on life support”.

However, he added that the project will have to be altered for it to stand a chance of succeeding.

Cat charity to open new Harrogate shop

Cats Protection is set to open a new shop in Harrogate.

The store, which will operate under the charity’s boutique retail arm called Cattitude, will be located at 8 Oxford Street.

The shop, which will sell fashion items and accessories, is seeking volunteers.

Sarah Jordan, retail operations manager at the charity, said: 

“We have been hoping to open a store in Harrogate for many years and we’re delighted to finally be able to make this happen.

“The final touches are being put together as we speak and we hope to be able to announce an opening date very soon. In the meantime, anyone looking for new, exciting retail positions is invited to get in touch.”

Cats Protection helps an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year through its national network, which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres. 

Its retail arm helps to raise funds to ensure as many cats as possible can go on to live happy lives.

For more information about volunteering at the charity, visit the Cats Protection website.

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Felled Harrogate oak tree defaced with graffiti

A felled oak tree in Harrogate has been defaced with graffiti which inaccurately claims it was killed for cyclists.

The tree at the junction of Bilton Lane and Woodfield Road was taken down due to its decaying condition last month.

At the time, the council said it was “regrettable” that the 300-year-old oak had to be felled.

The tree has now been defaced with graffiti, which says “killed 4 cyclists”.

It is unclear who is responsible for the graffiti or when it was carried out.

However, the message is inaccurate as council officials confirmed to the Stray Ferret that the tree had been assessed in June and its decaying roots meant it was a “risk to the public”.

North Yorkshire Council also claimed it is possible that work carried out by Northern Powergrid in April near to the oak on Woodfield Road in Bilton “would have accelerated the death of the tree”.

Jonathan Clubb, the council’s head of parks and grounds, said a “thorough examination” would now be carried out into the tree.

He said:

“It is always regrettable when we have to remove a tree and we do not do so lightly. However, after a detailed assessment of the risks posed, a decision was taken to remove this specimen due to its condition.

“Oak trees can live for centuries and this particular tree was around 300 years old.

“However, the extent of the root decay meant the stability of the tree may have been affected. Because of its location on a main road, the risk to the public was considered too great to allow it to continue to stand.”

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Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital in Harrogate wins national award

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has won a national award.

The hospital, which is run by Circle Health Group, received the recognition for commitment to patient safety.

The award was given by the National Joint Registry, which monitors performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes.

The hospital was granted the NJR quality data provider certificate for standards in patient safety.

Michelle Eardley, executive director at the Duchy Hospital, said:

“Improving patient safety is of the upmost importance and is a key priority for all staff.

“We fully support the National Joint Registry’s work in facilitating improvement in clinical outcomes and governance for the benefit of joint replacement patients and we’re delighted to be awarded as an NJR quality data provider.”

Local businesses offered chance to trade at Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Destination Harrogate is offering the chance for local businesses to trade for free at this year’s Christmas Fayre.

The Jolly Big Business Boost competition offers for firm’s with “eye-catching, exciting and creative products” to be part of the event.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will run from December 1 until December 17 and is operated by Market Place Europe.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“The Jolly Big Business Boost supports our amazing local businesses to maximise this opportunity, which Christmas in Harrogate offers, and we’d encourage all interested and eligible businesses to take part in the initiative.”

Those interested in entering the competition are asked to submit a short written application with a two-minute video telling the judges about their product and themselves.

This year’s winner will be chosen by a panel of judges drawn from across the Harrogate business community and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

For more information and to apply, visit the Destination Harrogate website here.

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Harrogate footballer looking to score Blackburn Rovers to promotion

Blackburn Rovers may have strolled past Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup recently — but one notable local player was absent from the team sheet.

Harry Leonard, 19, grew up in Harrogate and went to Grove Road Community Primary School and then Rossett School.

His family moved to the town 12 years ago from Rochdale.

Now starting for Rovers up front, Harry — like England star Rachel Daly — started out at Killinghall Nomads before moving onto Pannal Sports.

He signed for Blackburn at just nine-years-old.

Harry pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Harry (second from right, back row) pictured with Killinghall Nomads.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Harry said it felt “unbelievable” to join such an academy set up.

During his rise up the ranks, he rubbed shoulders with players such as Jordan Rhodes, who scored 84 goals for Blackburn over a four-year spell, and midfielder Bradley Dack.

He signed his first professional contract in December 2021.

At the time, he said:

“It’s a little step in what is hopefully a long career here for me.

“You sacrifice a lot, moving over to the area at such a young age and a lot of hard work has gone into it, so I’d like to think that the hard work is paying off, but you can’t hold back in football. You’ve got to keep pushing on, keep working hard and keep getting better.”

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Harry signing for Blackburn at nine-years-old.

Manager John Dahl Tomasson gave Harry his big break at the start of this season when the club opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park.

Harry started and scored his first senior goal — 10 years to the day since he signed for Rovers.

He said:

“I was over the moon. It was a good win over a good side.”

Despite playing with the likes of Rhodes and Dack, Harry says he has never had one player that he has modelled his game on.

In fact, much of his inspiration lies closer to home.

He points to Ricky O’Sullivan, his PE teacher at Rossett, and Ryan Ellis, his teacher at Grove Road Primary School, as among those who helped him the most.

🌹 A first senior goal for Harry Leonard! 💫#EFL | @Rovers pic.twitter.com/EjPeDbmteG

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) August 6, 2023

The 19-year-old has started all but one league game in the Championship so far.

With games against the likes of local rivals Preston North End still to come, he says one of the games he’s most looking forward to is the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.

“I’ve got friends who will be in the Leeds end.”

Relishing his first senior season in the Championship, Harry said he’s taking each game as it comes.

Ahead of the season, he sat down with coach Damian Johnson to go over how he would approach the coming season.

But, rather than set a target, the discussion was around developing himself in the first team.

“I sat down at the start of the season with him and decided to try and cement my place in the team.

“I’m trying to take it game by game.”

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Local politicians raise concern over lack of Harrogate and Knaresborough NHS dentistry

Local politicians have raised concern over a lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Both Conservative MP, Andrew Jones, and Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue had been raised with them multiple times.

It comes as this week, the Stray Ferret reported that another dentist on Harrogate’s King’s Road will go “membership only” once its NHS contract runs out in December.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic told patients it will now only take appointments from those as part of its membership scheme.

In a letter seen by the Stray Ferret, it said it planned to cut its patient list by 70% as part of the plan — which it said would “reduce appointment waiting times” and “improve prevention of dental disease and decay”.

Chatsworth House Dental Clinic on King’s Road.

Gail Hindson, a patient who received a letter from the dentist, questioned why patients would require longer appointments.

She said:

“Why do patents need longer appointment? In the 40 years I have been a patient I have never felt my appointment time did not meet my needs.

“What support are they providing to those patients they are rejecting either due to lack of finance or understanding of the process?”

Concerns over lack of access

The decision by Chatsworth House Dental Clinic raised concern over the the lack of access to NHS dentistry in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which replaced North Yorkshire CCG in April, is responsible for the commissioning of dental care in the district.

A review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, has taken concerns over the lack of NHS dentists to the ICB.

He said the organisation should begin expanding NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones said:

“It is positive that dental provision has moved from being controlled nationally to a more local approach. I want to see this local management produce results for our area quickly.

“Recently a small number of constituents have contacted me having had problems getting access to an NHS dentist. Anecdotally this is a wider problem. I am also concerned that residents moving into the new estates in our area will be left without dental cover.

“So I want the ICB to begin expanding the NHS dental provision in Harrogate and Knaresborough and to keep the level of service under review as the new estates become fully occupied.”

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said the issue was one that “kept coming up on the doorstep”.

He added people had also told the local party about their concerns at accessing an NHS dentist appointment.

Mr Gordon said:

“Access to NHS dentistry is one of the biggest issues that keeps coming up on the doorstep time an time again.

“That’s why we have been campaigning on this issue since I was selected earlier this year, and I have met with Daisy Cooper MP, the Lib Dem health spokesperson, and she raised it in Parliament, when our current MP has failed to do so at any point in the last 13 years.

“Over the summer we launched our local dental survey. The results made for a shocking read.

“43% of people who responded to our dental survey are not currently registered with a dentist, with more than 60% of those people having not seen a dentist in years.

“Just 30% of people we spoke with told us they were currently registered with an NHS dentist, with just under half travelling outside the district to see them. The rest pay for private care.

“More than half of the people we spoke with told us that they have delayed seeing a dentist because of the associated cost.”

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