Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate braced for second leisure services shake-up in three years

Just three years since its last overhaul, Harrogate’s leisure services look set for another restructure.

With the formation of Brimhams Active, a council-owned company, Harrogate Borough Council officials promised a new dawn for facilities in the district.

This came in the shape of multi-million pound investments in Harrogate and Knaresborough leisure centres – the latter of which is set to open on December 11.

Now, three years on, North Yorkshire Council looks set to carry out another overhaul of its leisure operation.

Bringing services in-house

The council’s plan, which is detailed in a report due before councillors on Monday, would see the entirety of its operators brought in-house over the next four years.

Currently, the county is served by five separate leisure providers – including Brimhams Active in Harrogate – which cover 19 leisure centres, 16 pools and three well-being hubs.

A private company called Everyone Active provides services in Ryedale and Scarborough; Richmond Leisure Trust runs facilities in Richmond and a charity called Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles oversees sites in Selby. Services in Craven and Hambleton are ran in-house.

The Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.

The council has argued in its report that the current management of leisure is “complex” and bringing it in-house would represent a “bespoke model for the unique circumstances of North Yorkshire”.

It has also promised a “renewed focus on physical and mental health and wider well being”.

The overhaul is expected to cost in the region of £135,000.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“The strategic leisure review provides us with an exciting opportunity to transform the delivery of our leisure service and improve outcomes for communities across North Yorkshire.

“What we are recommending puts us at the forefront of a national movement to transform services with a renewed focus on physical and mental health and wider well-being.”

Brimhams’ facilities ‘envy of North Yorkshire’

It comes at a time when North Yorkshire Council is shaping its services, such as licensing, planning and housing, following devolution.

However, it also represents yet another service overhaul for the Harrogate district’s leisure services.

In 2020, the Stray Ferret reported extensively on the borough council’s review of its leisure facilities which culminated in the creation of Brimhams Active in August 2021 to run centres across the district.

The company, which is now owned by North Yorkshire Council, recently embarked on £46 million worth of projects at Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active.

In an interview with the Stray Ferret in September, Mark Tweedie, managing director at the company, described the facilities as the “envy of North Yorkshire”.

Centres in Ripon, Harrogate and Knaresborough also feature Brimhams branding, which could be removed not long after they were put up.

In its report, the council acknowledges that the company’s model is “particularly advanced” and could be scaled up.

However, despite the advanced nature of Brimhams’ operation, the council still plans to streamline its operators and bring them in-house.

The report adds:

“Whilst there is a desire to streamline the current position into a single operating model, this is no reflection on the current provision or providers who deliver much valued and high quality services across the county.”

‘Devil in the detail’

Brimhams currently employs 160 staff and has a turnover of £8.4 million.

At the time of its creation, unions raised concern over the transfer of staff to Brimhams and sought reassures over terms and conditions for leisure workers.

In the end, staff transferred to the company under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, better known as TUPE, on August 1, 2021.

Speaking on the fresh proposals, Dave Houlgate, secretary of the Unison Harrogate Local Government branch, said he supports facilities being brought in-house.

However, he added that the “devil will be in the detail”.

He said:

“The key for us is the delivery of quality public services but also improving the terms and conditions and pay for our members who are currently enduring a cost of living crisis.

“If this proposal delivers on these two things and avoids any compulsory redundancies then we are likely to give it our full support.”

The proposal appears to represent the council embarking on a transformation of its services in its image for North Yorkshire following devolution.

However, it also raised questions over how the Harrogate district’s leisure facilities will look and function in the future.

North Yorkshire Council’s transition overview and scrutiny committee will consider the leisure review proposal at a meeting on Monday (December 4).

Man seriously injured after Harrogate collision

A man in his 60s has been left seriously injured after a collision in Harrogate.

The incident happened at 5.30pm on Thursday (November 30) at the junction of Roberts Crescent and Knapping Hill.

It involved a pedestrian and a white Vauxhall van. A man in his 60s was taken to hospital by ambulance where he is in a serious but stable condition.

The van driver, also from Harrogate, is assisting police with the investigation.

Officers have appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage of the collision.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police are appealing for any witnesses to collision or motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as soon as possible.

“Please email Chris.Storey@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Chris Storey. quoting reference number 12230227805.”

Harrogate Town eye glamorous FA Cup third round spot

Harrogate Town will hope to book a place in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow when they play four-time winners Bolton Wanderers.

Town will travel to the Toughsheet Community Stadium to take on the League One leaders for a chance to play against Premier League and Championship sides in the next stage.

Wanderers go into the game in form with 38 points from 18 league games.

Harrogate defeated non-league Marine 5-1 in the first round to avoid a potential cup upset. Now they are hoping to provide an upset of their own.

Simon Weaver, Town manager, described the match as a challenge for the players.

He said:

“It’s a great ground to go and play in a FA Cup tie. They are doing fantastically well at the top of League One.

“It’s a big challenge for us, but we plan on enjoying the day.”

Harrogate will be hoping to reach the third round for the second ever time after reaching the stage in 2021/22.

More than 400 supporters will make the 69-mile trip for the second round match.

A chance to play against Premier League sides such as Manchester City and Liverpool in the third round will be up for grabs.

Harrogate Town will kick off against Bolton at 3pm tomorrow.

Plans submitted to convert Harrogate Debenhams into 34 flats

Fresh plans have been lodged to convert the former Debenhams building in Harrogate into 34 apartments.

Wetherby-based Stirling Prescient No. 1 Limited has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for the site on Parliament Street.

The building has been home to different retailers for more than a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

A previous application from Stirling Prescient had proposed the demolition of the building to make way for 50 flats. However, this was withdrawn in May 2022.

The fresh plan would retain the site and see the upper floors converted into 34 flats. The ground floor and basement levels would be used as “flexible commercial space” or a “drinking establishment”.

Debenhams on Parliament Street, Harrogate pictured in April 2020.

It also proposes erecting a rooftop extension, plus the removal and replacement of canopies, shop fronts and slate roof, and removal and re-cladding of the facade of the 1960s element of the building.

A secure cycle store and seven car parking spaces are also included in the plan.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the new proposal would help to restore the site.

It said:

“The proposed development is located within the heart of the town centre with excellent pedestrian and public transport links and will provide a high quality and vibrant new residential development.

“The proposed building will create a new focal point along Parliament Street, restoring and sympathetically converting the current buildings on the site.”

‘Substantially revised’ proposal

The move comes as previous proposals to demolish the site were met with opposition.

In March 2022, Emma Gibbens, conservation officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said the demolition of the building would harm the local area.

She said:

“The loss of the traditional building form and architectural detail would be harmful to the street scene and character and special interest of the conservation area, the building forming part of the designated heritage asset in a manner that contributes positively to its character.”

The objection followed similar concerns from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage, which said the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the building.

However, Historic England said it supported regeneration of the site but added that there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

Documents submitted to the council as part of the fresh proposal acknowledged that plans to demolish the store were not well received.

However, it added that the scheme had been “substantially revised and positively respond to the feedback received”.

It said:

“The proposals will secure the long-term future of the site which will deliver wide ranging and lasting benefits to the town centre. Flexible commercial space at ground level and new residential development will strengthen the town’s long-term vitality and viability.”

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

Residents urge government to reject Bishop Monkton 23-home appeal

Residents have urged the government to reject an appeal to build 23 homes in Bishop Monkton.

Kebbell Development Ltd tabled a plan to build the houses on Knaresborough Road in the village.

At a meeting of the Skipon and Ripon area constituency planning committee in August,

councillors rejected the plan amid concern it would increase the amount of raw sewage released on streets.

The decision went against North Yorkshire Council officers’ recommendations to approve the scheme.

As a result, the developer has appealed the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In a statement of case submitted to the inspector, Kebbell Development Ltd argued that there was no planning reason for the scheme to be refused.

However, Bishop Monkton Action Group has urged the government to throw out the appeal.

In a 26-page letter of objection submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, the campaign group said the scheme would “threaten the sustainability of our village”.

The group said it had concerns over the impact on drainage and sewage, as well as a “historic lack of investment” in the area’s sewer system.

It said:

“We have highlighted the key issues within the scheme as submitted by the applicant that threaten the sustainability of our village.

“However, the historic lack of investment in our sewer infrastructure is already threatening the sustainability of our village.

“This is evidenced in raw sewage discharge on our streets, in people’s drives and gardens plus sewage discharges onto our Beck and the Ure in a Drinking water safeguard zone. Please do not make this any worse for us.”

The move comes as councillors rejected the proposals at a council meeting three months ago.

One councillor said having more properties in the village could exacerbate the “abomination” of raw sewage being released into the streets during heavy rainfall.

The committee had also called for Yorkshire Water to provide more detail on how the scheme would impact on foul water drainage in the village.

No representative from the company appeared at the meeting.

But the company said “most, if not all” of the “sewage escapes” in the village were caused by residents putting excessive toilet paper, fat, oil and grease down toilets and sinks which caused pipes to block.

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.

Tesco agrees to pay £50,000 for Harrogate bus stop improvements

Tesco is set to pay £50,000 to improve bus stops as part of the planning agreement for its new store in Harrogate.

The supermarket was granted planning approval subject to conditions for a store on the former gasworks site on Skipton Road in February.

As part of its section 106 agreement with North Yorkshire Council, Tesco will pay for improvements to five stops as part of a service in the Killinghall area.

The agreement, which has recently been published on the council website, says the money will go towards new extended shelters with information boards, seating and “where necessary raised kerbs to each carriageway”.

The five bus stops would be on Skipton Road and Ripon Road.

A council report said:

“North Yorkshire Council wish to provide a new bus service in the Killinghall area as part of the bus service contribution from the housing development on Penny Pot Lane and these additional improvements would add value to the new service and help encourage sustainable travel by bus to reach the new store.”

It added that the council felt the contribution was a “reasonable request”.

The supermarket has also agreed to pay £5,000 towards a travel plan for the area.

It has also agreed to provide a replacement store at Jennyfields Local Centre should the existing store close within five years of Tesco opening.

Tesco has also committed to on-site and off-site provision, maintenance and monitoring habitat provision for biodiversity.

The move comes as construction work has yet to start on the new store nine months on from its approval.

Planning documents say a new roundabout will be built at the store entrance and the A59 will be widened to provide a filter lane.

The Stray Ferret approached Tesco for an update on when it intends to start work on the scheme, but we had not received a response by the time of publication.

The council received 82 representations about Tesco’s planning application. A total of 24 were supportive and 57 objected, mainly on the grounds of amenity, traffic, environmental and drainage impacts.

But the council’s planning committee went along with case officer Kate Broadbank’s recommendation to grant approval.

She said the development would “create jobs and provide social, environmental and economic benefits to the local area” and was “in accordance with the development plan policies”.

Tesco first secured planning permission on the site in 2012 but revived its plans in December 2021.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency announces two new hires

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 marketing agency has made two appointments to its team.

Extreme, which is based at Windsor House, has hired Lucy Willis as a social media manager and Garon Ross as a developer.

The company said it has seen a rise in enquiries as businesses seek to elevate their position and gain competitive advantage with consumers.

Garon Ross.

Mark Gledhill, director at Extreme, said:

“2023 has been another busy year, with demand for our web development and social services particularly high, so we’re thrilled to welcome Lucy and Garon to enable us to meet that need.”

Harrogate communications company announces new partnership

A Harrogate communications company has announced a partnership to expand its reach into the UK market.

Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, has agreed a reseller deal with The Barcode Warehouse.

The agreement means the company’s push-to-talk over cellular and workforce management technologies will be made available to a wide range of sectors including education, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, retail and utilities.

Andrew McNamara, channel sales manager at Mobile Tornado, said:

“This exciting new partnership opens up important new markets for Mobile Tornado in the UK and gives large organisations and SMEs the chance to improve safety, efficiency and productivity through our cutting-edge technologies for instant communications and workforce management.”

Free warm spaces offered in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Temperatures have plummeted this week across the Harrogate district as winter begins to bite.

The cold weather, which has in some areas dropped to -3 degrees, has left many worried about how to keep warm.

Netmakers, a movement of churches formerly known as Harrogate Hub, has provided a list of churches and community organisations offering support during the cold weather.

The list includes organisations in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Starbeck offering space Monday to Friday.

You can find the list below.

Resurrected Bites and Harrogate District Food Bank are also offering space amid the freezing temperatures.

If you know of any others in these places or in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham let us know and we will add them. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Further information on warm spaces can also be found on the Harrogate and District Community Action website here.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales pub in Starbeck has also invited people to use the pub as a free place of warmth this winter.

Landlady Alison Griffiths told the Stray Ferret previously that “inflation has caused everything to go up – I just hope to save some people money”.

People don’t have to declare they’re using the service, she added, but instead can just take a seat, chat and enjoy themselves for as long as they like.

Police seek wanted Harrogate man

Police have appealed for information on a wanted man from Harrogate.

Bailey George Samuel Townend, 21, is believed to be evading arrest after being recalled back to prison.

He was released from prison on licence on November 1, 2023, after being handed a 51-week custodial sentence for burglary and theft offences.

However, the Probation Service has reported that Townend has failed to reside at approved accommodation in Leeds, thereby breaching his licence.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police enquiries are ongoing in the Harrogate and Leeds areas in the effort to return Townend to prison.

“Townend is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with short brown hair and green eyes.

If you can help us track him down, please report information to North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 4, and speak to the Force Control Room.

“For immediate sightings, dial 999 to ensure a rapid response.

“Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

Please quote reference number 12230220557 when providing details.”

Season high crowd watch Harrogate fightback against Wrexham

More than 3,700 fans watched Harrogate Town fight back to draw against Hollywood-backed Wrexham FC.

The highest crowd of the season so far braved the cold temperatures to see Harrogate earn a point against the newly promoted side.]

Build up to the game centred around whether Wrexham’s A-list owner Ryan Reynolds and co-owner, fellow actor Rob McElhenney, would make the visit to the EnviroVent Stadium.

Club officials cited the “Hollywood factor” as the reason behind the Wetherby Road side’s fastest selling game.

Instead, all the focus was on the pitch and the small matter of three points being up for grabs.

Wrexham went 2-0 up with strikes from Andy Cannon and Elliott Lee. However, Dean Cornelius reduced the deficit with a goal before half time.

Early in the second half, Andy O’Conner brought Town level with a header from a free kick.

Both Wrexham and Harrogate had chances to take all three points, but in the end shared the spoils.

A crowd of 3,767 – the highest of the season so far – watched the spectacle.

Wrexham fans also packed the newly opened away end at the EnviroVent Stadium after making the 115 mile trip on a Tuesday night.

While the “Hollywood factor” was cited as a reason for those flocking to Wetherby Road, Town will be hoping to build upon the support as they look to secure their EFL League Two status this season.

Bringing services in-house

Brimhams’ facilities ‘envy of North Yorkshire’

‘Devil in the detail’

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‘Substantially revised’ proposal

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Harrogate communications company announces new partnership

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