New travel agents to open in Harrogate

A new travel agents looks set to open in Harrogate town centre.

Althams Travel plans to open a new branch on Cambridge Street next to Claire’s and WHSmith.

The unit used to be occupied by camera shop, Jessops.

The travel agent, which currently has 32 branches across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire, was established in 1874.

Its nearest branches to Harrogate are currently Otley and Horsforth in West Yorkshire.

The company is advertising for a branch manager, assistant manager and two travel consultants for its Cambridge Street outlet.

The Stray Ferret contacted Althams Travel to ask when it expects to open its Harrogate branch, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

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Starbucks recruiting staff for new Harrogate drive-through

Starbucks has advertised for staff for a planned drive-through on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

The multi-national coffee shop, which already has an outlet on Cambridge Street in the town, looks set to open a new site at the former Leon drive-thru.

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

Since then, the company has advertised for a supervisor, assistant manager and barista on hospitality recruitment site caterer.com for a new store in the HG2 area.

The Stray Ferret asked Starbucks if it had an opening date planned for the site and how many staff it would employ.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“We are always looking for new locations and opportunities to bring the Starbucks experience to customers in the UK, but at this time we have no updates to share about plans in Harrogate.”

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The move comes as Leon, which opened at the site 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.

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

Harrogate boy given life sentence for murder of Seb Mitchell

A 17-year-old boy has been given a life sentence after murdering Harrogate schoolboy Seb Mitchell.

Dylan Cranfield appeared before Leeds Crown Court this afternoon to be sentenced after being found guilty of murder in August this year.

He stabbed Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb in the chest with a kitchen knife which led to a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest.

Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, sentenced Cranfield to a life sentence with a minimum of 11 years.

Cranfield murdered Seb, 17, after a row over a broken mirror at a property on Claro Road in Harrogate on February 19 this year.

Cranfield pleaded not guilty – he accepted he stabbed Seb, but said he did not intend to kill him.

A teenage girl who witnessed the incident told police Cranfield pointed the knife at Seb and said “I’m going to wet you up”, which the court heard was “London slang” for a stabbing.

Seb was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, but his condition was so critical he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma.

He died two days after the incident.

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Cranfield, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was found guilty at a court hearing on August 25.

Judge Kearl lifted reporting restrictions on Cranfield, which had previously prevented the media naming him during proceedings.

Courts have discretionary powers to prevent the media from naming children to protect their welfare. Such orders remain in place until the child reaches 18.

However, Judge Kearl the welfare of children had to be balanced against the open justice principle that says the media should be able to report cases “fully and contemporaneously”.

He said the public interest of highlighting the dangers of knife crime meant it was therefore “in the interests of justice to lift reporting restrictions”.

Two arrested after cars stolen from Harrogate property

Police have arrested two people after two cars were stolen during a burglary in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Lime Street between 10.30pm on November 28 and 7.15am on November 29.

The offenders entered the house before taking two Skodas from the address.

One was a white Fabia, registration YD14 NVT, and the other was a grey Octavia, registration FT10 0CY.

A man in his 20s and a teenage boy, both from the Harrogate area, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Both have been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward if they have not already done so.

“In particular officers are appealing for information or CCTV around the area, showing any suspicious activity around this time, or anyone who has seen the vehicles since the burglary.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email phillip.brown@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC108 Brown.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230226608.”

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Work hub removed from Harrogate rail station

An office for hire in Harrogate rail station has been removed after just seven months.

Sheffield-based Workfromhub designed the facility to create private working space for an “ever growing remote workforce”.

It opened in Harrogate train station on March 23 and joined hubs in Sheffield and Swinton in Rotherham.

The facilities include space for two people along with internet access, a second screen and desk space.

However, the hub appears to have been removed after just seven months in post.

The space occupied by the hub pictured this week.

The space occupied by the hub pictured this week.

The Stray Ferret approached Workfromhub to ask why the facility has been removed and if it will be replaced, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

The company’s website still lists the hub as one of its locations.

When it opened, Neal Byers, founder of Workfromhub, said the firm was working with Northern to make use of vacant space in train stations.

He said:

“We are working closely with Northern Rail to help transform underused spaces within stations. We can see the need for people who are on the move to have somewhere private and connected to work from.

“We feel that there are not enough remote working private spaces around to keep up with the demand of a growing remote workforce.”

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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 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.

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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

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.

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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.”

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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.