Harrogate rail line ‘close to capacity’, says report

The Harrogate rail line is “close to capacity” and should be electrified, according to a West Yorkshire Combined Authority report.

The line carries passengers between Leeds and York and includes stations in Harrogate, Starbeck and Knaresborough.

However, a draft report to inform West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s rail strategy says the line is close to full capacity for services.

It adds the line between Harrogate and Leeds “may struggle to accommodate new services” in future.

The report before Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, adds that in 2019 it had peak-time demand greater than the total seating and standing capacity of the trains.

It says:

“Most lines will see demand greater than seating and standing capacity in the future, meaning that some passengers will not be able to get on their chosen service unless capacity is enhanced.

“Additional train capacity will therefore be needed to provide enough space for everyone and make travelling by train a more comfortable experience.”

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The report, which was published as part of the ongoing consultation into West Yorkshire’s rail strategy, adds that an electrifying the Harrogate line should be considered. It mentions Harrogate because of its connection with Leeds in West Yorkshire.

It says the line is one of three, alongside Calder Valley and Wakefield Westgate/Deame Valley, that would benefit the most from electrification and should be a “high priority” route.

The report adds that electrifying the Harrogate line would help with flexibility on services.

It says:

“Many neighbouring routes are electrified, so electrification would enable more flexibility of local service patterns, and high numbers of diesel vehicles would be removed.”

Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, said the move would be beneficial for services.

He said:

“I would expect the operator to be able to provide four-coach trains in place of the current three-coach Class 170. But it will not be in the near future.”

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is expected to use its finalised rail strategy to lobby government for investment in rail infrastructure in the region.

Sale of Black Sheep Brewery prevented ‘local employment catastrophe’, says CEO

The sale of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery prevented a “local employment catastrophe”, the company’s chief executive has said.

Charlene Lyons, who has been kept on in her role following the sale of Black Sheep, warned that other breweries faced administration amid the current economic climate.

It comes as administrators Teneo Financial Advisory revealed in a report this week the company suffered significant sale losses during the covid pandemic.

The report said sales fell from a high of £19 million in 2019 to £14 million last year, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss.

It added the company’s performance “suffered during covid pandemic and trading challenges continued as a result of the current economic environment”.

Ms Lyons said the sale of the company to Black Sheep Brewing Company Ltd, which is owned by London investment firm the Breal Group, helped to save jobs.

She said:

“The Breal Group acquired the assets, out of administration, to secure the business for the long-term and this has saved the jobs and futures of the people that worked there.

“Black Sheep is a significant employer within the town of Masham, this deal has prevented what could have been a local employment catastrophe.”

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The deal saw Black Sheep sold to Breal Group for £5m on May 26.

It was part of a pre-packaged sale and the appointment of administrators, which the company said was “essentially to give protection to the companies and prevent any person taking action against it”.

It also left creditors, including HMRC and suppliers, owed nearly £3 million – money which administrators don’t expect them to get back.

But Ms Lyons said breweries across the country faced “challenging times” amid high inflation and the cost of living crisis.

She added that it was likely that more breweries would enter administration this year.

Ms Lyons said:

“We do recognise that this is a difficult time for all shareholders and stakeholders alike, while the industry continues to face challenging times. 

“In the last 12 months, 45 breweries entered insolvency in the UK, a three-fold increase on the previous year, as the cost-of-living crisis has squeezed household disposable income.

“This has had an extreme and adverse effect on all brewers’ sales, at a time when their own costs and inflation are high. Black Sheep has not been immune to these factors, leading it to the administration process. It is highly likely that many more will follow in the coming months.”

UN report questions Harrogate army college’s recruitment of ‘child soldiers’

The United Nations has called for the army enlistment age to be raised to 18 — which would have significant implications for Harrogate’s Army Foundation College.

The recommendation was contained in a report published this week by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The committee cited multiple concerns over children’s rights and welfare in the British armed forces and urged the government to investigate all forms of abuse against children in the armed forces.

The Harrogate college, which trains junior soldiers aged 16 and 17, has been hit by a spate of recent allegations of abuse and bullying.

The UN committee heard evidence that, in 2021 alone, investigations were opened into the sexual abuse of 22 recruits at the college.

Jim Patrick Wyke, campaigns coordinator at the campaign group Child Rights International Network, called on the government to end recruitment at 16 in light of the evidence.

He said:

“The UK government’s continued recruitment of under-18s into the military is unnecessary, harmful and puts the UK well outside international norms.

“The government must heed the UN’s warning and end the recruitment of children into the armed forces immediately.”

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The Stray Ferret approached the British Army for a response and to ask what the implications would be on the college if the age was raised.

A MOD spokesperson said:

“We are proud of the opportunities serving in the Armed Forces affords young people, from upskilling in literacy and digital skills and support for postgraduate degrees, to high-quality accredited training and unique employment prospects.

“Recruitment of under-18s into the Armed Forces meets all legal and policy requirements, both national and international. We take our duty of care for all personnel extremely seriously and ensure under-18s are not deployed on operations that would expose them to hostilities.”

Last month, a government minister told the House of Lords that the Ministry Of Defence introduced new policies to deal with sexual offences, which had helped to improve the situation at the college.

Baroness Goldie, a minister in the MOD, said that the Army Foundation College had a “much improved climate” since 2021.

She said:

“The MoD has introduced new policies and changes to deal with sexual offences and unacceptable sexual behaviour below the criminal threshold. 

“It has taken steps to improve the complaints system, has created the Defence Serious Crime Unit and has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual offences and sexual relationships between instructors and trainees. 

“All of that now reflects a much-improved climate at the college.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate business meeting to focus on marketing

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate business meeting is set to focus on marketing next week.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will be holding the event on Monday (June 12) at the Crown Hotel.

Speakers at the meeting will include include representatives from Artus Digital Marketing, Berwins Solicitors and Cicada Communications.

As part of the monthly meeting’s regular charity slot, George McNaught, local events co-ordinator from The Guide Dogs Charity will also be speaking.

Martin Mann, acting chief executive at the chamber of commerce, said: 

“Marketing is such an important focus for businesses, which can sometimes be overlooked or dismissed during tough financial times, so we are dedicating our June meeting to this important subject.”

Sue Kramer, president of the chamber, added:

“As part of our monthly meeting format, we now regularly hear from a local charity, and we look forward to hearing from The Guide Dogs Charity, which has been in existence sine 1931, providing assistance dogs to blind or partially sighted people.”

Doors to the event open at 5.30pm with the meeting proper commencing at 6.15pm.

First time visitors and members are asked to register their attendance on the chamber website here.

Harrogate rental firm reports ‘solid’ trade results

A Harrogate rental firm has reported “solid trading” results as part of its full year report.

Vp, which is based at Central House on Beckwith Knowle, recorded a 6% increase in revenue to £371.5m from £350.9m on the previous year.

The results cover the year ended March 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, the firm reported an adjusted profit before tax, amortisation, impairment of intangible assets and exceptional items of £40.5m.

This was up from £38.9m on 2021/22.

Responding to the results, Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of Vp plc, said: 

“We are pleased to report another solid year of trading with good progress made across all key metrics, with the Group successfully navigating a highly volatile macroeconomic backdrop.

“The group’s return on average capital employed of 14.4% continues to demonstrate our excellent quality of earnings and resilience in times of supply chain disruption and slowing growth in some markets.  In line with our dividend policy and underpinning our confidence in the business, we are pleased to propose a final dividend of 26.5 pence per share, making a total for the year of 37.5 pence.

“We remain confident that the group will continue to provide shareholders with an attractive level of returns. Vp has an excellent track record and we believe the current market challenges will bring into view profitable growth opportunities.”

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Suppliers owed £3m after Black Sheep Brewery sale

Creditors were owed nearly £3 million after the sale of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery, administrators have revealed.

In a report, Teneo Financial Advisory said that both HMRC and unsecured creditors are not expected to receive any money back.

The news comes after Black Sheep was sold to London Investment firm Breal Capital for £5 million on May 26.

The deal was a part of a pre-packaged sale and the appointment of administrators, which the company said was “essentially to give protection to the companies and prevent any person taking action against it”.

The decision to sell the company came as Black Sheep’s sales fell from a high of £19 million in 2019 to £14 million last year, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss.

Administrators said the company’s performance “suffered during covid pandemic and trading challenges continued as a result of the current economic environment”.

Black Sheep made use of government schemes such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Recovery Loan Scheme. It also made a business interruption insurance claim and increased supply to supermarkets and through its e-commerce platform.

But, the report added:

“However, demand did not recover to pre-covid levels and the companies also faced cost input inflation.

“As a result, the companies continued to experience cash flow difficulties.”

Creditors not expected money back

Teneo Financial Advisory was appointed to oversee the affairs of both Black Sheep Brewery and its retail arm BSB Retail Limited.

The report by Teneo shows that HMRC was owed £1.3 million in VAT, PAYE, student loan repayments and national insurance contributions.

Meanwhile, unsecured creditors, which include traders and suppliers, were owed £1.3 million.

However, administrators said neither are expected to receive any money back.

A total of 376 creditors across both businesses are listed in the report.

Among those owed money are suppliers and packaging firms, including London-based Sustain Drinks Packaging which is owed £33,888.

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Among the highest was Simpson Malt, based in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, which was owed £83,495.

Meanwhile, staff at Black Sheep, known as preferential creditors, have already been transferred over to the new company following the purchase.

The Stray Ferret has approached Black Sheep Brewery for comment on the administrator’s report.

Former Harrogate solicitor jailed for indecent exposure in Knaresborough

A former Harrogate solicitor has been jailed for four weeks for indecent exposure.

Richard Wade-Smith, 67, was charged with exposing his genitals on Stockwell Lane in Knaresborough.

York Magistrates Court heard the incident happened between May 7 and May 10 this year.

Wade-Smith, who appeared in court via link from HMP Hull on Monday, pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was jailed for four weeks and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and court costs of £85.

A court document detailing the sentence said the offence was serious because it caused a “distressing experience in presence of children and occurred on multiple occasions”.

It added that Wade-Smith’s guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing him.

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Wade-Smith, who worked for various law firms in Yorkshire and later ran his own legal service from Wedderburn House, had previously been jailed for breaching a restraining order in December 2022.

The 67-year-old was given the order by York Crown Court after he rammed his car into his wife’s home in Harrogate on Boxing Day 2021 and subjected her to “mental torture”.

He was jailed for 10 months after he breached the order, which banned him from going near his wife’s address, by knocking on her door just four days after being spared jail.

Business Breakfast: Home care company opens Harrogate office

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A home care service has set up a new office in Harrogate.

Radfield Home Care, which was founded in 2018, opened its new headquarters on Tower Street in the town centre this week.

Matthew Nutting founded the company after leaving the NHS five years ago when he saw a “gap in the market for premium care”.

Radfield, which employs 55 staff, offers a range of services including home care, dementia care and personal care.

The new offices on Tower Street include a day care centre on the ground floor, offices on the second floor and a training centre on the top floor.

Mr Nutting said the move to Harrogate would help the care service grow.

He said:

“Our ambition is to be the home care provider of choice for this area and to grow.”

For more information on Radfield Home Care, visit their website here or call 01423 895766.

New Swinton Estate bar opens for the summer

A new bar has open at the Swinton Estate.

The Swinton Rose Bar, which is based in the Terrace Gardens at the Terrace Restaurant and Bar, opened its doors to the public this week.

The new bar offers a range of wines including Château la Gordonne de Provence and Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé Champagne NV.

It will be open until August 31 this year and no booking is required.

For more information, visit the Swinton Estate website here.

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Farmers and creditors owed £7m after Ripon firm collapsed

Farmers and unsecured creditors were owed £7 million following the collapse of Ripon meat retailer Farmison&Co, administrators have revealed.

In an update, FRP Advisory estimated the unsecured creditors are unlikely to get any money back.

The report revealed that, despite investment from Scottish private investor Inverleith, Farmison incurred losses of £3.4 million in 2022 and continued to have cashflow problems going into January 2023.

FRP was appointed in April after Farmison collapsed.

The company was quickly acquired from administration by a consortium led by Andy Clark, former chief executive of Asda, for an undisclosed sum.

The new company has resumed trading under the Farmison name on the same Bondgate Green site.

Staff set for 31p in the pound

The report reveals staff were owed pay, unpaid pension contributions and holiday pay totalling £86,000 and are estimated to receive 31p in the pound.

HMRC, which is classed as a secondary preferential creditor, is owed £131,466. But administrators estimate it will not receive any payment, nor will the unsecured creditors owed £7 million.

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The unsecured creditors include Maidenhead-based Copas Traditional Turkeys Ltd, which claimed £171,714 from the company.

London-based media group, Inceni Studios, is also owed £5,300. The company helped to make videos for Farmison.

Local firms affected include C and L Harrison of Grewelthorpe, which was owed £7,190, Roecliffe firm DB Engineering (Ripon), which was owed and Harrogate firm Studio One, which was owed £1,044.

A report by FRP Advisory said:

“It is currently estimated that there will not be sufficient funds available to make a distribution to unsecured creditors.”

In response to the administrators report, a spokesperson for the new company said:

“We’re pleased to have rescued the business from administration, re-employing many of the team in Ripon and bringing back its hand-picked farmers from across the north of England.

“We’re already trading again and we’re grateful for the messages of support from customers.

“That positive reaction underlines how much potential we know there is for the kind of high-quality, traceable produce Farmison offers.

“The whole team is now focused on making Farmison the success we know it can be, serving customers who want to eat better meat.”

Farmison’s new owners celebrated the full reopening of its Ripon shop, Cut by Farmison&Co, last weekend.

 

Boroughbridge butchers announces closure amid running cost concern

A Boroughbridge butchers has announced it will close due to the cost of running the firm.

Fryer’s Butchers, which is based on Horsefair in the town, opened last year.

However, in a statement posted on social media, the business said it will close this Saturday because the costs of running the business have become unsustainable.

It said:

“It’s not been a decision we’ve taken lightly. 

“We always knew it was going to be a challenge when opening, due to the situation globally and nationally and unfortunately the cost of running the business has gotten the best of us this time and it’s not sustainable.”

The business added:

“Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for your support and we’re sorry we couldn’t continue to serve the wonderful community that is Boroughbridge any longer.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate brewery to host 10th anniversary beer festival

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate brewery has announced it is to host its first beer festival to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Harrogate Brewing Co, which is based on Hookstone Chase, is set to hold the event from August 11 until August 13.

It will include pop-up bars from Northern Monk, Amity Brew Co and Bini Brew Co, as well as live music and street food vendors.

A family day will be held on the Sunday (August 13) where outdoor games and a face painting will take place.

The event will be an all-ticket event and admission prices will be £8 for adults and £3 for children aged between five and 14. A full weekend ticket is priced at £15.

The brewery was originally founded by Anton Stark in 2013. It was taken over by current owners Julie and Joe Joyce four years ago.

For more information on the anniversary event, visit the Harrogate Brewing Co website here.

Harrogate private health group donates to skin charity

A Harrogate private health group has donated £10,000 to the British Skin Foundation.

Circle Health Group, which runs the Duchy Hospital, has made the donation to help fund further research into skin conditions.

As well as the Duchy, the group runs Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield and the Huddersfield Hospital on Birkby Hall Road in Huddersfield.

On making the donation, David Uregbula, head of business development and partnerships at Circle Health Group, said:

“With specialist dermatology services available across our national network of hospitals, we understand the importance of the British Skin Foundation’s work. 

“We are delighted to be playing a pivotal role in supporting their drive to improve research and treatment for future generations.”

Matthew Patey, chief executive at the British Skin Foundation, said: 

“We still have lots of work to do to improve the lives of patients in the UK and across the world.

“This substantial donation from Circle Health Group gives the scientific community’s most talented researchers more resources to continue their ongoing mission.”

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