Business Breakfast: Harrogate rental firm posts ‘solid’ half year results

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has reported a “solid” first half year of financial results.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP said in a trading update this week that the firm had “continued to trade resiliently” amid a “backdrop of challenging macro-economic conditions”.

Its interim results for the period up to September 30 will be published on November 28.

Anna Bielby, Chief Executive of Vp, said:

“We have delivered a solid performance in the period and are confident that we will continue to achieve our objective of driving demand for our products and services.

“With our strong financial position, we have an excellent track record of successfully navigating volatility in our core markets.

“We continue to closely monitor the impact of weaker markets in housebuilding and general construction; however, we remain confident that the Group will continue to provide shareholders with an attractive level of returns.”

Masham company shortlisted for Yorkshire business awards

A Masham company has been chosen as a finalist at the Yorkshire and Humberside Business Awards.

W E Jameson & Son Ltd was shortlisted for both the agribusiness and wholesaler categories at this year’s ceremony.

ris and Graham Jameson, directors at W E Jameson & Son Ltd.

Chris and Graham Jameson, directors at W E Jameson & Son Ltd.

This year’s event will be held at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on November 10.

Graham Jameson, managing director of the company, said:

“Our family business has been established for 93 years and we are delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards.

“Every member of the Jameson team should be very proud of their efforts in maintaining the family culture of the business, caring for and supporting work colleagues, the community in which we work and the family farming businesses we supply.”

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Plan to convert former Harrogate guest house into co-living accomodation

A former guest house in Harrogate could be converted into a house in multiple occupation.

Leeds-based Abbeycrown Ltd has tabled proposals to North Yorkshire Council to change the property at 6 Dragon Parade, which is known as Dragon House, into co-living accommodation.

In documents submitted the council, the developer said the guest house had seen a downturn in trade during the covid pandemic.

It added that, as a result, the property was “unviable as a guest house”.

The proposal would see the building converted into an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation.

The developer said in its planning statement:

“The applicant is looking to address the need of high quality co-living facilities in the area to create rooms for professionals and public sector workers.”

It added that tenants would be “fully vetted and verified people” and would not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area and neighbours.

A house in multiple occupation is a property rented out by at least three people who are not from the same household, but share facilities such as a kitchen and bathroom.

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

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Business Breakfast: London firm acquires Harrogate car leasing company

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A London finance firm has completed the acquisition of a Harrogate vehicle leasing provider.

Newable has acquired Synergy Automative Limited, which trades as Synergy Car Leasing.

The company has purchased the outstanding equity in the Harrogate firm after acquiring an initial majority stake in 2020.

Set up in 2006, Synergy Car Leasing, which is based at Hornbeam Park Oval, offers personal and business hire cars.

Phil Reynolds, managing director of Newable Lending, said: 

“We are pleased to have completed this acquisition and are now looking forward to the next phase of growth for Synergy Car Leasing, building on an exceptional, customer-first track record built over the past 17 years.”

Inn Collection Group hires new finance officer

The Inn Collection Group, which operates the Harrogate Inn and Knaresborough Inn, has appointed a new chief financial officer.

Joe Bernhoeft has been hired to the position from global fashion brand Barbour.

He will be tasked with overseeing the company through further multi-million pound refurbishments and expansion across the north of England and Wales.

Sean Donkin, group CEO at The Inn Collection Group said: 

“We are very excited to welcome Joe as our new CFO in what is a very exciting time for the company.

“He is an incredibly experienced finance professional having worked for some significant blue-chip organisations, including one of the north east’s most recognisable, global brands.”

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Developer plans 25 lodge holiday park near Knaresborough

A developer has submitted plans for a new 25 lodge holiday park near Knaresborough.

The proposal has been tabled by AMS Planning on behalf of Mr Duffield for land at Shortsill Lane at Coneythorpe, known as Spring Bank Farm.

It would see 25 holiday lodges built at the site, as well as a reception.

The proposed lodges would be built around two ponds, which the developer said would serve as a haven for wildlife and enhance “the character of the site”.

It added that the site would also help the local economy and increase accommodation in a rural area.

In a planning statement to North Yorkshire Council, the developer said:

“Spring Bank Farm provides a rare opportunity to introduce an employment generating use without detriment to the key characteristics of the districts picturesque countryside. 

“The subject proposal will help remediate the current dearth in the supply of rural outdoor accommodations.”

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

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Knaresborough man fined after hare coursing in East Yorkshire

A Knaresborough man has fined after admitting charges of hare coursing in East Yorkshire.

Shane Hooton, 31, appeared at Beverley Magistrates Court on Monday (October 9) for sentencing.

He was charged with trespass and going equipped to trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs.

Hooton, of Thistle Hill in Knaresborough, was caught along with three other men, John Langan, 37, Joseph Foster, 35, and Dean Adams, 27, by Humberside Police coming off private farmland at Leven in East Yorkshire on December 23, 2022.

They were in possession of running dogs without any permissions to be on the land.

In court, Hooton was fined £500, issued with £85 cost and a £200 victim surcharge. 

He was also given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order which included conditions around the control of dogs, not being on private farmland without permission and a complete ban on entering Humberside.

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Langan, of The Hawthorns, Great Ayton, was sentenced to a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. He was also given a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order with the same conditions at Hooton.

Foster, of Manton Crescent in Worksop, was sentenced to a £500 fine, £85 costs and £200 victim surcharge.

Adams, of Hebron Drive in Stokesley, failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Speaking after sentencing, sergeant Kevin Jones of the rural task force at Humberside Police, said:

“This Humberside Police’s first suspended prison sentence for hare coursing offences, our longest Criminal Behaviour Order of 10 years and fines and costs totalling over £1800.

“It certainly sends out a message that such offences are taken seriously by the criminal justice system and will not be tolerated by Humberside Police.”

Harrogate hospital postpones 41 operations due to strikes

Harrogate District Hospital postponed 41 operations as a result of last week’s consultants and junior doctors strikes.

Members of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association and British Medical Association walked out from 7am on Monday, October 2, until 7am on Thursday, October 5.

Both junior doctors and consultants held the industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust confirmed 41 outpatient appointments were cancelled across a range of hospital services due to the walkout last week.

A spokesperson for the trust added:

“These have been re-arranged as a matter of priority. We are in discussions with six patients to confirm new dates for their operations.”

The trust confirmed that internal and bank staff were used to cover the strikes.

Bank staff are temporary workers who agree to work flexible shifts with a hospital trust. Some trusts keep a record of their own bank staff to call upon for shifts.

However, a trust spokesperson added that a total figure for the cost of staffing will not be available until the end of the month.

It comes as Harrogate hospital has been hit by numerous strike action this past year.

Between April 1 and August 31, junior doctors and consultants have staged multiple walkouts with some lasting as long as 48 hours.

The Stray Ferret reported last month that the trust spent £923,000 on staff cover for industrial action in the same time period.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate estate agent expands sales department

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate estate agent has expanded its sales department with two new appointments.

Verity Frearson, which is based on Albert Street, has hired Katie Dolamore and Fiona Moore as its new sales negotiators.

Katie joins the team after spending 16 years as a primary school teacher, while Fiona has worked in both lettings and sales at a local estate agents.

Matthew Stamford, director at Verity Frearson, said:

 “We’re delighted to welcome Katie & Fiona to the team. 

“Although this year hasn’t been without it’s challenges, we’re optimistic that the Harrogate market will continue to be resilient.”

Harrogate law firm to host mock menopause employment tribunal

A Harrogate law firm is to hold a mock employment tribunal to help employers understand legal claims which could be made by employees going through the menopause.

LCF Law, which has an office on Station Parade, will host the free event at Hays Recruitment’s Leeds city centre office on Thursday (October 12).

The demonstration aims to show employers how a tribunal works and to teach them the types of claims that someone going through the menopause may be able to bring and how they might be defended.

James Austin, employment lawyer at LCF Law.

James Austin, partner and employment lawyer at LCF Law.

The session will also cover how to treat an employee if they are going through the menopause, and how to make sure supportive steps are taken, which will help to minimise the number of claims bought against a business.

James Austin, partner at LCF Law, said:

“The mock tribunal will see an employee, who feels she has been discriminated against because she is going through the menopause, bring a claim against her employer.

“We will go through each step of the legal employment tribunal process and attendees will be able to ask questions of the ‘witnesses’ and help decide the outcome of the case.”

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Brimhams Active forecasts £330,000 loss after leisure centre delays

Brimhams Active is forecasting a £330,000 loss at the end of the year due to delays in opening new leisure centre projects in the Harrogate district.

The company, which is wholly owned by North Yorkshire Council, operates leisure facilities in the district.

Its sites include Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre, Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre, the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon and Nidderdale Leisure and Wellness Centre in Pateley Bridge.

According to a council report, the company is forecast to record a £330,000 loss by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

The shortfall is attributed to the delayed openings of both the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre which has “negatively affected trading projections”.

The Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre

The £13.5 million Harrogate scheme on Jenny Field Drive was due to open in January, but did not do so until September.

The Knaresborough facility, which is set to cost £17 million, was scheduled to open at the end of summer but is now not due to welcome customers until November.

A council report said:

“The delayed opening of two facilities, Harrogate Leisure and Wellness and Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness, has been brought about by construction delays and has negatively affected trading projections for the remainder of the year.”

However, the report added that income from the reopening may reduce losses before the end of the year.

In an interview with the Stray Ferret last month, Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, admitted the delays at the sites had been frustrating.

However, he said the benefits of the investment would soon be felt across the district.

He said:

“We will have an estate that will be the envy of North Yorkshire. The investment that’s gone in is unprecedented and significant.”

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Audi stolen from driveway in Ripon

A car has been stolen from the driveway of a property in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened on Clotherholme Park, which is off Lark Lane, between midnight and 3.30 am this morning (October 10).

The rear door of the house was damaged and the suspect removed a set of keys. 

A white Audi A5 five-door hatchback with the registration FX69 UCG was then stolen from the driveway of the property.

Officers have asked the public to keep an eye out for the stolen vehicle and appealed for any CCTV or doorbell footage that may help the investigation.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk .You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Sam Clarke.

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

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230192125 when passing information.”

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Long-term roadworks as Harrogate office block refurbished

Work on Station Bridge in Harrogate looks set to continue indefinitely as a major office block is refurbished.

Construction work is being carried out by HACS to refurbish and redevelop Copthall Bridge House.

Businesses operating in the premises were told to vacate the building in November 2018.

A proposal to re-clad the ground floor and repaint the upper floors was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in November last year.

The application, which was submitted by a company called Rural Offices LLP, said the plans would help to “assist in attracting occupiers which will further enhance the area”.

It added:

“The building has been vacant for some time and the applicant in keen to see in brought back into active use as quickly as possible.”

As a result, one lane on Station Bridge has been closed and the footpath next to Copthall Bridge House has been closed.

According to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map, a notice of the works runs until April 2, 2024.

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