Harrogate family opens luxury Swiss appliance studio in UK first

A Harrogate family has pioneered the launch of a luxury kitchen appliance brand from Switzerland in the UK with the opening of a new showroom in town.

V-ZUG Harrogate, which is based at Grosvenor Buildings near the entrance to Valley Gardens, opened its doors for the first time today.

Dale Adams and his sons Hayden and Ryan, who are behind the concept, hope to spread the word about V-ZUG, which is well-known in some European countries but less so in the UK.

The new showroom has opened.

Some V-ZUG appliances, such as a clothes cleaning cabinet, can go for as much as £15,000. But some of the hobs are priced closer to the £800 mark.

The new Harrogate showroom has been kitted out with appliances from the excellence line, which also includes steam ovens, coffee centres and wine coolers.

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Ahead of the launch, Dale Adams told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate has been chosen for the UK launch, not because people have money here but because people will travel here.

“We are speaking to people already who have no problem coming to Harrogate. They will make a weekend of it to enjoy the town’s history and beauty.

“This is for people who are seriously interested in cooking. There are lots of those people about now, cooking at home has become a big thing.”

VZUG is a luxury brand.

His son and business partner Hayden added:

“The level of technology allows someone with basic cooking skills to produce really great results without too much effort.

“So we would like to think that this would allow someone who is just interested in cooking evolve into a bit more of a chef.

“With these ovens you can put in a joint of beef and tell the appliance what time you need it ready and it will utilise the steam, oven and grill for the perfect result.”

Find the showroom at Grosvenor Buildings.

Northern Gas Networks issues Saturday night gas update

A gas leak is continuing to cause problems in Harrogate.

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks have successfully stopped the leak and are now working to safely restore gas supply to around 3,000 homes.

Follow our live updates below for the latest on the incident.

6.55pm – Northern Gas Networks issues new safety advice

Northern Gas Networks has issued some new safety advice for the 3,000 people affected by the loss of gas.

The update says engineers will work through the night and supplies should start to return tomorrow. It adds:

“To make the process of restoring supplies as quick and safe as possible, engineers are now asking people who have been affected to take some important safety steps.”

Detailed information on what to do, and which homes and streets should do it, is available here.

6.35pm – Huge queue for fish and chips after voucher deal

A queue of close to 100 people has formed outside The Wharfe fish and chip shop on Skipton Road after Northern Gas Networks offered vouchers to those affected by the gas leak.

The queue snaked around the corner onto Knapping Hill as people attempt to end a bad day on a tasty note.

Wharf fish and chips

The start of the queue.

4.30pm – Housebound residents urged to call helpline

Residents who cannot leave their homes due to covid or other reasons have been asked to call Northern Gas Networks customer care team on 0800 040 7766, choosing option 3.

NGN will arrange for somebody to deliver an electric heater and food to their home.

3.50pm – Gas supply not likely to be back on today

The Stray Ferret visited the Styan community centre in Jennyfields again this afternoon. We were told by Northern Gas Networks that the gas supply is not likely to be back on for residents until tomorrow, and it could even be Monday.

Engineers are currently working to safely turn the supply back on for 3,000 homes after they identified the leak this morning.

More electric heaters and hot plates were being delivered to the centre for residents to collect.

Food vouchers are available from the community centre.

3pm – Council deploys volunteers to help effort

North Yorkshire County Council has deployed its Ready for Anything volunteers to help affected residents in Harrogate. The council has a database of volunteers who it contacts in times of emergency.

1.15pm – Food vouchers offered

Northern Gas Networks has posted an update on its website to say that food vouchers can be collected from Styan Community Centre in Jennyfields and redeemed at The Wharf Fish and Chip Shop on Skipton Road, which is open until 8.30pm today.

It says it is working to restore gas supply “as soon as possible”

It has also asked residents to minimise their use of electrical appliances to prevent the electricity network from becoming overloaded:

“Minimise the use of appliances and switch off or unplug any electrical equipment that you do not need and heat only essential rooms, stagger the use of high-demand electrical appliances such as cookers, heaters, kettles, immersion heaters, electric showers, dishwashers, tumble driers and washing machines.”

11.40am – Hydro closed all day

Harrogate Borough Council has tweeted that the Hydro swimming pool will remain closed all day due to the gas leak.

Due to the ongoing situation with the gas supply in #Harrogate, the Hydro will remain closed today. We'll have a further update in due course. https://t.co/HjSBBvZxnz

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) October 16, 2021

11.30am – Jennyfield Styan Community Centre set up as emergency hub

Will Brewster, site manager for Northern Gas Networks, gave an update to the Stray Ferret at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre this morning. The centre has been set up as an emergency hub for residents to collect electric heaters until the gas supply is back on.

Mr Brewster said:

11.30am – Northern Gas Networks stops leak

Northern Gas Networks has issued a statement on its website to say engineers have stopped the gas leak and are working to get the gas supply back on safely.

The company has asked residents to not try to use central heating, and avoiding taking showers if you have a combi boiler, until further notice.

Incident manager Andy Rodda said:

“We are very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this is causing and are doing all we can. It is a complex operation because this is a large pipe which needs some specialist deep excavations to enable the repair work. Repairs will probably take most of today, after which we will need to steadily re-introduce gas into the local supply system in a controlled manner before people’s supplies can be fully restored. Safety is absolutely paramount and there are no short cuts, I’m afraid.”

10.50am – Gas leak having big impact on people’s day

Thanks to all the readers who have contacted the Stray Ferret to tell us about how the gas leak is affecting them. You can continue to do that by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Amy Barker in Jennyfields said:

“Daughter is in covid isolation so we can’t go anywhere else for heat either.”

Margaret Gorman on Exeter Crescent said:

“No heating or hot water. My husband has Alzheimers keeping him in bed to keep warm.”

Sally Jenkins said:

“I’m right up the back of Jennyfields in Primrose Close. We have no gas so no hob or heating, but fortunately we have an immersion heater for the water and our own electric radiator. I see it as a good excuse for a takeaway tonight!”

10.10am – No official update in 12 hours

The Stray Ferret spoke to Northern Gas Networks on the phone but they were unable to give an estimated time the problem will be fixed and when the gas supply will return to homes. They said engineers have been working throughout the night where the leak occurred on Ripon Road.

9.30am – No gas around Ripon Road and Jennyfields

The Stray Ferret spoke to Mark Hunter who lives near the Co-op on Ripon Road.

He said:

“This morning when I got up at 6am the boiler was on blink and nothing was working. It’s my birthday today. My parents are down this weekend and we had all these big plans. It depends if the restaurants are open. I’m supposed to take my boys swimming, but that’s not opening.”

Sarah Gentle is babysitting on Heather Way in Jennyfields. She says there is no gas for heating or hot water.

“Apart from being a little chilly (kids not complaining) we are OK. Obviously, if it doesn’t get resolved soon could be more of a pain”.

Rian Campbell Lewis works for Knaresborough-based MJ Ryder Limited, which installs boilers. She said their phoneline has been going “crazy” all morning.

8.40am – Reports of boilers not working in Ripon Road area

The Stray Ferret understands some people’s boolers are not working this morning and they don’t have any hot water. Problems seem to be worst in the Ripon Road / Jennyfields area, near where the leak occurred.

Let us know how the gas leak is affecting you by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

10.40 pm – Avoid showers and central heating, says Northern Gas Networks

People living in the HG1, HG2, HG3 and HG4 areas of Harrogate are being urged to temporarily minimise their gas use.

Northern Gas Networks issued another update at 10.30pm tonight as the stench of gas continues to permeate across large parts of Harrogate.

The update said:

Northern Gas Networks says the incident in Ripon Road is affecting the normal gas pressure in some parts of the town and, by avoiding all non-essential use, people can help ensure there is enough gas in the system to go around everyone.

That means trying not to use central heating, and avoiding taking showers if you have a combi boiler, until further notice. The situation is likely to last into tomorrow.

Operations manager for Northern Gas Networks Stuart Armin apologised for the inconvenience and said engineers would be working 24/7 until the situation was safely resolved.

“Our top priority is to keep people safe and restore normal service as quickly as we can. There is still a smell of gas in the air. I’d like to reassure people that we are safely managing the issue but if they have any concerns at all they can call us. The National Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999 is open 24-hours for advice and assistance if necessary.”

As a precaution, businesses along Ripon Road past the junction of Jennyfield Drive remain evacuated, including the Co-Op petrol station, Shell garage and the Hydro leisure centre.

A temporary road closure is also in place in Ripon Road and motorists are advised to find alternative routes.

8.45pm – Major gas leak now affecting supplies across Harrogate district

The leak on Ripon Road is now affecting gas supplies in homes across the Harrogate district. This is the latest update from Northern Gas Networks:

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks remain on site at Ripon Road in Harrogate this evening as they deal with a large gas escape.

The incident is temporarily affecting gas supplies to properties in the HG1, HG2, HG3 and HG4 postcodes. There is also a strong smell of gas in the air, although this is expected to dissipate shortly as preparations get under way to start repair work.

As a precaution, businesses along Ripon Road past the junction of Jennyfield Drive have been evacuated, including the Co-Op petrol station, Shell garage and the Hydro leisure centre.

A temporary road closure is also in place to allow the repairs to be carried out as quickly and safely as possible. Motorists using Ripon Road are advised to find alternative routes as this is likely to impact journey times.

Operations manager for Northern Gas Networks Stuart Armin said the situation was being kept safely under control but apologised for the temporary interruption some people were experiencing with their gas supplies, and for the strong smell.

“We realise how inconvenient this must be for people. I’d like to reassure them that the situation is being monitored and we are doing everything we can to restore normal service as soon as we possibly can.

“Hopefully the smell of gas in the outside air will begin to ease shortly but if anyone remains concerned for their safety, please give us a call on the 24/7 National Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999 for advice and assistance if necessary. That’s what we are there for.

“Until the repairs are complete and everyone’s gas is back to normal, we’ll be working round the clock. We have also instigated our emergency procedures to provide support locally.”

5.50pm – Northern Gas Networks issues update

This is the latest on the incident from Northern Gas Networks:

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are carrying out emergency repairs to a medium pressure gas main on Ripon Road in Harrogate this evening.

As a precaution, businesses along Ripon Road past the junction of Jennyfield Drive have been evacuated, including the Co-Op petrol station, Shell garage and the Hydro leisure centre.

There currently no effect on gas supply to local homes and businesses however there is a strong smell of gas in the area.

To protect teams and members of the public, a temporary road closure has been introduced to allow the repairs to be carried out.

Motorists using Ripon Road are advised to find alternative routes as this is likely to impact journey times today.

5.30pm – Gas leak unlikely to be fixed tonight

The Stray Ferret understands that the gas leak, which is from a gas main, is unlikely to be fixed tonight.

Engineers are in the area and will be working to fix the issue for as long as necessary.

During a Facebook live we recorded from the scene earlier you will be able to hear a loud hum in the background, which is the sound of the gas pouring out the pipe.

4.55pm – Harrogate Hydro to remain closed

Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed that the Hydro swimming pool will remain closed this evening due to the gas leak.

The pool was evacuated earlier today. It is unclear at this stage if it will be able to reopen tomorrow.

4.50pm – Photo gallery from the road closure

It is unclear when it will be fixed.

Drivers are being diverted away from the area.

Gas engineers are in the area.

The road is closed near the Co-Op petrol station.

4.35pm – Reader’s picture

A reader has shared a picture of Hydro being evacuated this afternoon.

4.30pm – Engineers repairing “medium pressure gas main”

Northern Gas Networks has confirmed that engineers are repairing a “medium pressure gas main”.

The company said in a statement:

“There is no effect on gas supply to local homes and businesses.

“To protect teams and members of the public, a temporary road closure has been introduced to allow the work to be carried out.

“Motorists using Ripon Road are advised to find alternative routes as this is likely to impact journey times today.”

4.10pm – Traffic being diverted away

The road is closed from The Claro Beagle pub and traffic is being diverted down Coppice Avenue away from the works.

4.00pm – Hydro closure

Harrogate Borough Council’s emergency planning department confirms that the Hydro and Little Explorers Nursery have been closed while the work is carried out.

⚠️Road Closure at Ripon Road, Harrogate:

Due to a gas escape, Ripon Road has been closed near The Hydro.

For safety, The Hydro and Little Explorers Nursery have been closed until work is complete. https://t.co/vL0hexzYiv

— HBCEmergencyPlanning (@HBCPrepared) October 15, 2021

3.40pm Section of Ripon Road closed

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are on site near the Co-op petrol station trying to fix the problem but it is unclear how long this will take.

Drivers are being warned to avoid the area if possible.

Northern Gas Networks has been working on that section of road for the last month. The works had been delayed but were due to finish on October 22.

 

Breaking barriers at ‘hidden gem’ Harrogate home art gallery

With an expert eye for beautiful pieces, a portfolio of exciting artists and a lovely Harrogate home to pull it all together, this hidden gem of a gallery is breaking down barriers in the art world.

Sarah Collier set up Silson Contemporary in October 2016. Five years later, on a dull, grey day, a beaming Sarah opens the door and her bright, colourful space has immediate impact.

At first it took a big advertising effort to get artists and potential buyers through the door. But these days things are different: people are queuing up to get a glimpse at Sarah’s latest finds.

A home and an art gallery in one.

What started off in the dining room has spread to the living room and reception area. Some pieces are even making their way up the stairs at Silson Contemporary, which can be found on Harlow Oval.

Read more:

While Sarah enjoys working from home, it does mean that she has to always keep the space spotless. It also means that she has to love the pieces she exhibits because she lives with them.

It’s not just paintings at Silson Contemporary.

“It was just a little seed in my head. I wanted to set up a gallery and we had this beautiful room with big bay windows, high ceilings, hanging rails. It just went from there.

“People love coming in and seeing art in the home because that is where they are going to put it. This really gives people ideas about how they can display their art.

“The gallery does seem to be a bit more recognised now. I love how the business has grown. We are hidden so word of mouth has been really important.”

The entrance hall is covered from ceiling to floor in art.

There’s a common perception that art is just for people who have a lot of money. That is something that Sarah has been trying to push back against since she started.

“I think that’s a myth that has been perpetuated by the art world because it suits them. But it’s absolute rubbish.

“When I have been to galleries sometimes the staff look you up and down and if they don’t think you are rich they are not interested.

“Art is for everybody, absolutely everybody. I have work here that is expensive and I have work is that is inexpensive.”

Sarah studied art but when she was young she decided not to follow that interest.

However, when she was a radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital she decided to take up an MA in art history. That was the push she needed to get into the art industry and open her own gallery.

She says it was the “best decision she has ever made”. So as someone who loves art, would she ever sell her own pieces?

The artists are from all over the UK.

“No I am rubbish. I love the academic side and I love art but I overthink. All the artists I speak to encourage me but I can’t.

“Though I think that makes me appreciate what these artists do more. How can they know when to stop? How can they know that one extra line makes something special? It’s inspiring.”

Silson Contemporary has just opened an autumn and winter show, which runs until December 23. The gallery is open by appointment only on Fridays and Saturdays.

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series. We are trying to highlight small independent businesses. They need to be tucked away but growing in popularity with an eye-catching and unique product or approach. Send us an email with your nominations.

Harrogate women call for action after recent drink spiking cases

Two Harrogate women have called for police officers and bar staff to take more action after recent drink spiking cases in the town centre.

Both wanted to speak out about the issue after hearing from friends and staff at Harrogate District Hospital that many others had been through similar experiences.

One of the women experienced the drink spiking first hand while out for a drink at a bar during the day on Sunday afternoon.

She wanted to remain anonymous but told the Stray Ferret:

“I did not quite understand what was happening at first. I really did not feel right so I went to the bathroom to sort myself out.

“It didn’t quite make sense. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me, I was slurring my words and I was all over the place so my son took me to hospital.

“The nurse told me to report it to the police because she had seen a lot of drink spiking cases recently. Luckily I came round after four hours on a drip.”

Read more:

The hospital took a blood test which found tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system. It is a component of cannabis which paralyses people and causes hallucinations.

Just a week before, a mother said her daughter had a similar experience at a different bar in Harrogate. She also wanted to remain anonymous but added:

“It does seem to be rife in Harrogate at the moment unfortunately. Both my children and their friends have had all similar experiences in the past couple of months.

“Luckily they had other people to help them but drink spiking is completely vile. My daughter walks around with her keys in her hand, a rape whistle and a wristband to test her drinks.

“She should not have to do any of that, it’s really scary. I just want to get the message out there, this is not normal.”

The Stray Ferret has raised the concerns of the two women with North Yorkshire Police. The force has not yet commented.

Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering

A Ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and road train will be among the highlights of Harrogate’s festive offering.

Harrogate Borough Council announced a raft of new initiatives today to bring festive cheer this year.

The festivities will last from November 15 to the first week of January.

A road train will operate around the town centre from December 3 until December 12, which coincides with the dates of the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

It’s all part of the council’s drive to get people into the town centre to support the new fayre and the artisan market in the Valley Garden, which will also stimulate high street businesses.

The Stray Ferret asked where the attractions will be placed and what the cost will be but a council spokesperson said those details were yet to be confirmed.

To encourage footfall to town centres across the Harrogate district, a magical window trail will also be unveiled.

Funded by the government’s Welcome Back Fund, the window trail will feature 12 festive depictions that have been designed by local people.

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Gemma Rio, head of destination management at Harrogate Borough Council, said Harrogate would be “an absolutely unmissable destination for a festive day trip or weekend away” this Christmas.

She added:

“We have been working hard to ensure festivities return this year in order to drive visitors to our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs.

“This latest announcement confirms that Christmas is well and truly set to return to Harrogate town centre and I’m really excited about what we’re due to bring.

“We are also about to launch the biggest Christmas marketing campaign in Visit Harrogate history to ensure all towns enjoy the benefits the additional footfall brings.”

Free parking

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate Business Improvement District manager, said it promised to be “one of the most impressive festive offerings Harrogate has seen in many years”.

He added:

“In addition to supporting the Harrogate Christmas Fayre and co-funding the Ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, and helter skelter, in just a few weeks our Christmas lights will be illuminating more streets than in previous years.

“We are again partnering with the Rotary Club of Harrogate for the annual Christmas Shop Window competition and Harrogate International Festivals for their North Pole post office. And on Monday (18 October), we will officially take the Christmas wrapping off our Father Christmas experience.

“We have also been working with Harrogate Borough Council to offer shopper’s free parking in Victoria multi-storey car park at set times during the month of December. Retailers are expecting us to pull out all the stops this Christmas, and I don’t think they will be disappointed.”

Christmas markets

Christmas market operator Market Place Europe have also announced this week that Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

The market will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent and will be a great place to pick up some last minute and unique gifts along with mouth-watering treats for people to enjoy as they wander around taking in the sights and sounds.

Around 50 traders from Yorkshire will take part in the fayre.

In addition, Little Bird Made is set to hold a festive artisan market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, with times to be confirmed.

The artisan market will feature approximately 60 local and regional traders and producers who will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“More than 100 traders, as well as our high street businesses, will bring a first-class offering to Harrogate town centre this December that will truly get people in the festive mood.

“With the absence of a number of Christmas markets across the region this year, I have no doubt visitors will arrive by the coach load to see what Harrogate has to offer.

“Whether that’s our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions or hotels and B&Bs, I hope everyone will see the benefit this town centre offering will bring.”

Drunk teen rescued from river in Boroughbridge

The emergency services were summoned to help two teenagers who it is believed had been in the River Ure in Boroughbridge yesterday evening.

A passerby called Yorkshire Ambulance Service at around 6.20pm. The caller said they had seen a teenage boy drinking before going into the water.

When the ambulance crews arrived they realised that he had been with a teenage girl as well but she was no longer in the area.

So the paramedics requested help from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and four water rescue teams to look for the missing girl.

The crews soon found the girl and took her back to her parents. The paramedics then took the boy to hospital for treatment.

Read more:

A spokesperson for the fire and rescue service said:

“Ambulance responded to a believed intoxicated male youth by the river.

“Fire were then requested as there was some suspicion that a female youth who had been present due to items found there, may have gone into the river.

“Two level two water rescue and two level three water rescue teams mobilised from Boroughbridge, Ripon, and Richmond.

“Shortly after Boroughbridge attended, contact was made with the missing female – safely back with her parents.”

A spokesperson for the ambulance service added:

“We received an emergency call at 6.19pm on Wednesday to reports of a teenager by the River Ure in Boroughbridge who had been into the water.

“Two ambulances and a clinical supervisor were dispatched to the scene and one patient was conveyed to hospital.

“There were no additional patients requiring ambulance assistance at the scene.”

‘Irreplaceable’ Harrogate Theatre pantomime director Phil Lowe dies

Phil Lowe, who directed and co-wrote Harrogate Theatre‘s hugely popular pantomime, has died unexpectedly.

Mr Lowe, who had been instrumental in the success of the pantomime since he took charge in 2007, died yesterday.

He was an associate director, pantomime director and co-director at the theatre.

The theatre issued a statement today saying it was “devastated” by the news but that this year’s production of Cinderella will continue in his honour.

The statement said:

“Phil was an integral part of what makes Harrogate Theatre special, both to work at and visit.

“Our pantomime has truly sparkled since he came to the helm in 2007. He is irreplaceable.

“In his memory Cinderella will continue this Christmas. No one wanted to bring the party back to Harrogate Theatre more than him.

“Our thoughts are with Phil’s wife, Caroline, their beloved boys, family and friends.”

Harrogate Theatre has set up a Just Giving page on Mr Lowe’s behalf with a £1,000 target. All of the money raised will go towards Harrogate District Hospital and its cardiac care unit.

Read more:

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Happy Thursday and good morning. It’s Connor with you for the final time this week on the traffic and travel desk to help with your commute.

There are a few road closures and temporary lights in place across the district, make sure you check our lists in case you need to leave a few minutes earlier.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this week on the traffic and travel desk. I am heading over to the news desk now. Leah will be back with you tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Coach and Horses set to reopen under new ownership

The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is set to reopen under new owners Provenance Inns and Hotels.

Provenance Inns, which also owns the West Park Hotel on the same street, plans to refurbish the historic pub before it reopens.

It is unclear when the Coach and Horses will open but the new owners said in a statement today it will create more than 50 jobs.

Karen French, operations director for Provenance Inns and Hotels said:

“We are delighted that we could take on such a fantastic building and have the opportunity to bring the Coach and Horses back to life. It’s a very exciting time for us all.

“Not only will this opportunity create more than 50 new jobs, but we plan to work with local groups and the community, to be able to offer something that’s accessible to everyone.

“We are pleased that we will be the new custodians of the Coach and Horses, and that we are able to retain the family values of the pub.”

Read more:

The news comes almost a year since Harrogate Borough Council granted Samantha Nelson a new alcohol licence.

Previous landlord John Nelson, Ms Nelson’s father, lost the licence when police found customers drinking outside and not observing social distancing rules during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Nelson is well-known in the Harrogate area — he was landlord for 33 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.

New ‘immersive soundscape’ art celebrates Harrogate’s spa history

A new art installation will celebrate the 450th anniversary of William Slingsby’s discovery of spring waters at Tewit Well in Harrogate.

Sound and light artists Dan Fox and James Bawn will bring the history to life on Crown Place, which is the cobbled street between the Crown Hotel and the Royal Pump Room Museum.

Called ‘1571 The Waters That Made Us’, the artwork will consist of recordings of water sounds, from deep underground noises to the well and the tap water sounds at the pump room museum.

Mr Fox said:

“This is an immersive soundscape played through speakers along the length of Crown Place.”

The temporary exhibit will be in place from October 17 until October 23. You can visit for free between 2pm and 9pm daily.

It will form part of the build up to the four-day Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

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Speakers at the festival, which takes place at The Crown Hotel, include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and historian Melanie King, who will talk about the history of Harrogate’s mineral springs.

Pictured from left are Deborah Boylan, from Raworths, and Marcus Black and Clare Gibson from Slingsby Gin.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“2021 has been momentous for a lot of things, few of them being celebratory.

“So it felt only right we lead on a new, temporary attraction for Harrogate to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of our spa waters.

“The event industry was particularly hard hit by covid, and commissioning new artistic work, and a new tourism attraction, in the midst of the pandemic was a risk.

“However, as an arts organisation, it was one we were determined to take as we firmly believe that keeping artists in work is key.

“It’s also a superb opportunity to celebrate the rich history of Harrogate.”

Information about this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, and the visiting guest writers, can be found on Harrogate International Festivals’ website.

Interested in Harrogate’s history? Join celebrated local historian Malcolm Neesam on two guided audio walks by clicking or tapping here.