Harrogate district event organisers welcome government-backed insurance

Two event organisers in the Harrogate district have welcomed news of a government backed insurance scheme to protect them in case coronavirus restrictions return.

Both the chief executive at Harrogate Theatre and the organiser of Knaresborough Christmas Market saw the move as a step in the right direction.

Insurance has been a barrier for many planning to hold events as many insurers do not cover coronavirus related problems.

The organisers behind the annual bonfire and firework display on the Stray previously told the Stray Ferret that this year’s event would be a “huge gamble” without any coronavirus insurance.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the insurance scheme and said he hoped that it would help organisers plan events with confidence through to next year.

The £750 million scheme, which the government has partnered with Lloyds to set up, will cover events between September 2021 and September 2022.

Read more:

It will see taxpayers cover 95 per cent of costs incurred in the event of cancellation due to the event being legally unable to happen due to government covid restrictions.

David Bown, the chief executive at Harrogate Theatre, told the Stray Ferret:

“As we were moving forward we still had that threat of cancellation hanging above our heads.

“Insurance has been a concern for us at the theatre for a while. The insurance just don’t have a coronavirus clause in their policies. So this is very welcome.”

Hazel Haas, organiser of the Knaresborough Christmas Market, also told the Stray Ferret:

“This new government backed scheme sounds to be a very good idea for the events industry.

“I have not looked at the fine details of it just yet but this is certainly positive news.”

Harrogate district records another 77 coronavirus cases

Public Health England figures show that the Harrogate district has recorded another 77 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.

The number of cases have remained steady in recent days. The district’s seven-day rate is now at 262 per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate stands at 249 and the England average is 283.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported a covid-related death in nearly four months. The last time a death was recorded was on April 11.

Read more:

It means the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

However, latest figures show that the hospital is treating seven covid patients.

Elsewhere, 123,238 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 106,664 have had a second dose.

Deadlock on Harrogate Christmas Market talks

Harrogate Borough Council and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market seem to have reached stalemate in talks to save the event.

Since news that the market would not be able to go ahead on Montpellier Hill, both the council and event organisers have called for each other to engage in talks.

A week has now gone and both seem to blame each other for the situation. The council has now said it is working with other event organisers after it received “a number of expressions of interest”.

Read more:

In another statement prompted by a wave of questions, a council spokesperson said:

“Significant concerns remain for the emergency services and, as the organiser isn’t willing to address these, we simply cannot grant a licence for this location.

“We’ve made this decision now, following numerous conversations over the years, to allow enough time for alternative options to be explored.

“Other locations have been suggested but these have been refused. If the organisers wish to continue these discussions then we advise they get in touch soon.

“We’ve had a number of expressions of interest and we’re working with event organisers to ensure alternative Christmas festivities take place.”

Brian Dunsby, who is the event organiser, told the Stray Ferret after reading the latest statement:

“We have not been given the chance to see or hear the emergency services response this year. The police were satisfied with what we proposed last year.

“We have asked for an appeal to review the outstanding issues. Also we have asked for a meeting to review the alternative locations.

“The statement makes it feels as if the council is trying to get rid of the team that has organised a successful market for the past eight years.

“We welcome other festivities but they should be complimentary to the Harrogate Christmas Market.”

£300-a-night Harrogate district hotel shamed for paying below minimum wage

The government has named and shamed two organisations in the Harrogate district today for paying below the national minimum wage.

Swinton Park, near Masham, and Harrogate commercial cleaning company SBFM Limited were among the 191 national employers named by the government for underpaying workers.

Swinton Park, which charges around £300 a night, failed to pay £1,751 to 15 staff, according to investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs between 2011 and 2018.

The issue at Swinton Park, which is set in 20,000 acres, came to light following a HMRC visit in March 2017.

The hotel said in a statement today the HMRC meeting had highlighted how some staff accommodation deposits had been taken incorrectly.

The statement added:

“As soon as we were alive to the fact, all accommodation deposits were refunded to all staff and any errors were repaid in full, again in March 2017. The company did not receive a fine or any penalty.

“Swinton Park pays above national minimum wage to all staff and we are continually striving to be a hospitality business of choice for employees through our salary and benefits packages.”

Swinton, which has been owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, is one of the top hotels in the Harrogate district.

Read more:

SBFM Limited, which is based at Cardale Park in Harrogate, was also named for breaching the national minimum wage.

According to the government, the cleaning company failed to pay £583.02 to one worker.

The Stray Ferret contacted SBFM for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

Other notable businesses named on the list include John Lewis plc, Martin McColl Retail Ltd, One Stop Stores Ltd and The Body Shop International Ltd.

Business minister Paul Scully said:

“Our minimum wage laws are there to ensure a fair day’s work gets a fair day’s pay – it is unacceptable for any company to come up short.

“All employers, including those on this list, need to pay workers properly.

“This government will continue to protect workers’ rights vigilantly, and employers that short-change workers won’t get off lightly.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back. It’s Connor with you this morning bringing you all your latest traffic and travel news.

The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.

I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.

If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me on the traffic and travel desk this week. Don’t worry though. Leah will be back tomorrow morning from 6.30am.

Roads 

The roads are starting to become busy this morning with a few areas to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are starting to become busy this morning with a few areas to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are starting to become busy this morning with a few areas to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are starting to become busy this morning with a few areas to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are starting to become busy this morning with a few areas to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate organic food shop to close after less than a year

An organic food shop on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate is to close next week, less than a year after opening its doors for the first time.

Nicola Mawdsley opened Joy In Store as an environmentally-friendly one-stop shop that would change stock with the seasons.

Ms Mawdsley hoped the venture would compete with smaller supermarkets but it has been unable to attract enough customers to make it work so it will close for good on Saturday, August 14.

Read more:

Like other businesses, Joy In Store has endured a series of lockdowns since it opened in November.

Although the shop is closing, Ms Mawdsley told the Stray Ferret it might return in a different form:

“There are potentially opportunities down the line. I will keep the online shop that is now ready and I could also do some pop-up shops.

“People loved the idea of organic, sustainable and plastic free shopping. It just seems to take a long time for people to change their habits.

“It is a real shame. Had I known that there would have been more lockdowns down the line I would not have gone ahead with it at that time.”

A sale in the 10 days before closure will see Joy In Store sell off its remaining stock for 25% discounts.

The shop will include not only the food but also the shop fixtures and fittings, including crates, trollies and more.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back. It’s Connor with you this morning bringing you all your latest traffic and travel news.

The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.

I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.

If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me on the traffic and travel desk today. I am heading over to the news desk now but will be back from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads 

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads 

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Famous Knaresborough pub to reopen after eight month refurbishment

A Knaresborough pub is preparing to welcome back customers after it closed for eight months to do a major £160,000 refurbishment.

The Worlds End Pub closed for the work in December 2020. After a few bumps in the road, the pub will open to customers for the first time in months today.

When the customers return they will find that the venue has effectively doubled its seating offering.

Some of the most noticeable changes are outside. The pub has created a completely new outdoor seating area where the old conservatory and toilets used to be.

Indoors there is also plenty to see. The bar has been extended with a new overhang from the set of the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost film which is also called The Worlds End.

Read more:

The main seating area indoors has also had a big refresh. It is now much bigger with a stone floor, big traditional beams and bi-fold doors which lead outside.

Simon Colgan told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:

“Since we moved here in 2006 I knew it could be so much bigger, so much brighter and so much more Knaresborough.

“It was important that we didn’t just give it a lick of paint. We needed to erase all the bad things and create a lot more space with an extra 120 seats.

“I am absolutely over the moon. We could only dream at the beginning but people have come in and added their own ideas.

“We didn’t want to polish all of the character out of it. The pub is still quirky and olde worlde but hoepfully on a much better level now.”

With an extra 120 seats at the pub, it means that the pub has employed 30 new staff.

More pictures from The Worlds End:

The overhang from the set of the film The Worlds End.

The new seating area inside.

The new seating area outside.

The Worlds End has quite a view over the River Nidd.

New Harrogate Beer Week raises glass to local pubs and breweries

Local pubs and breweries will be the focus of the first ever Harrogate Beer Week, which starts next month.

The beer week will run from September 20 to 26. During the week there will be a programme of special events across different venues in Harrogate.

There will also be an indie beer trail, live local music and a home brewing competition on the the cards. It will all culminate with a big beer weekend in the town centre.

If successful, the organiser hopes that she will be able to bring it back on an annual basis.

Read more:

Rachel Auty, who founded Women on Tap, is behind the new project. She said:

“This brand new event will be a spotlight on the very best of what’s on offer in Harrogate and will be created and delivered by people who actually live and work here.

“I would love it to become an annual flagship event that is proven to deliver direct benefit to the town centre, independent beer and food businesses.

“It’s been such an awful 15 months and I am determined to bring some beer-themed joy back to our indies and communities this autumn.”

She believes that, with five big breweries in the district, there is nothing to stop Harrogate from standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Leeds and Sheffield.

Harrogate BID is helping to finance Harrogate Beer Week. BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“We’re really excited to be supporting September’s Harrogate Beer Week, particularly as it will involve a host of local bars and pubs.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity for beer lovers to have a pint or two in different venues, which as an organisation dedicated to driving footfall into all parts of the town centre appealed to us.

“And whilst it’s still a few weeks away, we are happy to raise a glass to its undoubted success, and say ‘cheers, Rachel’.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back. It’s Connor with you this morning bringing you all your latest traffic and travel news.

The aim of these blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, is to make sure your journey is as smooth as possible.

I’ll include all the latest roadworks, traffic hotspots and any delays to public transport.

If you spot anything or get stuck in a jam, give me a call on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

Thank you for checking in with the traffic and travel blog this morning. We do hope you find the service useful. I am heading over to the news desk now but I will be back from 6.30am tomorrow.

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning except for a few spots around the Harrogate district:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads 

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, today’s traffic hotspots are likely to show up a little later. Keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses