Sneak peek: Harrogate’s Lucia ready to reopen after £750,000 refurb

An Italian restaurant and cocktail bar is reopening in Harrogate after spending £750,000 on a major refurbishment during the third national lockdown.

Lucia Harrogate, based at 3 Ripon Road, will throw open its doors to guests again on Tuesday May 18 with a bright and refreshed look. So we went for a sneak peek.

The big investment, which comes after a difficult year for the hospitality industry, has also created 21 jobs.

Lucia Harrogate’s middle floor, on street level, is bright and airy

It already seems to be paying off. Tables in the restaurant and bar are fully reserved for the next three weeks and if people keep booking, there could be scope to create even more roles.

Read more:

Lucia, which has two more restaurants in Beverley and York, has been in Harrogate since 2014.

Its restaurant in the town is set over three floors. It now has a classic Italian, 1920s look, with a modern floral twist.

There is an almost prohibition-era feel to the basement, which is kitted out in dark and rich reds and ocean-inspired decorations.

The middle floor remains as the main restaurant space and bar. It also leads into the conservatory, which has an eye-catching floral display on the ceiling.

While the top floor is where you can find even more seating to grab food and drinks. The main toilets are also on the top floor.

Soothing blues enhance the top floor’s more relaxed atmosphere

Mike Turner, general manager at Lucia Wine Bar and Grill Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are looking forward to opening our doors and showcasing this beautiful restaurant. It’s had a good overhaul and we have created extra jobs.

“People cannot wait to head out, so that is great. We are fully booked for the next three weeks and people are already getting in touch about the fourth week.”

Rich red decor gives the basement an almost-prohibition-era feel

Chelsea Talbot, the restaurant’s guest experience manager, also said:

“The money for the refurbishment is Lucia money, it comes from the success and confidence in what we can offer.

“I spoke to a taxi driver about it who thought it was daft to spend so much money, but it’s not. It’s amazing.

“We know that this is what Harrogate wants. We are confident in hospitality. People can dine and drink with us and spend a full evening here.”

A statement floral ceiling dominates the conservatory

 

The basement’s bar is ready for staff to serve drinks

‘Let’s crack on’: Knaresborough and Pateley vaccine sites reopen

Two vaccine centres in the Harrogate district are reopening after a month of supply issues slowed the rollout.

Homecare Pharmacy Services‘ clinic in the former Lidl car park in Knaresborough will operate on Saturday for the first time since April 17.

When it re-opens the pharmacy staff will be giving both the Pfizer-Biontech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.

It will be open five days a week but the owners hope eventually to be open seven days a week.

Read more:

Jason Baskind, managing director of Homecare Pharmacy Services, told the Stray Ferret:

“The last clinic we held was without a doubt the best so far. The team gelled well, there were no queues and we managed to give out 1,219 jabs.

“It was frustrating that we had to close after that but now we are back and we are ready to go, so let’s crack on.”

Pateley Bridge’s vaccine centre is also starting to see supplies come through. It opened on Wednesday this week to administer about 400 jabs.

The site, run by Pateley Bridge Pharmacy, had been in talks with the NHS about using the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine, which is more difficult to store.

However, because the site is small the owners did not want to risk wasting vaccines so it is sticking solely to Oxford-AstraZeneca.

The outlook has improved compared to last month, when a letter leaked to the Stray Ferret said there would be no more first doses for a while due to shortages.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to our updates every 15 minutes and a list of all the temporary traffic lights that could delay you today.

It’s Connor here today. If you see anything, and it is safe to do so, please give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are keeping you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

That’s all from me this morning. Leah will be back from 6.30am tomorrow. The roads are starting to become quite busy with plenty of temporary lights to watch out for, where congestion is particularly bad. Here are the traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy with plenty of temporary lights to watch out for, where congestion is particularly bad. Here are the traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy with plenty of temporary lights to watch out for, where congestion is particularly bad. Here are the traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report yet. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for and some congestion is already building up in those areas.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report yet. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for and some congestion is already building up in those areas.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report yet. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for and some congestion is already building up in those areas.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for and some congestion is already building up in those areas.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report. However there are plenty of temporary lights to watch out for.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Majestic murder-suicide: one week on, questions remain

The Harrogate district was shocked last week when two guests from London lost their lives in an apparent murder-suicide at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.

Eight days on, the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Chenise Gregory and Michael McGibbon, who were both aged 29, remain unclear.

Staff found the pair dead with stab wounds on the Tuesday night at 10.20pm. North Yorkshire Police said it believed Ms Gregory was murdered by Mr McGibbon, who then killed himself.

But the police and the hotel have said little since.

One of the key unanswered questions is why and how the pair booked their room or rooms. Under current coronavirus rules, hotels can only allow guests if the hotel is their main address or if their visit is essential for work, education or training purposes.

The family of Ms Gregory has said she was a childcare specialist. It is unclear what Mr McGibbon did for a living. The reason for their booking has not been revealed.

Devante Gravesande-Smith, a barrister from London who was a cousin of Ms Gregory, described her as a “loving and caring person, whose smile would light up a room”.

He claimed she was “lured to her death at the hands of her controlling and manipulative ex-boyfriend”.

We asked the hotel the purpose of the two people’s stay and how it verified the reasons.

A spokesman for the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel told the Stray Ferret:

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident and our thoughts are with all of those affected.

“The hotel complies with the government guidelines in respect of who can stay. We are unable to comment further on the specific guests.”

The Stray Ferret has also asked North Yorkshire Police for an update on the case. It did not reply by the time of publication and, eight days after the tragic incident, many questions remain unanswered.

Read more:

Temporary detective chief inspector Jonathan Sygrove of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team said when the deaths were announced:

“We are treating Ms Gregory’s death as murder and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

“An investigation into the circumstances around the deaths is ongoing, but the evidence we have gathered at this stage suggests it was a suspected murder-suicide.”

There have been no police updates since.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to our updates every 15 minutes and a list of all the temporary traffic lights that could delay you today.

It’s Connor here today. If you see anything, and it is safe to do so, please give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are keeping you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

9am – Full Update 

Roads

That’s all from me this morning, I will now head over to the news desk. But I will be back tomorrow from 6.30am.

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning with some traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning with some traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning with some traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning with some traffic hot spots to watch out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet. Although congestion is starting to build on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Leeds Road in Harrogate.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet. Although congestion is starting to build on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Leeds Road in Harrogate.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are now becoming quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet. Although congestion is starting to build on Wetherby Road and Leeds Road in Harrogate.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Slug and Lettuce closes Harrogate branch

Slug and Lettuce has closed its Harrogate branch permanently.

The chain pub, famous for its cocktails and food menu, has occupied the Montpellier Building on Montpellier Parade for nearly 30 years.

However, it will not reopen with other pubs and restaurants next week on May 17 under the latest easing of lockdown restrictions.

Read more:

Today there is no movement at the Harrogate pub and all traces of it have been wiped off the internet.

Slug and Lettuce no longer includes the branch on its list and the pub has deleted its Harrogate Facebook page.

The Stonegate Group, which also owns Yates and Walkabout, revealed the closure. A spokesperson said:

“We can confirm the closure of Slug and Lettuce in Harrogate and the building has been returned to the landlord.”

Premier League striker arrested after altercation in Knaresborough

Premier League striker Oli McBurnie has been arrested after allegedly attacking a young man in Knaresborough over the weekend.

A viral video clip appears to show the 24-year-old confronting a 21-year-old man on Knaresborough High Street after he mentioned Sheffield United’s relegation.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:

“A 24 year old man from Knaresborough has been arrested in connection with an incident, which involved another man being assaulted.

“The 21 year old victim sustained facial injuries during the incident, which happened shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday 8 May on High Street in Knaresborough.

“The 24 year old arrested man remains in custody at this time.”

The force has asked any witnesses to call them and quote reference number 12210115038.

Read more:

Sheffield United has said in a statement:

“Officials at Sheffield United are aware of the video circulating on social media.

“We are currently investigating.”

Scotland international Oli McBurnie was ruled out with a fractured foot in April. The Blades have won just five game this season and have been relegated to the Championship.

 

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to our updates every 15 minutes and a list of all the temporary traffic lights that could delay you today.

It’s Connor here today. If you see anything, and it is safe to do so, please give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, are keeping you updated as the district’s roads get busier.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me today. Thanks for getting involved, the roads have been very busy this morning as more people drive around in Harrogate and Knaresborough in particular.

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning and there are some roads to watch out for:

Traffic hot spots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet. Congestion is already building on Wetherby Road in Harrogate though.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet. Congestion is already building on Wetherby Road in Harrogate though.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become more busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning without any traffic hotspots to report.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate Christmas Market organisers ‘confident’ of November date

Organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Market have said they are confident this year’s event in November will go ahead.

They have confirmed their plans to hold the market on the Montpellier Hill area from Thursday, November 18 to Sunday, November 21.

Many large public events this year have been cancelled due to ongoing covid uncertainty, especially over insurance but the Christmas market organisers said they expected to have adequate cover.

A one-way system to control the flow of people will be put in place.

However, the organisers said it wasn’t possible to control the number of visitors in an area as big as the Stray but this should not be a barrier with all social distancing rules set to go on June 21.

Read more:

Officials pulled the plug in August on last year’s Christmas market amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

It was the first time that the four-day event, which has been running annually since 2012, did not go ahead.

Brian Dunsby, who runs the Christmas market, told the Stray Ferret:

“We feel quite confident. We do not know what the government requirements will be but we will observe them.

“There’s already big demand. We have 140 traders booked in and 15 coach loads already.”

Harrogate dad shares last messages with son who killed himself

A Harrogate dad has shared the last messages he exchanged with his son shortly before he took his life to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Steve Phillip founded The Jordan Legacy in his son’s name to improve people’s wellbeing and support available to them.

Jordan was 34 when he took his life on December 4 2019. The day before, Steve and Jordan had been texting each other and talking about meeting up.

But the meeting never happened. Mr Phillip has spoken previously to the Stray Ferret of his anguish.

Read more:

Now transcripts of his final message has been made available to encourage others to come forward.

Mr Phillip has also revealed details of the call he received from his son’s girlfriend Charlotte revealing the news.

She broke into the house with the help of a neighbour and found Jordan:

Jordan Phillip

Jordan Phillip.

The call lasted two minutes but Steve does not know what he or Charlotte said for the remaining one minute and 45 seconds. He said:

“Jordan was the kind of person who would stop and chat to homeless people and to local strangers.

“He loved his family and his friends so much that he would often protect them from the ultimate depths of his despair.

“But he was always there for them, no matter how difficult his day was. There was nothing selfish about Jordan, not even at the moment he chose to end his pain.

“He took the time to write notes to his girlfriend Charlotte and his family to let us know that he loved us.

“If I could give any advice to anyone it would be look after those around you, listen to them more, be there, don’t be scared to question the signs you see and ask the difficult questions.”

Mental Health Awareness Week starts today and finishes on Sunday.

The Mental Health Foundation started the event 21 years ago and the annual event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness raising weeks in the UK and globally.

To mark the start of the week, North Yorkshire Police has also revealed how the number of mental health calls it has taken over the last year has grown to 32,117.

That is an increase of 6,512 calls compared to the previous April to March period.

Do you need help or know someone who does? Get help from a mental health charity helpline by tapping here.