Famous Georgian hotel in Knaresborough goes on the market

One of Knaresborough’s most famous hotels has gone on the market.

Newton House Hotel, York Place, is a converted 300-year-old Georgian townhouse rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle.

Denise Carter bought the 12-bedroom building in 2011. She went on to win plenty of awards, including top spot on the Channel 4 TV show Four in a Bed in 2016.

The hotel tried to join a “sleep over to help turnover” campaign that aimed to replicate the increase in trade caused by ‘eat out to help out’ scheme in pubs and restaurants.

But the country went into lockdown a month later.

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Agents Carter Jonas in Leeds are offering the property on behalf of Ms Carter.

The description, which does not include a price, suggests the building does not necessarily have to be maintained as a hotel. It says:

“A rare opportunity to acquire one of Knaresborough’s signature buildings in the heart of the town.

“It is currently run as a successful guesthouse but offering a variety of potential different uses, subject to planning approval, including reverting back to a substantial private dwelling.”

The Stray Ferret tried to contact Newton House Hotel for comment but nobody was available by the time of publication.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel service. We have updates every 15 minutes as more people get onto the roads.

The live blogs, brought to you by The HACS Groups, aim to keep the Harrogate district moving.

A number of temporary traffic lights are in place across the district today, due to roadworks, so be aware of slight delays.

The Harrogate district spring 2021 Back to Bus launched this week with most services returning to their pre-lockdown schedules.

Make sure to keep in touch via social media or email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full Update

Roads

That is all from me this morning. I hope you find this service helpful and I will be back from 6.30am tomorrow. The roads are busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems around temporary traffic lights listed below.

Traffic hot spots:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below.

Traffic hot spots:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below.

Traffic hot spots:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below.

Traffic hot spots:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

8am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below.

Traffic hot spots:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below. No traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are becoming busy this morning as schools return and lockdown eases. There will be particular problems later on around temporary traffic lights listed below:

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

7am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

6.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

Road Closures:

Temporary lights in place:

Trains

Buses

Back to bus time table

WATCH: Harrogate basks in the sun as shopping and dining returns

Harrogate basked in the sun today as outdoor dining and shopping returned.

From today non-essential shops, hair and beauty salons, gyms and spas have been allowed to open.

It was a day many people had long looked forward to and it did not disappoint, with lots of people flocking to the town centre and some describing it as “absolutely glorious”.

The Stray Ferret went to North Bar, West Park Hotel and the high street to see how people were feeling about the big day.

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WATCH: BBC film of Alan Whicker’s 1960 trip to the Spofforth horse breaker

On a damp day on September 9, 1960, broadcaster Alan Whicker came to Spofforth to interview one of the country’s few remaining horse breakers.

Jack Anderson was 75 at the time and had been training horses for 60 years at the time of the interview.

Mr Anderson gave advice on how he trained horses and an insight into his unusual life.

The video was first first broadcast as part of Tonight, which covered the arts, sciences as well as topical matters and current affairs.

It is now part of a BBC archive of films shared on a weekly basis.

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The interview starts with a series of questions on how to stop horses kicking and biting and how to hold a horse for shoeing.

Mr Anderson also talked about the times when it went wrong:

“I have had legs broken, collar bone, jaw, ribs. Oh yes. One [horse] will do one thing and one will do another. But the heart of the thing is to make them.

“There is a way of making them. If I said to go over them then we went over, even if it took an hour and a half because I am a crude fella when I start.”

He adds he does all of his training by talking, not by using the stick that he brandishes to the camera.

Do any Stray Ferret readers remember Jack Anderson, the Spofforth horse breaker, or the day Alan Whicker visited?

WATCH: Harrogate shops excited to open doors again

Three Harrogate shop owners have spoken of their excitement as they prepare to open their doors to customers once again.

Today marks the end of months of enforced closure as a result of the third national lockdown.

Lots of businesses have moved online to keep the revenue flowing but independent shops often rely on trade brought in by footfall.

Many shops in the town centre have spent the last few days cleaning and restocking the shelves. The Stray Ferret went down to check out how they were getting on.

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Stained glass artist a Harrogate ‘hidden gem’

While it is nice to look at the world through rose coloured glasses it is even better to look through a unique piece of stained glass. It is painstaking work in more than one sense of the word but this Harrogate artist loves what she does.

Caryl Hallett Stained Glass, which is tucked away just off Starbeck’s high street in Spa Studios, has always used traditional methods but she uses them to create bright, colourful and contemporary pieces.

It takes many hours, lots of artistic flare and even more plasters to cover up cuts to get the finished result. Her work normally goes into homes but her ode to the Tour de France is an eyecatching feature on Montpellier Hill for all to see.

She loves to create stained glass but as a former teacher Caryl wants to spend more time helping others to learn this lost art. Coronavirus has of course curtailed her classes but she is keen to bring them back at the end of June.

But coronavirus has also meant that as people spend more time at home they want to make some improvements and many have turned to Caryl. She currently has a backlog as a result of closing in the first lockdown and increased demand.

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Caryl was one of the first artists in the Spa Studios hub on Spa Lane, Starbeck. The hub aims to offer an affordable space for small businesses to help give them a boost and a space to collaborate. She told the Stray Ferret:

“Often in partnerships or couples there will be one who is really keen to have it because they have seen my work but they mention it to their partner who immediately thinks ‘boring, dull, dark’.

“So we have a a chat and I send them over some examples then they come over to the studio and they realise it is an added jewel to the house.

“I tend to do bespoke work for people who want something beautiful in their home.

“It is the kind of craft that just engages you and never leaves you alone. People find it tricky but they love what they produce.

“So many people come and it feels like therapy because they are so involved in the process. It can be exhausting but they enjoy working with their hands. It is sad that I have not been able to do that so I am looking forward to that.”

This is part of the Stray Ferret’s ‘hidden gem’ series, highlighting 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.

Bars not allowed to use Stray land for outdoor dining

Harrogate Borough Council has told three bars that they cannot use Stray land for outdoor dining when they reopen next week.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the space outside their businesses from April 12.

All had approached the council when the Government released its roadmap out of lockdown. But the council has told them that it will not be possible.

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David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro, told the Stray Ferret:

“For us it was about making the most of the good weather so we do not take as much of a hit when we get some bad weather.

“We will still be able to reopen with room for around 40 to 50 people outside, but it is just a bonkers decision.

“The reason the council gave was that the Stray should be open for everyone to enjoy it.

“But I have never seen anyone use the space outside, people would enjoy it if they could and eat and drink there.”

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) approved the use of tables and chairs on Stray land last summer.

Kirsty Stewart, business development manager at HBC, sent the following in reply to Mr Dresser’s request:

“Thank you for your email below requesting to use the public grass area at Promenade Square for your business from 12 April until 17 May.

“This is something the council is not licensing this year, which means that all the available space is accessible for all members of the public to enjoy.”

A council spokesman added:

“As custodians of the Stray, we encourage all visitors to use it responsibly and enjoy the wonderful public space it provides.

“However, after feedback from land owners – the Duchy of Lancaster – it has been decided that it wouldn’t be appropriate at this stage to grant licences to select number of individual businesses that could potentially inhibit the open access and enjoyment for all.”

Demolition starts as former Harrogate college makes way for flats

Demolition work has started at a former Harrogate college, which will make way for eight apartments in the St George’s area of town.

The late Victorian building on The Oval was home to Harrogate Tutorial College between 1981 and 2004.

Since it closed it has fallen into a state of disrepair and has also been subject to vandalism. But diggers moved in today and made quick work of the site.

After a number of applications and appeals, including to the planning inspectorate, Harrogate Borough Council approved developers Oakdale Estates’ plans for the building in 2019.

The plans

Harrogate Borough Council refused the original application to build flats on the site on the basis that it was a non-designated heritage asset in a conservation area.

The amended, approved planning application was for a five-storey building similar in structure and design to the former tutorial college.

Harrogate Tutorial College in 2012. Photo: Google

Plans for the development said conversion of the old site would result in a less energy efficient building than a full replacement.

Harrogate Tutorial College specialised in preparing students for university and was particularly popular with oversees students hoping to get into a UK university. Keith Pollard was the headmaster.

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Knaresborough pedestrianisation still on agenda despite 10 month wait

North Yorkshire County Council has promised that a review into pedestrianisation in Knaresborough is still on the agenda despite a lack of action over the last 10 months.

Traffic cones, which were installed as a temporary social distancing measure in June, remain in place 10 months later as non-essential shops prepare to re-open on Monday.

By contrast, Harrogate’s temporary cones were replaced with planters last year.

When Knaresborough’s cones first went into place the county council committed to review the option of permanent pedestrianisation in Knaresborough.

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James Monaghan, chair of Knaresborough Civic Society, is disappointed by the lack of action and told the Stray Ferret:

“During the first lockdown there was a strong feeling that the way we lived had to change for the better.

“We see this as an opportunity for a better experience for residents, shoppers and tourists. Also to enhance Knaresborough’s public spaces.

“It is disappointing that 10 months later the review hasn’t even started, let alone any improvements be identified.

“This is frustrating when we can see pedestrianisation schemes being trialled and implemented in Harrogate.

“I understand the challenges faced by the highways department this winter. But I want to let those who supported our campaign know that we will continue to pursue this matter.”

Mr Monaghan approached North Yorkshire County Council about the matter and Melisa Burnham, the highways area manager, sent the following in reply:

“Our teams have had to focus on the winter service and the covid test and vaccination centres.

“There is a current resource issue in terms of conducting a consultation at the present time.

“The timing to carry out such a consultation in the community may not be appropriate given the current lockdown. Funding for such a consultation must also be identified.

“I do want to reassure you that this is still firmly on our agenda to consider further.

“As you will be aware any pedestrianisation scheme would need to be implemented with a traffic regulation order, requiring a formal consultation.”

Female-led beer festival to go ahead in Harrogate

Women on Tap, a community interest company in Harrogate celebrating females in the beer industry, is to stage its fifth festival from June 9 to 13.

The company, which was established in 2017 by Harrogate beer enthusiasts Rachel Auty and Andrew Cameron, has previously hosted four festivals.

Ms Auty hopes the festival will encourage women to explore beer and break the stereotype that it’s a man’s drink. She said:

“I’ve always been a beer drinker and I noticed that women drinking pints was seen as strange.

“I got in touch with women brewers and realised I wasn’t alone in seeing the gender stereotype, so I wanted to start something that would encourage women to be involved in the beer industry.”

Women on Tap’s 2020 festival involved a series of virtual events, including online beer tasting sessions, art exhibits, quizzes and talks from women, about women.

Women on Tap Festival in 2018.

The 2020 festival achieved a global reach, with people from as far as Australia joining in. This inspired Ms Auty to keep parts of this year’s festival online.

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But it is hoped there will be live events, depending on the latest government guidance when it takes place. She said:

“We obviously have to work with guidelines, but we have high hopes that at least two-thirds of the festival will go ahead live, even if that’s a tasting for two households in a Harrogate independent brewery.”

On International Women’s Day on March 8, the organisation set out to get 20 sponsors giving £300 each to fund the festival.

Today, exactly one month on, Women on Tap gained its 20th sponsor.

Ms Auty said she can’t wait for pubs to reopen on Monday.

“I’m so excited to see Harrogate hospitality reopen its doors, everyone seems so energised.

“Harrogate Brewing Company opens at 4pm on Monday, so you’ll bet I have a table booked at 4pm on Monday!”