New Starbeck fish and chip shop to open next week

The latest addition to the Starbeck takeaway scene will open its doors next week.

Portside Fish and Chips, which already has two sites in Leeds and one in Pontefract, will open in the former Karen’s Bistro unit on the high street.

The company, which launched in 2020, told the Stray Ferret its food is prepared in vegetable oil and cooked to order to “ensure the highest quality for customers”.

A portion of fish and chips costs £10, but the takeaway offers other traditional chip shop items including battered sausages, scampi and pies, as well as vegetarian options.

Kully Roda, owner of Portside, told the Stray Ferret:

“Regarding our Starbeck store, we are excited to become part of a vibrant high street, alongside esteemed brands, and local businesses.

“Understanding the economic challenges faced by our customers, we have tailored a meal deal menu to provide extra value. We have also introduced a lunchtime loyalty scheme, where customers can collect stamps per meal, redeemable for a lunchtime meal.”

The site, which will employ eight people, will provide competition for two nearby fish and chip shops Drake’s Fish and Chips and Bradleys as well as numerous other takeaways.

Portside will open its doors on Tuesday, February 20. It will be open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm, and 3pm to 8pm on Sunday.

It follows the opening of national food franchise, Pepe’s Piri-Piri, which came to Knaresborough Road earlier this month.

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Traffic lights near Ripley finally set to be removed

Traffic lights on Fountains Road at Ripley, which have been in place since early December, look set to be removed soon.

The lights were installed after storms in December flooded a notorious stretch of road (pictured), which runs between Ripley and Sawley.

The Stray Ferret reported on the issue last month after there appeared to be no end in sight for the traffic lights – despite a brief dry spell and respite period from flooding.

At the time, we asked North Yorkshire Council when the lights would be removed and what long-term flood prevention measures would be put in place. A spokesperson said:

“Before the traffic lights are removed, we must jet the gullies and inspect the carrier drain.

“Officers hope to be on site in the next few weeks.”

The council has now provided an update.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways area manager, told the Stray Ferret yesterday:

“The traffic lights were installed following heavy rainfall, resulting in an area of flooding.

“We appreciate the inconvenience the disruption has caused, but the safety of the travelling public is our top priority.

“Our officers finished unblocking the gullies on Tuesday (February 13) and the water has drained away. The road will now be repaired by the end of the week, and it can then reopen.”

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Harrogate hospital aims to ‘minimise impact’ of latest junior doctors’ strike

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has said it has taken steps to “minimise” the impact of the latest junior doctors’ strike on outpatients and appointments.

It comes after the British Medical Association announced a fresh round of junior doctor strike action last Friday in an ongoing pay dispute with the government.

The strike will run from 7am on Saturday, February 24, until 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 29.

A spokesperson for the trust today told the Stray Ferret:

“In response to the announcement that junior doctors, who are members of the British Medical Association are set to undertake industrial action from 7am on Saturday 24 February until 11:59am on Wednesday 28 February, we have established a multi-professional strike planning team to develop plans to ensure essential services can be maintained on the strike days, and to minimise as much as possible any impact on our services, staff and patients.

“Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule. We will be re-arranging any postponed appointments as a priority. We appreciate this situation is frustrating for patients affected and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Nobody should put off seeking urgent or emergency care during the strike, and key services will continue to operate.”

This will be the 10th round of junior doctor strikes since March 2023. A six-day strike last month was the longest in NHS history.

We contacted the BMA to ask how many Harrogate junior doctors will be taking part in the strike, but a spokesperson said it could not disclose the information.

The Stray Ferret reported on the impact the December strike had on appointments at Harrogate hospital last month.

The trust said it was forced to cancel 166 appointments due to the walk-out.

Giving further advice to patients, the trust added:

“For people who require medical assistance and are considering visiting our Emergency Department, unless it’s a life-threatening or a severe illness or injury, we would ask that they contact NHS 111 first either by calling or going online https://111.nhs.uk/. The NHS will help them right away and if they need urgent care, the NHS can book them in to be seen quickly and safely.

“People with life-threatening or severe illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at our Emergency Department without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised.”

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Knaresborough wall repair completed five weeks early

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed work to fix a Knaresborough wall has been completed five weeks earlier than expected.

The £200,000 project began after a section of the wall on Briggate collapsed on to the road last September. Nobody was hurt, but rubble remained on the road for almost three months after.

Initial repair work began at the end of November and paused over Christmas, but resumed last month to fix another section of the wall.

Two-way traffic lights were put in place on January 8 by the council, which said the maintenance work was due to be completed by Friday, March 14.

However, traffic lights were removed last Friday (February 9) – just over a month after the work began.

The Stray Ferret contacted the council to ask if the work had paused or finished. We also asked if it had been carried out with effective long-term maintenance measures in place after a reader in Calcutt got in touch to say he didn’t see any reconstruction of the wall take place and “most of the work was repointing”.

A spokesperson responded:

“I’m pleased to confirm the work has been completed ahead of schedule.”

The wall pictured at Christmas before the latest repairs.

A  Freedom of Information request submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed the wall was assessed as safe three times in the weeks before it collapsed despite complaints that it was crumbling and damaged by weeds.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough East, told the council in June 2022 that the wall “could potentially be a risk to life”.

‘Lessons must be learned’

Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, today told the Stray Ferret the “sorry saga would never have happened if the wall had been properly maintained”, adding:

“The cost involved does not represent value for money for the taxpayer. As the work has taken less time than anticipated the council should now look to challenge the price. A local builder told me they could have done the work for a third of the price; had they been asked to tender. I will be asking the council to review its process for tendering and awarding of contracts.

“I would expect as a minimum the wall to be safety checked on an annual basis. Although a schedule of inspection hasn’t been confirmed with me. If residents raise any concerns they should be listened to and acted upon.

“The contractor should be congratulated for getting the work done ahead of time and I now hope the council can get the road resurfaced as planned in April.”

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Bishop Monkton man with ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’ jailed for 26 weeks

A Bishop Monkton man who drove an uninsured vehicle while disqualified and resisted arrest has been jailed for 26 weeks.

Paul Moehr was also banned from driving for 89 months when he was sentenced at York Magistrates Court yesterday.

Moehr, 51, of St John’s Road, pleaded guilty to four charges: driving whilst disqualified; obstructing a constable in the execution of duty; use of a vehicle on a road without third party insurance and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

The court heard he drove a Vauxhall Vectra whilst disqualified and uninsured on North Street in Ripon on January 20, 2024.  On the same day, he resisted police at the White Horse Inn, in Ripon.

He also admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he was taken into custody at Harrogate Police Station on the same day.

Magistrates said he “had a flagrant disregard for court orders”, which played a part in his sentencing, alongside a previous record of offending and persistent driving offences.

Moehr was also ordered to pay £154 to the court.

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Harrogate sandwich shop to close after 51 years of trading

A Harrogate takeaway sandwich shop it set to close after 51 years of trading.

The Bread Bin, on Skipton Road, opened in 1972.

Jude Gray, the current owner, has worked alongside her mother, who took over the business in the 1990s, for the last 15 years.

However, she today told the Stray Ferret “rising costs” led the family to close the business, adding:

“Obviously, the industry is just not in great shape.

“Overheads are mental, and the price of gas and electric has gone crazy.

“Also, my mum, who still works in the shop, just turned 73. We kind of just knew it was the right time with that combined with the rising costs.”

The café sells a range of hot and cold sandwiches, jacket potatoes, drinks and sweet treats.

However, Ms Gray also attributed the closure to Brexit and the effect it has had on trade with suppliers.

“I know it’s not going to get any better. What was once a £5 product has gone up to something like £16.

“I think we will be one of many in this situation.”

She did, however, say customers are “gutted” about the sandwich shop closing, adding:

“It’s quite an unusual place and we have such a loyal customer base.

“Because it’s been around so long – we’ve got people who came in as children that now bring their children and even grandchildren.”

Ms Gray said The Bread Bin will likely close at the end of February, but a date has not been confirmed yet.

She said the business will not be put up for sale.

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‘Fire-damaged’ pub near Knaresborough for sale at £495,000

A pub near Knaresborough that suffered two fires in three years has been put up for sale.

The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe has remained closed since the second fire in August last year.

Now, after months of uncertainty, the inn has been offered for sale for £495,000.

According to Fleurets, the listing agent, the pub was “superbly successful” with a turnover in the region of £900,000 in recent years.

However, it acknowledged “the kitchen was damaged by a fire in August”, adding:

“The business has not re-opened and the tenant has left.

“The landlord has undertaken works to make good the damage caused by the fire, and the kitchen is ready to be fitted out.”

It said the remainder of the property was in “very good condition, unaffected by the fire and ready to trade”.

The interior of The Tiger Inn. Pic: Fleurets.

Fleurets said the two-storey property included a ground floor bar and restaurant and a recently refurbished studio flat upstairs.

It added:

“The front bar is in three sections.. The three sections can accommodate 10, 16 and 18 covers for dining. The right side extends into the restaurant area providing 68 covers.

“[It includes] ladies, gents and disabled toilets, an office and an upland beer store. The catering kitchen is huge, and purchasers may choose to reduce its size prior to refitting.”

The property, which is under a freehold tenure, also still holds a premises licence.

The upstairs flat. Pic: Fleurets.

The Stray Ferret has reported on the fires at the Tiger Inn over the years – most recently in November.

It suffered its first fire in November 2020. The blaze, which started in the kitchen, lasted for six hours and caused widespread damage to the site.

It then re-opened after renovations in October 2021, only for a second blaze, attributed to an overheating ice machine, to occur last year.

The blaze at the Tiger Inn pub in Coneythorpe yesterday (November 13).

The fire in 2020.

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Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital rated ‘good’ by Care Quality Commission

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate, has been rated ‘good’ in a recent report by the Care Quality Commission.

The hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, was assessed to be good in all five categories: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The healthcare watchdog also rated the surgery, outpatients and diagnostic and screen service departments as good.

The inspection, which took place in November, was the first since 2017, after which the hospital was rated “requires improvement”.

Michelle Eardley, executive director of the hospital, said:

“This is a challenging time for people working in healthcare and to have had our culture and delivery of care recognised as making a difference to the patients we care for is incredibly rewarding.

“We are fully committed to delivering the best possible care for patients in Harrogate and further afield. We look forward to building on this to achievement and working towards obtaining an “outstanding” rating across all domains.”

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to meet tonight

The monthly Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting will take place tonight.

The meeting will focus on corporate social responsibility and will include speakers from Harrogate Spring Water, EnviroVent and the charity Supporting Older People.

Chamber chief executive officer Martin Mann said:

“Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer simply a business buzzword or tick box exercise; it is fundamental to modern business practice.

“Organisations that live and breathe strong social and environmental values positively impact the communities and people around them, making for a better place to live and do business.”

The meeting will be held at The Old Swan Hotel, from 5.30pm – 8pm.

Ripon restaurant nominated for national award

Jaflong in Ripon has been shortlisted for Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the National Curry Awards in Manchester next week.

Salauddin Khan, owner of Jaflong, said:

“Our priority is always to give our customers the best experience in food preparation. We are delighted that our passion for excellence has been recognised in these awards.”

The restaurant, which is on Kirkgate, gained national recognition at the same awards event last year.

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Motorist’s frustration at lack of information on A59 at Kex Gill reopening

North Yorkshire Council is still unable to say when the A59 at Kex Gill will reopen.

The council announced the sudden closure of the main route between Harrogate and Skipton a week ago today. It said it was for safety reasons after a crack on the verge, which appeared the week before, had worsened.

The closure, which is close to a £68.8 million scheme to build a new road, is causing lengthy detours.

After being approached by motorists for an update, the Stray Ferret asked the council when the road is expected to reopen.

Melisa Burnham, the council’s highways manager, said today:

“Following the closure of the A59 at Kex Gill, our highways team has been conducting detailed site investigations, closely monitoring the area, and assessing the most effective repair scheme.

“The closure is a result of land instability due to the heavy rainfall experienced over a prolonged period this winter and is not related to the ongoing construction works.

“However, this closure does once again highlight the necessary decision to carry out the ambitious realignment project of the A59 at Kex Gill, which has had a long history of landslips.

“A signed diversion is in place and we ask all road users to adhere to the closure and diversion for their safety.

“We appreciate the inconvenience caused and would like to reassure the public that we will be carrying out this repair as quickly and as safely as possible.”

A ‘total lack of communication and urgency’ from council

Edward Winterschalden, who drives from Harrogate to Giggleswick twice a week, told the Stray Ferret the road closure has added “about 20 to 25 minutes each way to an hour’s journey, plus about eight miles each way”.

He urged the council to communicate better about the situation, adding:

“They’ve had a week to assess what needs to be done and how long to fix it. You can sort of live with hassle if you know what’s going on.

“One week has passed and nothing. The inconvenience to commuters, local residents etc is huge, yet a total lack of communication and urgency. More noise is needed.

“A major route connecting communities and businesses is closed and we have no idea when it will re-open.”

A three-mile section of road is being built in the landslip-prone area.

The Department for Transport is providing grant funding of £56.1 million and the remaining £12.7 million has been allocated from North Yorkshire Council’s capital reserves.

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Three new shops to open on Harrogate’s Beulah Street

Beulah Street in Harrogate is set to see three new shop openings this month.

The town centre street is already home to several charity shops — and will soon see another one when Animal welfare charity Blue Cross welcomes customers.

It will stock second-hand clothing and homeware, as well as some new goods.

The Blue Cross, which was founded in 1897, provides veterinary care and rehoming services for animals and pets.

Its Harrogate shop, which has taken over the former Regis Hair Salon unit, will be one of more than 50 charity shops it operates in England and Wales.

The opening comes just months after the Ripon branch closed in October, which the charity said was due to declining trade.

The Stray Ferret approached Blue Cross about an official opening date, but the charity was unable to confirm it at this stage.

Silver Lining Piercing

Silver Lining Piercing, which is currently based in the Victoria Shopping Centre, is to relocate to Beulah Street.

The Harrogate store is one of six in the north and the Midlands, alongside Leeds, York, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Nottingham.

Fiona Clancy, director at Silver Lining Piercing, told the Stray Ferret:

“The new shop is bigger and will give us the opportunity to offer two studios at busy times. We are adjusting staffing levels to reflect that.

“We are very excited about the new shop on Beulah Street, we think it offers higher profile visibility for our brand. It also gives us the opportunity to do a new and modern shop refit.

“We hope that all our current customers will come with us, and we look forward to gaining even more regular customers in the future.”

The new Silver Lining store will open on Saturday, February 24.

Heel the Sole

The third new venture is Heel the Sole — a foot health and wellness shop.

Owner and former nurse Melissa Franklin told the Stray Ferret the store will sell a range of orthotics, including for children and those with specific health conditions, as well as hosiery and toenail care equipment.

Ms Franklin said she wants the shop to feel “relaxed and not clinical”, adding there will also be a treatment room to rent out for podiatry or reflexology services.

She said Heel the Sole is expected to open around February 22, but the date is not yet confirmed. It will initially open seven days a week.

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