Owner of Jennyfields pub says it’s ‘working hard’ to find new landlord

The company that owns the Stone Beck pub, in the Jennyfields area of Harrogate, has said it is “working hard” to find a new landlord to re-open the site.

A spokesperson for Punch Pubs, which owns tenanted and leased pubs across the country, today revealed the news to the Stray Ferret after we enquired about the future of the pub.

They said:

“We have spoken to the operations manager, who has advised he is currently working hard alongside the Punch recruitment team to appoint a new operator for the business.

“Please be assured our team will continue to search for a suitable applicant and we hope to be welcoming the local community back to the Stone Beck soon.”

The Stone Beck was forced to close in August last year when North Yorkshire Police revealed it did not have a designated premises supervisor, which it said was a legal pre-requisite for alcohol to be sold.

Although the Punch Pubs spokesperson said it was searching for a new candidate, they added the firm is “unable to put a timeframe” on the re-opening of the pub at this stage.

Several retail units on the Jennyfield Drive site are also closed. Last month the Stray Ferret reported on the impending closure of the Boots pharmacy inside the Co-op, as well as residents’ concerns over the future of retail in the area.

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Stargazing and planet-spotting on offer in Nidderdale as part of Dark Skies Festival

Two Nidderdale attractions are set to offer special stargazing and planet-spotting evenings as part of the National Parks Dark Skies Festival next month.

The festival celebrates the darkness over the country’s national parks and aims to educate people on the stars above.

Stumps Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge is among those taking part.

It will be holding cave tours throughout the festival, which explain how underground caves are used to train astronauts. Visitors will also be able to use on-site telescopes to see the stars.

There will also be a stargazing evening on February 16, which will include a presentation on how to spot celestial bodies in the sky and how to preserve the dark skies.

The event is for people aged five and above. Tickets start at £5.

Lime Tree Observatory, Grewelthorpe

The Lime Tree Observatory in Grewelthorpe, near Masham, will also be opening its doors – as well as the ceiling of its observatory – during the festival.

A Guide to the Heavens will be a family-friendly tour of the solar system, whereby people can learn all about planets, moons and stars in the planetarium.

In addition, people can also look forward to using the telescopes to view the stars and the sky. However, organisers did say this part of the evening is weather-dependent.

The event will take place over four evenings: Monday, February 12, Tuesday, February 13, Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16.

It will run from 6pm – 8pm.

Tickets, which cost £12, will be available to buy from Saturday, January 13.

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The National Parks Dark Skies festival covers four protected landscapes: the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale National Landscape  and the Howardian Hills National Landscape.

For those a little further afield, there is also a starry night watercolour workshop in Helmsley, a guided walking tour of Rievaulx Abbey and a dark skies-themed trail at Sutton Bank.

Derek Twine, member champion for promoting understanding at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said:

“While enjoyment and discovery are at the heart of the festival, it’s also a reminder to us all of the vital need to do everything we can to protect one of nature’s greatest wonders, the night sky, from light pollution so that we can help safeguard the natural world as well as our own health and wellbeing.”

The festival will run nationwide from February 9 to February 25.

Fencing up as work set to begin on 162-home Kingsley Drive development

Metal fencing is being erected around a grass field off Kingsley Drive in Harrogate, where 162 homes are set to be built.

The work comes almost a year after the controversial plans, submitted by Persimmon Homes, were approved by the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council.

The fences are being put up by Castleford-based Atkinsons Fencing, whose staff told the Stray Ferret today that the work began on Tuesday, January 9 and is expected to be complete by Wednesday, January 17.

However, the team has not been met with the warmest of welcomes, with one fencer saying “we had fingers thrown at us within the first few minutes”.

They said the abusive gestures were mainly from dog walkers, who are upset about the loss of a rare green space in the heavily developed Kingsley area,

The Atkinsons team also said they understood work on the development will begin “very soon after” the fencing is up next week.

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The Kingsley saga

A planning application on Kingsley Drive in 2021.

The Stray Ferret has followed development in the Kingsley area closely. Residents are acutely frustrated by the ongoing impact of so many new housing schemes.

Persimmon Homes last year pledged to pay more than £1m to local schools as part of its planning agreement.

According to a report written by planning officer Kate Broadbank, the developer will pay £600,00 to Grove Road Primary School, £400,000 to Harrogate Grammar School, Harrogate High and Rossett School, and £120,000 towards early years provisions.

It will also pay a further £220,000 to the NHS for healthcare costs, £150,000 towards Kingsley Drive being resurfaced, and another £80,000 towards a new mini roundabout at the junction of Kinglsey Road and the A59.

The project has certainly not been plain sailing for the company.

It initially lodged plans to build 181 homes in March 2022, however the proposal was met with more than 220 letters of objection from nearby residents and concerns from council officials.

Residents were particularly worried about the impact on nearby routes such as Knaresborough Road and Bogs Lane.

Persimmon reduced the size of the scheme in response to concerns and said the first 92 houses would include air source heat pumps to provide 100% of the heating and hot water. Sixty-five homes will be classed as affordable homes.

Harrogate’s Party Fever ‘working to get going again’ after shop closes

Independent party supplies retailer Party Fever has said it is “working to get going again” after closing its doors in Harrogate.

The well-known Station Parade business, which opened in 2006 and stocks a wide variety of balloons, decorations and party accessories, has not been open in recent days.

A sign in the shop window said:

“Apologies. We have had to close the shop. We are working to get going again but unfortunately we are unable to serve you at the moment.”

The sign also said pre-booked orders will still be fulfilled.

The shop’s website has a message saying “the store is currently closed”.

Owner Sue Savill told the Stray Ferret she was “not ready” to issue a statement but she would provide an update in “due course”.

It has been a difficult start to the year for businesses in the Station Parade area.

The Stray Ferret reported on the closure of the Fabulous 50s Diner on Bower Road, facing Station Parade. It ceased trading after enforcement notices were issued.

Since then we have also written about the closure of Go Herbs, which opened just nine months ago.

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Cyber attack prompted closure of Jules B in Harrogate

Fashion retailer Jules B‘s decision to close its shop in Harrogate was largely due to the impact of a cyber attack last year, the owner has said.

The Stray Ferret reported last week that the shop, which opened in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent in September 2022, was to shut.

Julian Blades, who owns Jules B, today said the attack, which happened last September, “heavily impacted” the business.

He added:

“The cost to recover from this event has put a huge pressure on our working capital and as a result we have had to restructure our company and sadly this has meant the closure of the Harrogate store.

“The retail environment has been particularly challenging the past 12 months with a number of negative factors affecting business, such as unseasonable weather and the cost of living crisis.”

Following the attack, Drapers reported in December Mr Blades “would not pay the $100,000 (£79,200) demanded by the hackers”.

It also said the company had enlisted the help of turnaround firm, KSA Group, to “navigate financial difficulty” and had considered implementing a company voluntary arrangement. However, it was not confirmed if this went ahead.

Mr Blades also told the Stray Ferret the Harrogate store is not the only branch to be affected by the attack:

“We will be reducing the size of our Jesmond store, but our Kendal stores and of course our website will continue to trade as normal.

“The last thing we expected was a cyber attack to add to our misery, but we will prevail, as they say, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’.

“I am sure that it won’t be long before we are back but in the mean time we would like to thank all our customers for their support.”

Jules B will close its doors in Harrogate on Sunday, January 14.

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Police seek men after Ripon thefts

North Yorkshire Police issued two CCTV appeals last night regarding separate thefts in Ripon.

In one of the incidents, officers released CCTV stills of two people (see below) they would like to speak to following a theft at Boots in Ripon Market Place.

It happened in October when a large number of designer fragrances were stolen from the store.

Police said in a statement:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the people in the images, as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.”

Anyone with information can email RetailCCTVReturns@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101. Quote reference number 12230189768.

Alcohol stolen

The second incident related to what police described as a “high value” alcohol theft at Morrisons on Harrogate Road. The date was not given.

It added officers would like to speak to the man in the image as they believe he will have information that will help the investigation.

Police said:

“Please get in touch if you recognise the person in the image, as we believe they will have information that will help our investigation.”

Anyone with information can email RetailCCTVReturns@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101. Quote reference number 12230191852.

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Firefighters called to electric bike blaze in Harrogate

Harrogate firefighters were called to a fire to an electric bike on Coppice Rise this afternoon.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service incident summary said the fire, which happened at 2.20pm, was initially reported as a fire to a conservatory.

The summary said:

“On arrival, this turned out to be a fire to an electric bike, in the rear garden of a property.

“Crews used one hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire.”

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Ferrensby collision

Today’s incident log also revealed there were three casualties following a two-vehicle collision in Ferrensby.

Ripon and Boroughbridge crews were called to the scene on Arkendale Road at 11.42am.

Paramedics also attended. No further details have been revealed.

Harrogate streets reopen after bomb scare

Several streets in Harrogate town centre closed this morning due to a bomb scare. Harrogate Magistrates Court was evacuated and police blocked Victoria Avenue, where the court is based, along with several other streets. Police, paramedics and firefighters were at the scene until after midday. Here’s what happened.

1.05pm: Police say enquiries are ‘ongoing’

North Yorkshire Police said no arrests have been made following the incident.

Enquiries are ongoing, the force said, but the scene appears to now be cleared.

12.56pm: Evacuated school issues statement about ‘most unusual day’

St Peter’s Church of England Primary School in Harrogate was evacuated as part of today’s bomb scare.

A spokesperson said:

“We quickly responded to advice from the police and evacuated all staff and pupils  to a local church.  All were calm and happy throughout the process and we would like to thank our staff and our pupils’ parents/carers for their support in dealing with what has been a most unusual day.”

12.48pm: Last police car leaves Victoria Avenue

Things appear to have returned to normal in Harrogate town centre after today’s bomb scare. We still await further information about what happened from the police, but for now it seems the bomb scare is over.

12.37pm: Police cordons being removed

Police are removing cordons and police vehicles are leaving the scene. We haven’t had an official update but it appears the incident may be under control.

Victoria Avenue reopens to traffic.

12.32pm: Aerial view of Victoria Avenue

Brian Simpson has posted this view on X, formerly Twitter. He added:

“I live down the street and there don’t seem to be too many concerns. Certainly they’re not doing a huge amount to stop people moving around Victoria Avenue towards the junction with Station Parade and they’ve even directed some cars that way.”

bomb scare 9 Jan 2023

12.24pm: West Park reopens to traffic

West Park has reopened to traffic. It had been closed at the Prince of Wales roundabout but it has now reopened after the cordon went up on Victoria Avenue.

12.15pm: More cordons go up

Police cordons have now gone up on Victoria Avenue, where firefighters and an ambulance incident response unit are on site, and on Princes Square.

12.10pm: Cordon extended to Raglan Street

The whole of Victoria Avenue is cordoned off, but police have now extended the exclusion area to Raglan Street. Traffic is still blocked from West Park, which leads on to Victoria Avenue, which is the focus of police activity.

12.03pm: Police issue update 

North Yorkshire Police has just issued the following statement:

“We are attending reports of a suspicious vehicle on Victoria Avenue, Harrogate. We ask members of the public to avoid the area for the time being, and we’re very grateful for your patience and understanding.:

11.56am: Bomb scare in car?

An officer at the scene has said the incident is a suspected bomb scare in a car on Victoria Avenue.

Court staff have been evacuated.

11.46am: Police cordons up

Dog walkers heading out of town were turned away from a police cordon across the pavement by the Prince of Wales roundabout.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for details about the incident. We will update this article when more information is available.

West Park is closed to traffic.

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Jules B to close Harrogate store

The Stray Ferret understands independent fashion retailer Jules B is set to close its Harrogate store.

The womenswear boutique, which took on the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent, opened in September 2022.

It is one of five Jules B stores, with two each in Jesmond in Newcastle-upon- Tyne and Kendal in Cumbria.

However, the Stray Ferret today received multiple reports to say that the Harrogate branch will close next week.

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Owners Julian and Rhonda Blades opened the doors of their first womenswear store in 1984, in Jesmond.

The company, which also has an online store, now employs more than 80 people.

It sells a range of high-end brands, including Ganni, Le Specs, Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood.

The Stray Ferret has approached Jules B for comment but has not had an immediate response.

Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is coming to an end – get your last minute donations in

The Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal will come to an end this weekend after almost two months of raising vital funds for Dementia Forward.

You can still donate to the appeal until midnight on Sunday, January 7.

So far we have raised around £8,000 for the charity, which will go towards funding a new minibus.

Jill Quinn MBE, chief executive at Dementia Forward, said:

“We really value the support that The Stray Ferret and all your readers have given us this Christmas.
“The stories and videos have shone a light on our services, and we really hope that everyone has a good understanding of what Dementia Forward offers to people in the local community, and knows where to turn if they ever they need us.
“It is exciting that we have received enough donations to be able to lease a new minibus for the next two years, so that we can continue to provide vital transport for people living with dementia in the Harrogate District.
“Once again, huge thanks and we wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2024!”

We didn’t reach our target, but we know times are tough and the money raised will still make a huge difference to the lives of those living with dementia and the people struggling around them.

Director of The Stray Ferret, Tamsin O’Brien said:

“We’d like to thank VIDA Healthcare for its wonderful support of our Christmas Appeal. As someone who’s family has experienced the heartbreak of Alzheimers, this was an appeal close to my heart.

“Thank you to everyone who donated. Please give generously this weekend — you never know when you may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.”

The appeal was kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.