The brains behind Harrogate’s North Studio, Rachel Woolford, was tonight named as the winner of The Apprentice on BBC.
Rachel, who began the 12-week process alongside 17 other hopefuls, has landed herself a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar.
The lucky winner, who set up her Cold Bath Road fitness business just last year, went head-to-head with Bognor Regis pie shop owner Phil Turner in tonight’s episode.
The investment will go towards expanding her business, which started in Leeds, across northern England. It offers small group fitness classes, including running, boxing, HIIT and reformer pilates.
For their last task, the two finalists had to launch their businesses.
Rachel Woolford and Phil Turner in the final. Pic: BBC Pictures.
Rachel’s team created a digital billboard and a virtual reality tour around one of her proposed gyms. She also pitched her business plan to Lord Sugar, aides Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell, as well as a room of industry experts.
In her presentation, Rachel said she planned to open five gyms in “bustling locations” in the north, including York, Manchester and Newcastle.
The Leeds woman, who called her company Studio Build in the episode, said her actual business — North Studio — focusses on “high energy and inclusive group fitness classes, which cost a little less than a personal trainer, but still offering that personal feel”.
But her success was not without hurdles, as she faced tough questions from fitness moguls, such as representatives from Barry’s, F45 and Rumble UK.
They questioned how Rachel could replicate the “personal and community” feel she said her business centres around, as well how she will ensure client and staff retention.
North Studio Harrogate
Once pitches were over, the candidates faced the infamous boardroom for the final time.
As Lord Sugar deliberated on his decision, Baroness Brady said about Rachel:
“This business is her life and her passion for it really comes across. The issue really is just how expensive it is to open gyms, and she’ll burn through your investment pretty quickly.”
Tim Campbell, the first ever winner of The Apprentice, added:
“I think the thing with Rachel is that she’s going into a great industry sector and she’s a great advocate for her product and service. It’s about the scalability of that. Can she systemise what she’s done very well at two gyms over at many, many more?”
Former contestants joined Rachel for the final episode. Pic: BBC Pictures.
After one last hit at persuasion from the two finalists, Lord Sugar made his final decision.
He said:
“Let me conclude here. This is a very tough decision, I’ve got to say because I’ve got two very, very credible people in front of me.”
“I’ve got Rachel who claims she’s making money and that she’s going to make even more when she gets the second gym up and running but gyms are with all due respect, two-a-penny.
“Specialist pies are not and it’s a market that I’m very interested in, but how can I be interested in it if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel? There’s a loss-making business at the moment which you tell me is going to turn around and be okay and that’s my dilemma.”
But it was northerner Rachel who took home the crown, and the money.
Lord Sugar concluded:
“It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here.
“But my gut feeling is telling me that, Rachel, you’re going to be my business partner.”
Now £250,000 richer and Lord Sugar’s newest business partner, Rachel Woolford is one-step-closer to expanding North Studio across the region.
Rachel said in the episode:
“To take part in the process has been incredible and to come out a winner is just something beyond my wildest dreams.
“I was 24-years-old when I started my business. I was just a girl from Leeds and now I cannot believe it, I’m going into business with Lord Sugar and he’s investing in me.”
For now, Lord Sugar’s search for his next business partner is over.
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Plans approved for new tattoo studio in Harrogate
A planning application for a new tattoo studio in Harrogate has been approved.
Applicant Marco Giusti submitted a change of use plan to North Yorkshire Council last month. It was approved on Tuesday, April 16.
It proposed to convert the unit currently occupied by the Chihuahua Lounge café, on Knaresborough Road, into a tattoo studio.
Mr Giusti, who moved to York from Italy six years ago, told the Stray Ferret the company, which will be called Dark Lab Tattoos, will offer predominantly “black and grey realism and ornamental tattoos”.
He added:
“As a studio, we will be able to offer people the right artist for the type of work they are looking for.
“This includes for traditional, realism, lettering, geometric, blackwork and fine line tattoos. Any style is welcome.”
The business will be based in the Chihuahua Lounge unit.
Mr Giusti said Dark Lab Tattoos will also offer piercing services, as well as custom prints and clothing.
He said he decided to open in Harrogate because it a “beautiful town with a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere”.
The refurbishment of the unit will cost around £25,000, he added.
Mr Giusti said all tattoos will have a £50 minimum charge, but prices will range from £80 per hour up to £400-£500 for a full day of tattooing (around six hours). He added:
“Occasionally we will be hosting walk-in days, where some designs may cost less than the minimum charge.”
Dark Lab Tattoos is expected to open at the beginning of June.
It will be open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.
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Harrogate bus station to close temporarily at nights after 7pm
Alternative bus stops have been announced as Harrogate bus station prepares to close temporarily.
The Harrogate Bus Company, which is owned by Transdev, shared the news on social media last night.
It said the bus station, on Station Parade, will close after 7pm, from Sunday to Thursday between April 21 and May 23.
As a result, the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 36, which all offer evening services, will be affected.
The closures begin this Sunday.
The Stray Ferret asked the Harrogate Bus Company where exactly the alternative stops will be. A spokesperson gave the following information:
Services 1 and 7:
- From Harrogate to Leeds: The Odeon, Harrogate
- From Leeds to Harrogate: Asda, Harrogate
Services 2 and 3:
- Asda, Harrogate & Cheltenham Crescent, near West Park
The 36:
- From Harrogate to Leeds: Library Gardens, Harrogate
- From Leeds to Harrogate: Asda, Harrogate
A graphic of the alternative bus stops. Pic: The Harrogate Bus Company.
A Transdev spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the bus station will be closed while the operator carries out work to “support the infrastructure” of its new electric fleet, which is set to be introduced this summer.
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The Harrogate Vet to open 24-hour animal hospital
The Harrogate Vet is set to open a new 24-hour hospital.
The practice, which opened on Leeds Road in 2019, is owned by parent company and integrated veterinary services provider CVS UK Ltd.
It shared the news on social media this afternoon.
The post said building work on its new “state-of-the art veterinary hospital” on Ripon Way had begun and it was due to open this summer.
Veterinary surgeon Diane Cole told the Stray Ferret the new site will include five consult rooms, two surgery theatres, a dental suite, a CT machine and on-site parking.
Ms Cole added:
“Katherine, the founder and clinical director, set up the practice in 2019 and I joined shortly after. We’ve always wanted to open a second site that offers 24-hour care.
“We’re all about providing the best possible service and we know to do that we need to offer 24-hour care. I’d come from working in that environment, so it was something we’ve both always wanted to do.”
The existing Leeds Road site. Pic: Google Maps.
Ms Cole also said her and Katherine Jacklin felt there was a “gap in the market” for emergency veterinary services in Harrogate town centre, adding:
“It just doesn’t seem fair to have to refer people to practices in Wetherby, Leeds or Ripon when they live in Harrogate.
“We’re also hiring more vets with specialised certificates, so we’ll be able to deal with much more specialised cases and complex surgeries at the new site.”
She said the practice will be expanding its team of vets, nurses and receptionists as part of the expansion.
The Harrogate Vet treats all small animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and tortoises.
Only existing clients of the practice will be able to use the services to begin with, Ms Cole added.
She also said:
“Because the building is already there, we’ve been able to really take the time to plan the layout of the new site. The rooms need to be as coherent and stress free as possible for both the owners and animals, especially when they’re coming in for a sad reason, so we’ve put a lot of effort in to make that happen.
“We’re just so excited about opening.”
Ms Cole said the practice does not have an official opening date for the new site yet.
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- North Yorkshire Council issues ‘call for sites’ for new planning blueprint
North Yorkshire Council issues ‘call for sites’ for new planning blueprint
North Yorkshire Council has begun the process of developing a new planning blueprint for the county.
The local authority is now accepting call for sites submissions as part of its plans to draw up Local Plan.
The Local Plan will set out where development can take place across North Yorkshire over the next 15 to 20 years.
The Harrogate District Local Plan was adopted in 2014 and was set to be in place until 2035.
However, following the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council and the formation of the unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council is now in the process of drawing up the new North Yorkshire Local Plan, which will replace existing plans for former district authority areas.
As part of the process, landowners or developers have until June to offer their sites for consideration for the new Local Plan.
The council said in a statement sites can be “put forward for any use or designation”. These include housing; employment and commercial development; retail and leisure; renewable energy generation and other environmental enhancement schemes.
Those submitting sites are advised to provide as much detail about the land and intended use as possible, the council said, adding this would enable the local authority to “consider the impacts of the site”.
The council also said it will take “expert advice” on the impact of each proposed site, including the effects on local schools and health services, sewage capacities, wildlife and the infrastructure of surrounding roads.
Nic Harne, the council’s director of community development said:
“The call for sites represents a crucial early stage in our local plan preparations and we welcome submissions from across North Yorkshire.
“However, submitting a site for consideration does not necessarily mean it will be taken forward for development. This exercise is not the planning application process and at this early stage, it is often the case that more sites are submitted than are needed to meet the future needs of the area.”
The council said it would be a “lengthy process that will take several years to complete, including an independent examination of the plan and all of the proposed sites by an appointed planning inspector”.
It added:
“When submitted, these sites will be carefully assessed by planning officers with advice taken from both internal and external specialists on a range of matters from flooding and heritage to impact on the local roads, schools and ecology.”
The news comes just over a month after councillors backed a plea to exclude Knox Lane, in the Bilton area of Harrogate, from the new Local Plan.
Teeside developer Jomast’s plans to build 53 homes off Knox Lane (pictured) were refused last September. However, the Stray Ferret revealed this week the developer has now lodged an appeal with the government’s Planning Inspectorate against the decision.
North Yorkshire Council aims to adopt the revised Local Plan by late 2028.
People will be able to comment on submitted sites at a later date.
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Heaven knows what Morrissey was doing back in Harrogate…
Morrissey, the elusive former frontman of The Smiths, has been photographed in suitably mysterious circumstances in a tiny hamlet between Ripon and Harrogate.
The 64-year-old, who is known for his enigmatic persona, posed with his arms folded in front of street signs and a dry stone wall on Cut Throat Lane in Shaw Mills.
Why he happened to be in Shaw Mills, which is six miles from Harrogate, is not known.
London photographer Andrew Quinn shared the image on his Instagram page yesterday.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Quinn for permission to show the photo in our article, but he politely declined, saying:
“[Morrissey] is quite a private person and I don’t think he’d be comfortable with that.”
Mr Quinn has since made his Instagram account private, but not before the picture was shared on a Morrissey fan page. Fans commented that the “maverick” star looked “healthy”.
The Stray Ferret received reports of Morrissey being seen leaving the Fat Badger pub in Harrogate at the end of March but no pictures emerged.
Yesterday, we showed James Bond star Pierce Brosnan enjoying a drink in the Fat Badger.
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Morrissey is becoming a bit of a Harrogate regular.
Last year he was spotted enjoying a pint in the Harrogate Arms by Chris Russell, who runs Zombie Clothing in Knaresborough.
Chris sent us this photo, which to add to the Mozzer intrigue was taken at about the same time of year as the latest one.
The Smiths rose to rock fame in the 1980s and went on to win the NME Award for Best Band and Best Single, and had the number one album, Meat is Murder, in 1985.
The group split in 1987, after which Morrissey launched his solo career.
Send us your photos and selfies if you bump into any celebrities in Harrogate district. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Petition aims to stop Harrogate animal testing firm felling trees
A petition has been launched to stop an animal testing company from felling two semi-mature trees in Harrogate.
American healthcare firm Labcorp Drug Development, which was previously known as Covance and has a site on Otley Road, conducts tests on animals, including dogs and mice.
It is frequently the subject of animal rights activists’ protests.
The company has submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to fell trees at its Harrogate site.
The application, submitted by agent Arbotech on behalf of the company, says both trees — a Swedish whitebeam and a grey alder — are protected by tree preservation orders, which requires applicants to provide a reason for felling to take place.
A tree report carried out by Boroughbridge environmental consultants Barnes Associates on behalf of Labcorp says the grey alder is “dead” and poses a “moderate risk”. The arboriculturists recommended the tree is felled.
It adds the Swedish whitebeam poses a “slight” risk, but also recommends the tree should be removed.
However, one Harrogate resident is taking action against the application.
Shelagh Dixon, who set up the petition yesterday, told the Stray Ferret she wants to alert people to Labcorp’s plans, as well as its animal testing work in general. She said:
“Labcorp is now hacking down protected trees. The destruction of these trees disrupts local eco-systems and contributes to climate change.
“We cannot stand by while this happens. We need your help. It’s time we hold Labcorp accountable for their actions.”
The proposed visual of the site extension, as submitted by Labcorp at the time.
Ms Dixon also said she fears the tree-felling could lead to plans to expand the drug development site, which she added would mean “more harm would ensue”.
Her concerns follows the former Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to approve plans to refurbish and expand the Otley Road site in February 2022.
Labcorp purchased six vacant buildings in December 2020 and planned to create a new entrance, a one-way system to access the car park and reconfigure the ground and first floors.
However, it is not known whether work has since started on the site.
The Stray Ferret approached Labcorp about the petition and the tree-felling plans, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Ms Dixon’s petition has already received more than 500 signatures. She hopes it will achieve at least 1,000.
North Yorkshire Council will decide on the application at a later date.
Read more:
- Heaven knows what Morrissey was doing back in Harrogate…
- Developer appeals to decision to refuse 53 homes in Harrogate
Ex-James Bond star Pierce Brosnan spotted in Harrogate bar
Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was spotted in a Harrogate bar last night.
The Irish actor, who was the fifth person to play 007, was seen having a drink at The Fat Badger on Cold Bath Road last night.
The Stray Ferret was sent a photo of Mr Brosnan enjoying a pint — rather than a martini — at the bar, which is part of The White Hart Hotel.
The 70-year-old played James Bond four times, including in Die Another Day and GoldenEye.
He has also featured in blockbusters such as the Mamma Mia! franchise, Survivor, Laws of Attraction and Mrs Doubtfire.
During his career, he has received two Golden Globe nominations for his performances in The Matador and Nancy Astor, as well as winning the outstanding European achievement in world cinema award at the European Film Awards in 2016.
Mr Brosnan even won a Razzie Award for worst supporting actor for his role in Mamma Mia!.
Pic: Nicholas PJ Snape
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He is not the first familiar face to be spotted in the Harrogate district, which became something of a celebrity hotspot last year.
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, who rose to fame in Titanic, visited the Crown Hotel at Middlesmoor last May.
Leathal Weapon star Danny Glover dined at Efes Bar and Grill in the summer, while world-famous DJ Calvin Harris was spotted at Wetherby Services in August.
Meanwhile, TV personality and writer Gyles Brandreth bemoaned his poor night’s sleep at a Harrogate hotel following his one-man show at the Royal Hall, and Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp praised Bettys’ cake as the “nectar of paradise”.
And Morrissey, enigmatic former frontman of The Smiths, was spotted having a quiet pint at The Harrogate Arms.
Send us your pictures and selfies if you bump into any famous people in the district. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Man, 33, charged with robbery at Harrogate jeweller
A 33-year-old man has been charged with robbery at a Harrogate jewellers last week.
North Yorkshire Police today said the man will appear at York Magistrates Court this morning (April 16) after being arrested yesterday afternoon.
The constabulary said the man was from Leeds but did not name him.
Police issued a CCTV appeal about the suspected theft of two “high value watches” from Ogden’s on James Street last Wednesday (April 10).
Read more:
‘A national treasure’: reaction to Rachel Daly’s England retirement
Famous faces from football and beyond have paid tribute to Rachel Daly’s England career following this week’s news of her retirement.
Harrogate-born Daly announced her decision on Wednesday, just a day after the Lionesses 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.
The Aston Villa forward, 32, featured in some of England’s most pivotal matches during her eight-year international career, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup final and as a Euro 2022 winner.
News of her departure therefore sparked a lot of tributes.
England and Arsenal footballer Beth Mead praised Daly on social media:
“So proud of you, no words to describe how gutted I am but what an international career it’s been. So happy to have been a part of it. Love you Rachy.”
England captain and Chelsea defender, Millie Bright, said she was the “proudest best friend” of all Daly has achieved in her international career, adding:
“I don’t have many words right now. I’ve shed a lot of tears knowing this was coming.
“You’ve given your heart and soul to your country over and over again. I love you.”
Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who shared the pitch with Daly at last year’s World Cup, called her a “national treasure”, while Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood said she is “one of the best, on and off the pitch”.
(L) Mary Earps’ Instagram post and praise from the Prince of Wales. (R)
Former England men’s player Ian Wright said Daly had an “unbelievable” international career, and reminded her she is a “European champion”.
Even the Prince of Wales, an Aston Villa fan, praised Daly’s England career. On the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X account, formerly Twitter, the royal wrote:
“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with Lionesses. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W.”
Daly began her football career at Killinghall Nomads Football Club.
She has since gone on to play for Leeds United, Lincoln Ladies and even Houston Dash in the USA before she returned to England to play for Aston Villa in 2022.
She amassed 84 senior caps throughout her England career and scored 16 goals.
Daly will continue her club football career at Aston Villa.
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