Flora Grafton, Author at The Stray Ferret

Local business raises concern about new Harrogate Tourist Information Centre

A Harrogate business owner has raised concerns about the lack of business exposure at the new Tourist Information Centre.

North Yorkshire Council announced in February it would permanently close the former Tourist Information Centre on Crescent Road and re-open in the nearby Royal Pump Room Museum.

The move will enable the council to reduce costs and generate rent from its former premises in the Royal Baths, which has suffered low commercial investment returns since the council paid £9.5 million for it back in 2018.

But the new tourist information section within the pump room is much smaller than the old building, which has raised concerns about its ability to provide the same service and to promote local businesses.

Neil Thomson, owner of jewellery and art shop Inger & Rae and jewellery and gift shop Shine in Westminster Arcade, raised concerns with the Stray Ferret after tourists told him they “struggled to find” the arcade.

Mr Thomson told the Stray Ferret:

“Visitors in the arcade all say how beautiful it is but that they knew nothing about it. There aren’t any signposts despite its architectural significance.

“The arcade also hosts 10 independent businesses, all of which are thriving despite the lack of interest from the council.

“There is a huge unwillingness to even mention places which aren’t council run.”

Inside Westminster Arcade.

Mr Thomson said he approached staff at the Pump Rooms, as well as a local art gallery, requesting to put leaflets about Westminster Arcade on display.

He said both sites told him they “could not give information leaflets to the public”.

He added:

“We wish to promote Westminster Arcade as an important visitor attraction. It is a superb example of Victorian architecture, and the only Victorian arcade in Harrogate.

“Visitors to Harrogate want to be able to access a full range of information when they are here in person, in the town.

“If we all work together, and promote ALL the positive and varied attractions Harrogate has to offer, visitors will have a much better experience and will be far more likely to return.”

Mr Thomson, who also has a shop on King’s Road, said he was also told the new Tourist Information Centre would be manned “only by digital tablets” and there would “not be any staff”.

This only added to his concerns, he said.

The Stray Ferret put Mr Thomson’s concerns to the council and asked if the new site would really be manned digitally.

The council’s corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, today said:

“The staff at the venue are trained to deal with both museum and visitor information queries. Facilities available incorporate leaflet displays, maps and retail with digital touchscreens to follow within the coming weeks, for those who wish to use them.’’

The tourist information section of the pump room.

Mr Harne also said merging the museum and Tourist Information Centre was a “more up-to-date model of visitor service provision”, adding it enabled the council to operate the two services during the same hours.

The council said the new Tourist Information Centre at the Pump Rooms is now open, and the digital screens will be installed in the next few weeks.

Sharow Lane near Ripon to close for three weeks

Sharow Lane, a main route from the village into Ripon, will close for three weeks from next week.

According to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map, the road closure will be in place “all the time” during the three-week period, as Northern Gas Networks carries out a “gas main replacement”.

The firm told the Stray Ferret the work is to “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers”.

A spokesperson added:

“Four-way temporary traffic lights are currently in place on the junction of North Road/River View Road/Magdalens Road and will be in situ until the end of next week (week commencing April 8).

“A road closure will be implemented on Sharow Lane for three weeks from Monday April 8 and a diversion route will be clearly signed.”

Sharow Lane

Northern Gas Networks also said for the duration of the road closure, traffic will be diverted through Ripon city centre, along North Street, North Road and Bondgate Green.

Mark Mawhood, operations manager for the company, added:

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to the residents of Ripon.

“We want to assure residents and road users that we will be working hard to complete this essential scheme as safely and as quickly as possible.”

The work will last from Monday, April 8, until Friday, April 26.

Ripon nightclub responds to transphobia allegation

A Ripon nightclub has defended itself after being labelled “transphobic” for a comment on social media.

Wonderland, on North Street, announced on Facebook last month it would be offering “free entry for the ladies” on March 2.

On the same post, which has since been deleted, one man commented, “as in lady boys?”, to which the nightclub responded “trans not included I’m afraid”.

Ripon woman Elise Whincup described the nightclub’s comment as “incredibly transphobic”.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines transphobia as “harmful or unfair things a person does based on a fear or dislike of transgender or non-binary people”.

Ms Whincup added:

“I’m starting to wonder if Wonderland is the kind of establishment I want to be in if they have these views, where not only do they refuse trans women the same privileges as cisgender women, but agree with and not remove a comment like this from their social media.”

The original post and comments have since been deleted.

After deleting the Facebook post, Wonderland said it had revoked the free entry offer due to “certain situations”.

Ms Whincup, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, told the Stray Ferret she feels “very strongly about speaking for minorities”, adding:

“Even if it was a case of ignorance, ignorance breeds hate. It only takes one person to think the establishment shares their views, which don’t necessarily stay quiet after a drink, and makes an unsafe place for transgender people.

“Myself and someone else commented complaints under the original post and on another post by Wonderland, but our comments have been deleted and we have both been blocked by the page.”

Ms Whincup later shared her concerns on This is Ripon UK Facebook group, which has more than 14,0000 members.

In her social media post, she said she feels the “LGBT community of Ripon needs to be made aware” of the situation. She added:

“No public apology or even admittance of transphobia has been made, however they find it acceptable to post about a monthly LGBT night while sharing beliefs shown below in their previous comments.

“We have a large LGBT community in Ripon, and this is not how to make them feel safe and accepted.”

‘A can of worms’

The Stray Ferret approached Wonderland for comment in response to the claims. A spokesperson said:

“If you do free entry for the ladies and accept people that have ID, stating they are male, it will open up a can of worms.

“Absolutely everybody will be claiming to be trans just to get free entry — you don’t have to look like the opposite sex to be trans.

“It happened to us in the past and was very difficult to deal with. People began abusing it and that’s not fair on transgender people.

“How can someone on the door tell someone that they are or aren’t trans? Nobody has the right to do that. That is why I decided to accept free entry for people who had IDs stating that they were females on the ID. Even if someone was born a male and it stated they were a female on their ID they still would have been granted entry.”

The spokesperson also said they “never knew ladyboy was an offensive term”.

They continued:

“People come to our venue for a good time, and everyone is welcome. We have just launched an LGBT pride night on the first Friday of every month and it’s going to be wicked. Everyone is welcome here, and we may even do free entry if dressed in drag.

“But the funny thing is that no trans people or anyone from the LGBT community had complained whatsoever. We have plenty of people from the LGBT community coming to our venue on a weekly basis.”

Plans approved for controversial development in Glasshouses

A planning application to develop five homes on a Glasshouses street has been approved.

The application, which was originally submitted to North Yorkshire Council in September, was given the go-ahead at North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon planning committee on Tuesday.

Final revised plans, which were put forward in December, proposed splitting an existing cottage on Harewell Close into two dwellings.

The agent, JC Robinson LTD, who submitted the plans on behalf of the applicant, on also proposed to erect single-storey extensions to both divisions, as well as developing a further two dwellings to the rear of the site.

But the application generated 23 online objections.

A report by a council officer to councillors before the meeting recommended the scheme be approved, subject to conditions. Councillors voted to agree with this recommendation.

The report said a ward member raised concerns that the land “includes areas not owned by the applicant” and felt access would be “restricted”.

It added Pateley Town Council, which said it neither supported nor objected the plans, raised several areas of concern.

These included sewage infrastructure not being able to cope with the additional demand, “compromised” vehicular and pedestrian access to the fields adjacent to the site and “exacerbated” traffic congestion.

The report also said local objections referred to the impact on the Nidderdale AONB (now known as Nidderdale National Landscape), the impact on wildlife, that it was “not sympathetic” to neighbouring properties or the conservation area, and “inconsistencies” with the application.

However, the application also received support from local people.

The report said one letter in support of the original plan, which included the erection of three dwellings, felt “there is a lack of housing available in the area for first time buyers and young
families”, adding the development provides “sufficient parking provision”.

Despite concerns, the councillors granted approval of the plans subject to conditions.

The conditions included set times during which work can be carried out to avoid disruption locally, as well as matching the materials of the original building to the extensions to “protect the character and appearance” of the Nidderdale National Landscape.

Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens fencing to remain for ‘foreseeable future’

Fencing put up in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens six months ago shows no sign of being removed.

Fences were erected to block a group of rough sleepers last October, who set up an encampment in the pavilion.

It came after nearby residents complained of anti-social behaviour from the rough sleepers, who were removed from the site after two weeks.

The Stray Ferret followed the saga closely at the time – and in the months following – and has repeatedly tried to find out what long-term measures would be put in place to prevent similar encampments and help those needing accommodation.

However, six months on, the fencing look set to remain indefinitely.

When we approached North Yorkshire Council for an update, Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said:

“The temporary fencing will remain up for the foreseeable future until a further solution can be found.

“We are working with Harrogate Business Improvement District with a view to wrapping it with images of the town/area in the short term.”

Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate BID, said the organisation held talks with the council along these lines before Christmas, and it was willing to “re-open that conversation”.

Rough sleepers offered ‘support and accommodation daily’

The Stray Ferret also asked what provisions are in place to help homeless people in Harrogate.

Kim Robertshaw, the council’s head of housing needs, said:

“We have a proactive rough sleeper team that engages with people at risk of rough sleeping on a daily basis, offering support and accommodation.

“We hope this consistent approach continues to reduce the number of instances where encampments are created in Harrogate. Where incidents do occur we work with partners to resolve issues as quickly as we can.”

The news comes just weeks after the Stray Ferret’s Trading Hell series, which investigated the anti-social behaviour faced by business owners in Harrogate.

Some traders did not feel confident that such offences would be dealt with by authorities, and some even pointed the finger at rough sleepers as the root cause.

You can read our Trading Hell feature on homeless charity, Harrogate Homeless Project, here.

Alan Titchmarsh helps Harrogate charity Horticap celebrate 40th birthday

Horticultural charity Horticap celebrated its 40th anniversary today.

The charity, located at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries on Harrogate‘s Otley Road, has helped adults with learning disabilities train in horticulture and outdoor skills since 1984.

Students learn garden maintenance, woodwork and social skills as part of their time at Horticap.

Pupils gathered for today’s birthday celebrations alongside TV gardener and Horticap patron Alan Titchmarsh and His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner.

Alan Titchmarsh with two Horticap students. Pic: Gerard Binks.

They were presented with awards as part of the special day.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones was also in attendance, as was the president of the National Allotment Society, Phil Gomersall, the Knaresborough town crier and Look North journalist Amanda Harper.

The charity is hosting a range of events throughout the year to celebrate the milestone, including a 40th anniversary garden display at both the Harrogate Spring Flower Show and the Great Yorkshire Show.

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh. Pic: Gerard Binks.

Missing Leeds woman’s car found close to Harrogate district

A car belonging to a missing Leeds woman has been found close to the border of the former Harrogate district.

Molly Ann Garbutt, 25, was reported missing last night (Tuesday, April 2) with police saying they had “immediate concerns for her welfare”.

Enquiries led officers to establish Molly’s black Renault Clio was in the Grassington area from around 7pm last night.

Her car was found by Rural Watch volunteers just before 8am today, parked off the B6265 near Dibbles Bridge at Hebden, about two miles from Greenhow in the former Harrogate district.

West Yorkshire Police issued the initial appeal for information but following the discovery of the car North Yorkshire Police has joined the search.

It said in a statement this afternoon:

“North Yorkshire Police is conducting searches and enquiries in the surrounding area in the effort to find Molly.

“These are being supported by RAF Mountain Rescue and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, along with a HM Coastguard helicopter.

“Molly is described as white, slim build, with long ginger hair. She was last seen wearing a brown velvet thigh-length coat, pink leggings and white boots.”

Officers have urged anyone with information or sightings of a woman in the area matching Molly’s description to report it by calling 999.

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240057708 when passing on information.

Ex-Tory council leader named Harrogate Homeless Project chief executive

Former Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper has been named as the new chief executive of Harrogate Homeless Project.

Richard Cooper, who led the council from 2014 until last year, will relinquish his role as office manager for Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones to take up the role on July 1.

He will succeed Francis McAllister, who is retiring after two years in charge of the charity. Its hostel on Bower Street is close to Mr Jones’ East Parade constituency office and Harrogate Conservative Club

In a press release announcing the move, the charity said Mr Cooper began voluntary work at the hostel in 1996 after becoming “drawn by its vision of ending rough sleeping in the Harrogate district”.

It added Mr Cooper continued to support Harrogate Homeless Project during his time as a councillor, and “regularly gives talks on homelessness, rough sleeping and street begging to community groups”.

Mr Cooper said:

“After so many years being closely connected to the homeless project as a volunteer and supporter it feels like a bit of a dream to become the organisation’s chief executive.

“Preventing homelessness and supporting people sleeping rough is a difficult task and I know we have a small and dedicated team of staff, volunteers and donors who have an amazing impact.

“And I have big shoes to fill. Francis McAllister has led Harrogate Homeless Project through a significant period of change and growth. Our Springboard day centre is a hive of activity providing a wide range of support from an array of partners. The team is better-placed than ever before to support clients. Francis has made a real difference to homelessness in our area.”

Mr Cooper’s last working day with Mr Jones, which will be on June 28, will mark the end of one of the most influential careers in local politics this century.

David Thomas, chairman at the project, added:

“I know Richard understands the challenges facing Harrogate Homeless Project. The economic climate remains difficult, there is a shortage of affordable property for rent and support services are stretched. Our charity has a big job to do to meet these challenges and with his background in the community and decades-long support for Harrogate Homeless Project I know he will be an energetic leader for the Harrogate Homeless Project team.

“We will miss Francis but respect his decision to retire after a lifetime working for local and national charities. He will forever be a friend to HHP and to the many people whom he helped during his tenure.”

Asked how much Mr Cooper will be paid by the charity, Mr McAllister replied:

“I cannot discuss individual salaries but it is at a similar level to our existing CEO and commensurate with CEO roles at charities of a similar size and complexity.”

According to its latest accounts filed with the Charity Commission for the year ending August 31, 2022, no employees received annual remuneration of £60,000 or more.

Major changes announced to bus routes in Harrogate district

Two new bus routes are set to be introduced in Harrogate this weekend.

The Harrogate Bus Company said in a press release the services would provide ‘new and improved links for housing developments and business parks’.

The company, which is part of French form Transdev, said it has partnered with North Yorkshire Council to bring the new 4, which will link King Edwin Park and the Harrogate West Business Park off Penny Pot Lane in Killinghall to the town centre.

It will also serve Skipton Road and Ripon Road.

The new route, which is being funded by the King Edwin Park housing developer, will run hourly from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

In addition, the 6 and X6 will merge to provide an all-day service to Harrogate’s Pannal Ash, RHS Harlow Carr and Beckwith Knowle.

It will operate every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday, and hourly on Sundays. Extra buses will run every 20 minutes during peak times.

Harrogate Bus Company said it will operate as the current route, but extending to Beckwith Knowle, where there is a business park.

The firm added:

“The route will change on Otley Road and in Pannal Ash so we pick up on the opposite side of the road – this follows customer requests.”

Changes to existing routes

Along with the new routes, the Harrogate Bus Company also announced it would be making changes to existing routes. Some of the details at this stage are vague.

These include:

1 Harrogate – Knaresborough: There will be a full timetable change from Monday to Saturday. Buses will still run every 10 minutes.

2 Harrogate – Bilton: Changes will be made to buses at peak times on weekdays.

3 Harrogate – Jennyfield: Changes will be made to buses at peak times on weekdays.

8 Harrogate – Knaresborough – Wetherby: This route will be taken over by 21 Transport on behalf of the council. The firm said Transdev tickets will no longer be valid on this route.

21 Knaresborough – Boroughbridge: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

24 Harrogate – Pateley Bridge: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

36 Leeds – Harrogate – Ripon: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

S1 Ripley – Rossett School: A new school bus will serve pupils from Ripley to Harrogate Grammar School and Rossett School. It added people in Jennyfields who currently use the 620H should switch to the S1.

S2 and S6 Bilton – Rossett School: The S2 and S6 will merge into a single route, which will follow the route of the regular 2 bus around Bilton. A large double decker bus will be provided which is sufficient for all customers, it added.

S8 Woodlands – Rossett School: Changes ‘to improve reliability’ will be introduced.

620H Dacre – Rossett School: This route will be taken over by another operator on behalf of the council. Harrogate Bus Company said it does not know which firm will take over, but added it will no longer serve Jennyfields. It advised residents to use the S1 instead.

727H Jennyfield – Harrogate Grammar School

The Harrogate Bus Company, which has not released any further information on the changes, said timetables will be available ‘soon’.

The changes will come into effect on Sunday, April 7.

Robbie Williams and The Killers tributes among line-up for Harrogate food festival

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival has announced the music line-up for this year’s event.

The festival, which takes place on the Stray, is set to offer a range of world foods stalls, including Japanese, Italian and British cuisine, as well as independent bars and an ale house.

But food and drink are not all people have to look forward to, as the festival has just revealed the entertainment for the weekend.

Among those set to perform are The Killaz UK, a tribute act for The Killers, saxophonist Will Forrester and Liam Gray as Robbie Williams.

The event will feature a range of musical genres, including acoustic singers, punk-rock bands and blues groups.

People can also expect live cooking demonstrations, children’s entertainment, comedians and a funfair at the festival.

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival will take place on June 29 and 30.

Read more:

Read more:

‘A can of worms’

Read more:

Read more:

Rough sleepers offered ‘support and accommodation daily’

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Changes to existing routes

Read more: