Harrogate Town manager and winger nominated for Sky Bet awards

Harrogate Town AFC manager, Simon Weaver, and winger, Abraham Odoh, have both been nominated for Sky Bet League Two awards.

Weaver, who has been the club’s manager since 2009, has been shortlisted for the manager of the month award after a successful run that has taken the team into the promotion reckoning.

The English Football League said Weaver has gained momentum in the second half of last season and “continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire”, adding:

“The momentum gained in the second half of last season continues to gather pace in North Yorkshire.

“Weaver has made light of recent injuries to guide his side calmly into the promotion race with 10 points from four unbeaten matches.”

Lee Bell of Crewe Alexandra, Graham Coughlan of Newport County and Karl Robinson of Salford City are all up for the manager of the month award.

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Abraham Odoh, 23, who joined the club last summer following a spell at Rochdale, is one of four players up for the Player of the Month award.

The EFL said although he is a winger Mr Odoh “pops up all across the Harrogate front line” and “takes on defenders at will”. It added:

“Witness his stunning solo goal against Doncaster and a fine assist at Forest Green. Two goals and two assists in four games.”

Wrexham’s Steven Fletcher, Notts County’s Jodi Jones and Danilo Orsi of Crawley Town are also among those nominated for the award.

Harrogate Town are currently eighth in the league.

The team will play Colchester United at home on Saturday.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Food and Drink Company to cater the MOBO Awards

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Harrogate Food and Drink Company has landed a catering contract for the MOBO Awards this week.

The company will spend four days providing the catering for artists, crew and media at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

The MOBO Awards, which launched in 1996, celebrates hip hop, grime, R’n’B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and African music.

Artists such as Central Cee, Dave, Stormzy, Jorja Smith and RAYE are among those nominated for a MOBO this year.

Andi Aikman, owner of the Harrogate Food and Drink Company, said:

“This is not our first rodeo. This is undoubtedly a massive event for us, but we regularly cater for big events with equally as demanding customers.

“The priority is to ensure that all the hardworking contributors to these awards are fed regularly – they need their energy.”

Harrogate hairstylist shortlisted for national award

Luan Barlow, owner of Harrogate-based Luan Hairstylist Extensions Bridal, has been shortlisted for two awards at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Ms Barlow is a finalist in the Best Bridal Individual and Hair Extension Specialist categories.

She said:

“I am completely overwhelmed once again, my small business has grown so quickly in such a short space of time, and now for the second year running I am a finalist in one of the most prestigious hair and beauty awards!

“Not only for one category this year but for two which is an incredible achievement. I cannot wait to see where my business will be in the next few years and I’m proud to be representing small businesses in Harrogate.”

Knaresborough energy company to sponsor local 10k run

Harmony Energy, a renewable energy company in Knaresborough, is set to sponsor the Burton Leonard 10k and 3k races.

The event, which began more than 30 years ago, will raise money for Ripon Community House, which provides emergency food parcels those in need locally, as well as the village school.

Peter Kavanagh, chief executive office of Harmony Energy, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a brilliant local event. It will be great to see people of all ages taking part and enjoying the day.

“Sport and fitness are vital to people and to communities, and we’re delighted to support local races like this.”

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Ripon singer serenades couple’s romantic Harrogate engagement

A Ripon musician serenaded a couple during a surprise marriage proposal outside The Blues Bar in Harrogate last Friday.

Singer and guitarist Freddie Cleary was asked by Conor Walsh, the soon-to-be-groom from Newcastle, to be a part of a secret proposal during a weekend trip to Harrogate with his now fiancé, Ashley.

Conor took to social media to find a singer who could pose as a busker and then perform Ashley’s favourite song while he got down on one knee.

Freddie, who is well known locally, told the Stray Ferret:

“Last month I saw a post from Conor on Facebook asking for a busker.

“He was planning an engagement proposal and wanted it to be in Harrogate.

“He had never been to the town before and wanted to see if he could hire a ‘busker’ to just be playing random songs and, as they arrived, to play a specific song on request, Waiting for Superman by Daughtry, which has a special meaning to both him and Ashley.”

Conor Walsh pops the question outside the Blues Bar. Pic: LS Photography.

Freddie said he helped Conor choose a location in the town, adding it was a “no brainer” to select the Blues Bar on Montpellier Parade bar, a live music venue where he regularly performs.

Noticing Freddie being photographed while performing outside the bar as they arrived, Ashley said she “just assumed he was having promo pictures taken”.

She told the Stray Ferret she was then left “completely speechless” when Freddie played the song and Conor got down on one knee. She said:

“We’re not the type of people that care about aesthetics, so it was just the perfect engagement.

“It was just us listening to live music – which we always like to do – and I didn’t even realise anyone was watching until they started cheering.

“I couldn’t have asked for it to have been better.”

Pic: LS Photography.

The couple also said they were so impressed by Freddie they have already planned for him to be part of their wedding day.

They had not visited Harrogate before the engagement, they said, but added it now holds a “special place in our hearts”.

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Grane Coffee and Bakery opens in Harrogate

The newest addition to Harrogate‘s coffee shop scene opened its doors today.

Grane Coffee and Bakery, located on Station Parade in a unit formerly occupied by The Chocolate Works, serves a range of coffee, tea, baked goods and sandwiches.

Owner Rod Hardman previously told the Stray Ferret it would be “arguably the coolest and most stylish boutique bakery” the town has to offer.

Following a £150,000 refurbishment, Mr Hardman today said he has brought to life the “sleek Scandinavian-style shop” he hoped for, adding:

“We were working 16-to-18-hour days to turn it around.

“I wanted a cool looking shop and I think we’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve.”

Grane is Mr Hardman’s first hospitality venture, after previously working in fashion for the likes of Flannels and Hugo Boss.

The shop features a £10,000 coffee machine, which Mr Hardman said was shipped over from Naples, as well as a mural of fashion brands he previously worked with or sold.

When asked why he opened the shop, he said:

“When I worked in fashion, the number one question we’d always get asked when serving customers was, ‘where can we find a nice coffee round here?’, and we never had a good one to recommend.

“I felt there was a lack of good quality coffee, so that’s what we’re bringing.”

A wide range of ingredients and foods are also on offer to buy at Grane.

These include a variety of pastas, including Dolce & Gabbana pasta, Italian sauces, Asian condiments, and sweet treats, such as chocolate and flavoured popcorn.

Mr Hardman, who is originally from Leeds but now lives in Masham, added:

“I feel people don’t really talk in coffee shops anymore. I wanted to inspire them while they’re here.

“People can order a coffee and then shop for different produce, like the tomato sauces for example, and when they sit down they can feel inspired to cook a delicious meal using them that evening.”

Mr Hardman said the reception to his venture had so far been “unreal”:

“We had 25 customers within the first hour and a half – it has been unreal.

“On Sunday, when we were here at around midnight, a lady and her daughter were crossing the road, and I heard the daughter say ‘how cool does that look?’ and pointed at the shop”

Grane Coffee and Bakery is open Tuesday to Sunday.

The coffee shop and store opens at 8am — with the bakery opening at 9am — until 5pm.

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Harrogate industrial site Millennium Park for sale at £1 million

A 1.32-acre commercial and industrial site in Harrogate has been put on the market for offers in the region of £1 million.

Millennium Park, on Claro Road, currently has a single-storey office building with stores, as well as an adjoining single storey workshop building.

It is next to Howarth Timber & Building Supplies and a Dulux Decorator Centre.

Leeds-based commercial property firm Walker Singleton, which is listing the site, anticipates the existing buildings would be demolished as part of a wholesale redevelopment.

A site plan of Millennium Park, which is entered from Claro Road.

Paul Diakiw, director at Walker Singleton, said:

“Millennium Park is anticipated to be a popular site due to its good location and strong commercial and investment appeal.

“It is a rare proposition in Harrogate and will inevitably be of interest to developers for industrial and commercial development, albeit there is also likely to be interest from owner-occupiers for continued use as a yard and who may look to utilise the existing buildings.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate wealth management firm rebrands

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Don’t miss out and click here to book your tickets now for the awards night on March 14 2024. 

Cardale Asset Management has been rebranded by Titan Wealth Group.

The Harrogate firm, now known as Titan Private Wealth, offers equity based investment services and provides portfolio management to private clients, pension schemes, charities and corporates.

Mark Puleikis, chief executive at Titan Private Wealth, said:

“This is an exciting new chapter for the team.

“Thanks to Titan Wealth’s support, we will accelerate our growth and continue to operate a dynamic business model, ensuring we can move quickly to maximise opportunities for our clients.”

York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub offers start-up advice

York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub has partnered with Lifted Ventures to bring start-ups and early-stage businesses advice.

North Yorkshire Stars will offer workshops and virtual events on business plans, legal advice and funding to help local businesses better prepare for investment.

Simon Middleton, delivery manager for the Growth Hub, said:

“If you’re a business owner and you want to raise finance but you’re unsure where to go or what information you should prepare, these workshops are for you. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Harrogate accountant publishes first novel

Tom Rhodes, a partner at accountancy firm Lithgow Perkins, has published his first novel.

The Awakening of Speros is a fantasy tale aimed at teenagers and young adults.

The former Rossett School pupil said:

“Writing is an escapism for me. It’s about as far removed from accountancy as possible.

“I really enjoy my day job, but I also love escaping into a different world with my writing.

“I tend to write fantasy because I like that you can make up your own rules and get lost in what you want to happen in your story.”

It is available to buy now as an E-book on Amazon or in Castlegate Books in Knaresborough.

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No end in sight for traffic lights near Ripley

Two-way traffic lights on Fountains Road look set to remain in place for several weeks.

The lights were installed following several heavy rainstorms in December, as one part of the road (pictured), which runs between Ripley and Sawley, is notorious for flooding.

However, despite recent dry weather, there is no sign of the lights being removed imminently.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council how long the lights were expected to remain, as well as what long-term flood prevention measures will be put in place on the road. A spokesperson responded:

“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 spokesperson did not provide a timeframe and said the authority will “provide an update closer to the time and when works are ongoing”.

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Amazon rom-com filmed in Harrogate to be released next month

An Amazon MGM Studios production starring Camila Mendes, which was partly filmed in Harrogate, is due to be released next month.

Upgraded, which tells the story of an aspiring art intern who sparks up a romance on a work trip, was shot in the town in the summer of 2022.

A spokesperson for the production company told the Stray Ferret scenes were shot at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel, which “doubles as a posh London hotel”, as well as The Mercer Art Gallery, on Swan Road.

Upgraded Amazon MGM Studios. Credit: Paul Stephenson

Camila Mendes (L) and Marisa Tomei. Amazon MGM Studios. Credit: Paul Stephenson

It appears the scenes shot in Harrogate will pass off as London in the film. Asked why Harrogate was chosen, the spokesperson said:

“Harrogate a beautiful Yorkshire spa town with lovely architecture that can easily double for London.”

Part of the Stray was also used to film a football match scene.

The crew was spotted filming on the Stray in August 2022.

The Stray Ferret reported on the production at the time of filming after American-Brazilian actress Camila Mendes, the leading lady, was spotted in the town.

Ms Mendes, who starred as Veronica Lodge in Netflix’s Riverdale, is joined by British actor Archie Renaux, as well as Marisa Tomei who featured in the Spider-Man franchise and Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Upgraded will be released on Prime Video on February 9.

The trailer is available to watch on Youtube now.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate car firm appoints managing director

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Harrogate-based Synergy Car Leasing has appointed a managing director.

Will Voisey, who will be taking on the role, has worked at the company for more than 10 years after starting out as a sales account manager. He brings two decades of industry experience to the role.

Mr Voisey said:

“Synergy has a great team of people and a strong leadership team, and we are well placed to deliver our next stage of growth.

“As a long-standing employee of Synergy, I am excited to be building on our success to date.”

Harrogate travel agent makes first hire since covid

TravelGate, on Harrogate’s Albert Street, has hired Lizzie Anthony as a travel consultant.

Ms Anthony, who previously worked as cabin crew for Emirates Airline, is the firm’s first hire since the pandemic.

Phil O’Boyle, joint founder and director of TravelGate, said:

“Lizzie brings a real enthusiasm, energy and passion for travel. Her previous role as cabin crew for Emirates Airline gave her the opportunity to travel extensively and develop her knowledge of many destinations.”

Northern appoints chief operating officer 

Northern has appointed one of Network Rail’s route directors as its chief operating officer.

Matt Rice, who lives in York, will succeed Tricia Williams, who is stepping into the managing director role.

Mr Rice will lead all Northern service and engineering functions across the north of England in his new role. He said:

“I have spent my career focused on making things better and I am committed to fostering a positive workplace culture for all and delivering great rail services for people across the north of England.”

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Increase in number of arrests in Christmas drink and drug drive campaign

The Harrogate district saw the highest number of arrests in the county once again during North Yorkshire Police’s winter drink and drug drive campaign.

A total of 731 roadside tests were completed in North Yorkshire during December, with 18.5% of those testing positive to being over the limit for drink or drug driving — a 6.9% increase from the year prior.

Of those arrested, 76% were male and 24% were female.

Police attributed the increase to a “more targeted approach to catching drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

The results, which were published today, show 21% of arrests were made in the Harrogate district. Last year 33 of 121 countywide arrests during the campaign were made in the district.

Scarborough (19%) and York (16%) accounted for the most arrests this year after Harrogate.

Police said the reason drivers were stopped and asked to provide a sample including committing a moving traffic offence (522), suspicion (138) and being involved in a collision (71).

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There were no drink or drug related fatal collisions throughout the period of the campaign.

The highest reading taken during a roadside test was 118. The offender was given a 28-month disqualification and a fine at York Magistrates Court.

Chief inspector Alex Butterfield, from specialist operations, said in a statement:

“When it comes to catching those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the public is key and I want to thank every single person who provided information.

“Serious conversations can be difficult or awkward but they may just save a life.

“I would urge you to start a conversation around driving under the influence with family and friends, especially if you have young or inexperienced drivers in your household.”

Police urged anyone that suspects a person may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to dial 101 or 999 if the risk is imminent.