Kirk Hammerton furniture company withdraws plans for 24 retirement flats

A well-known furniture store in Kirk Hammerton has withdrawn plans to build 24 retirement flats at the site.

Geoffrey Benson and Son Furniture Showroom submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to build the two-bedroom apartments for over-55s last June.

The company, which has been at the site since 1992, also hoped to build a further four two-bedroom flats on the first and second floors of its existing showroom building, as well as a tearoom on the ground floor.

The application also outlined plans to create new access onto Station Road, car-parking with electric charging points and new landscaping.

However, the application was withdrawn in a decision notice uploaded by the council on Tuesday.

Martin Benson, owner of the site and company, told the Stray Ferret the paddock, which would have housed some of the new apartment blocks, is not included in the current Local Plan set out by the council but the existing showroom building is.

For this reason, Mr Benson was told the plans are a “no go”, he added.

He said:

“The paddock was previously included in the Local Plan, but now its outside of it and I’m told it cannot be developed on.

“Developers that have approached me all want to knock this building down, but I don’t want that, I have an attachment to it.

“I think there is a real shortage of good retirement flats in this area and any money I make from the apartments would be invested back into them to keep making them better.”

A 3D graphic of the proposed site.

Peter Roth of Sayle Roth Architects, who is working with Mr Benson, also told the Stray Ferret the plans have been in motion since early 2021.

He said although the existing showroom building is not of listed status, it is recognised as a building of local interest:

“It’s a building of local and historic interest – it’s been there since the 1920s.

“Many developers want to just abolish the building, which we would be a loss, and Mr Benson is so passionate about it.

“We’re going to amend the plans and re-submit them.”

Mr Benson and Mr Roth both said they hope to put the land forward at the council’s next call for sites, which gives landowners an opportunity to offer up their land to be included in the next Local Plan.

The upcoming call for sites will happen in March and April, however, the revised Local Plan currently being drawn up by the council won’t come to fruition for around another four years.

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Harrogate man releases UK’s Eurovision song entry

A Harrogate-born pop star flying the flag for the UK at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has today released his entry.

Olly Alexander, frontman of UK-chart-topping band Years & Years, announced the news that he would represent the UK on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in December.

The contest, which will be held in Malmö in Sweden, will mark the beginning of Olly’s solo career. Now, with just over two months until the competition, he has released the UK’s Eurovision entry song Dizzy to the public.

He said the song was inspired by 1980s artists including Erasure, Adamski and the Pet Shop Boys, adding:

“I wrote the song last summer with Danny L Harle, we started off with the word ‘Dizzy’ because it just popped into my head and I liked it.

“I was thinking about fun things that could make you dizzy and I remember saying “dizzy from your kisses”, so the song is about feeling such an intense swell of emotion for someone they totally turn your world upside down and inside out.”

The music video, which was directed by Colin Solal Cardo, was also released this morning and is already trending on YouTube.

Olly took to social media to tease the release of Dizzy, where he wrote:

“I’m so proud of this song and video, I can’t wait to get going with this new chapter honestly, I’m so excited.”

Despite the competition, which is marking its 68th anniversary this year, being Olly’s first solo venture, the 33-year-old is no stranger to global success.

Since 2015, Years and Years have scored two number one UK albums, 10 UK top 40 singles and, most recently, were awarded the BRIT Billion Award after reaching 6.5 billion global streams.

He has worked with the likes of Sir Elton John, Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys, and also been recognised for his acting skills.

He starred in the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which won best new drama at the National Television Awards and was nominated for leading actor at the BAFTA Television Awards for the same programme.

Olly even has his own figure in Madame Tussauds in London.

All three live Eurovision programmes – including two semi-finals and the final – will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

They will be held on May 7, 9 and 11, 2024.

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Happy Mondays’ Bez among headliners for Harrogate dance music festival

The line-up for the “biggest dance music festival to ever take place in Harrogate” has been revealed.

Love to Be, a Sheffield-based record label and house music events company, will bring the festival to the Stray this September — as reported by the Stray Ferret four week ago.

It was revealed today that some familiar faces are set to appear.

Bez, a member of the Happy Mondays, will perform an acid house DJ set on the Café Mambo stage – one of three stages at the festival.

Grammy award-winning DJ Roger Sanchez will headline the main stage, along with Barbara Tucker, who had six US number 1 hits.

Iranian DJ Darius Syrossian, who has performed in some at Ibiza’s Amnesia, DC-10 and Space, will also take centre stage.

Adelphi Music Factory, K-Klass and Carly Foxx are also among those performing at the festival.

Credit: Charlie Mitchell.

Love to Be, which has been hosting events for 30 years, said the event will be a “full festival production” with two arenas, VIP areas and a food court.

It added:

“[The festival] will be the biggest dance music festival ever to take place in Harrogate.

“The response has been absolutely insane and the buzz is real.”

Love to Be Festival will take place on Saturday, September 14, from 1pm to 11pm.

Tickets are available now.

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Five arrested after county lines drug bust in Harrogate district

Five people have been arrested following a county lines drugs bust in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said it seized large amounts of what are believed to be a class A and class B drugs, as well as “thousands of prescription-type drugs” including tramadol and diazepam, at addresses in the Harrogate district and Leeds.

A significant amount of cash and several “offensive weapons” were also recovered in the warrant, the force added.

Officers arrested five men who were aged between their 30s and 50s from the Harrogate, Ripon and Leeds area as part of the operation on Tuesday (February 27).

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“The substances will be sent for laboratory testing as part of the investigation.”

Police said the men have been released under investigation to allow for further enquiries.

The force said the raid came as part of an operation to tackle county lines drug dealing, which refers to drug supply lines run by organised crime gangs from urban areas who carry drugs into rural counties.

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Black Sheep Brewery chief executive leaves

The chief executive of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery has stepped down after nearly nine years in post.

In a press release today, the company said Charlene Lyons had left to “pursue other interests”.

She is succeeded by Mark Williams, the chief executive of Keystone Brewing Group, which acquired Black Sheep last May after it entered administration.

Mr Williams said:

“We wish Charlene all the best in the future.”

He will be assisted by John Hunt, former managing director of Purity Brewing Co., who will take on the role of chief financial officer at Keystone Brewing Group.

It was also announced today that private equity firm Breal Capital, which bought Black Sheep for £5 million on May 26 as part of a pre-package administration deal, had rebranded as Keystone Brewing Group.

The Black Sheep rescue package resulted in a “small number” of staff losing their job. However, Ms Lyons was kept on.

Administrators Teneo Financial Advisory revealed sales fell from a high of £19 million in 2019 to £14 million in 2022, which resulted in a £1.6 million loss.

The move left creditors, including HMRC and suppliers, owed nearly £3 million.

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‘People need a community pub these days’, says new Jennyfields pub landlord

The Stone Beck pub reopened last week following its sudden closure six months ago.

The pub, which is part of the 1970s-built Jennyfield Local Centre, was forced to shut after police discovered it did not have a designated premises supervisor.

People in Jennyfields awaited a new landlord prepared to take on the pub and, arguably, turn its reputation around. Yesterday, the Stray Ferret spoke to the man who has taken on the challenge to do precisely that.

Alan Evans, 42, who previously owned Geek Bar in Harrogate, says he decided to take on the Stone Beck as a form of “semi-retirement”.

“I’ve been in the hospitality industry since I was 14 and I have 26 years of experience running bars. If you’ve drunk alcohol in Harrogate, likelihood is I have served you.

“I also own a mobile bar business and I’ve spent the last 10 years driving up and down the country. I loved it, but I’d like to be settled in one place rather than serving footballers at different events.

“I’m back home now and I want to put my all into this.”

Mr Evans, who is originally from Jennyfields, doesn’t shy away from the pub’s reputation. He says he and his team feel passionately about making people that “may not have previously felt comfortable coming into the pub” feel welcome.

He adds:

“We won’t tolerate any trouble-making.

“I’ve been in this industry a long time and I feel I know how to handle those situations. Sy, the manager, also has a lot of experience working on doors, so he too knows how to diffuse those situations in the right manner.

“We’re also working with the police and Punch Pubs, which owns the site, to ensure that sort of behaviour is limited, and people feel welcome.

“So far, we’ve had no trouble and some people, who have never come in before now, told us they felt happy and safe here.”

What changes can people expect?

Mr Evans says he plans to transform the Stone Beck into a community pub, with a goal to “make good, make money and make better”.

The team has re-vamped areas that were “in need of some TLC” while remaining focused on providing a good service to make a profit and “re-invest it into the pub”, he says, adding:

“We spent about four weeks cleaning the place!

“We’ve added in new windows, we’re changing the lighting, refurbishing the beer garden and adding some licks of paint too.

“We also actually turned the heating on. We are really aware of presentation and although it’s a work in progress right now, I’d say we’re just lifting everything rather than turning it into a trendy bar.”

He also said the pub will offer a range of themed nights and events to encourage different members of the community to visit the pub.

These include daytime bingo sessions for older people, which will be in partnership with Jennyfields Fisheries, as well as line dancing evenings and charity events. 

Mr Evans also told the Stray Ferret there will be a wide range of board games on offer. He added:

“This idea came off the back of Geek Bar.

“We’re working with The Secret Lair. It’s a not-for-profit that invites people to play board games – a lot of people play Dungeons and Dragons too – and just encourages people to socialise.

“It’s for absolutely anyone, but it’s proven popular with people that may be on the autistic spectrum, those with social anxiety and members of the LGBTQ+ community. People can be whoever they want to be when playing those games or getting into a character.

“It’s just a way of getting people out the house and socialising. It’s great.”

These will be free to play but require a deposit. People will also be able to take part in tournaments.

Food and drink

Mr Evans says the pub will serve “premium products at mid-range prices” to ensure it is affordable for the local community.

There are a range of draught beers and ales, including John Smiths and Stella Artois, which range between £3.50 and £4.50 per pint. Wine, spirits and soft drinks are also available.

The pub will also serve food in the coming weeks. Mr Evans says the menu will consist of “traditional pub-grub”, as well as American-style hot dogs and chilli, adding:

“We’re looking at getting a coffee machine so we can serve bacon rolls and hot drinks for people. Also, we’re in talks with street food vendors to host summer events.

“Basically, the pub is a place where you can buy a bottle of wine and not break the bank.”

In addition, the Stone Beck team also hopes to make the site a hub for remote workers, with free WIFI and charging points available.

Mr Evans told the Stray Ferret:

“We’ll be abiding by all the rules and regulations that are in place for the pub and we welcome anyone that does the same.

“Providing people respect the rules and laws, the venue and us, they are welcome.

“We’re running this pub as a business, not as a hobby, and we’ve got plans to keep it up and running for a long time.

“People need a community pub these days and that’s what we plan to deliver.”

The Stone Beck is open daily from 11am to 11pm.

Mr Evans says the reaction has already been positive since last week’s reopening:

“I feel really enthusiastic about it. People have already given great feedback and we’ve already encouraged people who didn’t feel comfortable coming to the pub to come down, which is great.

“I’m really excited about the future of the Stone Beck.”

It’s been a difficult time for the local centre. In November, Boots announced it would be closing its pharmacy located in the Co-op.

Following that, several residents expressed concerns to the Stray Ferret about the future of retail in Jennyfields, as just one of four shops remains open at the site.

Most of the shops are still boarded up — but the reopened Stone Beck is breathing new life into the area.

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Knaresborough barrister attacked in-laws who overstayed their welcome

A Knaresborough barrister “lost the plot” and attacked his in-laws after their short stay at his family home lasted longer than expected.

Jonathan French shouted that he “couldn’t stand” the couple, ordered “get them out of my house” then branded them “scroungers” before he lashed out in March last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard, while in a “complete rage”, French pushed his mother-in-law and they both fell on the floor, which left her with a significant bruise to her bottom.

When she rang 999, French put his hands over her mouth and face then threw her phone across the room and smashed it.

He then turned his aggression on his father-in-law, who he punched in the ribs and bust his lip.

The 49-year-old lawyer, of Coverdale Drive, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, admitted assault, common assault and criminal damage on the day he was due to be tried.

French is currently suspended from work but hopes to return to his profession.

French ‘lost the plot’

The court heard the in-laws had been staying at French’s plush family home as they had sold their property and were in the process of moving to Portugal, where they now live.

French snapped after the stay lasted longer than expected, although they were due to leave within days.

Judge Robert Adams said French “really lost the plot” when he got home from work that day.

The judge said:

“He was heard shouting ‘get them out of my house’, ‘I can’t stand them’, ‘I can’t tolerate them anymore’ and ‘they’re nothing but scroungers’.

“He ran upstairs into their bedroom and began screaming at his father-in-law, telling him to get out immediately.

“The father-in-law had asked to pack his things but was told to leave immediately.”

The court heard French called his mother-in-law a “worthless f***ing b**ch” then again demanded that they leave then threw their suitcases around the room.

Prosecutor Sue Hirst said:

“He pushed her back onto the bed and they both fell onto the floor. In causing her to fall he caused a significant bruise to her bottom.

“She grabbed her phone and dialled 999 and began to speak to the operator.”

Miss Hirst said French put his hands over her mouth then threw and smashed her phone.

She added:

“He proceeded to assault his father-in-law, punching him in the ribs and assaulting him, causing an injury to the lip which was bleeding.”

Susannah Proctor, defending, said French was under an “extreme amount of pressure” at the time, has had counselling and has been in custody on remand.

Miss Proctor said French is currently suspended from his profession pending the outcome of the sentence hearing.

Miss Proctor added:

“He is hoping to rejoin chambers where he was working.”

Judge Adams sentenced French to a conditional discharge for two years.

The judge said he could take the “exceptional course” due to the time French has spent behind bars on remand.

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Harrogate woman faces child neglect charges

A Harrogate woman, who allegedly put a used toilet brush in the bath while a child in her care was bathing, has appeared before magistrates.

The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the children, pleaded not guilty to two charges of assault, neglect or abandonment of a child/young person to cause unnecessary suffering at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard the children came under the woman’s care in 2015 after their birth mother died and their father was in prison.

Alex Steadward, prosecuting, said the woman was a friend of their late mother and took legal guardianship of the children following her death.

Mr Steadward said the woman “emotionally and physically abused” both victims — one for nearly six years and the other for nearly three years.

He added she smacked and punched the victims, withheld food from them and even put a used toilet brush in their bathwater, putting “faeces in the water”, the court heard.

Andrew Tinning, defending, claimed it was her partner that faced the latter allegation, but his solicitor denied this.

Partner used ‘martial arts moves’ against victims

The woman’s partner, who also cannot be named to conceal the victims’ identities, pleaded not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm against one of the victims.

The man, of the same address, appeared at the same hearing yesterday.

Mr Steadward alleged the man “strangled” one of the victims and used “martial arts moves” against him, on February 2, 2017.

Brian Nuttney, defending the man, said his client denied these allegations.

The pair were released on unconditional bail and will appear before York Crown Court on March 18, 2024.

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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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