Fresh plan submitted to convert part of Kirkby Malzeard pub into housing

A fresh planning application to convert part of a vacant Kirkby Malzeard pub has been submitted.

The Henry Jenkins Inn, near Ripon, has been at the centre of a long-standing battle between residents and developers over the years.

Now, developer Justin Claybourn, who already owns the eastern annexe of the site, wants to convert redundant outbuildings at the site into a holiday cottage.

The application, which was submitted in August by Jennifer Hubbard Town Planning Consultant, outlines the details of the proposed house – including one bedroom and one bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Mr Claybourn also hopes to reduce the existing ten car parking spaces down to four, as well developing a garden and patio around the building.

Access to the building would be from Main Street via an existing pedestrian and vehicular access across land already owned by Mr Claybourn, it adds.

In a cover letter, the agent said the applicant and his family have “long standing connections with the area”.

A decision has not been made about the application yet, but it has proved unpopular with local residents.

One resident commented on the application:

“This application appears to be one of a series of planning applications by the owner in an attempt to split up the original pub property and obtain residential planning permission by steadily reducing any chance that the original pub, can be bought & run successfully.

“The village needs affordable housing rather than a holiday cottage for someone already living elsewhere.

“It is difficult enough for young people to rent & work in the village as it is; they hardly have a chance at buying properties.”

The proposed plans.

The Henry Jenkins Inn opened in the 1700s and closed in 2011.

The current owner David Fielder bought it the following year.

It was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017 as requested by local residents. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Claybourn. 

Community grant

The objections to the application follow a £330,000 grant awarded to villagers campaigning to the save the former public house.

Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young, announced the resident-controlled company, Henry Jenkins Community Pub (HJCP), was successful in its application to receive the Community Ownership Fund in September.

Campaigners hope to buy and refurbish the building and transform it into a community-owned pub, bistro, and coffee shop.

However, the grant is understood to be dependent on a 20% match funding and will only be given to the HJCP providing they come up with £66,000.

The group has already made six purchase offers to Mr Fielder – all of which he has rejected.

In September, however, he told the Stray Ferret he would be “happy to sell for the right price”.

Mr Fielder bought his first pub in 1987 and now owns 18 across North and West Yorkshire.

His broad property portfolio also includes industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.

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Land Rover found on its roof after Knaresborough collision

Fire crews were called to a single vehicle collision near Knaresborough last night.

Knaresborough and Harrogate firefighters arrived at the scene at 6.13pm on Market Flat Lane, in Scotton, and found a car was on its roof.

The vehicle, which was a Land Rover Freelander, had lost control, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported.

The incident log added:

“Witnesses had seen two persons running from the scene and no other persons were involved.

“Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to check the nearby vicinity for any casualties, none were found.”

The incident was left with the police and no further details were provided.

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Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens £21,000 makeover underway

Works to re-landscape Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens have begun.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, announced the revamp in February, shortly after the area hosted an ice rink and funfair last Christmas. The activities are due to return for a longer period this year.

A report at the time by Kirsty Stewart, the former council’s parks and ground maintenance manager, said “we would like to take the opportunity to upgrade the area to enable better accommodation of future events with less disruption to the planting in this area”.

It also added a three-year licence for the Christmas activities “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year.”

The report also said the area would be re-named The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Ground, but at the time of publication North Yorkshire Council had yet to confirm this will still happen.

Jonathan Clubb, the council’s head of parks and grounds, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are carrying out work as part of our ongoing management of Harrogate’s parks and grounds to maintain a vibrant, attractive location for residents and visitors.”

A steel rose arch will be installed today and climbing roses and flower beds will be planted in the coming weeks, Mr Clubb added.

The council also said the planting, which has cost £10,000, is part of the overall £21,000 budget that also included the costs of groundwork and materials.

This is the first redesign of Crescent Gardens since 1990, following the Gateshead Garden Festival, when the central glass structured was erected.

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Graveleys of Harrogate for sale eight months after reopening

Harrogate fish and chip restaurant and takeaway Graveleys has been listed for sale for £195,000.

Graveleys established a reputation as Harrogate’s best-known fish and chip shop, popular with theatre goers and famous visitors.

But the family-run business, on Cheltenham Parade, was bought by Catch Seafood in 2019 and rebranded as part a radical makeover.

However, after Catch went into administration, Simon Pilkington, the son of the former Graveleys owner, reopened it in February this year.

The listing by commercial property agent Ernest Wilson says the business has an annual turnover of £702,000 with “excellent profit margins”. The asking price is £195,000 and stock valued at £7,000 is also available.

The agent describes Graveleys as “a local landmark” and “one of the north’s most famous fish and chips restaurants”, adding the sale includes:

“Superb commercial kitchen to the rear with an extensive range of high-quality catering equipment, pot wash area. Basement prep and storage areas with walk-in cold room.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Graveleys for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.

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The Chocolate Works closes in Harrogate after just six months

The Chocolate Works has closed its Harrogate site, just six months after opening.

The café on Station Parade served chocolates, sweet treats, coffees and Belgian hot chocolate.

It was the third venture of its kind run by owner Guy Middleton, who also operates sites in Skipton and Clitheroe. But Mr Middleton said the Harrogate shop, which opened in April, “floundered from the beginning”.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“There is no one more gutted that I am.

“I was so excited to open in Harrogate following the success of Skipton, which opened mid-pandemic in 2020, but it just didn’t work out.”

He said the closure was predominantly due to a lack of footfall, adding:

“Perhaps a different location would’ve changed things – but no one knows these things.

“All our neighbouring businesses were so supportive, and we had such a great team.”

The Harrogate unit, which ceased trading on September 27, was previously intended to house the vegan restaurant Vertigo but the company went out of business a year ago before the Station Parade site opened.

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Harrogate music event to be ‘three days of non-stop fun’, says organiser

This story is sponsored by Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Summer may be over, but Harrogate Business Improvement District’s newest event will bring the town that feeling of non-stop fun and dancing back this month.

The inaugural Harrogate Music Weekender will showcase an array of local performers and cater to everyone’s tastes. From Mariachi bands and live DJs to rock legends and acoustic live sets, the event promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

Local hospitality businesses told the BID that trade often slows down between the summer and Christmas period, so the organisation worked its well-known creative magic and is bringing Harrogate the ultimate musical weekend to boost footfall and get people spending at the venues.

The opening Ibiza-themed night will transport you to the white sandy beaches of the Balearic Coast. If you’ve been dreaming of a sundowner at Café Mambo, then you’re in luck! The event, which will be held at The Yorkshire Hotel, will be soundtracked by DJ Mark Green’s chilled house beats. So, grab your friends and your sunglasses because you’ll never experience Ibiza so cheap again…

The following night will welcome Singo Bingo at The Crown Hotel and promises to be a night of non-stop laughter. It’s bingo with a twist and swaps pencils for music. Expect throwback hits, chart-topping anthems, and lots of prizes to be won with a new favourite party game. Get your singing voices ready and have the time of your life at Harrogate BID’s second night to remember.

But the weekend doesn’t end there…

Discover the ABBA Tribute Night at Doubletree by Hilton Majestic Hotel & Spa; live DJs at Piccolino and Foundry Project; local indie performers at Husk, Manahatta and The Den; a performance from an inclusive band at Artizan Café – and so much more!

Bethany Allen, Business and Marketing Executive at Harrogate BID, said:

“A number of our BID members fed back to us that October can sometimes be a bit of a challenging gap between the summer and Christmas.

“With the confidence of a new 5-year term the BID team set about launching a new fun and exciting campaign that will showcase Harrogate in a different light.

“We are very excited to launch the first ever Harrogate Music Weekender and, with around 30 venues showing interest in being involved, it should be a weekend to remember!”

Visitors from near and far can expect to see a spotlight on Harrogate’s spectacular range of hospitality sites, a weekend of rolling music, and lots of special offers along the way too.

Bethany continued:

“People can expect three days of non-stop fun!”

Harrogate Music Weekender will also offer immersive performances and street entertainment – including a walking DJ booth.

Bobs Cormak, Manager at The Den, added:

“I can’t wait for the Harrogate Music Weekender!

“It’s awesome to see our town rallying behind musicians, especially the venues that are taking on the challenge of hosting live music for the first time.

“I’ll, of course, be busy down in The Den – I’m very jealous of everyone who gets to explore the town centre, catching the fantastic acts along the way! It’s going to be an incredible weekend.”

Harrogate Music Weekender will take place on Friday, October 13 to Sunday, October 15.

Tickets can be bought online now for the Ibiza and Singo Bingo events — both events are 18+.

Prices start at £5 and include one free drink. Those wishing to attend both events can get a special offer ticket for just £8. The rest of the events are free to attend.

To view the full schedule for Harrogate Music Weekender click here.

To find out more about Harrogate BID and its dedication to the town centre, visit harrogatebid.co.uk, or call 01423 582030 to speak to the team directly.

‘I loved my 6-month job so much I’ve stayed for 20 years’ says Knaresborough business owner

This story is sponsored by Knaresborough Kitchens.

A Knaresborough business owner began his job on a 6-month contract but, 20 years later, he is still there.

Matt Johnson, Owner of Knaresborough Kitchens, initially took on the role to help his parents short-term after graduating from university. Now married and a father-of-four, Matt has watched the company grow and succeed – and hasn’t looked back since.

Knaresborough Kitchens, located on the town’s high street, was launched in 1996 by Matt’s parents. The company provides timeless and stylish kitchens, ranging from sleek modern units to traditional country-look cupboards.

It also offers customers an entirely bespoke service. Whether you’re searching for your forever kitchen, the highest-technology German units to host friends, or just something different to everyone else, Knaresborough Kitchens can provide you with the kitchen of your dreams, with a smile on their faces.

If there’s one thing Knaresborough Kitchens prides itself on, its quality. It excels in the materials your heart and wallet desires; from classic painted kitchens with Quartz work surfaces, to boiling water taps and state-of-the-art appliances.

The front-runner of the company’s values, however, is customer care. Matt and his team not only compete with national suppliers on price, but as a local family business, they also work customer satisfaction at the forefront of their minds.

Matt told the Stray Ferret:

“We take our roles very seriously and customers are at the forefront of what we do and why we do it.

“We have customers who have become good friends over the years. One local couple have had 3 kitchens from us in 20 years!”

Over the years, the Knaresborough Kitchens team has multiplied and now has three friendly faces to welcome customers. The Office Manager, Janet, has worked for the company for over 20 years, while Designer, Hazel, and Installations Manager, Sam, joined later. All are extremely valuable members of staff.

Following the pandemic, Matt’s parents retired from the business. He said “they went home and never came back!”

Matt added:

“The business was started in 1996 by my parents and I joined after university in 2002. I loved it so much after 6 months I’ve stayed an extra 20 years!

“I spent over 20 years working everyday with my parents and I do miss them being in the business. However, they worked for over 40 years and are finally enjoying well-earned retirement.”

Knaresborough Kitchens has seen significant growth over the years, but has seen its greatest accolade so far just this year: the company bought its showroom premises after 27 years of renting.

Matt added:

“We bought our building from the landlord after 27 years of renting – that was pretty major for us.

“Hopefully that helps makes sure we’re on Knaresborough High Street for another 27 years…”

The company also receives frequent recognition from customers for its relentless efforts, as well as industry-wide features in notable magazines and publications.

Despite the company’s growing success and Matt’s devotion to the company, his focus has shifted from world-wide expansion to local optimisation. For this reason, he made the tough decision to close the York showroom earlier this year. He said:

“In my 20s (before kids) I was very ambitious to expand the business – almost at the expense of anything else. Now I’m in my 40s and I have 4 children under 13, I do like to spend as much time with them as I can.

“That was one of the reasons we closed our York showroom earlier in the year. The lease was running out and it had become rather time consuming and stressful running another showroom 25 miles away. I made the decision, therefore, to close the showroom and be based in Knaresborough all week.

“So, my plans are to keep getting better at what we do and make sure all our customers are happy with our kitchens and service!”

It’s clear Knaresborough Kitchens has gone from strength-to-strength over the last 27 years, but thanks to the team’s dedication to providing the highest-quality kitchens and ultimate customer satisfaction, the company sees no sign of slowing down the success.

To find out more about Knaresborough Kitchens, visit knaresboroughkitchens.co.uk or call 01423 862286. Alternatively, you can pop into the showroom located at the bottom of Knaresborough High Street.

 

Charity boxer pledges to tattoo logo of highest donating business on her leg

A Ripon woman who is fighting in a charity boxing match has promised to tattoo on her leg the logo of the business that donates the most money.

Charlotte Haynes-Vickery will take part in her first fight to raise money for Active Against Cancer in November.

The Harrogate organisation provides free support and care to those living with cancer in the area – including Ms Haynes-Vickery’s close friend, Anthony.

She told the Stray Ferret the charity has “been a key part in keeping Anthony alive” following his intense chemotherapy treatment.

Ms Haynes-Vickery will undergo eight weeks of training to prepare for the match – working out every Tuesday and Thursday alongside 30 other amateur boxers.

She said:

“I chose boxing over a more traditional fundraiser because Anthony has been fighting a battle for the past 12 months, so I want to fight for him.”

The three-round fight is organised by Ultra White Collar Boxing – a charity boxing company that invites beginners to take part in fundraiser fights.

Ms Haynes-Vickery hopes to raise £1,500 for Active Against Cancer and will tattoo the highest commercial pledger’s logo on her right thigh.

“When I told Anthony about it I don’t think he was even surprised – he watched me race a camel at Beverley Racecourse so he’s used to me doing silly things!

“The tattoo will sit amongst some others I’ve got there, anyway.”

She added she is currently very excited for the match, but expects the nerves to grow nearer the time.

The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa on Sunday, November 26, at 2.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now.

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Harrogate firefighters rescue man dangling headfirst from ladder

Harrogate firefighters rescued a man who got trapped after falling headfirst through a loft hatch today.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said the alert was raised at 12.22pm. The location is described only as being in Harrogate.

The report said:

“Crew from Harrogate assisted a man who had fallen headfirst out of a loft hatch and become trapped by the ladders leaving him dangling head first.

“Crew used small tools to free the man and bring him back down to the landing safely.”

No further details, including the extent of any injuries, was revealed.

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Pet store with ‘a bit of everything’ opens in Harrogate today

National pet retailer Jollyes opened its doors in Harrogate today.

The store, which is located on Hookstone Park, near Morrisons, is one of 95 Jollyes sites in the UK.

It sells pet foods, toys, bedding and vitamins and also offers a pet grooming service called The Jolly Groomer.

Jollyes caters for a wide range of pets ranging from dogs and cats to chipmunks and aquatic turtles.

Ten staff are employed at the Harrogate site. Branch manager Dawn Jenkins told the Stray Ferret:

“The store has a bit of everything for every owner.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, so to see people in the store and hearing the positive feedback makes it all worth it.”

Jollyes, which has over 1,000 employees across the UK, plans to open 10 more stores by the middle of 2024.

The company held a competition with the Stray Ferret to give one person and their dog the chance to officially open the new Harrogate store, as well as take part in a trolley dash.

The lucky winners, Dawn McLean and her Dachshund Alan, helped to cut the red ribbon and grabbed a new bed and some treats during their dash.

“What a store – it’s amazing”, Ms McLean added.

Pic: Ms McLean and Alan.

James Wye, regional support manager at Jollyes, also said:

“The store was about a three-month turnaround.

“That includes looking at the initial plans and imagining how the store will be set out, to ordering stock.

“I’m really happy with the opening – I think it’s gone very well.”

Jollyes Harrogate is open seven days per week.

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