Some readers may have recognised one of the candidates on last night’s episode of The Apprentice on BBC One.

Rachel Woolford, who is originally from Leeds, owns Harrogate’s North Studio and was one of 18 hopefuls on the latest series.

The Cold Bath Road site, which opened in January 2023, offers small group fitness classes, including running, reformer pilates, boxing and HIIT workouts.

You might be wondering why Rachel applied to be on the show, on which the lucky winner receives a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar.

The Stray Ferret found out today when we spoke to Rachel. She said:

“I was originally asked to go on a similar show a few years ago, but I turned it down at the time.

“As a fan of The Apprentice, it led me to applying for it – I felt it aligned with my plans better.”

Rachel, who made her debut on the show’s first episode last night, said she “wanted to prove to herself she could do something like the show” when applying.

The 28-year-old set up her first North Studio site in Roundhay near Leeds in 2020, after which she opened the second premises in Harrogate. She added:

“I do have a successful business, but there was something in me that wanted to prove I could do something like that.

“It’s easy for people to say what people should do on the show when they’re watching it, but going on it is harder than it looks.”

She told the Stray Ferret, if she won, she’d use the investment to “expand across the north” and hoped to roll out more sites in York or Manchester. Rachel said:

“My business plan going in was to promote and expand North Studio.

“It’s about making sure we provide a consistent service to roll out in the new locations.

“North provides a very personal group workout, the whole point is for it to give clients a setting of being remembered and known.

“It’s not an intimidating or competitive environment. It’s fun and I want fitness to be something people look forward to – a social thing – rather than dread. Inclusivity is my biggest thing; anyone is welcome.”

North Studio on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate. Pic: North Studio Facebook.

Rachel attended four interviews, which included profit and loss tasks, working with others and proving why she should be chosen out of tens-of-thousands of applicants. She said:

“I personally think it was quite a rigorous interview process, but I think that’s necessary looking back now.

“They basically ask about your business, like why you’re different and why you should be picked. I know there were tens of thousands of applicants and people are all going to say the same thing.

“You’ve got to show your personality, but also that you’re a serious person in business.

“I didn’t go on to be a reality TV star or an influencer, I went on because I’m a serious businesswoman.”

Filming took place at the beginning of 2023. The only thing standing in her way of winning was 17 other people, all hungry for the same prize.

Rachel (right) and the other candidates in last night’s episode. Pic: BBC Pictures.

Boardroom is ‘the craziest thing ever’

Those readers who have watched the show will have a good idea of what Lord Sugar’s boardroom looks like.

When asked if it is really like it seems on screen, Rachel said:

“The boardroom is as tense as it seems. The first time we went in, you could hear each other’s hearts beating.

“It’s also the first time you all see each other, including Karen, Tim and Lord Sugar.

“I’ve never done TV before, so not only are you thrown into the boardroom and all individually asked about your business – which wasn’t actually shown last night – you’ve also got five cameras on your face. It’s the craziest thing ever.

“The cameras just keep rolling.”

Rachel said candidates are not allowed to discuss the process outside of filming, meaning they “genuinely don’t know who has won each task”.

It’s so nerve-wracking going in there, she said, adding “but it’s just an amazing feeling hearing you’ve won the task”.

Show myths

Some readers assume parts of the programme are staged. But Rachel said:

“The corporate clients really do exist in those tasks! I don’t know who the boys had, but ours was a hotel company that took their staff on a company away day.

“Honestly, you’re told what the task is and then thrown straight into it. You film for around two to three days and then it’s straight into the boardroom.”

Candidates don’t have phones, there’s no access to the internet and they are forced to use their initiative on the spot, she added.

Traditionally, candidates are woken up by a phone call at ungodly hours of the morning and given around 20 minutes to get ready before leaving for a task.

Asked if it’s really such a time crunch, Rachel said:

“We live in the house the whole time – eat, sleep etc.

“You really do have so little time to get ready, you have around 20 minutes.

“The girls learned to get your dress out the night before, curl your hair the night before and get your make up on as quick as possible in the morning before leaving.

“Let’s just say it got to points where 5am was a lie in.”

The truth about Lord Sugar

The 76-year-old billionaire, who has been the face of the programme for 19 years, is known for his no-nonsense attitude and, at times, ruthless honesty towards the candidates.

We asked Rachel what he is really like:

“We only interacted with him when filming, but he’s just like what you see on camera.

“He’s very honest, which I really respect and like. He is so sharp and can easily pick up if you’ve said something that’s not true.”

Baroness Karren Brady, who has been an aide for Lord Sugar since 2010, follows candidates on their tasks, alongside Tim Campbell, who won the first series of  the show.

Rachel said they’re “both really great and very fair”, adding they’re not on the tasks to help, but simply to “watch and give feedback”.

“They also give credit when it’s due if you’ve done something good, but they’ll also tell Lord Sugar straight away if someone tries to say something that’s not true.”

Rachel (centre in green) and the girls celebrating their success last night. Pic: BBC Pictures.

‘It’s changed my life’

Rachel said the biggest challenge she faced during the process was being away from her business and her friends and family. However, she said it has had a huge impact on her life since:

“It’s changed my life. It’s not even about it airing – even if it hadn’t been on TV it would still have changed my life.

“It made me step away from my business, which no one could ever usually make me do. It made me think about what I wanted to change in the business, where I wanted to take it and majorly took me out of my comfort zone.

“It takes serious balls to do.”

Although Rachel could not reveal much about what is to come on the series, she said it “certainly takes some turns”.

Viewers should take it with a pinch of salt, she said, adding candidates “should not be defined by the first take – there’s more to come”.

We also asked Rachel what advice she’d give to anyone wanting to apply:

“Make sure you’re applying for the right reasons, and make sure you prepare for the interviews because it is a lot more challenging than it appears on TV.”

Following the girls’ team success last night, you can watch Rachel again on The Apprentice next week.

It airs every Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.

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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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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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A Knaresborough man has launched a campaign to stop four firefighters stationed in Harrogate losing their jobs in April.

Neil Smith, 55, said “people’s lives are at risk” because of the cuts, which will see the number of nighttime fire engines based in Harrogate from two to one.

The job losses, which are expected to save £210,000, are part of plans by Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to put greater emphasis on fire prevention.

The Stray Ferret revealed the news earlier this month, which prompted Mr Smith to set up the Facebook group Community Action Group Harrogate/Knaresborough/Ripon in the hope of rallying others who opposed the changes.

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he had a meeting scheduled with Ms Metcalfe next month.

He said:

“I want to know where her head is at. She is putting people’s lives at risk doing this.

“There were several fire engines at the scene following the incident at Bettys this week, one even from Tadcaster, so what will we do in those kinds of situations when there’s less firemen and less fire engines?”

Mr Smith also said he was considering a protest outside Harrogate Fire Station to “make a stance” against the decision. He added:

“The Facebook group currently has 82 members, which is good, but I want to get to 100 before putting the idea of a protest forward.

“Nothing is planned yet but I won’t be holding back.”

He said new housing developments in the area could “bring thousands of new residents and an increased demand for the fire service”. He added:

“I’m doing this because I feel there is going to be a lack of services.

“This is the power of the people. I strongly urge people to get behind me on this.”

The Stray Ferret revealed in 2022 that Ms Metcalfe planned to shed frontline firefighting jobs as part of her 2022 to 2025 Risk and Resource model, which outlined how the service would deploy its resources.

Scarborough is also due to lose four firefighters next year, which will save another £215,000.

A further seven posts for what are described as “operational staffing reserves” will also be lost in April 2025, saving a further £375,000.

The changes at Harrogate Fire Station

Harrogate Fire Station currently has one fire engine, which can respond to all callouts, and a smaller tactical response vehicle – both of which operate day and night.

The tactical response vehicle is set to be replaced by a bigger fire engine. However, it will only be crewed during the day.

The Risk and Resource Model claims more fires happen during the day, and having two fire engines means Harrogate will have better protection at key times.

However, the second vehicle won’t be staffed between 10pm and 9am, which could put greater dependence on on-call firefighters in places like Knaresborough.

 Read more:

• Four firefighters to be axed in April
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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. 

The Harlow, a therapy clinic in Harrogate, has appointed a new clinical lead.

Psychotherapeutic counsellor Hannah Woodruff previously worked at crisis support text service Shout.

Ms Woodruff, who is taking over from psychotherapeutic counsellor Marianne Downie, said:

“My vision for The Harlow is to continue to build a strong team of psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, coaches, and allied health professionals so we can provide exactly the right individualised support for you.

“I am also keen to provide these services to people who would not normally be able to access them as I strongly believe everyone deserves the best possible care.”

Ms Woodruff also said she was passionate about making mental health support accessible from a young age.

Harrogate Ladies’ College in top school guide

Harrogate Ladies’ College has been named among the top 10 independent schools in the north.

The guide rates the top performing secondary schools based on post-pandemic exam results.

The school’s principal, Sylvia Brett, said:

“Re-entering the regional top 10 list is a noteworthy accomplishment and shows that we are making significant strides in academic excellence.”

LNER receives top employer status

LNER, which operates trains between Harrogate and London King’s Cross, has been named a UK top employer by the Top Employers institute.

This is the fifth year the firm has received the recognition.

Claire Ansley, LNER people director, said:

“To have now won this award for five years in row is a wonderful achievement.”

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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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New leisure centres opened in Harrogate and Knaresborough late last year.

Now that both have been operating for some time, the Stray Ferret set out to discover how well they’re doing.

The centres were part of a £47.9 million investment into local leisure provision by Brimhams Active, which Harrogate Borough Council set up to run leisure services.

Brimhams is now owned by North Yorkshire Council, which plans to abolish it and bring leisure services back under direct control.

Harrogate exceeds target

Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre has exceeded its membership target in the months since it reopened, North Yorkshire Council said.

The leisure centre, which was formerly known as the Hydro, re-opened its doors in September following an 18-month transformation.

The £13.5 million refurbishment at Harrogate included creating a 400-square metre fitness centre, a new sauna and steam room, improved reception and café areas, as well as an overhaul of the existing spin, leisure and swimming facilities.

The Jennyfields site also boasts three swimming pools: a 25-metre lane pool, a diving pool and a children’s pool. But the refurbishment wasn’t plain sailing and ended up £1.5 million over budget – so has it paid off?

A spokesperson for the council told the Stray Ferret the membership target for Harrogate, up to January 2024, was 2,060. It currently has 3,079 members  – more than 1,000 above target.

Cllr Simon Myers, the council’s executive member for culture, arts and housing, said he was “in awe” of the site’s success so far:

“People are very impressed from what I’ve been told.

“A lot of people I know have moved over from private gyms and they’re really taken by it. But we do have to keep it up.

“I’m in awe of the staff and the management at both sites. I find the public sector surprisingly visionary. I’m the luckiest portfolio holder in the country.”

Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre’s pool.

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre opened its doors in December. It was built on the former Knaresborough Pool site and cost £17.5 million.

Work began in April 2022 and the centre was originally due to open in summer last year, but the opening date was repeatedly delayed until last month.

Although it is early days, so far it has not had the same success as Harrogate.

The council membership target was 1,400, but so far there have been 1,164 sign ups.

Cllr Myers attributed the shortfall to opening during the Christmas period:

“The Christmas period goals aren’t getting fit – unless someone is very virtuous – but levels are certainly picking up.”

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre’s immersive spin studio.

The Knaresborough site offers a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a leisure pool and slide, and a 60-station fitness suite.

Like Harrogate, it also boasts a sauna and steam room, a café, a group cycling studio and a studio for fitness classes.

Cllr Myers said:

“The building is so good — that did my heart good. What an achievement it is.

“Brimhams has brilliant staff. The ethos is really good. They’re very welcoming and know how to engage with people in all abilities.

“I take it from being at both places, I think people have been so blown away by the result of public investment in public facilities.

“We want to deliver the best experience in the same way the private sector can – we need to look at what marvellous space have been created. Every bit of the building earns its keep.”

Cllr Myers also said 500 people visit the leisure centres in Harrogate and Knaresborough each day.

Starbeck Baths and Ripon leisure centre

The Stray Ferret also wanted to know what plans, if any, are in place for Starbeck Baths, which has long been under the spotlight as the council’s next potential project.

We asked what the success of both Harrogate and Knaresborough would mean for the future of the Starbeck site, to which Mr Myers responded:

“At the moment it’s in the very early stages.

“I know some residents would really like an answer – especially since it’s been a bit of an unknown for a while — but we will try and get on with it. It’s a huge piece of work.

“It’s against a backdrop of difficult times in public finances. But we do know in the pounds we invest in leisure, we save money elsewhere for NHS, for example.

“I think we can justify investment into leisure and wellness even in the most cynical of financial times.”

The Stray Ferret has also closely followed the saga surrounding Ripon Leisure Centre.

The Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre has not only faced the most bumps – or holes – in the road, but also the biggest expenditure of the three.

Although the site officially reopened in March 2022, Ripon residents are yet to see the full transformation.

An article last week reported the original budget for the project awarded to contractor Willmott Dixon in November 2019 was £10.2 million and it was scheduled for delivery in 17 months.

But £18 million and more than four years later, members are still using a temporary gym in the car park and attending fitness classes at Hugh Ripley Hall in the city centre.

Read more:

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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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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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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.

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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