John Grainger, Author at The Stray Ferret

Business Breakfast: NEOM appoints new CEO

NEOM, the home fragrance brand that has grown to international prominence from its Harrogate HQ, has appointed a new chief executive.

Isabel Malbois, who was previously managing director at the company, takes over from co-founder Oliver Mennell, who will stay on as non-executive chair. Fellow co-founder Nicola Elliott remains as creative director.

Isabel joined NEOM – whose name comes from its founders’ initials – as global commercial director in 2021, after successful stints at L’Oréal, Urban Decay and Giorgio Armani. She said:

“I’ve thoroughly loved working closely with Nicola and Oliver and the passionate and smart NEOM team over the past two years and I’m super excited about my new role as CEO. NEOM is a very much-loved wellbeing brand.

She added:

“I look forward to continuing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nicola day to day and having Oliver close to the business in his new role as chair to keep driving the company onwards and upwards.”

Oliver Mennell and Nicola Elliott founded NEOM in 2005, launching a range of natural fragrances designed to improve sleep, lower stress, boost energy and lift mood. Within a few years, their products had been adopted by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.

Now based at Hornbeam Park, it has achieved B Corp certification – an internationally recognised standard for sustainability – and in its last annual accounts recorded post-tax profits of over £3 million.

Hospital rated ‘good’ by CQC

A mental health hospital in Harrogate has been praised for the “outstanding” caring nature of its staff by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.

The regulator’s report on Cygnet Hospital Harrogate praised the high standard of care offered at the service and highlighted many areas of positive practice, saying the hospital had embedded a “person-centred” culture.

The service, on Ripon Road, is part of the Cygnet Health Care division, and offers a care service for men and women suffering with acute mental health.

The inspection, which took place in August, looked at all key lines of enquiry: safety, care, responsiveness, leadership and effectiveness. The service was awarded a Good rating overall, with Outstanding in the Caring domain.

Hospital manager Gavin Clark said:

“We’re all absolutely delighted with a good overall from the recent inspection, but to get an outstanding in the Caring domain was the cherry on top.

“That the report recognises the contribution of multiple departments in this – and not just clinical teams – felt a real validation of the entire staff group’s efforts. I feel so proud of everyone and would like to thank all of my staff for their hard work and dedication towards providing high-quality, compassionate care.”

Resurrected Bites founder thanks Stray Ferret readers for ‘godsend’ employee

An employee hired using money raised by last year’s Stray Ferret Christmas campaign has been a “godsend”, the founder of Resurrected Bites has said.

Michelle Hayes said the £30,000 raised by the Stray Ferret’s campaign was more than expected and a “massive bonus”, enabling the charity to take on ex-military man Chris Lidgitt. She said Chris had helped to bring a dose of order and professionalism to operations since joining in April.

Michelle, who set up the charity in 2018 to combat food poverty in the Harrogate district, said:

“I was covering more roles than I could reasonably do, so the time had come when we needed to employ an operations manager. Chris came at just the right time – he’s been a godsend.

“I’d just like to say a huge thank-you to Stray Ferret readers for all the support they’ve given us – not just for the money, but also for the opportunity to showcase how it is for people living in food poverty. It shouldn’t be hidden away – we should be talking about it.”

Chris previously had a farm shop, and before that ran hotels and pubs, but it was his time in the army that arguably made the greatest impression on him.

He spent four-and-a-half years as a soldier in the Life Guards, which is part of the Household Cavalry. He said:

“I loved it, but then I stupidly said I could play the trumpet, so that’s what I did!”

He played at numerous state occasions, including the State Opening of Parliament, and even played on the Champs Elysées in Paris for France’s Bastille Day celebrations.

Chris’s role as operations manager for Resurrected Bites is a far cry from playing for presidents, but he says it’s not an easier job. He said:

“It’s been quite hands-on over the last six months – a baptism of fire. I’ve done everything: worked in the warehouse, in both groceries, and in the kitchen as a chef – just making sure everything is operationally working to a high standard.

“It’s been a real eye-opener. We live in such an affluent town that you wouldn’t think there’d be so many people in need, but there really are. Hearing the stories of some of the people who use our services can be heart-breaking, but this is a damn sight more rewarding than anything else I’ve ever done.”

Tackling food poverty in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Michelle set up Resurrected Bites with the aim of reducing food waste, loneliness and food poverty in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

It now runs Give As You Can cafés and shops at Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough on Fridays, at St Paul’s United Reformed Church in Harrogate on Wednesdays, and at Killinghall Methodist Church on Thursdays. These are open to everyone and visitors are simply asked to pay whatever they feel the food is worth or what they can afford.

The charity also runs a community groceries scheme with bases in Harrogate and Knaresborough for people in food poverty.

Research shows that one in five children are living in poverty in the Harrogate district, and Michelle says the problem is growing.

She said:

“One the one hand, the cost-of-living crisis is really biting, and on the other hand, the amount of food we’re intercepting from landfill is less than it was five years ago. Supermarkets are better now at reducing waste, and some are also giving their own employees first refusal on leftover food.

“That makes it harder to meet the needs of local people living in food poverty, so we’d really like to find new suppliers who can give us any food that would otherwise go to waste.

“It costs about £15,000 a month to do what we do, but our income is under £6,000, which means we’re still running at a significant deficit, so we’re also looking for corporate sponsorship and individual donors.

“Winter is coming and we’ll need all the help we can get, so if you can help in any way, please get in touch.”

Spofforth Golf Course sold to unknown buyer

A family-owned golf course which has been on the market since the summer has found a buyer.

Spofforth Golf Course was put up for sale with an asking price of £2 million and is now listed by agent Lister Haigh as sold subject to contract.

In addition to what its website refers to as “the north’s premier 18-hole pay-and-play”, the 130-acre property includes a six-bay driving range, clubhouse, greenkeeping complex and car-park, a four-bed detached bungalow, a one-bed stables annexe and a double garage.

The 72-par Spofforth Golf Course, which lies just west of the village of Spofforth between Harrogate and Wetherby, opened in 1994 as a diversification of Manor Farm, which previously produced cereals and beef.

The house is still subject to an agricultural occupancy restriction stipulating that it must be occupied by someone “mainly employed or last employed in the locality in agriculture”.

It is not yet known who has bought the property or if they intend to maintain the golf course as a going concern open to the public.

The Stray Ferret approached the vendors for comment, but was told it was a “private family matter”.

Talk to a professional before buying a new radiator, warns Harrogate heating expert

This story is sponsored by Yorkshire Radiators.

Choosing a new radiator without professional advice could end up being an expensive mistake, a Harrogate business-owner has warned.

Clyde Williams, who owns and runs Yorkshire Radiators with his wife Crystal, said that snags in the buying process are common, and expert input from the start is the best way to avoid problems. He said:

“Sometimes the wrong design is delivered, or there’s a valve missing – this kind of thing happens all the time. Sometimes, plumbers forget to ask the customer about the height of the skirting board or the thickness of the wall – there are a thousand things that can go wrong – and mistakes can be costly.

“Trying to do it all yourself can just end up a false economy, so it makes good financial sense to leave it all to us. We manage the whole procurement process, so if there’s a problem, we’ll deal with the headache; the customer can cross it off their list of things to worry about.”

Yorkshire Radiators, which is based in purpose-built premises on the new Harrogate West Business Park, on Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate, supplies bespoke radiators direct to the customer. Its carbon-zero unit includes a warehouse, spray booth and showroom all under one roof, making it a one-stop for homeowners, plumbers and interior designers looking for the perfect heating system delivered with a short lead time.

The company offers three different styles of radiator – with round, flat and oval profiles – in a range of sizes, 10 horizontal and eight vertical, and a choice of 12 colours.

Clyde said:

“You don’t have to have a radiator in just black, white or grey anymore. We can supply them in bronze, gunmetal, antique copper, or even Barbie pink! And we can save you money.

“We offer a showroom service and after-sales care, but we sell at internet prices – there isn’t a single online provider undercutting us.

“Also, most of our competitors take eight weeks to turn around an order, but we can do it within 10 working days. That’s a hugely important difference if you’re waiting in the cold!

“Think twice before you order a new radiator. Come and talk to us first.”

Find out more:

To view all our radiator options, drop into our showroom at Unit 9, Harrogate West Business Park, HG3 2FN. It’s open every weekday from 9.30am to 5.30pm (3pm on Wednesdays) and by appointment on Saturdays. Alternatively, visit the Yorkshire Radiators website.

Yorkshire Radiators has also set up an incentive scheme for local contractors, which is good news for them and their customers. Local plumbers and central heating engineers can find out more about this deal should call 07838 497803 or email by tapping here.

Business Breakfast: Connexions to withdraw Knaresborough-Harrogate bus service

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10am.

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Connexions, the family-run bus operator based at Tockwith, is to withdraw its X1 service in two weeks’ time.

The last X1 service, which runs from St James’ Retail Park to Harrogate via Knaresborough High Street and Starbeck, will run on Friday, November 3.

Connexions managing director Craig Temple told the Stray Ferret:

“We do have quite a lot of passengers on that route, but it loses more money during the school holidays than it makes during term-time.

“Our costs have soared – it’s incredibly difficult. Since covid, not many people want to drive buses, so we’ve had to put up wages by 25% over the last two years.

“Fuel costs have risen, insurance has gone up by a third, and concessionary fare reimbursement hasn’t kept up with rising costs. We’re also losing money because of the £2 fare-cap because the government doesn’t cover the costs adequately.”

He added that customers would not be left “high and dry” because the X1 route was serviced by other buses, and said that all the company’s other routes remain unchanged.

Connexions currently operates 37 bus services, including many school buses, on routes around York, Leeds, Tadcaster, Otley, Harrogate and Knaresborough.

CNG liquidator appointed

A liquidator has been appointed to oversee the final chapter in CNG Group’s saga.

The commercial gas supplier was once one of Harrogate’s fastest-growing and most successful businesses, and a sponsorship deal with Harrogate Town AFC even saw the club’s ground renamed the CNG Stadium.

But a surge in wholesale gas prices made it uneconomical for many providers to continue to trade, and CNG collapsed in November 2021 owing £82m, with the loss of all 145 jobs. At the time, it was the 19th energy supplier to fail that year.

The group’s creditors have appointed Timothy Bateson, director of national business advisory company Interpath Ltd, as liquidator.

Village pub reopens under new owners

A 16th–century country pub near Ripon reopens today after seven months of closure for refurbishment.

The Staveley Arms in North Stainley has been relaunched with new proprietors. They are general manager Oliver Renton, alongside Steve Mortimer and Fay Howell, who also run The Turkey Inn near Keighley.

Steve Mortimer and Fay Howell.

Steve said:

“When The Staveley Arms opportunity was presented to us, we leapt at the chance. It’s been wonderful working alongside James Staveley and the whole North Stainley team to get the pub open again. They’ve been involved in the whole process and, like us, are keen to bring the pub back to life and back to being the heart of the village. It was great to see the excitement around the re-opening at the recent North Stainley Together community meeting too.

“We plan to use produce from the estate and are keen to source local produce for our menu where possible. We’ve kept all the traditional Staveley Arms features, as well as adding some fresh ideas too. We’ve all invested a lot into renovating and redecorating the pub to create a cosy environment that we hope customers from near and far will enjoy. We have some big plans to expand the offering too, so there will always be something going on.”

The Staveley Arms also has eight en-suite rooms housed inside The Old Coach House, which have remained open throughout the pub’s closure.

General manager Oliver Renton said:

“The Staveley Arms has so much to offer. I’ve worked in the industry for over 20 years and The Staveley Arms has it all. Internally and externally it’s an amazing venue offering so much space and opportunity – the beer garden alone can accommodate 80 customers.

“It’s a traditional country pub, the fires will be roaring, walkers and dogs will be welcome all year round, and there will always be a good choice of Yorkshire ales available, plus of course our own Staveley Arms ales.”

The beer garden of The Staveley Arms at North Stainley.

The kitchen will be led by chef Loc Bui, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry.

The Staveley Arms will host a quiz night on Wednesdays and a real ale club on Thursdays, when all house and guest cask ales will be sold at £3.50 a pint.

The pub is taking bookings for its Christmas menu, and there is also a wreath-making class with a glass of fizz and a mince pie planned for Monday, December 11.

Harrogate police arrest six in national County Lines crackdown

Police in Harrogate have made six arrests – including a 15-year-old boy – during a national week of action to target County Lines drug dealing.

North Yorkshire Police made a total of 26 arrests across the county, seizing cash, suspected drugs, mobile phones and weapons including two machetes, three samurai swords, two knuckledusters and a pistol.

The week of action took place from Monday, October 9 to Sunday 15 and was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre.

Across the county, officers executed 14 warrants, seized over £70,000 in cash suspected to be linked to criminality, as well as several class A, B and C drugs, including 1-2 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £70,000 from one vehicle in Scarborough.

Teams from across the force carried out proactive enforcement against people with suspected links to drugs offences, as well as patrols at rail and bus stations with a specialist drugs dog.

Photo of a plain-clothes police officer wearing a crash helmet in preparation for a County Lines drugs raid.

A plain-clothes police officer on a County Lines drugs raid.

Harrogate arrests

In Harrogate, the County Lines Intensification Week saw five incidents result in arrests.

In one, police stopped a vehicle on Cheltenham Parade and searched a 24-year-old man. They found 10 bags of compressed white powder, a knuckleduster, scales, cash and four mobile phones. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class-A drug, interviewed and released under investigation.

In a separate incident, officers from the force’s Expedite Team witnessed a suspected drug deal taking place on Albany Avenue in Harrogate and arrested a 27-year-old man for being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug. He was interviewed and released under investigation.

British Transport Police arrested a 15-year-old boy for theft and being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and a class-B drug. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a class-A drug and class-B drug. Both were released on conditional bail.

Acting on a tip-off, North Yorkshire Police investigated suspicious activity taking place at a property linked to the supply of drugs. They searched a 36-year-old man and found class-A drugs, scales and a mobile phone.

The man was ultimately charged with eight offences relating to the possession and supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis and remanded in custody to appear at York Magistrates’ Court.

Finally, officers from the force’s Operation Expedite team stopped a vehicle on Church Lane in Harrogate that had been identified as being linked to drug supply. They arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of drug driving and entering the UK illegally. He was released under investigation for the driving offence and passed to immigration officials to be dealt with.

Safeguarding

County Lines takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise drugs for sale. Vulnerable people – including children – are forced to deal drugs and dealers will often use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force and referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

As part of the week of action, proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and bed and breakfasts where vulnerable people are known to be living. In total, officers safeguarded 73 people who are known or suspected to be vulnerable to county lines exploitation.

The force also held County Lines drop-in stalls in public areas for engagement within communities and members of the public.

Detective chief inspector Andrew Simpson, who led the initiative for North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Last week’s targeted activity demonstrates how we are working tirelessly to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs and protect the young and vulnerable in our communities who are exploited by them.

“It’s important to stress that this is just one week’s activity, and this type of disruption and safeguarding is taking place in communities across North Yorkshire all year round.

“As a force we are committed to cutting these County Lines and to protecting vulnerable people. But we cannot do this alone, our work with partners is important and we also need the support of the public.

“It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understands the issue and knows the warning signs.”

Children

To help raise awareness among children, the force worked with Christina Gabbitas, the popular children’s author of the No More Knives and Trapped by County Lines campaigns, to deliver talks alongside neighbourhood policing officers in several schools across the county.

Christina said:

“After the success of working together with North Yorkshire Police, I was commissioned to write a sequel story Trapped in County Lines.

“The story aims to educate children and young people on the dangers of becoming involved with county lines through the power of storytelling.

“Children and young people can sadly be victims of exploitation from organised crime groups. County Lines is a harsh reality of life, and in my opinion shouldn’t be sugar coated.”

Business Breakfast: House prices stabilise, data suggest

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10am.

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

After a period of deflation, the housing market showed modest signs of stabilisation this month, the latest data from Rightmove suggest.

Property asking prices edged upwards by an average of £1,950 or 0.5% this month, but Yorkshire and the Humber saw a slightly a bigger increase of 0.6%.

This means the average asking price in Yorkshire and the Humber now stands at £248,000, which is a 1.8% increase on this time last year.

However, the national monthly increase of 0.5% is the smallest average asking price increase at this time of year since 2008, and well below the historic norm in October of 1.4%. The number of sales agreed is also 17% below this time last year, as those sellers who are struggling to adjust their price expectations to match current activity levels are finding their homes left on the shelf.

Rightmove said the number of buyers enquiring for each available home for sale is 8% higher than in the more normal, and pre-Covid, 2019 market. It also revealed that a property that receives its first buyer enquiry on the first day of marketing, rather than after two weeks, is 60% more likely to find a buyer.

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, which has 20 offices across Yorkshire, including branches in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge, said:

“Accurate pricing is vitally important in the current market to generate immediate momentum when launching a property to market. There are buyers waiting for the right homes to come onto the market, but most will steer clear of anything overpriced.

“Although it can be tempting for sellers to price high initially on the off chance there’s a buyer waiting in the wings, and then reduce the price later when it doesn’t sell, this can be a risky strategy in the current market.”

Independent school in charity tie-up

Families living in poverty across Yorkshire will benefit from a new charity link-up after pupils at Ashville Prep School in Harrogate chose Zarach as their charity for the year.

Zarach delivers beds and basic provisions to children living in poverty and was set up by Leeds primary school teacher Bex Wilson after she found that some of the children she taught didn’t have a bed to sleep in.

Photo of pupils at Ashville Prep School, who have chosen to raise money for charity Zarach over the coming year.

Pupils at Ashville Prep School donated food at their harvest festival service.

Phil Soutar, Head of Ashville Prep School, said:

“The new link-up reflects Ashville’s values of openness, respect for others and a sense of social responsibility. It is not just about raising money or gifting goods for this great charity, it’s also about raising awareness about the daily hardship faced by people in our community.

“We’re immensely proud of the thoughtfulness and empathy shown by our pupils, as we explore more ways in which we can help others and give back to our community.”

The partnership got off to a successful start at the prep school’s harvest festival service, and the Prep School Charity Club will continue to raise money for Zarach for the remainder of the academic year, helping to pay for “bed bundles” which include a mattress, pillow, duvet, pyjamas, sheets, toothpaste and other sanitary and bathroom products.

Last year, the Prep School Charity Club raised more than £2,500 for Guide Dogs.

MP raises concerns over Knaresborough asphalt plant ‘industrial creep’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has expressed concern at a proposal to build an asphalt factory next to the Allerton Waste Recovery Park six miles east of Knaresborough.

The proposal has been re-advertised after the company making the application, Tynedale Roadstone Ltd, submitted an updated environmental statement to accompany the plans.

As well as the asphalt plant, the application includes plans for a site office, car parking, material storage bays, lighting, hard standing and the removal of trees.

Mr Jones said:

“I worked with residents’ groups and parish councils campaigning against the incinerator being built. Part of our objections were the potential for ‘industrial creep’ in the area. This application is precisely that.

“I have already registered my objection when the application was at an earlier stage of the planning process. I have read the new documents the applicants have submitted and I do not believe the concerns I raised have been adequately addressed.

“Those concerns include the potential for further industrial creep, the pollution caused by the production process, the traffic movements during the working day which ends, according to the planning statement, at 11pm and the potential for ground water contamination. I am concerned too that the plant will, in due course, become a 24/7 operation.

“Because this is an update to the planning application I have submitted a further objection and I encourage those in the neighbourhood who want to make their own representation to do so urgently. The deadline is 25 October.”

Mr Jones is not alone in his concern over the proposals – during the consultation process, two local parish councils also registered objections, citing dust, odours, noise and increased traffic among their reasons.

In its official response, Arkendale, Coneythorpe & Clareton Parish Council pointed out that when the Allerton Waste Recovery Park was approved in 2014, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) – which has since been superseded by North Yorkshire Council – had assured residents that it would be a one-off installation and would not lead to further industrial ribbon development along the A1(M) corridor.

It added:

“If this development is allowed to proceed, what NYCC promised these local communities will have been proven to be false and we would be right to feel let down by the democratic process.”

The response from Goldsborough & Flaxby Parish Council was more blunt, asking:

“Why is a ‘dirty’ process such as this be even considered at Allerton? Why is it even needed at all? It should not be in a rural location and should not be allowed to be erected next to an incinerator that is already spoiling a rural location.”

Tynedale Roadstone is part of Durham-based MGL Group and currently operates two asphalt production plants, one in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and another at Barton, north of Catterick in North Yorkshire.

Asphalt is a mix of aggregates and bitumen – which is distilled from crude oil – and is commonly used in roadbuilding.

The Stray Ferret has contacted MGL Group for comment.

Rock stars rave over ‘nectar of paradise’ in Harrogate

Bettys has long been popular with visitors to Harrogate, but the business gained two more high-profile fans this month when Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp dropped in.

The couple were in town to play a gig at the Royal Hall and later took to social media to pay effusive tribute to the tearooms.

In their latest YouTube post, Robert, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s best guitarists, called Bettys “a quality establishment which resonates”, and said:

“I’d been to Bettys in York before, which was superb, but this was something of a pilgrimage.”

Toyah added:

“You may think we’re complete idiots for being so in love with this experience, but it was the heart and soul of humanity. We could talk to everyone, everyone really cared, it was kind, it was utterly amazing.”

They described a cake they’d saved from their visit as “the nectar of paradise” and “a relic from the shrine of St Betty”.

Toyah, 65, is best known for her string of hit singles in the early 1980s, including It’s a Mystery, I Want to be Free, and Thunder in the Mountains, but has also had a long acting career on both stage and screen.

Robert Fripp, 77, was the founder of progressive rock band King Crimson and has also collaborated with the likes of David Bowie, Blondie and Talking Heads.

The couple have been married since 1986 and came to national attention during the Covid lockdown, when they started their YouTube channel, Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch.

In their latest post, their praise was not just confined to Bettys – they loved the whole town.

Toyah said:

“Robert’s never been to Harrogate and he absolutely loved it, and I loved it too. It’s such a special place, and if ever you’re visiting the UK or just having a holiday in the UK, and you’ve not been to Harrogate, go – it’s beautiful!”

Hospital rated ‘good’ by CQC

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Tackling food poverty in Harrogate and Knaresborough

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CNG liquidator appointed

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Harrogate arrests

Safeguarding

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Children

Independent school in charity tie-up

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