It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate fish and chip shop Graveleys has re-opened its restaurant as its comeback gathers pace.
The local institution, which chat show host Michael Parkinson described as his favourite restaurant, appeared to have served its last customer when it closed in November 2019.
But last year’s demise of the ill-fated Catch Seafood venture that took its place paved the way for owner Simon Pilkington to bring Graveleys back to life.
The takeaway reopened last month and this week the restaurant followed suit.
It is open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, but will also open on selected Sundays — including Mother’s Day this weekend.
The restaurant on Cheltenham Parade has an alcohol licence and will focus on good value, no frills fish and chips.
Mr Pilkington said Mother’s Day and Easter were among Graveleys’ busiest times of the year and he was excited to see the business fully operational again.
Harrogate company buys land for student accommodation in York
A Harrogate property company has bought land in York to build new purpose built student accommodation.
Gregory Properties, which is based at Cardale Park, has purchased a strategic site on Foss Islands Road in the city.
A street view of the plan for the accommodation by Gregory Properties.
The land was previously occupied by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and sits between both the University of York and York St John University.
The firm has drawn up plans to build a 138-room student accommodation with seven communal rooms, as well as car and cycle parking.
John McGhee, director and head of residential at Gregory Properties, said:
“Our commitment to York as an evolving city is long standing and we are passionate about repurposing brownfield sites in a sustainable way to support modern day use. This site is a prime example of an under-developed site with old, tired and outmoded buildings but well located for student provision.
“We know that York has one of the worst shortages of student accommodation in the UK. Affordable accommodation for students is a priority for both Universities in attracting young talent and with this scheme, we hope that we can deliver against at least a small part of the current shortage.”
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Harrogate Turkish Baths bans nude bathers
Swimwear has been made compulsory for all sessions at Turkish Baths Harrogate following a complaint to the police.
Until this week, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women each week. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.
But a spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the Victorian venue, said:
“Following a complaint at Turkish Baths Harrogate, an operational decision has been made that swimwear is now compulsory at all bathing sessions.
“The complaint related to an incident which due to its serious nature has been reported to the police and is currently being investigated.
“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”
The Moorish design
The council issued the statement after a bather, who regularly attends men-only sessions unclothed, alerted local media to the change.
The person, who asked to remain anonymous, said recent attendees of single sex sessions received emails yesterday informing them of the change with immediate effect, with no consultation.
He also pointed out the ‘bathing etiquette’ section on the Turkish baths’ website had been amended to say ‘swimwear is compulsory at all sessions (including single-sex sessions)’.
The person said the majority of people at male-only sessions preferred not to wear clothes because they found them uncomfortable.
He added he would monitor the situation in light of the complaint to see whether the unclothed option was reintroduced.
The baths, which has Islamic arches and screens as part of its Moorish design, opened in 1897 and have been fully restored with a plunge pool, steam room and sauna as well as rooms of various temperatures to relax in.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Turkish Baths celebrates 125th birthday
- Leon confirms Harrogate closure amid speculation over site’s future
Leon confirms Harrogate closure amid speculation over site’s future
Leon has confirmed its Harrogate restaurant will close in just over two weeks’ time — as speculation mounts over the site’s future.
The Stray Ferret revealed this week the Wetherby Road fast food venue would cease trading, with the loss of about 20 jobs, on April 2.
Staff were informed of the decision on Monday.
A Leon spokesperson said today:
“We’re confirming we have decided to close the doors of Leon Harrogate on Wetherby Road. Our last trading day will be April 2.
“Guests will still be able to get their Leon fix at the drive-thru in Gildersome, and at the Leon Leeds Station restaurant.”
Retailer EG Group operates sites with franchise partners including Starbucks, Greggs and KFC in the UK.
It considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.
Our Facebook post about Leon’s closure generated about 400 replies, with people eager to know what will follow.
Some local residents had objected to the site being used as a fast food restaurant because of its proximity to homes and the busy junction of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Drive.
Vehicles will stop using the site after April 2 — but it could only be a temporary pause until a new business moves in.
Read more:
Power cut hits hundreds of homes in Harrogate district
Northern Powergrid has said it aims to restore electricity by 4pm today after a widespread power outage in the Harrogate district.
The company, which manages the electricity network, reported cuts in Harrogate and in many rural areas to the west in Nidderdale this morning. The number of homes affected in total is not known.
The Curious Cow of Harrogate pub, on the edge of Killinghall, posted on social media that it was unable to serve lunches today due to the situation.
Northern Powergrid’s live power cuts map indicated properties were affected in Harrogate and nearby villages, including Birstwith, Menwith Hill, Kettlesing and Darley.
The message accompanying notifications said:
“We’ve had to switch off the power for safety purposes whilst our engineers work on the cables and equipment that serves your area. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
#Powercut in #HG3 affecting 15 customers. #TeamPowergrid are working hard to restore power and estimate to have all customers restored by 4pm. Report your power cut online to be kept updated at https://t.co/q94zD0HFnk. pic.twitter.com/Yc8OhkJf3N
— Northern Powergrid (@Northpowergrid) March 15, 2023
Read more:
- Hundreds of job losses as Harrogate company goes under
- Laughing gas discovery fuels fears for young people in Harrogate district
Nidderdale art workshop to raise money for autism awareness on Saturday
A Nidderdale artist who uses art for therapy is donating fees from a workshop this weekend to the National Autistic Society.
James Owen Thomas, who has autism, is artist in residence at Fishpond Wood in Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge. His JOT Gallery was highly commended at this month’s Stray Ferret Business Awards.
He holds monthly workshops, the next one of which on Saturday will donate all £25 fees of those taking part to the society as part of World Autism Acceptance Week, which begins on March 27.
James uses recycled materials to highlight nature and the importance of protecting the environment.
He works with unwanted, discarded materials and turns them into something unique. He also uses art to make a difference to mental wellbeing, reducing stress and anxiety.
James said:
“I am on the autistic spectrum myself and have always found art therapeutic.
“There will be a full spectrum of colourful materials at the workshop and we will be creating textured photo collages of trees and nature for you to take home.”
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Laughing gas discovery fuels fears for young people in Harrogate district
A dog walker has expressed concern after discovering 10 canisters of laughing gas dumped by the side of the road.
John Chadwick stumbled across the canisters on the rural Gravelly Hill Lane in Huby.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the second most-used drug among UK 16- to 24-year-olds. It can induce euphoria and relaxation, as well as hallucinations.
The drug can lead to various health problems but is not currently illegal to possess. However, selling it to children is prohibited.
Mr Chadwick said this was the first time he’d seen the canisters and it “highlights what I believe is becoming an increasing health and behavioural issue predominately amongst younger people”.
He added:
“I’ve heard lots about it on phone-ins, I guess maybe I didn’t expect it in a rural environment. In that sense it was a bit of a shock – a bit like seeing a few old fridges dumped. A violation of our village.
“I am concerned that what could be seen as some harmless fun could escalate into something worse.
“Had somebody driven to this place to inhale the gas for fun and then driven off? In that case there is a danger to the perpetrator and others. Or was it just littering?”
The canisters were dumped by the side of a rural lane.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“There are significant dangers associated with using nitrous oxide. Inhaling it can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately suffocation as the body is essentially starved of oxygen.
“There is also evidence to show that people with heart conditions can be at risk of higher harm and that inhalation can lead to anaemia or long-term nerve damage.
“We would ask parents to be vigilant for the signs that their children may be purchasing the substance online.
“Anyone who is found guilty of supplying nitrous oxide could face up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine.”
Read more:
- Children in North Yorkshire face two-year wait for mental disorder assessment
- County council plans programme to tackle children being ‘enticed’ to vape
Baroness Masham dies aged 87
Baroness Masham, who was a the longest-serving female member of the House of Lords ever, Paralympian medallist and disability rights campaigner, has died aged 87.
She died peacefully in hospital in Northallerton on Sunday.
Born Susan Sinclair on April 14, 1935, she became a wheelchair user after injuring her spinal cord in a riding accident in 1958.
In 1959 she married David Cunliffe-Lister, who became Earl of Swinton in 1972, to become Lady Masham.
She served as a cross-bench peer for 53 years after becoming Baroness Masham of Ilton in 1970.
Baroness Masham was the aunt of Mark Cunliffe-Lister, the 4th Earl of Swinton and husband of Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who was elected as a Liberal Democrat to the Masham and Fountains division on North Yorkshire County Council this year in a by-election caused by the death of Conservative councillor Margaret Atkinson.
Baroness Masham won medals in swimming and table tennis at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Paralympic games.
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In 1974 she founded the Spinal Injuries Association and remained its president until her death.
The association, which announced her death today, said it was “devastated to have lost our greatest champion”, adding she was “the reason we have been able to champion, fight, serve and support thousands of spinal cord injured people”.
Baroness Masham was the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1976.
She belonged to various parliamentary committees and last spoke in the House of Lords on February 2 this year.
Guy Tweedy, a Harrogate thalidomide campaigner and trustee of Disability Action Yorkshire who met Baroness Masham many times, said:
“Baroness Masham was a formidable woman. She was a trailblazer for disability rights, along with Lord Morris of Manchester and Baron Ashley of Stoke.
“Without the work of those three we wouldn’t be where we are today with disability rights.”
Harrogate fast food restaurant Leon to close
Harrogate fast food venue Leon is to close — just nine months after opening.
The Mediterranean-inspired drive-thru and restaurant opened on Wetherby Road at the end of June.
There were concerns that having a drive-thru close to the junction of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Drive would cause traffic problems.
But they failed to materialise and staff were informed yesterday the site will close on April 2.
A source, who asked not to be named, said:
“It is purely down to low sales to my knowledge, it has never been as busy as you would expect a new restaurant to be.”
About 20 staff, most of whom are part-time, are affected by the news. The source added:
“There was some discussion about other job roles in the EG group, which owns Leon, but it wasn’t clear exactly what would happen.”
Leon’s closure will prompt speculation about the future of the site.
EG Group had considered opening a Starbucks on the site and may be tempted to revive those plans.
EG Group is the UK’s largest operator of KFC, Greggs and Starbucks franchises.
It has transformed the derelict former dentist site and installed electric vehicle charging points. There is a large car parking area.
The Stray Ferret has approached Leon for comment.
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Knaresborough tractor run raises £23,000
The organisers of the Knaresborough tractor run have revealed that this year’s event has raised £23,340 so far.
It means Knaresborough Young Farmers, which started the event in memory of former member Mike Spink, have now raised £107,840 over the years for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Almost 400 tractors took part in the 25-mile route on Sunday, which started at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground.
The convoy passed through Ripley, Knaresborough, Staveley, Burton Leonard, Markington, Bishop Thornton and Glasshouses before stopping in Pateley Bridge for lunch.
It then continued to Bewerley, Dacre, Darley, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite before finishing in Knaresborough.
A statement on the event’s Facebook page said:
“Big thank you to all those who attended yesterday.
“Thank you to our sponsors, marshals and anyone who helped on the day, without you we couldn’t have reached this total.
It is still possible to donate here.
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Transport chief faces Harrogate businesses on Station Gateway
The councillor in charge of transport in North Yorkshire was in Harrogate tonight to give business leaders an update on various schemes, including the £11.2 million Station Gateway..
Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council attended Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly meeting.
He gave an update on the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway after traffic orders were published last week, one of which was for the closure of part of James Street. Here’s how the evening went:
7.51pm: Cllr Duncan reaffirms his commitment to listen
In response to some more negative comments, Cllr Duncan says again he will listen to the area constituency committee. And with that he returns to his seat as the meeting draws to a close.
7.46pm: ‘I am prepared to change course’
Responding to claims that information supporting the scheme is flawed and the council has not listened to businesses, Cllr Duncan says:
“I think there is more support for this scheme than those who shout the loudest would have us believe.
“I am prepared to look at the evidence, make decisions and change course.”
7.40pm: ‘You’re riding roughshod over us’
A member of the audience gets a round of applause for saying the council is “riding roughshod” over local opinion and has “not taken on board any of our points”.
Cllr Duncan says he has inherited the scheme and will abide by what the Lib Dem-controlled committee agrees. His role, he says, is to bring matters to a conclusion, although he thinks overall the scheme is positive.
The questioner responds by calling the scheme a “joke”.
7.35: Harrogate congestion zone ruled out
It’s question time, and things could get lively. The first question asks whether Cllr Duncan has considered a congestion zone for Harrogate and he flatly rules it out.
7.31pm: Lib Dems will decide on fate of scheme
Cllr Duncan is a Conservative but he says he will abide by the decision of the Lib Dem-controlled Harrogate area constituency committee, which will meet to discuss the subject in May. He says:
“I will implement whatever decision is taken. It’s right that Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors have their say.”
Some Lib Dems feel they’ve been delivered a hospital pass because the area constituency committee is an advisory body and the Conservatives want to avoid making an unpopular decision.
Cllr Duncan has said previously that “with power comes responsibility” and the Lib Dems are being empowered as part of the new council’s commitment to “double devolution” whereby local decisions will be taken locally.
If the gateway goes ahead, Cllr Duncan says the council will “look to start construction in winter this year and finish in winter 2024”.
7.28pm: 40 parking spaces would be lost
Cllr Duncan says surveys show 500 to 600 parking spaces could be removed from Harrogate town centre without any significant impact but this scheme would only remove 40 spaces — 20 on James Street and 20 on Station Parade.
He makes four pledges:
1 To conduct a full review of car parking in Harrogate town centre.
2 To manage disruption, adding: “It cannot be denied there will be disruption. We will draw up a construction management plan.”
3 No compromise on quality of construction materials.
4 Traffic flows will be revisited and reassessed.
7.22pm: Gateway consultations ‘not a referendum’
The latest consultation responses revealed 46% were negative towards the project compared with 45% in favour and nine per cent were neutral.
Some businesses and residents have said this proves the scheme should be dropped but Cllr Duncan says “this was a consultation not a referendum” and opinion is “finely balanced”.
7.16pm: Station Gateway – water feature scrapped
He says the scheme will “encourage a shift from motorised vehicles to low carbon and sustainable transport” but adds the aim of the scheme is also regeneration, improvements to the public realm and to support businesses in Harrogate. He says:
“This is not just a transport scheme it is about redeveloping a key corridor of Harrogate town centre.”
He says the Station Square water feature has been removed from the scheme “due to practical and cost constraints”. It would have cost £500,00 he says.
But he adds there will be “no compromising” on high quality materials despite soaring building costs.
As for delays caused by road closures and reducing Station Parade to single lane, he says the “worst case scenario” is that an average 15-minute journey around Harrogate will take an extra 53 seconds if the gateway goes ahead.
7.12pm: ‘Hardline’ cyclists criticised
Cllr Duncan is now talking about active travel on Otley Road and Beech Grove. Regarding phase two of the Otley Road cycleway, which has been scrapped, he said:
“The feedback we were getting was negative even from the beneficiaries of the scheme. For me, that was strong, compelling evidence of why we should not proceed.”
He then takes a swipe at some cyclists.
“There is a hardline cycle lobby which in my view do not speak for everyday people in Harrogate.
“I see my role to listen to everybody and not just those who shout the loudest.”
7.10pm: Car is ‘key but not king’
Cllr Duncan says the “car is key but not king”.
Regarding electric vehicles, he says 3,000 new charging points are needed in North Yorkshire by 2030.
Regarding safety, he says the council has some particular concerns about children in Pannal Ash and Oatlands where 9,000 children travel to school.
As for the 20’s Plenty For Us, he says “I’m struggling to see that a one-size fits all intervention is best way forward” and targeted interventions are better but a review is pending.
7.08pm: Bus network ‘fragile’
Cllr Duncan is now talking about buses. He says at least a third of routes in the county are at risk of timetable changes or being removed all together.
He says recent £1.7m government support and £1.6m from the county council have provided services with a lifeline.
He says the £2 fare cap has increased passenger numbers but doesn’t give figures and says it remains a difficult time.
7.05pm: Council ‘not anti-car’
Cllr Duncan says the new North Yorkshire Council is not anti-car, adding:
“However it’s right that people are able to walk and cycle are able to do so safely and efficiently.”
6.52pm: ‘Renewed vision and focus on Harrogate’
Cllr Duncan (centre) at tonight’s meeting
Cllr Duncan starts by giving a speech before facing questions. He says the new North Yorkshire Council will provide a “renewed vision and focus on Harrogate”.
Read more:
- Council bids for £3m for cycling projects in Harrogate and Knaresborough
- Traffic order issued to close part of Harrogate’s James Street to vehicles