Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has today backed Rishi Sunak in the race to become the next Prime Minister.

Mr Smith is the first local MP to declare his support for a candidate to succeed Liz Truss, which could be resolved as soon as Monday.

In a tweet this afternoon, Mr Smith said Mr Sunak would “restore financial credibility” and unite the party.

https://twitter.com/JulianSmithUK/status/1583457402258567170

According to betting site Oddschecker, Mr Sunak remains the favourite to be the next PM at 4/5. But Boris Johnson’s odds have been slashed dramatically to 32/21 while Penny Mordaunt is the outsider at 9-1.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, have yet to comment publicly on their choices.

Mr Jones and Mr Smith supported Sunak in his failed summer bid against Liz Truss.

Adams was one of Johnson’s staunchest allies, and was made a Cabinet Office minister in his government. But a number of moderate Conservatives have threatened to resign the whip if Johnson wins.

Mr Jones and Mr Smith both called for Mr Johnson’s resignation while he was still in office.

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Mr Jones said “lawmakers cannot be lawbreakers” and “we have come to the end of the road with this Prime Minister” and urged him to “move aside for the good of the country and our politics”.

Mr Smith urged Mr Johnson to “take the lead in a responsible transition to ensure stable government for our country”.

It seems the election of Sunak, who represents Richmond in North Yorkshire, would go down well with many local Conservatives, who may see added value in having a Prime Ministerial constituency on their doorstep.

Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, also declared his support for Mr Sunak during his leadership battle with Ms Truss.

So although a Johnson win might prove popular with Mr Adams, it could raise some difficult questions for those MPs, such as Mr Jones and Mr Smith, who just three months ago were calling on him to quit.

Catch Seafood, which bought the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant in Harrogate, has closed.

A spokesman for the company confirmed today all five Catch restaurants had ceased trading and the company had gone into administration, with the loss of 60 jobs.

It is the third major blow for Harrogate’s hospitality sector in a matter of days, with Samsons restaurant and restaurant and cocktail bar 63rd+1st also closing.

Catch bought Graveley’s in 2019 and reopened the restaurant on Cheltenham Parade in April last year after a £250,000 refurbishment.

Changing such a well known name was controversial.

Many people made a beeline for Graveley’s on trips to Harrogate, with former chat show host Michael Parkinson once describing his perfect day as watching Joe Root score a century in an Ashes Test at Headingley followed by a big plate of fish and chips at Graveley’s.

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A Catch spokeswoman said at the time the restaurant reopened.

“Graveley’s is an institution in Harrogate so we appreciate it is going to be a big thing to change the name.”

The new venue boasted a champagne and oyster bat as well as cocktails. But 18 months on it has served its last customer.

Catch also had fish and chip restaurants in Holmfirth, West Vale, Headingley and Street Lane.

The spokesman for the company said today he had been advised not to comment until the liquidation process was underway.

Harrogate Photographic Society‘s free centenary exhibition has started at St Peter’s Church.

The exhibition includes about 130 photographs taken by members, including some historic images of Harrogate.

The society was founded on October 23, 1922 and was originally based at a shop on King’s Road.

The exhibition will run until Thursday next week and is open from 10am to 4pm daily, except on Sunday when it is open from noon to 4pm.

The society meets weekly on Monday nights in Harrogate.

Some of the exhibits

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Local businesses attended an event yesterday to find out how Harrogate College can help them fulfil their training and recruitment needs.

The college set up an employers’ network to allow employers from the Harrogate district to influence the college’s courses and training.

Yesterday’s annual event gave representatives from the businesses the opportunity to find out more about what has been achieved in the last year and say what more could be done.

Employers also got a first-look at the proposed pathway to employment programme, which would support the cost and challenges of recruitment and retainment.

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Raworths has been recognised as one of the leading law firms in the north of England.

The Harrogate law firm has been included in the new Chambers UK legal guide 2023, including Band 1 rankings for its Employment and Family teams.

Chambers UK is one of the leading legal professional guides; its rankings drawing on independent research carried out with clients and professional contacts.

Simon Morris, managing partner at Raworths said:

“This is a fantastic boost for the whole team who work so hard to ensure that we provide the best service for our clients across all practice areas.

“To have our teams recognised is a testament to the range and quality of our services and our genuinely integrated commercial and private client expertise, enabling our teams to work together on complex issues across our clients’ personal and business affairs.

“It’s fantastic that these rankings draw directly on client feedback – as cultivating trusted, longstanding relationships with our clients is at the very heart of our business.”

Organisers of this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre have said they won’t erect any seasonal attractions until wartime remembrance activities have concluded.

The decision to put up a helter-skelter next to the war memorial two days after Remembrance Sunday divided opinion last year.

Some claimed it was disrespectful to locate it so close to the memorial, so close to Remembrance Sunday; others said the war dead fought for freedom and would have liked the idea of children playing on the rides.

Ivan Nicholson van Ingen, a former soldier of 40 years’ service, contacted the Stray Ferret to seek clarification on this year’s arrangements.

Mr Nicholson van Ingen said many veterans were upset last year at seeing the helter-skelter alongside the memorial and urged the fayre organisers not to install it before Remembrance Sunday, which is on November 13.

A spokeswoman for Destination Harrogate, a tourism division of Harrogate Borough Council, which is one of the Christmas fayre organisers, confirmed this would not happen. She said:

“We would like to assure Mr Nicholson van Ingen and your readers that, as with last year, Harrogate Borough Council has been in contact with the Royal British Legion to advise of plans for the town centre festive attractions prior to any final decisions being taken.

“We can also confirm that as with last year, no festive installations will be put in place this year or in future years before remembrance activities have taken place.”

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The spokeswoman said the helter-skelter was put up on November 15 last year, increased footfall and and “provided a fun, safe, family-friendly experience that was particularly welcomed following the challenges of the pandemic”. She added:

“Our Christmas attractions will be in situ and open to the public between December 2 and January 8 and we look forward to a great opportunity for our residents and visitors to enjoy the festivities in Harrogate.”

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63rd+1st was set up by TGI Fridays UK. Named after the street in New York that was home to the original TGI Fridays, its Harrogate venue joined the likes of Yo Sushi! and Estabulo on Albert Street last year.

The restaurant area

The company said at the time it would generate 30 part-time and full-time jobs. Those affected were told the news today.

The restaurant, lounge and bar was built to seat 101 people and to serve Manhattan street food.

The company said it wanted to attract customers ranging from early morning coffee drinkers to late evening drinkers.

Heavy rain has led to flooding on some Harrogate district roads today

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms this morning and warned some roads could be flooded.

It proved accurate as drivers across the district, which is still under drought, struggled in many of the usual highway trouble spots for flooding.

Pic: Lynne Hardcastle

Church Lane in Hampsthwaite, pictured here, remained open despite treacherous conditions.

Pot Bridge, where there is a sharp double bend, on the B6161 was also difficult due to the conditions.

The weather warning ended at 1pm but driving conditions are expected to remain difficult this afternoon due to spray and standing water.

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A 23-year-old Harrogate man has appeared in court charged with wounding a man on Bower Street on Friday night.

William Boam, who lives on Bower Street, faced three charges at York Magistrates Court.

He was accused of maliciously wounding a named victim with the intent to do him grievous bodily harmed.

Mr Boam was also charged with possessing a knife on Bower Street and assaulting another named victim on the same night on the street, causing actual bodily harm.

The cases were sent to York Crown Court, where they are due to be heard on November 14.

Mr Boam was denied bail at Monday’s hearing.

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Knaresborough’s potential for economic development will be the subject of a business meeting on November 9.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce has invited two senior regional business experts to the event at Knaresborough Rugby Club on Hay-A-Park Lane from 530pm to 7pm.

They are James Farrar, chief operating officer of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Alan Reiss, director of strategy for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Delegates will have first sight of data about Knaresborough’s economic future, which has been compiled by Leeds not-for-profit organisation Open Innovations, which was commissioned by Knaresborough Connectors to provide insights and intelligence.

Peter Lacey, chamber executive member and owner of a nationwide consulting firm based in Knaresborough, said:

“Economic development is crucial for a town like Knaresborough, bringing together all the skills and opportunities across the town and local district.

“We’ve got some great companies based here, but to date there’s been little joined-up thinking about how we can all add to the wellbeing of local residents, the community and how we see the future of the town as a thriving centre of innovation and growth.”

Further details of the event, which the chamber has organised in association with Knaresborough Voice and Knaresborough Connectors. are available here.

Success for Harrogate solicitor 

The crime department at McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate has extended its ability to assist people who are interviewed under caution with the admittance of criminal law executive Kate Develly as an accredited police station representative.

It means Ms Develly can assist not only those interviewed by police but also by other bodies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, HMRC or the Environment Agency.

The accreditation scheme covers publicly funded criminal defence work and accredited representatives are usually called to a police station to advise and assist people who would otherwise have no legal representation.

Head of the crime department Peter Minnikin said:

“Kate’s accreditation brings the total number of the team who can act in legally-aided police station visits to seven and comes at a time when we have been exceptionally busy so is very welcome.”

Ms Develly joined the criminal team last year.

McCormicks was the only Harrogate firm to be ranked for general crime and fraud in the latest edition of the UK Legal 500, a leading guide to the legal profession.

A consultation will begin on Monday on new plans to promote cycling and walking in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council also revealed today it now “hopes” to start phase two of the Otley Road cycle route in summer next year — more than a year after it had planned to begin.

Monday’s consultation will ask for suggestions to improve active travel in and around Oatlands Drive, as well as for views on the Otley Road cycle route, its links with Beech Grove and the town centre.

Previous plans to reduce congestion in Oatlands, which included introducing a one-way system on Oatlands Drive, were shelved in spring last year after numerous complaints.

As part of its latest plans, the county council will undertake a traffic survey looking at parking, modes of transport and the volume and speed of traffic.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“We are looking at options for active travel and traffic calming improvements in the Oatlands area as part of our aim to encourage cycling and walking, easing congestion and improving air quality in Harrogate.

“Previous consultations about the Oatlands area have generated a lot of comments, so we have made a commitment to carry out a more detailed study to assess possible improvements there.

“The public engagement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring local people are involved in the design process from the outset.”

Cllr Duncan said he hoped “potential options” would be presented by the end of the year “so they will be ready when further funding becomes available”.

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Further public engagement on phase two of Otley Road cycle route, its links with Beech Grove and the town centre will run alongside that of Oatlands Drive, focusing on the final designs.

‘Pros and cons for all designs’

Three options for the cycle route are being considered. A meet the designer event will also be held for local stakeholder groups and residents, allowing them the opportunity to discuss the options in further detail.

Cllr Duncan added:

“There are pros and cons for all of the proposed designs which is why we need to engage with local residents and stakeholders.

“It’s important to consider the possibility of conflict between road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the impact on properties along the route and parking.”

The interactive map showing proposed town centre cycle routes.

An interactive map giving an overview of active travel projects in Harrogate and how they link together is available here.

The consultation will run from Monday until November 28. Further details will be available here.