Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has said he is backing Rishi Sunak to be the next Prime Minster.

The odds on Richmond MP Mr Sunak winning shortened overnight to 4/7, according to betting site Oddschecker.

Boris Johnson has slipped slightly to 79/40 and Penny Mordaunt remains the outsider at 16/1.

Mr Jones did not respond to questions from the Stray Ferret about who he was supporting but told his Community News website:

“I’m backing Rishi because he has the experience, ability and energy to tackle the problems facing our country.

“He instinctively reaches for the right solutions and now, more than ever, we need someone who will bring those qualities to our national politics. He has demonstrated proven, economic judgement in unprecedented times.

“I admired how he dealt with the Herculean challenges which faced the country when covid hit.  He worked at pace to save businesses and jobs and to provide the cash our NHS needed to get us through the pandemic.

“This vote is about the future.  That future needs energy and ability at the top of our politics.  It needs someone who can assemble and lead a broad-based team.  For me, that person is Rishi Sunak.”

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Mr Jones joins fellow local Conservative MP Julian Smith, who represents Skipton and Ripon, in backing the former Chancellor.

However, Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams has thrown his weight behind Mr Johnson, who he served as a Cabinet Office minister.

Mr Adams has said Mr Johnson is the only candidate with a mandate to be Prime Minister and if anyone else is elected it will increase the likelihood of an early general election.

The Malt Shovel at Brearton is due to reopen today under new ownership.

The 16th century venue near Knaresborough forged a good reputation for traditional pub food under previous owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell.

But they decided to sell after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015.

The Malt Shovel

It has been taken over by Ignition Pub Management on a three-month trial, and will be managed by partners Laura Davis and James Campbell.

Both worked at the pub previously: Mr Campbell, who was a sous chef, will run the kitchen and Ms Davis, who has 15 years experience in hospitality, will be in charge of front of house.

The couple held a pre-opening for villagers and regulars last night but will open to everyone from noon today. Ms Davis said:

“I want to reassure people that we are very much keeping it the same. We don’t want to change things too much.

“It’s a great opportunity and we are very excited.”

The dining area

Ms Davis said the menu would be “very similar” although there were plans for a lower priced lunchtime menu featuring sandwiches and they were also considering introducing afternoon teas.

She added the couple also hoped to eventually spruce up the outside space.

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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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