The Electric Bike Shop opened in Harrogate today, hoping to capitalise on cycling’s increased popularity since lockdown.

The shop, situated in the former Fulton’s Food unit on Leeds Road, has about 50 electric bikes in store, with more coming soon. Brands include Raleigh, Cube and Moustache.

It also sells cycling accessories and has an in-store workshop that undertakes repairs for electric and non-electric bikes.

Some of the bikes for sale.

The bikes range in price from £1,600 to £8,000 and contain rechargeable batteries that can last for between 20 and 70 miles.

It is The Electric Bike Shop’s ninth shop in England. Five have opened in the last 18 months, highlighting the impact of covid and environmental concerns on cycling participation.

Read more:

• Electric bike shop to open in Harrogate next month
• New moves to improve cycling in North Yorkshire

Kurt Davison, who manages the Harrogate branch, has been working in the electric bike market for eight years. He said:

“I’ve seen the industry grow and grow and it is now at a stage where it is no longer pigeon-holed as something for older people or people who don’t usually ride. Electric bikes make hills and headwind enjoyable!”

Harrogate Electric Bikes already operates in Harrogate and some other bike shops also include a selection of electric bikes.

The shop is in the former Fulton’s Foods unit on Leeds Road.

Alan Fowler, retail director of the Electric Bike Shop, said the quality of electric bikes had improved significantly in the last five years.

He added the product was well suited to Harrogate because it contained commuters to York and Leeds as well as pleasure riders in the Yorkshire Dales. He said:

“Harrogate suits our demographic really well.”

The shop employs three staff and plans to recruit one more.

A new series of monthly organ recitals will begin in Harrogate tomorrow.

The series will see some of the country’s finest organists give hour-long recitals on the new digital organ at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road.

The organ console will be situated in the middle of the nave, which should enhance the audience experience.

Anthony Gray, director of music at St Wilfrid’s, said:

“We are beginning the fundraising process to restore our pipe organ, which will cost over £500,000.

“This series should be an excellent showcase of the capability of digital organs, and in our relatively cavernous acoustic, it sounds very exciting and rich.”

Anthony Gray

Mr Gray, who is among the organists due to play in the series in the Grade 1 listed building, added he was trying to offer something different to organ recitals held in places like Bradford, Leeds and Ripon by giving each recital a short title, hinting at what is on the programme.

He added:

“We are also offering some slightly different recital experience with a jazz recital next month, a showcase of the entire music department in the summer, and some interesting celebrations of specific composers too.”

John Longstaff, from St Peter’s Church in Harrogate will begin the series this week. Alexander Berry, from Bradford Cathedral and David Pipe, from Newcastle Cathedral, are among the names that will follow.

John Longstaff

The concerts will take place on, or as close to as possible, the first Wednesday evening of each month, beginning at 7:30pm. Admission is £6; under-18s are free,

The full programme is here.

One of the Harrogate district’s largest employers has said many school leavers are “totally unprepared” for working life and called for more apprenticeships.

Jonathan Lupton, managing director of gritter manufacturer Econ Engineering, issued the plea during National Apprenticeship Week, which started yesterday.

Mr Lupton, who began his career as a 16-year-old apprentice at Econ, urged businesses to work with school and colleges to solve the skills gap.

He said:

“Not everyone wants to go to university, and for those who don’t, apprenticeships offer them an opportunity to learn and earn at the same time. However, before stepping foot in the workplace, they need to be moulded for life after school.

“In recent years, some of the school leavers that have come through our doors have been totally unprepared for the rigours of the working life. And speaking to colleagues in other businesses this isn’t unique to us.”

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Mr Lupton said Econ, which employs 240 staff, has employed apprentices since it was founded in 1969. He said this enabled recruits to get to know the business inside out by learning from experienced staff.

He added:

“In my view, businesses need to be working in partnership with local schools and colleges to help shape and prepare our future workforce, one that is better skilled, and one that can help take our great manufacturing heritage to the next level.”

Econ, which manufactures 85 per cent of the winter maintenance vehicles on UK roads, highlighted its latest apprentices — 17-year-old Oliver Merrin, and 21-year-old Michael Urban, who are both welders.

They will work under the supervision of Eddie Herron, who began his career at Econ as an apprentice 45 years ago.

Mr Lupton said:

“We are lucky with both Michael and Oliver. They have the right work ethic and under Eddie’s supervision, will become masters of their trade.”

Harrogate College launched an employers’ network last year to encourage local firms to talk about their training needs with a view to the college adapting its courses accordingly.

Ripon photographer Mike Smith has shot a series of photos showing some of the city’s most beautiful winter scenes.

Mr Smith, who moved to the city from West Yorkshire in 2018, is a keen photographer who has sold numerous images over the years.

The main image here shows blue skies over Ripon canal basin last weekend.

This swan below was photographed passing below Rentons Bridge at Littlethorpe.

Ripon’s famous cathedral celebrates its 1,350th anniversary this year and, as this photo shot at sunrise shows, it remains perhaps the most striking and beautiful building in the Harrogate district.

Mr Smith said:

“I have combined my passion for photography with my enjoyment for walking and exploring the area around our new home.

“I share a lot of my photos on local social media as there are a good number of elderly Riponians far and wide who either cannot get out into the countryside any longer or who have moved away from the area.

“They enjoy seeing my photos. Local folk asked me to produce a calendar each year and to date I have sold around 1,000.”

Local charities have benefited through part of the proceeds of sales.

Mr Smith, who used to work in financial services, has given talks to local groups and had work published magazines.

Have you taken any great photos of the Harrogate district? We love receiving readers’ images and occasionally publish them alongside the name of the photographer. Send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Many charities in the Harrogate district rely significantly on Harrogate Borough Council for funding.

So the council’s abolition next year could pose a threat to the financial stability of some of the best-known voluntary organisations in the district.

Richard Cooper, the Conservative leader of the council, said last month it had been a generous funder of charities and urged organisations to prepare for the change in the local government, which will see a single new unitary authority called North Yorkshire Council come into existence next year.

He said:

“One of the key things voluntary organisations must do over the next year is build relationships.”

Local Fund 

One of the district’s main funding sources for charities is the Local Fund for the Harrogate District, which was set up in 2018 as a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

Last year the fund awarded £85,000 to 29 community groups. Applications for its next funding round open on Monday.

An event last year celebrating the Local Fund.

Last year Harrogate Borough Council gave £200,000 to Two Ridings Community Foundation, which administers the fund, to go towards an endowment so that the fund continues in perpetuity.

It also receives a steady stream of income from the Local Lotto — and the future of this is less certain because it is run by Harrogate Borough Council.

At least 60% from each £1 ticket sold on the lottery, which has a weekly £25,000 jackpot, goes towards the fund.

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Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said

“The Local Fund will continue and thrive as it is a fund with Two Ridings and out of any local government process.”

But Ms Garrill added she “could not comment” on the future of the Local Lotto because it is run by the council.

Who else could be affected?

Some charities also rely on council grants for funding.

When the Stray Ferret asked for a list of recipients, the council directed us to a report from October last year that listed five beneficiaries of its voluntary and community sector strategic funding programme, which awards grants to charities to ‘deliver key services across the Harrogate district’. But it does provide other grants.

The recipients and sums received are:

Harrogate and District Community Action – £40,000

Harrogate and Craven Districts Citizens Advice – £60,000

Harrogate Homeless Project – £22,500

Nidderdale Plus Community Partnership – £8,000

Community First Yorkshire – £5,000

Frances Elliot, chief executive of Hadca, which supports other charities in the district, said that besides its £40,000 grant, it received a separate £32,000 grant from the council.

Frances Elliot

Ms Elliot said:

“It’s a difficult time for lots of organisations but it’s relatively early in the transition. I genuinely don’t know what will happen. We are optimistic for our funding over the next financial year and we will have to wait and see after that, People at the top don’t know what’s happening yet.

“We have a good relationship with both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council and we hope that continues.”

All the North Yorkshire councils facing abolition have various workstreams underway, considering what will happen after the shake-up. The voluntary sector is among the issues being discussed.

‘Don’t destroy a model that works well’

Pateley Bridge charity Nidderdale Plus works in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council to provide services, such as a community library, a front desk for local council and police matters and a tourist information point.

It receives three council grants worth a total of £21,000, which helps it employ 2.5 staff and manage 150 volunteers to provide the services.

Chief executive Helen Flynn said:

“We hope we don’t have to destroy this community support model that has been working so well.

“We are starting to build relationships with North Yorkshire County Council. I do feel they want to work with us. They have been good at talking to us so far.

“I wouldn’t say I was relaxed but I am engaged with developments.”

Harrogate Theatre cancelled a performance of Kinky Boots at late notice last night due to another leak at the venue.

Harrogate Operatic Players was due to give its final performance of the musical, which has won six Tony Awards.

The show has taken place nightly in the town since Tuesday and had a matinee and evening performance lined up yesterday.

But the theatre cancelled the evening event at late notice, disappointing theatre goers, after a day of heavy rain.

The cast did come out to perform the finale to a standing ovation.

Harrogate Operatic Players posted on its Facebook page:

Second recent leak

The theatre said on social media a leak on stage had made the venue unsafe and apologised to customers.

“Unfortunately an onstage leak has made it unsafe to continue despite the company and the theatre’s best efforts.”

We’d like to extend our apologies to the audience, cast and crew of Kinky Boots for the late cancellation of the performance this evening. We know the huge effort, dedication and passion that goes into community performances and decisions to cancel are not taken lightly.

1/2

— Harrogate Theatre (@HGtheatre) February 5, 2022

It isn’t the first time the Victorian theatre, which is undergoing roof repairs, has called off a show due to a leak.

The recent pantomime season was also affected.

Work to replace the 121-year old theatre roof has been taking place since May. It was due to finish in September but this was put back to March.

Comments on the theatre’s Facebook page included:

“So gutted but also sad for the cast, safety comes first. You could tell they were devastated.”

And:

“I really feel for everyone involved as I know how much the last night is looked forward to and enjoyed by all.”

In 1982, Geoff Brown and four colleagues started a modest agricultural machinery business called Ripon Farm Services.

The firm, which took on John Deere and Land Rover franchises, began with 19 members of staff and budgeted to generate £1.1 million in its first year.

Now, as the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, it has 270 staff, 12 depots and recorded turnover of £117.2 million for the financial year ending January 31, 2021 — significantly up on the £106.4 million figure for the previous year.

Ripon Farm Services, which is based on Dallamires Lane in Ripon, has become one of the Harrogate district’s biggest and best known employers. It supplies a wide range of new and used equipment from franchises including John Deere, Kuhn, Bailey, Kramer and Stihl.

Mr Brown (left) and a colleague alongside a John Deere tractor.

Mr Brown, who was brought up on a farm and has lived in Burnt Yates all his life, has been at the helm throughout the company’s existence.

Now 76, he remains a director and is keen to drive the business forward for “a while yet”. He adds:

“While I’m OK I will carry on.”

Brexit and Prince Charles

The last 12 months have been hectic, dealing not only with covid but also the impact of Brexit, which has had major repercussions for agriculture.

He also met Prince Charles — not for the first time — at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show, where Ripon Farm Services always has a big presence.

The two men chatted amiably for some time. Mr Brown says:

“Somebody asked how did I make him laugh. I said I just talked to him. He knows a lot about farming and machinery. I met him previously at the Pateley show. He’s a very down to earth fella.”

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Mr Brown admits the company benefited from the backwind that British agriculture enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s but thriving over four decades is testimony to far more than luck. He says:

“It’s just been steady growth since we started.”

Ripon Farm Services at the Great Yorkshire Show

61-year career

Mr Brown’s working life spans a remarkable 61 years. He started in 1961 at Glovers of Ripon, a car and agricultural machinery dealer.

Glovers was taken over by Appleyards in 1965, which lost the Massey Ferguson franchise the following year and consequently took on one of the first John Deere dealerships in the UK.

In 1966 Mr Brown was promoted to John Deere demonstrator at Appleyards.

Geoff Brown at Ripon Farm Services’ New Year Show last month.

When Appleyards sold its agricultural business in 1982 — something Mr Brown heard about when he was setting up the stand at the Great Yorkshire Show — it paved the way for something new.

So by October than year Mr Brown, along with Maurice Hymas, Bill Houseman and two other directors, had set-up Ripon Farm Services.

Selling Land Rover

Regrets? Just a few. The company sold its Land Rover franchise in 2016. Mr Brown says:

“They wanted us to move to Harrogate or Knaresborough and sell Jaguars but I didn’t want to do either of those things and now, ironically, they have relented and dealers don’t have to sell Jaguars.”

Ripon Farm Services continues to be synonymous with the distinctive John Deere green. It’s a truly international set-up: a British firm, selling American machinery all around the world. Mr Brown says:

“We export a lot of tractors and combine harvesters. Our biggest overseas markets are Poland and Spain.”

He acknowledges Brexit has caused some bumps but “it hasn’t stopped us”.

British farmers still face uncertainty about what payments will replace the loss of EU subsidies but Mr Brown remains optimistic about the future for farmers:

“As long as the government looks after them and gets something in place of the grants I can’t see it being a problem. The good ones will still be around.”

A major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could get underway in October after councillors backed spending £2.8 million of cash reserves to speed up the first phase of works.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet last night agreed to the spend after warnings that the local economy could miss out on up to £14.9 million through cancelled events unless the centre’s studio two gets an upgrade sooner than originally planned.

The works would see the creation of flexible events space for up to 1,200 people, which centre director Paula Lorimer said was the most crucial part of all the plans.

She told last night’s meeting: 

“The convention centre has an auditorium with a capacity of just under 2,000, but it only has breakout space for 560 delegates.

“This in my opinion is one of the biggest reasons why we have not been able to attract some of the larger conferences.

“The studio two package is a game changer for the convention centre – and it is also a crucial part of the redevelopment to rebuild confidence in our venue.”

Read more:

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If approved by all councillors, a competitive tender process would be launched under the next stage of the studio two works, which could be completed by February 2023.

Overall, the full redevelopment plans could cost up to £47 million and involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 square metre hall and a refurbished auditorium.

The proposals were first revealed last year when the council said the 40-year-old centre was in “critical need” of an upgrade to keep its national appeal and that without investment its maintenance costs could reach £19 million over the next two decades.

A decision on the whole project is expected from councillors in summer.

Centre unable to attract ‘large and lucrative’ events

The studio two works are being accelerated after Ms Lorimer said the centre had been unable to attract “large and lucrative” events due to competition from more modern conference venues elsewhere in the country.

She said events are planned at least 18 months in advance and that without an upgraded studio two, the centre could lose £1.1 million in lettings revenue in the coming years with businesses also missing out on an economic impact of £14.9 million from the venue.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said he supported the plans because of the wider economic impact.

He told last night’s meeting: 

“Nearly everybody in the Harrogate district knows somebody or have themselves worked in the hospitality and tourism industry.

“That to me always underlines the critical importance of the convention centre to our local economy.”

One of Britain’s leading pianists will perform in Harrogate next month.

Stephen Hough first performed at the Wesley Centre in 2006 and will return for a ninth time for an evening recital on March 3.

As well as being regarded as one of the pre-eminent pianists of his generation, Mr Hough has published 40 works, including four piano sonatas, and written a book.

In a programme that he will subsequently be giving at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and then in Tallinn and Miami, he will play works by four composers.

The recital will open with the 1938 bagatelles by the now-neglected British composer Alan Rawsthorne, followed by Robert Schumann’s Kreisleriana.

After the interval Mr Hough will play his own partita before ending with a group of four Chopin favourites, ballade No 3, two nocturnes and the scherzo number 2.

Tickets cost £16 or £8 for people aged 16 and under and can be obtained in advance by emailing event organiser Andrew Hitchens at a.hitchen81@gmail.com.

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A total of 26 jobs in Ripon have been saved by the acquisition of troubled company Ebor Concretes.

The firm, which was founded in 1942 and is based at Ure Bank Top, went into administration late last year.

But it was announced today that Nottingham firm JP Concrete Products had acquired it.

Philip Cavalier-White, director of JP Concrete Products, said:

“We are delighted to have been able to secure the future for Ebor Concretes’ factory and staff.

“We saw great value in the team of people and are excited about the future as we develop the site and staff as part of our wider business.”

Leeds-based, Armstrong Watson’s restructuring and insolvency partners Rob Adamson and Mike Kienlen assisted with the accelerated sale of the business.

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In a statement today, Armstrong Watson said it worked in conjunction with BPI Asset Advisory to find two bidders keen to proceed with the acquisition. It added that ‘everything was heading in the right direction until the end of November, when the director unexpectedly passed away’.

However, the deal has now been finalised.

Mr Adamson said:

“Our job is to help people and businesses address their challenges and find solutions. The director’s sudden passing caused a few issues, however we worked with the family who were keen to proceed with the sale.

“The strategy was simple — keep the business trading whilst we tried to complete the sale process.”

Ebor Concrete, which designs and manufactures precast concrete products for UK structural and civil engineering construction projects, previously entered administration in 2019 with the loss of 30 jobs.

JP Concrete Products has been supplying precast concrete products to the construction and agricultural markets since 2007 and has sites in Nottingham, Devon, East Sussex, Liverpool and Yorkshire.