Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has warned the area’s MPs that many businesses will soon reach a “tipping point” and have to close as soaring energy bills hit the high street.

Chamber chief executive David Simister said in letters to Conservative MPs Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams that he had “grave” concerns for the outlook of high streets with the worst of the energy crisis yet to come ahead of the looming recession.

Mr Simister urged the MPs to put pressure on the government to “act now” and provide support for firms “before it is too late”.

He said:

“Whilst the focus seems very much to be on the cost of living crisis for homeowners, there is little being said about industry and commerce, and what, if any support, will be given to prevent businesses being forced to shut.

“Very soon, the 12-month, 50% business rates discounts is to end.

“This again is going to heap more financial woes on those who pay this tax to central government.

“Coupled with the rising costs of raw materials, fuel, the living wage, and National Insurance, many businesses will soon reach a tipping point, and unfortunately for some the only option will be to shut.”

Unlike households, small businesses’ bills are not covered by the energy price cap, which is set to go up in October when annual bills will average £3,554.

The Labour Party has proposed freezing the cap at the current level of £1,971 a year for households until April when it is hoped prices may start to ease.

Read more:

• £70,000 energy bill increase forces Harrogate district farm shop to close
• Harrogate council could dip into reserves to cover soaring energy costs

The party argues this would ease pressure on households and potentially give a boost to businesses as shoppers would have more money to spend.

However, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak – the two Conservative candidates competing to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister – have both rejected the plan.

The massive bill increases are already being felt by Harrogate district businesses and with further rises on the horizon, Mr Simister said many will simply not be able to cope with the double impact of shoppers cutting back spending.

He added these impacts were being felt even harder off the back of the covid pandemic which brought “two years of extreme difficulties for businesses”.

He said in his letter to MPs:

“For some, I fear the looming energy crisis, which is yet to bite, will be one storm too many to weather,”

“I urge you as our constituency MP to put pressure on your government colleagues to act now, not in two or three weeks’ time, to bring certainty, and hopefully some comfort, to business owners, including myself, who are incredibly worried.”

The three MPs have been contacted for comment.

The Farm Dairy was named business of the year in the first Knaresborough Business Awards on Saturday.

The event, organised by the new Knaresborough Business Collective, attracted 132 guests — 50 more than initially expected.

Sixteen awards, voted on by other local businesses, were handed out at Hopewell Farm, with the main one going to longstanding deli, cheesemonger and sandwich shop The Farm Dairy, based on Market Place.

Jenna Routh, who has owned the business for seven years, said:

“I feel really honoured and proud that our little shop was recognised as the best in Knaresborough.

“We couldn’t have done without the support of our brilliant team and loyal customers.”

Everyone involved with the awards, from the caterers and trophy providers to the entertainers, runs a business in Knaresborough.

Natalie Horner, of Sid Horner and Son, who organised the event with Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, said she was already planning a similar event next year:

“It all went so well and the feedback we’ve had has been amazing — people had a lovely time.

“We aimed to get 80 guests and then tickets kept selling so we expanded and ordered more tables.

“It was lovely for everyone to get together. After the last couple of years, people wanted a morale booster.”

Read more:

• Campaign to improve Knaresborough High Street
• 170-home plan ‘not right’ for Knaresborough, says town councillor

Knaresborough Business Collective was formed eight months ago, shortly after companies in the town voted against setting a business improvement district. Currently 62 firms pay £50 a year membership.

It provides a vehicle for businesses to work collaboratively to promote the town. Profit from events is used to fund future initiatives.

The collective is now working on a Halloween extravaganza in the town centre and a winter fair. Ms Horner said:

“Knaresborough is doing well, there are not many empty shops. We just want to keep that going.”

Knaresborough Business Awards winners

Favourite female led business – 4 Seasons Florist

Favourite male led business – Zigzag Cards & Gifts

Favourite family run business – Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria

Favourite new business – The Clothing Store of Knaresborough

Favourite health & beauty business – Divine Hairdressing

Favourite place to stay – Custard Creams Cottage

Favourite retailer – Harriets

Favourite attraction – Mother Shipton’s Cave

Favourite coffee shop – Number Thirteen

Favourite place to eat & drink – two brothers grill & pizzeria

Favourite service provider – Clicking With Canines

Favourite class/group – Freedom Performing Arts

Favourite long standing business – Sid Horner and Son

Favourite party provider – Painting Pots Knaresborough

Favourite green business – Resurrected Bites

Knaresborough business of the year – The Farm Dairy

Photos from the awards

North Yorkshire Police issued a plea to parents tonight to keep an eye on their children after receiving complaints of anti-social behaviour in Ripon.

In a statement on social media, the force asked parents if they knew where their children were and what they were doing.

It added:

“We are getting calls of anti-social behaviour in Ripon city centre.

“This is in the form of large groups being disrespectful to members of the public.

“Ripon police are out and about but as you can imagine we cannot be everywhere at once.”

The post then urged parents to “get in touch with your children and help us by knowing where they are and what they are doing”.

Read more:

• Fears up to 3 million litres of water wasted during lengthy Ripon leak
• Older half of Ripon Leisure Centre ‘would have to close for good’ without £3.5m groundworks

Starbeck Tennis Club is staging a fun day this weekend to celebrate its 65th anniversary.

A vintage tennis tournament, live music, barbecue and bouncy castle are among the planned activities.

The club, which has three all-weather artificial grass courts on Bogs Lane, offers competitive match tennis in the Harrogate and York tennis leagues as well as friendly tennis.

Founded in 1957, it currently has about 100 members.

Club secretary Abbé Steele said:

“We are a really social club and often get around 20 members on our weekly mix-in nights where anyone can come along of all standards and play.

“We are in desperate need of a clubhouse face lift so the money raised on the day will be going towards this.”

Everyone is welcome to attend Sunday’s event, which lasts from noon until 5pm and includes a tournament using vintage tennis rackets.

Read more:

• Ripon Tennis Centre opens new £180,000 padel tennis courts
• Starbeck groups call truce and promise to work ‘positively together’

A cyclist remains in hospital more than a week after he was involved in a serious collision with a car on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.

A section of Cold Bath Road was closed for several hours following the incident at the junction with West Cliffe Grove on the afternoon of Friday, August 12.

An air ambulance landed on West Park Stray to treat the man, who was taken to hospital.

The crash, on one of the main roads in Harrogate, was witnessed by numerous distressed bystanders, but details since have been scant.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police for an update yesterday.

A police spokesman said:

“All I can confirm is that the investigation is ongoing and the cycle rider, a man aged in his mid-50s from the Richmond area, continues to receive treatment in hospital.”

Read more:

• Cyclist suffered ‘serious injuries’ in Harrogate crash
• Witness appeal after collision on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

No trains will operate in the Harrogate district today due to the latest rail strike.

The strike will cause disruption for people travelling to the final day of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.

Today’s Sky Bet Ebor is the richest flat handicap in Europe and always attracts huge crowds.

A spokesman for the racecourse told the Stray Ferret

“It’s not our dispute – it’s frustrating and disappointing for lots of people that the two parties don’t seem to have reached a resolution.

“We will leave the car parks open and unlocked so people can leave their cars and come back to collect them on Sunday.”

The spokesman said Harrogate had good bus connections with York and racegoers from the town faced fewer travel problems than those from many other places.

He added free shuttle buses operated throughout the day between York train station and the racecourse on Knavesmire Road.

Today’s national strike is the second in three days. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union also called a one-day strike on the underground in London yesterday over jobs and pensions.

Transport Secretary Grants Shapps has threatened to limit union power and force through legislation for changes to the railways if the strikes are not settled.

Machines are Harrogate station urging people not to travel today.

A new cocktail bar is to open in Harrogate in 12 days.

Cosy Club will be situated in the heart of the town on Cambridge Street.

Loungers, which owns the venture, operates 193 sites in England and Wales, including Leeds and York.

The company issued a press release today confirming it will open on what is predominantly a retail street on August 31. Forty jobs will be created.

It said in a statement:

“The popular Victorian spa town of Harrogate has been a target of ours for some time.

“Our new restaurant offers a very strong location, linking the main retail and leisure pitches within the town. The externals of this historic building have been extensively renovated by our landlord, Broadland Properties.”

The release said the building had “an arts and crafts feel with wallpaper originally designed in 1895, table lamps throughout the restaurant which were made by hand and the main bar featuring lots of bespoke handmade stained-glass work”.

Work is taking place on Cambridge Street to complete the refurbishment.

It added the “opulent all-day bar and restaurant brand” would “bring a touch of glamour and our fresh, modern menu to the food scene”.

The menus will include “fresh and modern classics, extensive brunch, gluten free and vegan menus”

Read more:

• Cosy Club plans new bar on Harrogate’s Cambridge Street
• Cheers! Knaresborough and Harrogate to host beer festivals

Cosy Club’s licensing application proposed opening hours of 8am to 1am Monday to Wednesday and Sunday and 8am until 2am from Thursday to Saturday.

The Stray Ferret has asked Loungers if it still plans to operate between these hours. It replied to say it will open from 9am each day and would confirm the closing times shortly.

Loungers was founded by a trio of friends from Bristol: Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop.

They opened their first first venue in Bristol in 2002 and then opened the first Cosy Club in Taunton eight years later. They set up the separate Cosy Club brand to cater for larger sites.

Police seized a large quantity of suspected class-A drugs, a machete and a knife after stopping a car near Harrogate last night.

Three men from Leeds, all aged 18, were arrested after police found the substances within one of the vehicle’s door panels.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police‘s Expedite team, which specialises in tackling county lines drug dealing, made the stop on the outskirts of Harrogate following intelligence reports.

A police statement today said:

“All three occupants gave differing stories about why they were in the area and were arrested.

“Police took the suspects and the vehicle to a police station for a full search and found a significant amount of what is believed to be class-A drugs stashed in the door panel.

“The substance has been sent away for lab analysis as part of the investigation.

“Officers also recovered and seized a machete and kitchen knife, along with other drugs, cash and items commonly associated with drug dealing.”

Read more:

• Teen arrested after 500 cannabis plants seized in Harrogate house
• Chef jailed after shooting teenage employee in the eye at Harrogate pub

People will get a rare opportunity to explore Grove House, the former home of Samson Fox, during next month’s Heritage Open Days.

The historic house, off Skipton Road, is one of 23 heritage sites in Harrogate opening their doors for free from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September for free open days.

It is part of a national scheme celebrating history and culture that enables people to see places that are often closed to the public.

Sponsored by Harrogate Spring Water and coordinated by the Harrogate Civic Society, this year’s festival includes guided tours, talks and music recitals.

There will be the chance to discover Harrogate’s spa history at the Royal Pump Room Museum, explore the Royal Hall, Harrogate library and The Harrogate Club, join a tour of Harrogate Theatre, climb a tower, or take part in one of four different heritage walks.

Seven religious sites will be open, some with special music recitals or talks, and there are tours at Stonefall Cemetery.  Plus a castle, a well, a heritage centre, and even a council chamber to explore.

The opening of Grove House and its gardens is one of this year’s new features.

Graeme Lee, chief executive at Springfield Healthcare, which owns the house, has plans to transform the site into a new care project.

Mr Lee said:

“We’re delighted to be part of Harrogate’s Heritage Open Days and share the remarkable heritage of Grove House, the former home of Samson Fox, Harrogate’s famous engineering inventor, benefactor, and mayor.

“When I bought the building I knew we had a unique opportunity to restore this beautiful Grade II listed house and grounds into high quality retirement apartments and a luxury care home for the community, whilst safeguarding the property’s rich heritage.

“We’re looking forward to opening our doors to showcase one of Harrogate’s oldest buildings, share stories of its past and the exciting plans for the future.”

‘Most varied programme for years’

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said:

“This year’s Heritage Open Days programme in Harrogate is the most varied and
interesting for some years, with a fascinating mix of the town’s historical, cultural, civic and religious sites to explore.

“The Harrogate Civic Society helps to coordinate participation by local venues in this festival, but all the hard work is done by the volunteers who open the doors, host the tours, and welcome their visitors.  They all deserve our thanks.”

Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said:

“At Harrogate Spring Water, we have always been immensely proud to continue Harrogate’s rich legacy.  From the town’s Victorian spa town heritage to its status today as a hub of culture and hospitality, we are delighted to lend our support to the 2022 Harrogate Heritage Open Days.”

Heritage Open Days, which is England’s largest festival of history and culture, is presented by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Grove House set for £15m transformation into care and community facility
• Plans to convert Harrogate post office into flats withdrawn

The turnover of Harrogate Borough Council staff has been described as “uncomfortably high” as the authority enters its final months.

A combination of uncertainty over jobs and rising living costs resulting in staff leaving for higher salaries has led to a turnover rate of 16% at the council, which will be abolished in April.

The rate is calculated from the number of leavers as a percentage of total staff – and is up from 10% in 2020/21.

It comes as the council is preparing to hand over all of its responsibilities to a new unitary authority covering the whole of North Yorkshire in what will mark the biggest change to local government in the county in almost 50 years.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council, told a meeting on Wednesday that it was “no surprise” staff were looking for new opportunities – despite them being given reassurances about their roles.

He said:

“Sixteen percent is starting to get uncomfortably high.

“Although all eight councils involved in the local government reforms have made it very clear about the plans and TUPE needs for staff in the future, uncertainty is one of the few things humans manage poorly.

“It is not a surprise therefore that you see some people are not necessarily comfortable in an uncertain world.”

The council has over 1,000 staff – and a total of 146 have left over the past 12 months.

Read more:

• Ripon regeneration plans ‘paused’ amid contract talks
• Richard Flinton appointed first North Yorkshire Council chief executive

The departments which have seen the highest percentage of leavers include organisational development and improvement, Harrogate Convention Centre, and place-shaping and economic growth.

ICT, legal and finance perform the best at staff retention.

As well as the high turnover, the council has struggled to recruit staff because of competition from the private sector.

This has been the case since the start of the covid outbreak in 2020 when the council introduced a recruitment freeze to keep costs down during the pandemic.

Pay concerns

Union officials have also complained that council jobs are unattractive because of pay.

David Houlgate, secretary at the Harrogate branch of Unison, previously said: 

“Local government pay must be increased to match the cost of living squeeze our members are now experiencing on the back of year-on-year below inflation pay increases.

“Without a decent above inflation pay rise to help workers meet soaring costs, vital council services will struggle to hang on to skilled staff which could put some services at risk.

“Indeed this is already happening.”

Almost all council workers except some senior staff have been told they will transfer across to the new North Yorkshire Council under Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations.

Those which won’t include the current eight chief executives whose roles will be subsumed into one. That top job is to be taken on by Richard Flinton who was appointed into the role this week.

Mr Flinton, who is the current chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, will receive a salary of between £180,000 to £197,000 and have responsibility for an annual budget of £1.4 billion and a workforce of 10,500 staff.