Covid rate surges in Harrogate district as jab clinics open for children

The covid rate increased significantly in the Harrogate district today in another sign that the Omicron variant is beginning to have an impact.

The seven-day rate leapt from 419 per 100,000 people to 476. It was 383 two days ago. It comes after another 144 daily infections were reported by NHS England.

The rate remains considerably lower than the England average of 783 but slightly above the North Yorkshire average of 444.

Harrogate West and Pannal Ash, which has had 57 confirmed cases in the last seven days, is the district’s current covid hotspot.

A total of 91,569 people in the district have received either booster or third doses of the covid vaccine.

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The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate will accept walk-in patients and booked patients for booster jabs tomorrow this week.

Children aged 12 to 17 will also be able to turn-up for walk-in boosters at the showground from 1.30pm to 4.30pm tomorrow and from 9am to 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Ripon racecourse, which was not open today. is due to administer more jabs tomorrow.

200 people sign petition to save Harrogate M&S cafe

More than 200 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of the cafe in Marks & Spencer‘s store on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

The company wants to increase the size of its food hall at Oatlands by more than 70% and extend into the neighbouring Sofa.com retail unit.

But the plans would also see the closure of the cafe, which is a popular meeting point.

The petition, sent to the Stray Ferret by one of the signatories, says:

“There is such strong feeling about the cafe. Your customers really appreciate the service and feeling of community there. The staff are also so kind and friendly.

“The customers see it as a wonderful meeting place, a resource which is convenient for shopping and a place for parents and children to meet up before and after school.

“The elderly and lonely also find friendship in the cafe. Plus the food and drink is excellent! I really hope you will read all the comments and reconsider closing the cafe.”

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The petition has also been sent to Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

If M&S’ plans are approved by Harrogate Borough Council, the expanded store will include an in-store bakery, wine shop, fill your own section to reduce waste and new decor throughout.

The retailer said in a statement:

“Our expansion plans at M&S Harrogate Oatlands are designed to deliver a bigger, better and fresher new-look food hall for shoppers and mark a significant investment in the local area.

“Whilst these plans involve closing the in-store café, they will allow us to transform the store to deliver the very best of M&S for our customers in Harrogate, with a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.”

Harrogate business groups call for Station Gateway to be revised

Three Harrogate business groups have called for the Harrogate Station Gateway scheme to be halted after the latest consultation found a majority was opposed to the scheme.

The results, published yesterday, revealed that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% feel negatively towards the initiative, 39% feel positively and five per cent are neutral. One per cent said they didn’t know.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, is set to decide whether to proceed next month.

But a statement issued yesterday by the county council suggested it and Harrogate Borough Council, which is also behind the scheme, remain in favour.

A joint statement today from Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate, accused those behind the project of ignoring criticism and urged them to “put the brakes on”.

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The statement said:

“Despite concerns raised by businesses, the civic society and residents who will be directly affected by the proposed scheme, it’s full steam ahead.

“As we have said on many previous occasions that we welcome investment in the town centre and encourage active transport, and during the first round of consultation we put forward a number of alternative suggestions regarding the cycle lanes, James Street and the A61, which have been disregarded. Negative comments are also ignored.

“In the summer, we conducted our own poll, and the majority of those who responded were against reducing the A61 from Cheltenham Parade to Station Bridge to a single carriageway, and pedestrianising James Street.

“At last month’s Chamber meeting, an overwhelming number of those present were not in favour of the proposals.

“With covid having had such a massive impact on business, and our hospitality sector once again suffering due to the latest Omicron strain, can our town centre economy endure a further 12 months of disruption to deliver this project?

“We ask the county council to put the brakes on this scheme, take into account our views, and come back with a revised plan that the majority of business and the public will wholeheartedly support.”

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

The Harrogate scheme aims to make the town centre more attractive and encourage cycling and walking.

The most contentious aspects are plans to reduce a section of Station Parade to single lane traffic, part-pedestrianise James Street and re-route some traffic off Cheltenham Parade into neighbouring streets.

If the scheme goes ahead, work will begin by the middle of next year.

Majority are negative towards Harrogate Station Gateway, consultation reveals

The majority of people feel negatively towards the £10.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, the latest consultation has revealed.

The results, published today, reveal that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% feel negatively, 39% positively and five per cent neutral. One per cent said they didn’t know.

A decision on whether to proceed with the scheme looks set to be made next month.

Although most people do not support it, and there is the threat of legal action from businesses opposed to the scheme, the councils backing the scheme may decide to proceed.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said a report would be sent to the council’s executive, probably next month, recommending what action to take.

But he said he was still to be persuaded that “an £11 million investment in the town centre needs to be turned away”.

Cllr Mackenzie said he didn’t envisage many changes if the scheme does proceed, although he suggested cycle storage and access to some businesses affected by the initiative could be amended.

He added the scheme acted on the wishes of the 2019 Harrogate Congestion Study, which 15,500 residents took part in and revealed strong support for better walking and cycling infrastructure, public transport and encouragement to leave cars at home when making short journeys and opposition to building a relief road.

The main concerns

This was the second round of consultation on the scheme, which aims to make the town centre more attractive and encourage cycling and walking.

The most contentious aspects are plans to reduce a section of Station Parade to single lane traffic, part-pedestrianise James Street and re-route some traffic off Cheltenham Parade into neighbouring streets.

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Don Mackenzie talking at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Many of those who responded positively to the consultation were motivated by benefits for walking and cycling, better use of public space and making the town centre a more attractive place for residents and visitors.

Most of those who responded negatively were concerned about the impact on traffic flows, congestion, air quality and local businesses, while some local householders expressed the view that vehicles would be diverted on to their residential streets.

Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“This scheme offers a fantastic opportunity to secure the largest investment in to Harrogate town centre for 30 years, revitalising the town centre for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses and ensuring that it is sustainable and can respond to changing consumer demands and expectations.

“The feedback provided during the course of both public consultations is really important to ensuring that we get the best scheme possible and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to respond.”

The full report on the findings of the Harrogate consultation, which ran from 18 October to 12 November, can be read here.

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

If the scheme goes ahead, work will begin by the middle of next year.

 

 

 

£1.5m spent on unapproved plans for Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment

More than £1.5m of taxpayers’ money has already been spent on plans for a major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre before the project has been approved.

In what is set to be one of its biggest decisions in recent history, Harrogate Borough Council will next summer vote on the proposed project, which is currently at the design stage and could cost £47m over three phases.

Figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show £1.1m has so far been spent on contracts for design and feasibility works, while £275,000 has been spent on a first phase business case and £179,050 on an outline business case.

Councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth at the council, said these works have been a key part of the planning process and that they will help the authority weigh up the benefits and risks before making a final decision. He said:

“By appointing specialists – such as Cushman and Wakefield, Arcadis and KPMG – we will have a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of the project.

“It is crucial that we redevelop the ageing site as well as introduce much more flexible spaces that will allow us to attract a broader customer base and substantially strengthen this economic impact.

“These changes are essential to stay relevant for the changing conference trade and optimise space for the future.

“The delivery of this project will also be key to the district’s covid economic recovery plan.

“Therefore, it is essential we get it right.”

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Now over 40 years old, the council says the centre is in “critical need” of an upgrade and that there is “very real risk” it will not survive without investment.

It was estimated before the pandemic that the venue attracted more than 150,000 visitors a year with an annual economic impact of £35m. However, there are now questions over how quickly the events industry can bounce back.

Even before covid, Harrogate’s position in the industry was under threat as major conferences began taking their business to bigger and newer arenas.

This growing competition has led to warnings from centre director Paula Lorimer who last week said the venue will miss out on “large and lucrative” events unless the redevelopment plans are accelerated.

‘Major failing’

The project was first revealed in 2020 when the council’s opposition Liberal Democrat group signalled its support for the plans, although it criticised the Conservative-run authority for what it described as a lack of investment in the past.

The Liberal Democrats have also accused the council over failures in planning for the initial convention centre build over 40 years ago, adding that these “mistakes” must now be avoided by ensuring the redevelopment plans are well prepared and fully costed.

The party said in a statement:

“Any potential project of this magnitude needs to be fully costed and investigated before any decision is made to go ahead.

“This was a major failing the council made when it proceeded with the conference centre development in the 1970s.

“The project increased in price from just over £8m to over £34m by the time it was ready to open in 1982 and took twice as long as originally planned.

“The future of the conference and exhibition business is probably going to be one of the most important economic decisions to be made for our area for years to come.

“We must get it right and learn from past mistakes.”

Call for greater transparency in Harrogate hospital elections

Candidates standing for election as governors of the organisation that runs Harrogate District Hospital should be required to declare past political affiliations, according to a voter.

Governors represent the interests of the membership of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which includes staff and members of the public. Members have the opportunity to contribute to how the hospital is run.

There are 24 governors in total and voting closes tomorrow for three vacant positions. Two are for Harrogate and surrounding villages and one is for Knaresborough and east district. Candidates must live in the area they represent.

Colin Harrison, who is a member of the trust and a Knaresborough resident, said he was surprised that John Batt — who is standing for the Knaresborough vacancy — had not declared his past involvement with the Conservative Party.

Mr Batt’s candidate’s statement describes him as a retired IT consultant who has been elected to Knaresborough Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council. But it does not mention he was a member of the Conservative Party.

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Trust rules oblige candidates only to declare current political affiliations so there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.

Rule change

Mr Harrison said he accepted there was no wrongdoing but called for the rules to be changed to require candidates to declare past as well as current political affiliations. He added:

“I live in the Knaresborough and east district, and I am therefore entitled to vote in the election, and I am in receipt of the election documents.

“I have never, to my certain knowledge, met Mr Batt, or either of the two other candidates, but it clearly states on the Candidates’ Election Statements three caveats as follows: ‘Declaration of Interests’, ‘Political Party’ and ‘Financial or other interest in the Trust:’. All three candidates have answered ‘None’ to all three of the caveats.

“I find this to be somewhat difficult to reconcile with Mr Batt’s high-profile political background and involvement with the Conservative Party, although by the same token, I have no knowledge of the background of the other candidates other than what appears on the statement.

“It raises the much wider issue of transparency in situations like this. Maybe, in the spirit of openness, there should be a rule change.”

A trust spokesman said it had been informed by Mr Batt that he left the Conservative Party in 2019 and has had no contact with the party, nor paid any subscriptions or donations to it, since.  The spokesman added:

“Our election procedure for trust governors follows the model election rules set out in our constitution and candidates must state on the nominee form if they are a member of a political party, and if so, which party.

“We are unaware of any NHS trust which asks candidates who wish to become a trust governor to declare their past political affiliations.”

The Stray Ferret asked the trust to contact Mr Batt to see if he wished to comment but we did not receive a response from him.

34 Claro Road to be demolished under plans to build more homes for disabled

Disability Action Yorkshire has submitted plans to demolish its 20-bed care home in Harrogate and build a 36-home facility instead.

The charity wants to construct three new apartment blocks on the site of its current home at 34 Claro Road and an adjacent parcel of disused land.

The development aims to partly the shortage of accessible supported housing for local disabled people.

Disability Action Yorkshire plans to complete the scheme in partnership with Highstone Housing Association, which is in the process of buying 34 Claro Road from the charity and the disused land from Harrogate Borough Council.

If the land sales go ahead, and the council grants planning permission for the scheme, work will begin in March to build two apartment blocks consisting of 24 one and two-bedroom flats.

Claro residents will then move in to these and their current care home will be demolished and the final block built.

All current residents will be guaranteed a flat to live in.

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It is hoped the project is completed by the end of 2023.

Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire’s chief executive, said:

“Our vision is to empower disabled people to live the lifestyle of their choosing, and independent living is at the heart of this.

“This is an incredibly exciting move for us, and something we have been planning for a number of years. Our partners, Highstone Housing Association, are experts in building supported housing.

“Whilst they will develop the site, it will be our staff supporting the residents, all of whom will have tailor-made care packages put in place before moving in.

“Our customers at 34 Claro Road have been fully consulted, and they looking forward to having their own front doors!”

Independent living

Founded 84 years ago, Disability Action has its headquarters and training centre on the town’s Hornbeam Park, a residential care home on Claro Road, and a holiday lodge in Lincolnshire.

It aims to empower disabled people to live the lifestyle of their choosing, through its training, preparation and other living skills.

Gareth Lloyd, Highstone Housing Association’s development and partnerships director, said:

“Highstone have over 30 years of development experience specialising in the delivery of bespoke quality accommodation for people with learning and physical disabilities, alongside complex needs.

“Our developments enable our tenants to have their own front door, living independently, with support.”

 

 

First suspected omicron cases found in Harrogate district

The first suspected cases of the omicron covid variant have been found in the Harrogate district.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows there have been five possible cases so far.

in the week to December 6, one covid sample in the district failed an S-gene test, which is a sign that a sample may be omicron.

Four failed in the previous week.

The UKHSA estimates that if omicron continues to grow at the present rate, the variant will become the dominant strain, accounting for more than 50% of all covid infections in the UK by mid-December.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at UKHSA, said:

“These early estimates should be treated with caution but they indicate that a few months after the second jab, there is a greater risk of catching the omicron variant compared to delta strain.

“The data suggests this risk is significantly reduced following a booster vaccine, so I urge everyone to take up their booster when eligible.”

The Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site in Harrogate is asking people to turn up for walk-in boosters between 1.30pm and 4pm today as it was busy with booked appointments this morning.

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Ripon Farm Services given go-ahead to open twelfth depot

Ripon Farm Services has received planning permission to build a 22,000 sq ft depot at  Eden Business Park near Malton.

It will be the 12th depot owned by Ripon Farm Services, which is one of the largest agricultural equipment dealers in the UK.

The company, which employs more than 250 staff, is a John Deere main dealer that supplies agricultural machinery brands such as, Kramer telehandlers, Kuhn cultivation equipment, Bailey Trailers and Sumo cultivators across Yorkshire, Teesside, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

Construction on the new building will begin immediately, with completion scheduled for August next year.

Richard Simpson, commercial director at Ripon Farm Services, said:

“This is a tremendously important move for us and a significant milestone in our 40-year-old history.

“Our new flagship building, will feature offices, training suites and meeting facilities for staff and customers and has been specially designed to accommodate our rapidly growing combine harvester business, including the John Deere X9.

“We are especially pleased to be moving to Malton, which has the enviable – and entirely justified – reputation as the food capital of the north. It is at the centre of North Yorkshire’s extensive agricultural community, which we are looking forward to serving.”

Funding for this new depot was by provided by HSBC.

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Killinghall resident looks into ways to reopen village pub

A Killinghall resident is looking to investigate what can be done to re-open the only remaining pub in the heart of the village.

The Greyhounds Inn, a Samuel Smith‘s pub at the junction of Ripon Road and Otley Road, has been closed for several years.

Its loss has been particularly keenly felt since the Three Horseshoes opposite was razed to the ground last year to make way for a new Tesco Express store, which is due to open next year.

It means the rapidly expanding village has gone from having two pubs in its centre to none.

Jonny Smith, who moved to Killinghall five years ago, recently floated the idea on social media of villagers getting together to see what could be done to re-open The Greyhounds.

Mr Smith said:

“I’m trying to understand where we stand, and whether as a collective we can do anything.

“It’s a nice old building with so much potential. It has a lovely old pub feel to it and just needs some TLC. Killinghall has more homes and families than ever so it could do well.”

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Sam Smith’s occasionally posts adverts looking for people to run the pub but it has been closed for about five years. Mr Smith said:

“I know others in the village want to see it re-open. I’m hoping somebody might have an idea on where we go from here but I don’t have a massive amount of hope.”

The Stray Ferret attempted to contact Samuel Smith’s but has not yet received a reply.

Tesco has begun advertising for 15 staff to work at the Express store that is being built on the site of the former Three Horseshoes pub.

The advert initially said the positions were for a Jack’s store, which is Tesco’s budget brand, but a spokesman for the company told the Stray Ferret this was an error and it would be an Express.

The Tesco spokesman also said a planning application for the proposed new full size Tesco store in Harrogate, about a mile from the site of the Killinghall Express, was “imminent”.