Firefighters used breathing apparatus to deal with a kitchen fire that broke out in Harrogate last night.
Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge were called to Grange Avenue, which is one of the roads between Skipton Road and King’s Road, at 9.37pm.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:
“The fire had started under the kitchen units, believed to have been caused by faulty wiring.
“Crews entered the property wearing breathing apparatus and used one hose reel jet to extinguish. They then assisted with ventilating the property using a positive pressure ventilation fan.
“The fire caused approximately 15% fire damage to the kitchen units and smoke logging throughout the property.”
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Briggate wall repair brings Christmas respite to Knaresborough
Traffic lights have been temporarily removed from Briggate in Knaresborough after a section of wall was repaired.
The wall fell down on to the road at about 2pm on September 14. Nobody was hurt but the rubble remained on the carriageway for almost three months.
This caused the installation of temporary traffic lights on what is one of the main routes in Knaresborough.
Businesses, residents and traders grew increasingly frustrated at the length of time the work was taking.
North Yorkshire Council began repairing the section of wall that collapsed on November 27 and has now finished.
The traffic lights have been removed but they will be back in 2024.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said previously:
“In the new year, date to be confirmed, further maintenance work along the rest of the wall will take place – again, under two-way lights – to ensure its future integrity is maintained.”
Read more:
- Council silent on claims it ignored safety warnings on collapsed Knaresborough wall
- Knaresborough named as up-and-coming British destination
Teen airlifted to hospital after two-vehicle crash
An 18-year-old man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a two-vehicle collision at Moor Monkton.
The man, who was a back seat passenger in a white Mazda 2, had to be extracted from the vehicle by firefighters.
Two other males from this vehicle, the 18-year-old driver and a 17-year-old front seat passenger, sustained what are believed to be minor injuries.
North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses to the incident, which took place yesterday at 9.18am on Friday, December 15. It occurred on Marston Lane, between the junctions of Green Lane and Atterwith Lane.
The road is located off the A59 to York.
The crash involved the Mazda, which was heading south, and a grey Volkswagen Touareg SUV that was heading north.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 33-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries. The three-year-old child in the vehicle was uninjured.
The stretch of road remained closed until 4.45pm while collision investigators worked at the scene and to allow both vehicles to be recovered.
Today’s police statement said:
“In support of the investigation, police are urging witnesses to the collision and motorists with relevant dashcam footage to come forward as soon as possible.
“Officers also want to hear from anyone who may have noticed either the white Mazda 2 or the grey Volkswagen Touareg prior to the incident.”
You can email martin.hayes@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Martin Hayes.
Quote reference number 12230237251 when providing information.
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Hot Seat: Reviving Ripon retailer Farmison
It was one of the most remarkable local business stories of the year.
Farmison & Co, which employed about 100 people in Ripon, went into administration on April 6, sparking a desperate battle for survival.
The loss of the firm, whose ‘eat better meat’ ethos had attracted clients including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, would have been a major blow not only for those losing their jobs but also for Ripon as a whole.
But after two weeks of fraught negotiations, a consortium led by former Asda chief executive Andy Clarke and Chilli Marketing founder Gareth Whittle struck a deal with the administrator to bring Farmison back to life.
In a year that has seen the collapse of other prominent local businesses with the loss of hundreds of jobs, including Flaxby housebuilder Ilke Homes and Harrogate telemarketing firm Amvoc, Farmison survived.
Farmison’s Ripon headquarters.
But what has happened since to ensure it wasn’t a short-term stay of execution?
One of the consortium’s first acts was to hire Weeton-based Andy Adcock as chief executive.
Mr Adcock’s 30-year retail career includes stints at Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and — alongside Mr Clarke — at Asda.
Farmison, he says, operated a sound business model but was operating beyond its means and the first priority was to bring down costs.
It now employs 60 staff, many of them rehires from its former life, which is just over half of its previous allocation. But after nine months, the focus is beginning to change from consolidation to growth.
Mr Adcock says:
“We have had to get leaner. We are now operating at the level we need and it’s all about growth.
“I wouldn’t have joined if I didn’t think the business had huge potential. It’s about tapping into that potential. The idea was always good but managing the cost base had become challenging.
“We are now doing it in a sensible manner and investing in growth rather than putting ourselves in a position where we put ourselves under pressure.”
Andy Adcock with some of the Farmison cuts.
Traditionally known as an online butchers, 92% of Farmison products are sold directly to customers online.
It relaunched its Cut by Farmison butchers shop at its Ripon headquarters on Bondgate Green this month and also announced plans to open more shops in a bit to diversify.
Mr Adcock says:
“We have this fabulous factory in Ripon, which is at the front end of a huge craft butchery operation. We’ve not been maximising the retail capability and the potential of this shop for local people.
“We also want to develop other channels to develop the offline business by supplying premium retailers like Harrods and Michelin-star chefs.”
Grantley Hall near Ripon is among the local hotels buying its premium meat.
Farmison has also announced a new deal with Harrods, an expansion of its home delivery service and an entry into the fish market through a partnership with online seafood business Fish for Thought.
Mr Adcock says the ambition is to increase annual turnover to £20 million.
This month’s relaunch of Cut by Farmison.
His friendly and informal style seems well suited to the business. When we arrived at Bondgate Green he was wearing a Christmas jumper and talked enthusiastically about mucking in over the festive period by packing boxes.
After three decades at national retailers, how is he finding the transition to a smaller company?
He says:
“It’s very different to a big corporate environment but that comes with a level of complexity and slowness of decision-making that we don’t need with a business like this.”
Read more:
- Revived Farmison fully reopens Ripon shop
- Ripon firm Farmison to trade again after buyout completed
- Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development
But retail and meat run through his career like streaky bacon and he talks enthusiastically about Farmison’s approach, which involves selling British dry aged, free range meat reared from heritage breeds by artisan farmers in northern England. In his opinion, Galloway cattle, produce the best quality beef.
People don’t go to Farmisons for cheap meat. The company appeals to customers who are prepared to pay for premium cuts and are supportive of the company’s mission. He talks about exporting to expats in Singapore and Hong Kong who want quality heritage British breeds.
Mr Adcock says:
“I love meat, I love retail and Farmisons is such a nice business with so many people wanting to make it a success.”
He’s far from alone in his love of meat. Farmisons’ job is about getting enough of them to buy into its model.
But after its Easter resurrection, plenty of people in Ripon and beyond will be tucking into Farmisons meat over the festive period. And that’s a local miracle worth celebrating this Christmas.
Knaresborough named as up-and-coming British destination
Knaresborough has been named as one of Britain’s up-and-coming travel destinations in a new survey.
Holiday rental website HomeToGo published the names of 10 places today tipped to be rising star travel spots during 2024.
The locations were chosen based on the percentage increase in searches and the cost of accommodation.
Knaresborough, which is the highest ranked place in Yorkshire, came eighth. Glenridding, in Cumbria, was first.
Searches for Knaresborough increased by 64% and the survey lists the median average nightly price as £138.04.
People visit Knaresborough, it says, for “rowing boats on the River Nidd, breathtaking views from Knaresborough Castle, and the intriguing Mother Shipton’s Cave”.
Mother Shipton’s
The top 10 is:
1 Glenridding
2 Kirkby Lonsdale
3 Ross-on-Wye
4 Kendal
5 Norwich
6 Solihull
7 Tynemouth
8 Knaresborough
9 Orkney
10 Hebden Bridge
Read more:
- Knaresborough Conservative Club submits plan to subdivide building
- Knaresborough set for late night shopping
New plans for 146 homes in Harrogate
Plans have been submitted to build 146 homes in Harrogate.
Cumbrian housebuilder Story Homes has applied to North Yorkshire Council for permission to build the homes on land east of Otley Road in Harrogate.
A media release by Story Homes today said the land is allocated for housing in the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place.
The development would be built in partnership with housing association Home Group and 40% of the homes would be classed as affordable.
The scheme would include landscaped open space and a £500,000 community infrastructure levy, which is a charge levied by local authorities on new developments.
The site off Otley Road.
Today’s media statement said:
“The scheme proposes a mix of high quality, high specification homes designed for modern living, with open plan living spaces and enviable kerb appeal.
“Properties will range from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom detached homes and will include fully fitted designer kitchens with A-rated appliances, as well as luxurious finishes throughout.”
Hannah Richins, planning manager for Story Homes North West said the scheme would “introduce our beautifully crafted homes into a new housing market”.
Home Group, under its brand Persona Homes, has already delivered over 220 homes on Skipton Road in Harrogate.
Kitson Keen, director of development at Home Group said:
“Story Homes deliver high quality properties which will enhance the availability of quality affordable homes in Harrogate.”
Read more:
- £15m bid to transform Harrogate’s Grove House into care home approved
- Harrogate hospital braced for winter junior doctors strikes
£15m bid to transform Harrogate’s Grove House into care home approved
A £15 million transformation of Harrogate’s Grove House into a major new care home and community facility has finally been approved.
Grove House, a grade two listed building opposite the fire station on Skipton Road, was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.
It was later used as a hospital during the First World War and as the headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
Harrogate’s Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, bought the six-acre site from the Buffaloes for more than £3m in 2017.
Samson Fox lived at Grove House.
Plans were submitted five years ago to create what Mr Lee calls “the holy grail of care”, combining high quality facilities for residents with extensive community use.
Now, after a lengthy planning process, North Yorkshire Council has published a decision notice approving the application, subject to conditions.
It means Grove House can undergo extensive conversion work to create a care home consisting of 24 flats. In addition, a 62-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s will be built on land alongside Grove House.
How the site will look.
An aerial view of the site.
Grove House, which is hidden from traffic on Skipton Road, has stood derelict for years.
Talking about the project last year, Mr Lee said schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School will be invited to participate in activities alongside residents and use the gardens for study and play, and the site would also host an annual garden party for the community.
He said it would become “one of the best examples of developing relationships between older people and young people in the UK”.
Mr Lee’s company already owns seven care homes, including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate,
Read more:
- Hot Seat: The Harrogate man leading the way in luxury care
- Harrogate’s Crimple bought by Weetons food hall owner
Harrogate’s Crimple bought by Weetons food hall owner
The Stray Ferret understands that the owner of Harrogate firm Weetons has bought Crimple, the garden centre, food hall and gift shop in Pannal.
Crimple underwent a £6 million refurbishment and rebranding in 2021.
It’s not known how much the TGH Property Group, which is owned by Tim Whitworth, has paid to acquire Crimple.
Weetons on West Park
TGH, which is based at Bramham, near Wetherby, also owns Weetons, whose flagship Harrogate food hall on West Park opened 20 years ago.
Last year it also began operating in Leeds.
We will bring further details of this story when available.
Read More:
- Crimple applies to serve alcohol and play music until 2am
- Well-known Harrogate family business mourns death of founder
Tim Forber set to be North Yorkshire’s new top cop
Tim Forber, the current deputy chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, has been named as the preferred candidate to become the next chief constable of North Yorkshire Police.
Zoë Metcalfe, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire, today announced she had identified Mr Forber to succeed Lisa Winward, who is retiring from the £154,000-a-year role at the end of March next year.
The appointment has been mired in controversy because Ms Metcalfe’s role will be abolished shortly after the candidate she hired is appointed.
The commissioner’s role will be taken over by whoever is elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire in May 2024.
It means the new mayor will inherit a chief constable they didn’t appoint.
Lisa Winward will retire on March 31.
Ms Metcalfe rejected advice to delay the appointment by North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which scrutinises her performance.
The Conservative commissioner has also complained about Tory mayoral candidate Keane Duncan, who she claimed used “inappropriate language” to influence her chief constable recruitment. An investigation found no wrongdoing.
Today Ms Metcalfe’s office issued a statement which said Mr Forber had been selected “following a robust recruitment process” that ended yesterday.
The two-day process on December 11 and 12 involved a presentation to local internal and external stakeholders, a media exercise and a panel interview. It also included candidates having to design a presentation based on the results of an online survey conducted by Ms Metcalfe.
‘The right qualities’
Mr Forber joined South Yorkshire Police as assistant chief constable in December 2016 and was promoted to deputy chief constable in June 2021.
Ms Metcalfe will now put Mr Forber to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on January 11.
Ms Metcalfe said:
“His depth of experience and commitment to collaboration and local neighbourhood policing across rural and urban areas was clear from the interview process.
“I have every confidence he has the right qualities to drive forward North Yorkshire Police to be an outstanding service and to keep people safe and feeling safe.”
Mr Forber said:
“I am hugely honoured to be selected as the preferred candidate to be the next chief constable of North Yorkshire Police. I am looking forward to working tirelessly on behalf of the communities of York and North Yorkshire to ensure they have an outstanding police service. “
Read more:
- Police commissioner Zoe Metcalfe rejects appointing interim chief constable
- Commissioner complains over Tory mayoral candidate ‘inappropriate language’ claim
- North Yorkshire chief constable announces retirement
Man hospitalised after assault outside Ripon bar
A man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being attacked outside a Ripon bar.
North Yorkshire Police said today the man was attacked at about 3.40am on Sunday morning (December 10) outside Wonderland on North Street.
Wonderland is a late night bar that stays open until 4am at weekends.
A police statement said:
“A male suspect was arrested and has been released on conditional bail.
“We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the assault and has any information that can help with the investigation.”
You can email amy.sharrad@northyorkshire.police.uk, or call 101, select option 2 and ask for DC 618 Amy Sharrad.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference number 12230233886.
Read more:
- Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development
- Ripon businesses given new radios to tackle crime