The owner of a pre-loved clothing shop has closed the doors in order to focus her efforts online.
Carolyn Duggan has been running Still Gorgeous on Cold Bath Road since 2017. The shop offered a selection of pre-loved designer and high street womenswear.
Having closed in March, Still Gorgeous reopened in July as government restrictions eased, but faced multiple challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The shop relied on business from tourists, which has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, and the owner said she experienced a lack of compassion from her landlord. She said:
“I did not get any sympathy from my landlord. I was just told to pay them the money. I know others who received a 20-30% monthly rent reduction or complete rent holidays for 2-3 months.
“They also increased the rent for the new tenant, so when I was leaving I did not have the option to change my mind.”
The business moves at a time when other Harrogate businesses like A P & K Stothard, Bookstall Newsagents and Gambaru Fitness close their doors.
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However, Carolyn still feels positive about the change of direction at Still Gorgeous. She added:
“I’m quite excited, to be honest – it is the way forward. You have to adapt to the situation and diversify. I am changing strategy to reach a more diverse customer base. I am engaging more with different channels like social media.
“I am feeling positive about the next stage. I have already reached people down south and abroad.”
Carolyn’s Facebook page has already received many posts from customers wishing her luck in her new venture.
Ready Steady Mums to stop weekly walks due to ‘rule of six’The Harrogate parent group Ready Steady Mums will hold its final walk today before the government’s new ‘rule of six’ forces it to stop.
Ready Steady Mums, which was formed in 2016, provides parents with the opportunity to stay fit and socialise.
The group usually meets at St Mark’s Church at 10am on Fridays, does a group walk then enjoys refreshments.
The Stray Ferret recently reported that the parents were able to meet up again following the easing of restrictions.
However, the group’s meetings are set to be cancelled once again due to the new restrictions, which state that from Monday it will be illegal in most circumstances to gather socially in groups of more than six people.
Laura Brett, group leader, said:
“We just can’t justify it. We don’t want to do anything wrong. That being said, we are very disappointed. Particularly as Professor Chris Whitty is emphasising how coronavirus is more dangerous when you are unfit. Our group helps mothers to stay physically fit and it helps their mental health.”
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The new rules take away other benefits of Ready Steady Mums – besides promoting mental and physical health, the group provides a network to help navigate parenthood.
Ms Brett believes groups like hers should be exempt from the rules because of their health benefits and intends to seek clarification from the government on this matter. She said:
“Mums have lost the opportunity to make friends. Some of our members have just moved to the area and haven’t had the chance to meet anybody. The group also provides encouragement, as it is easy to lose confidence in any circumstance, never mind in the current situation. Many of the volunteers were previously midwives, which means that the group allows us to signpost concerns and guide the members to professional help if they need it.”
The group attempted to stay in touch during lockdown to support each other. However, its activities now fall foul of the new rule.
After the final session on Friday the network will still encourage members to meet in smaller groups.
Local property business expandsThe 101-year old property business Lister Haigh has expanded its workforce with five new recruits.
The company, which was started by Oswald Lister at Clint and Hampsthwaite in 1919, has offices in Knaresborough, Harrogate and Boroughbridge.
The company’s expansion comes a week after the Stray Ferret reported a ‘manic’ July and August for the local housing market.
Tim Waring, head of residential at Lister Haigh, said:
“The majority of our appointments are due to expansion of the business post-lockdown. Our agricultural consultancy is as busy as ever. Our residential agency business is getting busier and busier, which we expect to continue into the new year.”
In July, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak increased the threshold for stamp duty from £125,000 to £500,000, which has boosted the house market. This will continue until April 2021.
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Surveyor Richard Duffus has joined the firm from London and will be based in Boroughbridge where he will work alongside Paul Johnston on residential and commercial lettings.
William Pheasey has been appointed assistant rural surveyor at the Knaresborough office.
Samantha Paterson has joined the Harrogate residential property team as a sales negotiator.
Two administrative appointments – Gill Harris at Knaresborough and Annie Thompson at Boroughbridge – complete the list of new starters at Lister Haigh.
Home library service maintains moraleThe home library service has earned praise in Harrogate for its support for local people as lockdown restrictions are eased.
The service delivers books to those who cannot select them in person, including people with disabilities, illness and caring responsibilities.es.
The service is run by volunteers and was operating out of libraries across North Yorkshire since before lockdown. As libraries began to reopen, the service has also been restarted.
Doris Guiseley, 92, from Harrogate, said:
“I’ve had the service since I was 80 and to me it is a godsend. I’m an avid reader and can get lost in a good book, it’s what keeps me going. I recommend it to everyone I meet and tell them it’s a brilliant service.”
The Harrogate library volunteers have been praised for their support over lockdown.
Edith Beckley, a 96-year-old from Harrogate, said:
“The volunteers have become friends too and when they couldn’t visit they rang me every week during lockdown just for a chat.”
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The service has now been adapted to ensure the protection of both volunteers and the community. All books are left in a secure place on a pre-arranged date and quarantined after collection.
In July, a Select and Collect service was also launched to allow customers to limit contact whilst collecting books.
County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:
Fears Harrogate food bank will see spike in demand when furlough ends“I would encourage more people to take advantage of our brilliant service. If you or someone you know would benefit please get in touch.”
Organisers of the Harrogate food bank are concerned there maybe an increase in demand for food when the furlough scheme ends.
The Stray Ferret reported in May that the amount of people who used Harrogate’s food bank more than doubled when lockdown was introduced. The facility, located at the Mowbray Community Church has continued to see a high level of demand.
Linda Macrow, the temporary project manager, thinks that the end of the furlough scheme could cause a further increase in demand. She said:
“I suspect numbers might increase but we will have to wait and see what happens”.
Among those needing its services are single people, who could be facing job difficulties, and people who are homeless.
Linda feels confident that the organisation will adapt to any situation, as the food bank is well supported by volunteers and donations. She told the Stray Ferret:
“The people of Harrogate have always been very generous”.
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North Yorkshire County Council recently allocated £18,055 of funding to other Harrogate organisations that help people get enough food. It is part of a national grant to local authorities from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
The money will be divided between two community groups: Resurrected Bites and Supporting Older People.
New Harrogate fishmonger opens todayA new independent fishmonger will open on Commercial Street today.
Tarbett’s describes itself as the largest independent fish retailer in Yorkshire and will open its fourth branch in Harrogate this morning.
It takes over a unit formerly occupied by Save the Children, which has been empty for four years.
Amy Shaw, the business manager, said:
“Commercial Street is the perfect place for us because it is very similar to our location in Chapel Allerton, which also has an independent butchers. It makes sense for us to be in Harrogate because we already have a lot of customers here. Our home deliveries are popular and we regularly supply Harrogate businesses.”
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Tarbett’s will start trading at a time when Harrogate town centre lacks a traditional fishmongers, following the relocation of Ramus from Kings Road earlier in the year. Ramus is now based at Fodder farm shop and café.
Amy added:
“Perhaps other fishmongers were too far out. We hope to encourage the public to shop with us through our convenient location.”
The business was founded by Liam Tarbett upon leaving university. Starting his enterprise at a farmer’s market in Leeds, he now has shops in Chapel Allerton, Leeds Kirkgate Market and Wetherby.
The fish retailer offers a wide range of products at its other locations including Shetland scallops, extra-large king prawns, Scottish salmon fillet and sashimi grade tuna. Its arrival on Commercial Street has been celebrated by neighbouring retailers.
New home for water voles in NidderdaleTimble Ings Woods will be the new home of more than 100 water voles as part of a drive to help the endangered species to survive in the Nidderdale area.
Yorkshire Water owns the woodland where the mammals will be released, which is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
The company said the area is now an ideal habitat for water voles following its work on watercourses and banksides. Lee Pitcher, head of partnerships at Yorkshire Water, said:
“As Yorkshire’s second largest landowner, we’re committed to ensuring our land protects the management of water, but also benefits the environment by delivering exceptional land for the people of Yorkshire.
“One of the aims of our Land Strategy is to enable plants and wildlife to thrive on Yorkshire Water land. The work we’ve undertaken at Timble Ings Woods makes it a fantastic habitat for water voles and is important for the protection of this vulnerable species.”
Timble Ings Wood, where more than 100 water voles will be released
Timble Ings Woods is located in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which offers further protection to the landscape.
Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:
“Water voles are in decline nationwide and recent surveys in the AONB revealed precious few populations of water vole on our local rivers. This introduction is a positive step at a site chosen to maximise their chances of survival. We hope the new arrivals will be very happy in their new home.”
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Water voles are believed to be one of the fastest-declining mammals in Britain. They are under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink.
The animals to be released locally have been bred in captivity by Derek Gow Consultancy, and will initially be held in large release pens to acclimatise to their new environment, before they are set free.
Harrogate Neighbours praised for covid responseHarrogate Neighbours, which cares for the vulnerable, has maintained its ‘Customer Service Excellence’ accreditation and been praised for its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harrogate Neighbours was formed by town residents about 50 years ago. The non-profit group provides accommodation for the elderly, supports private homes and delivers meals to the community.
It is responsible for Heath Lodge on Pannal Ash Road and the Cuttings on Station View.
An external body assessed Harrogate Neighbours in its customer insight, culture, information and access, delivery, timeliness and quality of service.
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The housing association maintained its accreditation and was praised in its response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is one of the only care groups in the area to have reported no coronavirus cases.
Commenting on the certification, Sue Cawthray, CEO at Harrogate Neighbours, said:
“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication shown by everyone at Harrogate Neighbours – particularly in the face of the worst pandemic we have ever had to deal with.”
The ‘Customer Service Excellence’ standard was introduced by the Cabinet Office in 2008. It welcomes all types of organisation and encourages a focus on customer needs.
Harrogate police treatment centre reopensThe police treatment centre in Harrogate will reopen on Monday.
The centre, which provides physiotherapy and psychological rehabilitation services for police officers, has been closed since March due to coronavirus.
The St Andrews treatment facility in Harrogate, previously known as the Northern Police Convalescent Home, has operated on the same site on Harlow Moor Road since 1903.
It is one of two sites run by the Police Treatment Centres charity. The other is located in Perthshire.
The charity supports the recovery of both serving and retired police officers. Its patients primarily serve in the forces of northern England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The organisation is funded by a voluntary levy of £1.80 a week by police officers.
It will restart its psychological wellbeing programme next week. Physiotherapy services will also recommence but at reduced capacity.
A new wing, scheduled to open in spring 2021, will offer 20 new beds and space for group activities.
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The Stray Ferret recently reported that assaults on police officers and police staff in North Yorkshire rose by almost 60% during lockdown.
In 2019, the charity supported 215 officers from North Yorkshire.
Uncertain future for General TarletonThe fate of the General Tarleton is unclear as it shows no sign of reopening after being closed for five months.
Award-winning chef John Topham and his wife Claire have shared full ownership of the hotel and eatery in Ferrensby since 2005, according to information on the Companies House website.
Over the past 15 years the couple have built a reputation for serving quality food.
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In 2016, the couple also gained a stake in the Alice Hawthorn, a country inn in Nun Monkton.
The Alice Hawthorn is managed by the Tophams and in 2017 it was named the Yorkshire Life Dining Pub of the Year.
The Alice Hawthorn has reopened since the coronavirus lockdown but the General Tarleton remains closed.
The Stray Ferret contacted the Alice Hawthorn yesterday to inquire about the future of the business but it declined to comment.