If further restrictions are announced on hospitality, Harrogate bar owners have warned they could “finish us off”.

Bars and restaurants across the country are currently under a 10pm curfew in an attempt to deal with the rise of coronavirus cases.

Harrogate hospitality owners say any further restrictions would be hugely damaging to the industry – and the effects of the curfew have already impacted trade immensely.

A full closure in hotspot areas and a limit on household mixing are speculated to be announced today.

Martin Greenhow, managing director of MOJO bars, said:

“Hospitality has been hit with a sledgehammer. We are currently taking 20% of what we were pre-covid. We were just about managing before the curfew but now we have lost 60% of our trading hours.

“We are currently sat on a precipice and we are going to fall. Things are so bad now, more measures would be inconsequential – we may even be better off closed. It is that dire. But we don’t want to close because we want to keep our staff in employment.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Borough Council has received nearly £60,000 to ensure covid restrictions are enforced. 
• The 10pm curfew on bars has been described as “devastating”. 

Hales Bar is the oldest bar in Harrogate and previously relied heavily on the tourist trade. Owner Amanda Wilkinson said:

“We aren’t open Monday to Wednesday because I just don’t think it’s financially viable. If they close us in the evening at 6pm we will have to close temporarily because we don’t do a lot of daytime trade. How long we survive this all depends on pub landlords and if they continue to charge rents of businesses that aren’t operating.

“If we do close temporarily, we are talking about six months. This could finish us off.”

On Friday, the Chancellor announced an extension to his job support scheme with the government paying two-thirds of wages for companies forced to close due to restrictions.

The county was described to be at a at a “tipping point” amid increased infections, by North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum.

The continual rise in cases within Harrogate and its surrounding areas has forced council leaders to call for the public follow the guidelines in an effort to avoid the restrictions placed on nearby cities such as Leeds.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list has been revealed with several residents across the district awarded for their contributions.

MBE

Rachel Louise Bowes, has been made a MBE for services to the community during the coronavirus pandemic under her role as assistant director for care and support, North Yorkshire County Council.

Christopher John Bentley, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to business and culture.

Kathleen Shirley Clegg, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to prisoners.

Colin William Gibbs, from Harrogate, will receive a BEM honour this year for voluntary service to young people. He has been one of the driving forces behind Tewit Youth Band for almost four decades.

As president of the group for 29 years, he has been part of its ambition to provide instruments, musical tuition and uniforms to all children, whatever their background. Colin and the committee are always finding new ways to raise money for the band, as well as local charities.

With the help of a private investor, Colin was able to secure a 125-year lease on a building to ensure the band can continue offering “a place for everyone”.

On receipt of his honour, Colin said:

“It was very unexpected but I am delighted. It all started when my son wanted to play a brass instrument, I started helping volunteering and working with the band.

“When my son turned 18 he left and the band was going through a hard time and they asked me to take over. I knew I couldn’t let it disappear so I got stuck in straight away.

“As a president I am there to keep it going, we sing for our supper and are always performing to raise money.”

Colin said the honour was also in recognition of the band and the “hard-working committee”. Following lockdown, Tewit Youth Band has only just started rehearsing in quartets, to comply with the rule of six, but it hopes to resume full rehearsals as soon as possible.

The General Tarleton pub, on the outskirts of Knaresborough, is to be wound-up.

According to a resolution posted on The Gazette, agreed by director Suzanne Topham, a meeting took place on September 30 on the premises in Ferrensby.

At the meeting the owners agreed to a voluntary wind-up of the business.

Leeds company Begbies Traynor was appointed as the joint liquidator of the company.

Suzanne and John Topham have owned the gastropub since 2005. The venue had acquired a fine reputation for food but had not reopened since closing during lockdown.

Read more:

• The General Tarleton is yet to reopen its doors following the pandemic. 
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The owners also run The Alice Hawthorn pub and restaurant in Nun Monkton.

The Stray Ferret tried to contact the couple for comment but they had not responded by the time of publication.

Some children’s services in schools are set to be scrapped as part of cuts by North Yorkshire County Council.

Hearing and vision screening for four and five-year-olds and sexual health drop-ins are among the services facing the axe.

The council executive will next week discuss the plans, which aim to save £750,000 over three years on the local authority’s healthy child programme.

The council hopes these cuts will help it meet its overall plan to save £4 million.

If the plans are approved, they will go to consultation on October 26.

The programme, which supports 130,000 young people aged 0-19 in North Yorkshire and their families, is worth £70m over 10 years.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, said:

“We must take account of the national changes in public health funding, which will see a reduction across the board of around 15%.

“We will continue to deliver mandatory health checks for children under five years old and will continue to support new parents with a focus on those children and families most in need.”

‘Not the same level of service’

A report prepared for the executive meeting says:

“The proposed programme will not be able to provide the level of service that it currently provides to school aged children. Some services provided in school settings will stop, including hearing and vision screening for children aged 4-5 years and sexual health services drop-ins in schools.”

Currently children receive five in-person check-ups to the age of five, but under the new proposals three of these could be done virtually.

The report says the proposals would prioritise children aged under five.

Under the proposals, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which delivers the programme in partnership with the council, would be awarded a 10-year contract.

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Suzanne Lamb, head of safeguarding at the trust, said:

“While the trust recognises that the future model will need to look very different to what is being offered now, we appreciate the opportunity to continue to work closely with North Yorkshire County Council in a longer term arrangement.

“This will ensure more targeted support in relation to need and new ways of working including support via digital channels.”

Harrogate councillor Geoff Webber, who is the Liberal Democrats leader on the council, criticised government cuts for forcing the council to reduce its services. He said:

“It is disgraceful the government have chosen this time to reduce public health spending in North Yorkshire by £4 million over the next few years.

“I am sure that members of all parties will support the effort to maintain the healthy child service and we look forward to seeing the result of the public consultation.”

Knaresborough is to get its first electric bus, in a move that will reduce carbon emissions in the town.

Harrogate Bus Company announced on Clean Air Day today it will trial the number 1 route from tomorrow for a week.

The number 1 is one of the company’s busiest routes and it is hoped the electric bus will become a permanent feature on Knaresborough’s roads within 12 to 18 months.

Air pollution at Bond End in Knaresborough, which is one of the stops on the route, remains at illegal levels.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade said the trial was a positive step in becoming a greener town.

Steve Teggin, president of the chamber, said:

“It’s a perfect run because there is an enormous amount of traffic from Harrogate to Knaresborough to shop.

“We are very excited to encourage a greener environment and this is a great step forward. We hope this will encourage people to come and support our shops.”

It is hoped the trial will be successful and further funding for the initiative in Knaresborough can be approved within 12-18 months.

The bus will run off one charge overnight.

The Harrogate Bus Company has said the trial will allow it to test the technology and ensure customers are happy with the new service.

Alex Hornby, chief executive of Harrogate Bus Company, said:

“We have committed some investment for next year and we hope to make it as successful as the Harrogate electric buses. It’s the main route to connect Harrogate and Knaresborough so it seems like an obvious next step to bring this technology into Knaresborough.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Bus Company has said it will plant a further 39 trees following its green initiative. 
• Local Lib Dems have proposed a citizen’s assembly to tackle climate change.

Masham’s artisan market is set to make a comeback.

The town’s parish council this week approved plans to bring it back after locals called for a return. The last farmer’s market was August 2019.

The market is expected to take place on the second Sunday of each month from April to September next year.

Councillors will now listen to the proposals of local traders before giving the official go ahead.

It will have stalls selling farmers’ produce as well as other items. Masham already has Wednesday and Saturday markets.

Masham’s Wednesday markets are often busy with visitors looking to buy local produce.

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Councillor Ian Johnson said:

“Yes, we have passed it for next year in the summer season. It’ll mainly be the traders who will organise it, they think they can find a few traders in farm produce and artisan items so it sounds good.

“Our Saturday market is always popular. This weekend we have about 20 stalls so hopefully the new one will be a success too.”

Harrogate Bus Company is to plant more trees in Harrogate as part of its commitment to cutting carbon emissions.

The company introduced fume-free buses in 2018 after it won £2.25 million of government funding.

Last year it pledged to plant one tree for every 10,000 miles covered by its fleet of eight electric buses.

To celebrate Clean Air Day tomorrow, the company has announced its buses have together covered over 400,000 miles.

It has already planted an oak tree on West Park and has now revealed another 39 trees will be planted in three areas served by the buses – Nidd Gorge, close to Bilton, Jennyfield and in the pine woods near Pannal Ash.

Alex Hornby, chief executive of Harrogate Bus Company, said:

“Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK so our Harrogate Electrics buses play a vitally important role in clearing the air and protecting our local environment.

“Alongside our electric buses, trees help by absorbing even more carbon dioxide emissions.”

Clean Air Day is normally held in June but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more:

• Local lib dems have proposed a citizen’s assembly to tackle climate change. 
• More buses are in place as pupils return to school in an attempt to limit contact between pupils and the public.

The local campaign group, Zero Carbon Harrogate, welcomed the news. Chair Jemima Parker said:

“We are dedicated to making Harrogate a zero-carbon community by 2030 to secure a sustainable future, and The Harrogate Bus Company’s electric buses are making a vitally important contribution towards realising that ambition.

“As we begin rebuilding our local economy beyond the pandemic, we can’t just go back to congested streets and traffic jams.”

A woman has called for tighter cycling controls on the Stray after her dog was hit.

Sara Clark said her chihuahua Milo was lucky to be alive after being struck by a cyclist on part of the south Stray where cycling is prohibited.

Ms Clark, who was walking Milo on Friday evening, said:

“He went under his wheel and I heard his scream and he ran towards the road. The vet said he was surprised he wasn’t killed.”

Ms Clark said Milo was badly bruised and required a painkiller injection.

Cyclists are supposed to dismount on this stretch of the Stray but Ms Clark said they often ignored the rules. She added:

“There was a sign 10 metres from us saying cyclists aren’t allowed. I know of three dogs, including Milo, and two elderly people that have been hit.”

“The cyclist just said, ‘What could I have done he should’ve been on a lead?’ My dog should be able to be off a lead, we should feel safe, but now I feel like I can’t let him off a lead. They have ruined it now.”

All of these cyclists were pictured on the south Stray by Sara Clark within the same hour on Monday.

Ms Clark said Harrogate Borough Council should do more to tackle the problem:

“Accidents like this are happening but they are washing their hands of it rather than dealing with it. It is their responsibility to enforce it, even just by doing something to say they are taking it seriously, like using cameras or fines.”

A council spokesman said:

“Our staff will always challenge cyclists who ignore the rules if they witness it happening. Unfortunately, as the Stray covers 200 acres and is accessible 24/7 it is incredibly difficult to witness anyone breaching these rules. Thankfully, the vast majority of cyclists in Harrogate dismount when they should. ”

Ms Clark disputed the claim that the vast majority of cyclists dismounted.

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“There’s no excuse for a cyclist being on a footpath where it’s banned. I am of course sorry about the dog being knocked over and the upset to the owner. I don’t agree with cyclists ignoring the rules. I also don’t agree with drivers ignoring the rules, which they do more often and with far more serious consequences.”

Two charities, based in Harrogate, have combined efforts to bring plans back on track for a new shop to open on Oxford Street.

Artizan International was struggling to meet its planned opening date of October 13 after Covid impacted its funding.

The charity offers local craft sessions for disabled people but the pandemic put its mission on.

The organisation also works with groups in Peru and Ecuador to design and produce fabrics used to make crafts for the charity to sell. Funding from these crafts allows the charity to continue supporting those struggling with poverty abroad.

But the lockdown in South America halted the supply chain, leaving the charity without the merchandise to sell in order to support those relying on them.

This prompted Harrogate Scrubbers to step in.

During the height of the pandemic the volunteers provided over 3,000 sets of scrubs for local health facilities and were just as keen to step in to help Artizan International sew some of the crafts.

Susie Hart, chief executive and founder of Artizan International, said:

“Our goal has been to empower and support differently abled people to provide them with the same opportunities in life, and in developing countries an income and employment so they can support their own families.

“The recent amazing donation of the premises on Oxford Street was a dream come true as it provided us with premises to showcase their work and increase the revenue we can generate for them.

“We are so grateful to the people who have come forward to help.”

The charity was overwhelmed by the support it received following its social media plea for volunteers.

Claire Strachan, a member of Harrogate Scrubbers, said:

“We have a group of over 850 volunteers who were an unstoppable team, with many feeling lost when the appeal came to an end. Asking the group to support the charity has given some group members that sense of purpose back and it is so inspiring to see the enthusiasm return.”

Artizan International has long-term plans for the shop. It hopes to open a cafe and provide employment for people with hearing difficulties.

It plans to continue support those with different abilities here and abroad, providing them with skills and a way to earn an income.

Harrogate Cat Rescue is urging owners to neuter their pets following a surge in the number of kittens.

Celia Dakin currently has 30 kittens at the organisation she runs from home in Harrogate. This is about double the norm, partly due to lockdown.

All of the animals must be vet checked and neutered before they can be adopted.

Ms Dakin said owners should do the responsible thing before allowing their cats outside to roam.

She said:

“I have more kittens in foster now than I had when I was working for a national charity, which is down to people not neutering their cats and of course the pause on the trap-neuter-return programme.”

The trap-neuter-return programme, which charities operate, prevents colonies of cats reproducing. The programme was stopped during lockdown, which has contributed to an increase in kitten litters.

Ms Dakin said owners needed to take responsibility for ensuring their cats were safe.

She added:

“I can’t stress how crucial it is. It may only cost an owner as much as a meal out. Each cat has its own needs and owners need to be aware of them. It is your responsibility as an owner.”

Cats often have several litters a year, as their pregnancies only last for nine weeks. Celia said that cats are controlled by their hormones, particularly males who will often fight for females.

Ms Dakin’s rescue centre offers all cats and kittens another chance.

She said she often saw social media posts by cat owners showing pictures of their unexpected kittens. They were often then given away, sometimes without vet check or neutering.

Read more:

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Ms Dakin hoped her rescue centre and social media posts would promote the message of neutering.

She said cats were treated as second-class to dogs.

“You wouldn’t have the same problem with dogs because they are much more protected but for cats there’s limited protection.”