Business representatives in Knaresborough have said there is a buzz about the town as more companies seek to relocate there.

Despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Stray Ferret has recently reported a flurry of new shops opening on the high street.

The latest addition – The Knaresborough Lock Centre – opened on Monday.

Owner John Long said:

“The town was lacking a DIY, hardware, lock shop and I felt it was a good time to open up. We have had a warm welcome in the town and are positive about the future.”

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has said the number of empty shops is decreasing, offering further cause for optimism.

Bill Taylor, treasurer of the chamber, said:

“Many people seem to have used the lockdown to develop business ideas and see Knaresborough as a great place to start their new business.

“The chamber had a record month in August for new members and September has started in the same vein. It is a great time to be a business owner in the town, there is a real buzz around now with several new shops about to open and a very low number of empty shops currently being available.“

The number of empty shop fronts has decreased in the town, improving its aesthetic and encouraging more visitors to the town.

Read more:

• Plans have been approved for a micropub to open in Knaresborough railway station. 
• New music shop set to open on Knaresborough high street next month.

The business and community website, Knaresborough Online, painted a similar picture of an increase in business interest in the area.

“Since the easing of lockdown we have noticed an increase in general enquiries about relocating to Knaresborough. This flurry of interest is supported by the recent opening of a number of new businesses in town, including a new pet shop, Persian rug store, restaurant, butchers and a DIY shop. These are really encouraging signs as we move forward after a difficult few months.”

A Boroughbridge hotel has said its summer trading “exceeded expectations” after lockdown.

The Crown Hotel reopened, alongside other hospitality businesses, on July 4. Since then the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme has boosted dining while overseas travel restrictions have led to more holiday-makers in the area.

Tracey Campbell, general manager at the hotel, said:

“We had a very good July and August and it has been picking up momentum since then.

“We normally take the overflow from bigger events and weddings but recently it’s been people coming for the weekend. This has made a big impact, it’s made up for the loss of event trade.

The summer exceeded our expectations because we didn’t have any idea how it would be. We can’t forecast for the next 6-12 months but if business remains the same I’ll be a happy manager.”

Boroughbridge businesses bounced back in late summer after months of lockdown created uncertainty.

Boroughbridge is a staycation hotspot featuring several caravan parks. It is also close to several tourist locations and popular with walkers.

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The tourist information centre is currently closed. Calls are being forwarded to Boroughbridge Town Council.

A council representative said:

“The money left in the honesty box in our car park has definitely increased. The amount is close to what we expect at this time of year. I think it has picked up but it’s difficult to judge. We’ve had more people ringing saying they want to come. It is staycations for most people – those unable to go abroad have come here.”

The Crown Inn at Roecliffe has reopened with new owners and managers in the hope of restoring the pub to its former “glory days”.

The inn, in the village near Boroughbridge, went into voluntary liquidation last year under its former owners. It has been bought by the Coastal and Country Inns group, which owns three other inns in the UK.

Despite its owners saying the midst of a pandemic “could be the worst time to open,” they have spoken of their gratitude for the warm welcome from local residents.

Chris Hannon, managing director of Coastal & Country, said:

“We’ve been looking at it for over a year and we were excited to finally get it. This could be the worst time to open: we are either stupid or very brave, but the world has to keep turning and good pubs will always survive. We don’t want to mess around with it too much – we want to keep the traditional pub charm.

“We’ve had a fantastic welcome from the locals and we want to be a central point. It’s really important to keep it going. It’s nice to buck the trend and open a pub when so many are closing.”

The pub has reopened and hopes to continue to be a central hub for the village.

Read more:

• Some restaurants across the district have extended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme at their own expense.
• Its small size and community feel makes people feel “more than safe” in Boroughbridge as lockdown eases and hospitality opens again.

Its new managers, Lukas and Veronicka Alman, have previously worked at another of the group’s inns in the Peak District.

The pub has been refurbished and is offering food and drink, accommodation and events space.

A total of 166 drug arrests were made in the Harrogate district between January and July this year.  North Yorkshire police said it is committed to continue its drive to tackle the issues caused by county lines drugs.

The arrests include all drug offences, other than drug driving. Across the whole of North Yorkshire there were 808 arrests and the Harrogate district ranked the third highest area for arrests.

County lines is a serious issue for the police in Harrogate – which now has one of three dedicated teams in the county.

This form of organised crime sees drug dealers from more urban areas exploit vulnerable people, including children, and force them to deal drugs in smaller towns and cities.

Acting Superintendent Andrew Colbourne of Harrogate, said:

“The exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults, and the levels of violence associated with county lines makes it a foremost priority for North Yorkshire Police and its partners.

“Proactive policing also plays a big part in the number of drug arrests. We have dedicated teams across North Yorkshire Police – including Harrogate –  that target the supply of drugs and work alongside partners to protect vulnerable people on a daily basis. Information from members of the public is also vital.

The Stray Ferret has previously reported on police raids in an attempt to combat drug crime. In March we reported on parent’s concerns about how easy it was for their children to get access to drugs.  

Superintendent Colbourne, added:

“Enforcement activity has not stopped as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – indeed, over the last few months, we have executed a number of warrants to tackle suspected drugs offences.”

Read more:

• What is county lines and what are the warning signs for parents?
• Lockdown blamed for the increase in recreational drug use in Harrogate.

The police said the public can offer vital information that results in arrests. Any suspicions involving exploitation or drug dealing should be reported to the police or Crimestoppers.

North Yorkshire Police is urging for vigilance following an increase in burglaries on new home development sites across the district.

During the past 24 hours, two incidents have been reported. One at a new site one in Langthorpe, near Boroughbridge, and the second in Penny Pot Gardens in Harrogate.

Boilers are the main item to be stolen. The perpetrators are cutting the gas and water pipes before removing the boilers, meaning some of the homes are left flooded.

Other targeted locations in the district include Knaresborough and Ripon. Furnishings valued at £70,000 were stolen from two show houses at a site in Knaresborough. In Ripon, a dumper truck was stolen from a site in the nearby village of Markington.

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• A police operation to combat drink driving in the district encouraged over 20 arrests on local roads in one weekend.
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The police are asking local residents to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity.

It has also asked if any CCTV overlooking any of the targeted sites is checked for activity such as large vans driving around the sites.

Information can be reported using the 101 number, dial 1 and pass the information onto the Force Control Room.

Extra buses will be provided by North Yorkshire County Council next week to reduce the risk of coronavirus among pupils using public transport go back to school.

The local authority has also introduced additional bus safety measures, such as asking pupils aged over 11 to wear face coverings.

Most buses will operate according to their usual timetable. But some additional journeys will take place on public service routes from next week to minimise contact among passengers as the number of pupils and commuters increases.

In Harrogate, the following additional services will be in place from September 7:

• Service 36 Leeds – Harrogate – Ripon: Extra journeys between Leeds and Harrogate will occur during morning rush hour to accommodate additional commuters and students.
• Service 1 Harrogate – Knaresborough. An additional journey has been added to this service from Harrogate to King James’ School, which is reserved for pupils only. It will depart from Harrogate at 7.56am and return from King James’ School at 3.25pm.
• Service 24 Pateley Bridge – Harrogate. A new timetable and journey to Nidderdale High School has been added. An additional bus, 24S, is reserved for school and college students. It will depart Pateley Bridge at 7.20am to Harrogate and continue to St Aidan’s and St John Fisher schools. A journey from St John Fisher and St Aidan’s schools to Pateley Bridge will return in the afternoon.

Read more:

• Schools across the district are set to reopen next week, staggered finish times and year group separation are some of the safety measures being imposed. 
• Parents in the district have said they are “delighted” to have their children’s education resume next week. 

Different safety measures will apply on school buses to those on public transport.

Social distancing is not required on school buses on the grounds that the vehicles will carry the same group of children regularly and no members of the public travel with them.

But school bus users will be asked to avoid unnecessary contact with other pupils by, for example, trying to sit in the same seat with the same group of pupils every day. Pupils aged over 11 are also encouraged to wear face coverings.

Cllr Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education at NYCC, said:

“We would like to reassure parents and pupils that everything possible is being done to enable children to return to school and education as swiftly as possible, as well as minimise the risk of spreading the virus. The instructions for travelling on school buses and straight forward and largely the same as if you were visiting a shop or other public place.

“We expect that things will soon feel second nature to pupils and they can settle back into their school routine quickly.”

The Crown Hotel in Harrogate has had its operations taken over by a new management company.

RBH has added the historic building to its portfolio of 45 other hotels in the UK.

The Crown is one of the oldest hotels in Harrogate, dating back over 300 years. It has 114 bedrooms and seven conference rooms.

The hospitality sector was hit hard during lockdown, with hotels having to remain closed. But London-based RBH is optimistic booking levels will resume now that lockdown restrictions have eased.

Andrew Robb, RBH’s chief business development officer, said it was “an exciting new chapter for this unique venue”, which is owned by Singapore-based developer the Fragrance Group.

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• The Ripon Spa Hotel has now closed after failing to find a new buyer. 
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Mr Robb added:

“Our ethos is very much based on developing and nurturing our people, and this will be extended to The Crown as we look to maximise the potential of the team and in turn offer an outstanding experience to guests.

The covid pandemic has resulted in an exceptionally challenging time for the hospitality sector, however RBH has emerged from lockdown in a strong position and we are eager to help guide The Crown through this period and on to continued success.”

A new travel agent has opened in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter.

The Travel Journal opened yesterday on the site of the former Isles of Wonder gift shop.

It has started trading at a time when quarantine rules are playing havoc with many people’s holiday plans.

However Ben Poole, the owner is buoyant about prospects.

Although some travel agents have seen bookings plummet during lockdown, as more customers turn to staycations, Mr Poole said bookings were bouncing back. He said:

“Business has been great for the past few weeks and green shoots are certainly appearing for our industry.

“The surge of high quality last minute bookings to places that remain on the government’s safe quarantine list has been a very welcome surprise as I had written off summer 2020 but I have probably done more business this summer last minute than I would have done any previous year.

“Yes there is a worry destinations could be added to the quarantine list without much prior notice but all my clients are made aware of the risks.”

This new shop is set alongside multiple other independent shops recovering from months of lockdown.

Mr Poole, who has been in the travel industry for 21 years, began his new venture at home in January and has been forced to cope with the impact of lockdown.

Read more:

• Boroughbridge travel agent says the industry has received unfair press during the pandemic. 
• Harrogate district residents were thought to go “staycation crazy” over summer. 

He hopes the pandemic will encourage more people to use travel agents after hearing stories of people unable to get refunds from some online companies.

A new music shop is set to open in one of the large empty properties in Knaresborough in a move that will help to reinvigorate the town after lockdown.

The Music Bank, which is due to open on October 3, will be based in the old Barclays bank on the high street. It will sell instruments and offer music tuition.

Its owner, David Lombardi, wanted a place for customers to see and touch the instruments as well as a base to run an online store.

Mr Lombardi said:

“After carrying out extensive market research in the area we found that there are very few music stores available in the Knaresborough, Harrogate area and saw this as an opportunity to fill that void.

“Whilst the world is certainly a changed place given current and recent events, our business was one of a few that prospered throughout the lockdown with more people taking to instruments than ever before.

“Musical instruments will always have a place on our high streets. People like to make sure it feels right, looks right and sounds right before they make a purchase.”

Well-known brands will be sold at the shop, encouraging customers to come in and browse.

The Music Bank already has a tuition centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire teaching over 70 students each week.

Read more:

• A new gym opens in Knaresborough despite closures of other centres in the district. 
• Plans for a Knaresborough BID take a step forward – the group is taking time to engage with local businesses.

Train operator Northern has announced it will change its timetable on September 14.

The company said the revised timetable will see more services in many areas and the extension of operating hours in others compared with the current situation.

However, a handful of routes will see a reduction in services.

Steve Hopkinson, regional director at Northern, said:

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on society and the railway has not been immune from that.

“With limited resources, the timetables we are set to introduce in September reflect the new normal for Northern and have been designed to provide as many services as possible, at the times our customers need them.

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• Over 600 rail replacement services were ordered on the trouble Harrogate to Leeds line in 2019. 
• A new bus service from Harrogate to Leeds airport, ran by Transdev, has begun. 

“We have brought in as many additional services as possible with the resource we have available and have prioritised routes and times where there is the most significant demand. We will do all we can to reintroduce further services when it is possible and appropriate to do so.”