North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information following reports of a group of men fighting on Harrogate’s Bower Street last night.
Police were alerted to the incident at about 9pm. It is not known what caused the disturbance, or how many people were involved.
A police statement today said:
“Although no reports of any injuries were received, officers need to speak to those involved.”
It added that any witnesses, or people with information, could call the police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Ambler collar number 216.
Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The reference number is 12210259739.
Read more:
Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel
Good morning everyone, it’s Suzannah back with you this week. I’m on the travel desk this morning giving you the usual updates on roads and public transport networks.
If I do miss something please give me a call, if it is safe to do so, on 01423 276197.
These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.
9am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building here:
- Wetherby Road heading towards Woodlands junction
- Skipton Road heading to Empress roundabout
- Knaresborough Road from Forest Lane head down through Starbeck
- Otley Road near Harlow Moor Road
- Borougbridge Road near Kia Garage – due to roadworks
- Pannal traffic lights near BMW Stratstone
- A61 near Quarry Moor Park, Ripon – due to roadworks
- A61 roundabout coming off for Ripon
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- 8.46 Harrogate to Leeds – two minute delay – 8.48
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
- Other buses covering the district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
8.30am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic hotspots:
- Wetherby Road heading towards Woodlands junction – eight minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Skipton Road heading to Empress roundabout
- Knaresborough Road from Forest Lane head down through Starbeck
- Otley Road near Harlow Moor Road
- Borougbridge Road near Kia Garage – due to roadworks
- Pannal traffic lights near BMW Stratstone
- A61 near Quarry Moor Park, Ripon – due to roadworks
- A61 roundabout coming off for Ripon
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- 8.46 Harrogate to Leeds – two minute delay – 8.48
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
- Other buses covering the district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
8am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building here:
- Wetherby Road heading towards Woodlands junction
- Skipton Road heading to Empress roundabout
- Knaresborough Road from Forest Lane head down through Starbeck
- Borougbridge Road near Kia Garage – due to roadworks
- Pannal traffic lights near BMW Stratstone
- A61 near Quarry Moor Park, Ripon – due to roadworks
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- 8.08 Harrogate to York – five minute delay – 8.13
- 8.16 Harrogate to Leeds – four minute delay – 8.20
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
- Other buses covering the district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
7.30am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are getting a little busier in their usual spots but no delays or hotspots to report yet. Keep checking back as things will likely get busier in the next hour.
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
- Other buses covering the district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
7am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are still quiet so far this morning, but keep checking back as things will likely get busier in the next hour.
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
- Other buses covering the district look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
6:30am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are running smoothly so far this morning, but keep checking back as things will likely get busier as the morning goes on.
Road closures:
- Carr Side Road, Great Ouseburn
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – emergency road closure
- Bogs Lane and Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – rolling road closures
- Woodfield Road, Harrogate – emergency footpath closure which may impact traffic
- A1(M) junction at Flaxby – road closures on all slip road roads. Work is now set to overrun by at least six months due to the discovery of great crested newts
- Copgrove to Fish Pond Bridge – road closure and diversion
- Westerns Lane, Markington
- Pinfold Lane, Norwood near Fewston reservoir
- Rowden Lane, Hampsthwaite
Temporary lights:
- Numerous sets of lights on A168 heading north alongside from J47 to J48 of the A1 (M)
- Otley Road, Harrogate – near Harlow Moor Road
- Cornwall Road, Harrogate, just before the Manor House care home
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Main Street, Pannal, near St Robert’s Church
- Church Lane, Pannal
- Burn Bridge Road, just before the roundabout with Pannal Methodist Church
- Grainbeck Lane, near Killinghall
- Bar Lane, Boroughbridge
- Well House Farm to Kalashandy Warehouse, near Smelthouses
- Main Street To Tanfield Bridge, West Tanfield
- Keld Farm To Grimwith Road, east of Pateley Bridge
- Lupton Bank, Glasshouses
- Markington to Quarry Track (near Markington Post Office)
- Harrogate Road, Ripon – near Quarry Moor Park
Trains
- All trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough look to be running to time
Buses
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
Knaresborough Civic Society objects to plans for leisure centre
Knaresborough Civic Society has objected to the borough council’s proposals for a new leisure centre saying it isn’t future proof or in-keeping with the town’s heritage.
The chair of Knaresborough Civic Society, Bill Rigby, has said the current plans don’t acknowledge the climate crisis and criticises the council for choosing to tear down a building rather than adapting it.
He said the civic society is unanimous in its opinion that the current building could be re-developed to suit the town’s growing population.
Mr Rigby added that the civic society supports the investment and provision of a new leisure centre but said it was important for the group to ensure it is future proof for the next generation:
“In the present climate, especially following COP26, I don’t think we’ve been strategic with these plans or addressed the environmental impact. Surely we should be rebuilding rather than destroying? In terms of the economics it would be much cheaper too.”
The Civic Society’s concerns
In its official objection response to Harrogate Borough Council in regards to the plans the society said:
- Is there is a recognised need for any expansion of the existing swimming pool. What evidence by way or research or public consultation or survey exists to establish that there is such a need?
- Does the pool need to be expanded from four to six lanes or can the opening hours be increased?
- We are not satisfied that the council has investigated properly the much cheaper and less disruptive alternative of renewing the services within the existing structure which is only 30 years old and has recently been refurbished.
- Concerns over the loss of the safely ensconced playground and the felling of 21 mature trees
- Looks like an industrial warehouse
- We believe that this proposal will also not meet the environmental and climate saving credentials of the Council.
Read more:
- Council accused of ‘trophy investment’ for £9m purchase of Harrogate’s Royal Baths
- Eco-development could be catalyst for green housing in Harrogate district
Alternative plan
The civic society said it had seen a new set of plans produced by local architects on behalf of the community which aim to be sustainable and use the current building as its base.
One of the people involved in the group putting forward the plans is David Hull who set up the NotOff group to protect Fsyche Field from development.
He said the plans are on behalf of a group of locals to offer an alternative proposal that is “cheaper, greener and far less environmental destructive”.
The society’s plans are being offered to Harrogate Borough Council as an alternative option.
Knaresborough family grateful for Saint Michael’s remembrance event
A Knaresborough family are to return to Saint Michael’s Hospice for a remembrance service after losing their loved one.
The remembrance service has become a tradition in Harrogate district over the past 20 years.
For families such as the Gill’s the service is a comforting experience. It gives them the chance to return to the place their loved one, Tim Gill, spent his final days.
Tim was cared for by Saint Michael’s from October 2018 to January 2019 after his kidney cancer progressed and he lost the use of his legs. His family said he was a lover of nature and the outdoors and often took refuge in the hospice’s peaceful grounds in Hornbeam Park overlooking the Crimple Valley.
The remembrance service gives families a moment to come together to remember loved ones and bring comfort and hope to families living with terminal illness and bereavement.
Tim’s daughter, Sam Gill said:
“The care Dad and our family received at Saint Michael’s could not have been more perfect. What was absolutely priceless was feeling that Dad’s and our individual wishes were respected. Dad could be exactly who he wanted to be thanks to their wonderfully personal approach.”
The Light up a Life remembrance event had to be held online last year due to covid but this year it will be held in the hospice’s grounds at 4pm on Sunday, December 12.
There will also be a virtual service later on the Sunday at 6.30pm.
The events will feature readings, reflections from the community and live music, as well as the memorable moment when the outdoor trees are illuminated – each light dedicated to the memory of someone special.
Read more:
- Refugee support group in urgent search for a Nidderdale home
- Charity Corner: at the forefront of mental health support during covid
Tony Collins, Saint Michael’s chief executive said:
“We are pleased to be able to gather, while taking the necessary safely precautions, with members of our community in-person once again, if the time is right for them.
“We know how much Light up a Life means to the families we’ve cared for and our wider community, and it means so much to us too
“After another challenging year of the pandemic, we want to let our community know that we are here for them. We understand the winter months can be difficult emotionally, especially if living with bereavement or anxiety, and we want to do all we can to support people in whatever way is right for them.”
The charity’s Just ‘B’ team will be sharing comforting reflections during the Light up a Life services. The service helps those experiencing bereavement, anxiety or low mood via its Hear to Help helpline
To make a donation or dedicate a light on the virtual tree, click here.
Dog thefts more than double in Harrogate districtThe number of dog thefts in the Harrogate district more than doubled in 2020 compared with 2019, according to police statistics.
The figures were released after a member of the public made a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire Police.
They show there were eight thefts in 2020 compared with three in 2019. The three previous years saw just seven thefts in total.
Although the numbers are small, the 2020 figure represents a significant increase.
The Harrogate district also had the highest number of thefts in North Yorkshire in 2020, with Scarborough and Ryedale the closest with five.
The figures also revealed only two thefts ended in a person being charged. Most reports didn’t lead to court action either because no suspect was identified or there were evidential difficulties.
Border Collies and Pugs were the most commonly stolen breeds in North Yorkshire, with 10 and eight thefts recorded respectively between 2016 and 2021.
Read more:
- Ripon dog owners want to maintain a cycle-free area
- Warning for dog walkers after four sheep killed near Pinewoods
The police recently appointed its first officers dedicated to dealing specifically with pet theft.
Amongst other duties, the officers will conduct reassurance visits, in which they accompany pet theft victims on walks to help them feel more confident when walking their dogs.
Harrogate High closes year group due to illness and teacher shortageHarrogate High School told all Year 10 students not to attend school yesterday because it was unable to find enough teachers to cover classes.
The school tweeted to say a combination of staff illness and difficulty recruiting supply had prompted it to make the decision to close to Year 10 students.
The Stray Ferret contacted the school today it said it didn’t want to comment further but agreed recruiting supply staff was a problem.
Year group closure Thursday 9th Dec
Unfortunately, due to high levels of staff absence as a result of illness and a widespread issue with recruiting supply teachers, we have taken the decision to close to Year 10 students (Thursday 9th).
Please check your email for full details.— HarrogateHighSchool (@HarrogateHigh) December 9, 2021
It also said no more days such as these were planned for any year group.
The independent academy school caters for about 600 students aged 11-19 and is based on Ainsty Road.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Rossett School celebrates GCSE students’ success
- Birstwith school appoints new headmaster
85-year-old Hampsthwaite man given no refund after weeks without TV
An 85-year-old man has been left waiting for a refund on his TV licence after going without signal for six weeks due to the Bilsdale mast fire.
Gordon Hepworth lives alone in Hampsthwaite. His daughter, Tracey Hepworth, said living alone and being hard of hearing has left him isolated, especially during the pandemic.
When the Bilsdale mast caught fire in August Mr Hepworth lost TV signal for six weeks and was without subtitles for a further two.
She said watching TV in the evening was “company” for him and losing that for six weeks was difficult.
Tracey Hepworth said:
“In the evening, when he can’t go out in the dark, the TV is his company. He can’t listen to the radio without having it on incredibly loud and disrupting the neighbours so he’s very reliant on the TV.”
Ms Hepworth said TV Licensing initially told residents those who had been without signal for one month were eligible for a refund but later read this was increased to two months.
Ms Hepworth said this was “very, very naughty” because a temporary mast was installed six weeks after the fire in August meaning most people’s TVs worked again.
“I feel really sorry for people who went without for six weeks and now they’re getting nothing back.
“My dad was also late paying one month and he was sent a letter threatening to take him to court even though he was without for six weeks and still paid, it’s really unfair.”
She said she’d applied for a refund on September 10 and was yet to get a response despite making several attempts.
Read more:
- Hospital issues urgent appeal for crutches and walking sticks
- Harrogate woman buys cauliflower the size of egg from Aldi
TV Licensing insisted there was no change to the guidance and anyone without signal for a month or more could still apply for a refund. A spokesperson said:
Over 18s invited for walk-in boosters at Harrogate’s Showground“We continue to assist customers to claim refunds or licence extensions, and around 9,000 households have already done so. If a household has been unable to receive TV coverage for a month or more, and are also unable to view BBC programming through BBC iPlayer, and satellite and cable platforms, they will be able to claim a refund.”
The Harrogate vaccination centre at Harrogate Showground has opened itself up to walk-ins for anyone over 18 who had their second covid jab over three months ago.
The walk-ins are available until Sunday when it will be reviewed again and could return to age order like other vaccination rollouts.
This was confirmed today by Yorkshire Health Network’s clinical lead for the Harrogate area Dr Cath Dixon who said:
“We’re keen to give as many people their booster jab as possible. We’re particularly interested in reaching our to pregnant women to get their booster as it is important they have it as they are high risk.”
Staff have asked people to arrive before 4.30pm to ensure they can be vaccinated.
Read more:
- Harrogate district records 200th covid death
- Still no omicron infections in Harrogate district as rate drops
The district recorded a further 111 covid cases today.
The district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped slightly to 450 infections per 100,000 people.
Across the county, the average stands at 406 and the England rate is 502.
Harrogate District Hospital currently has 12 covid-positive patients – a figure which has fallen from 25 over the last month.
Harrogate District Hospital’s chief executive, said today:
Hearing begins into death of Harrogate schoolboy Benjamin Nelson-Roux, 16“Winter is typically a busy time for the NHS, when we see more people suffering from respiratory conditions such as flu, and the level of emergency department attendances increase.
“Covid hasn’t gone away and it is important that we do all we can to prevent it from spreading.
“I would encourage anyone who has not already had their vaccinations or booster to do so as soon as possible and for parents to let their children have the jab if they are eligible for it.”
A pre-inquest review hearing was held yesterday into the death of a 16-year-old schoolboy from Harrogate.
Benjamin Nelson-Roux, a student at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died in Harrogate on April 8 last year.
The North Yorkshire Coroner’s Office, which is holding the investigation, heard that Benjamin was found dead by his mother while staying at a Harrogate hostel.
Benjamin’s parents, Kate and Barry, attended yesterday’s hearing. It was revealed they had instructed their solicitor, Ciara Bartlam, of Ison Harrison, to state that mental health was a contributing factor to their son’s death alongside drug misuse.
In a letter published after their son’s death, the parents had written about how their “funny, clever, caring” son had endured a “heart breaking struggle with mental health problems which he tried to fix with substance misuse”.
The inquest will examine the multi-agency response to providing Benjamin with the right support.
Read more:
- Fund set up in memory of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw
- Parents’ tribute to Harrogate girl on acne drug who took her life
Solicitors and representative from the various agencies involved, which include North Yorkshire County Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust will now forward written submissions to the coroner before the inquest officially opens.
Jon Heath, the lead coroner, adjourned the hearing until another pre-inquest review hearing in January.
At the next hearing, the coroner will decide if further witnesses need to be called before the inquest opens.
M&S gives sneak peek of expanded Harrogate Oatlands storeMarks & Spencer has given a sneak peek of how its Oatlands Foodhall on Leeds Road in Harrogate will look if plans to extend it are approved,
The company wants to increase the size of the food hall by more than 70% and extend into the Sofa.com retail unit next to the existing store.
The plans would also see the closure of the cafe, which prompted some disappointed regulars to consider setting up a petition to retain it.
M&S said the expansion was designed to deliver a “bigger, better and fresher experience” for shoppers and would involve a significant investment in the town.
Harrogate stores’ transformation one of the first in the country
The Leeds Road store will be one of the first in the country to be refreshed with this new-look M&S design. The features would include new fresh product displays and an in-store bakery.
Work would take place in stages to allow customers to continue shopping at the store throughout redevelopment.
There would also be an expanded frozen food section, a wine shop and new decoration throughout the store.
M&S has committed to cutting 1,000 tones of plastic from its business by March next year and halving food waste by 2030. With this in mind, the store would have a ‘fill your own’ section to reduce packaging.
Shoppers would bring their own reusable containers to fill with dried items, such as pasta, rice, cereals, nuts and other snacks.
There will be more checkouts, a mobile scan and shop option and new digital screens in store to make it quicker to process click and collect online orders.
Read more:
- Knaresborough’s Dower House sold for undisclosed fee
- Plans to convert landmark pub near Pateley Bridge into holiday cottage refused
The Harrogate history of M&S
M&S first opened in Harrogate in December 1906 in the old Market Hall under its earlier name of Penny Bazaar.
The original Harrogate Penny Bazaar was replaced in May 1934 by a new Marks & Spencer store at 36 Cambridge Street.
It moved again in 1999 to its current location on Cambridge Street.
M&S regional manager Rona Hulbert said:
“We’re delighted to be celebrating our 115th anniversary in Harrogate this month. M&S has a long and proud history of serving local customers, dating all the way back to the days of the Penny Bazaars. I’m really excited that we’re looking forward to the future and continuing to invest in Harrogate.”