Business Breakfast: Harrogate Italian restaurant expands

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Italian restaurant Pranzo is to expand its premises on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate. The company has taken a lease on the former hairdressers next door.

The new larger restaurant will see an extra 25 covers inside, a private dining area and double its capacity outside.  Work to convert the building is expected to take a couple of months.

The Harrogate restaurant is the second Pranzo – the first was opened in Ilkley and the company plans to open a third in Horsforth outside Leeds in the near future.

Stephen Peace, operations manager, told the Stray Ferret that despite the gloomy economic outlook the business was resilient:

“I think hospitality is always going to be a struggle however, because of our business model where we make and produce all our own pasta daily, it has allowed us to remain competitive.

“We have a small intimate venue and are always fully booked.

The former hairdressers which will be converted into the larger Pranzo restaurant

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Consultancy firm expands role in Ripon Spa Hotel redevelopment

Silverstone Building Consultancy is to project manage the transformation of the Ripon Spa Hotel, in a multi-million-pound construction contract.

The 43-bedroom Edwardian hotel was acquired by The Inn Collection Group in 2021 and is due to re-open in the spring of next year. 

Silverstone Building Consultancy, is a specialist firm of chartered building surveyors and project managers, with offices in Newcastle and Leeds.

Ben Rennocks, director at the Leeds office of Silverstone Building Consultancy, said:

“We have a long-standing relationship with The Inn Collection Group and we were initially brought in to act as project manager when it came to preparing pre-tender estimates, managing the necessary planning permission and appointing both a contractor and design team on behalf of the client.

“As well as the project management appointment our role, has now developed into a contract administrator. The work has started on site with the main contractor, STP Construction appointed, following a competitive tendering process.

“This is a 40-week construction programme which will see the hotel undergo extensive internal and external works.”

Louise Stewart, property director at The Inn Collection Group, said:

“We’re excited to be working with Silverstone Building Consultancy again for this project. We have worked together on numerous projects and look forward to continuing our ‘eat, drink, sleep, explore’ brand with its help.

Its team shares our commitment to reaching the highest of standards and has a proven track record of producing fantastic refurbishment projects.”

 

Towns at centre of North Yorkshire culture strategy

North Yorkshire County Council has put town centres at the heart of its plans to revitalise culture in the county.

The council has begun to roll out its new cultural framework after two years of consultations across the county.

A report for the framework found that the pandemic had a large impact on town centre visitor numbers.

Along with the growth of online shopping, it argued that high streets needed new ways of staying relevant, with cultural attractions seen as key.

The report states that:

“Town centres traditionally serve their rural hinterland’s needs for retail and civic amenities but as shopping and banking move online culture can help in animating spaces through activity or art, driving footfall and creating a buzz and amplifying sense of identity.”

Ideas on how to do this include promoting different towns’ heritages, installing public art and working with local stakeholders.

Over the last year, more cultural events have returned to the district’s towns as organisers recognise the important role they play in attracting visitors.

In July, Harrogate staged its first carnival since 2019, which saw street theatre, international street food and music performances. In September, the Ripon Civic Society is organising Heritage Open Days across the town and the city is also hosting a four day Poetry Festival which is growing in popularity.

A possible redevelopment of the Royal Pump Rooms Museum in Harrogate was also reported to be in the planning stage.

The 2022 Harrogate Carnival

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The consultation on the state of culture in North Yorkshire began in March 2020, before the first Covid lockdown.

The framework also recognises the impact that the lockdowns had on people’s wellbeing. It found:

“During the Covid pandemic issues of social isolation and loneliness have been exacerbated. A key factor in reducing loneliness is the social interaction experienced while participating in cultural activity.”

Other aspects of the framework concern regeneration, developing and supporting cultural industries, improving health and wellbeing, and supporting community development.

The plans are to be discussed at the county council’s area committees, including the one for the Skipton and Ripon constituency next week.

The framework was developed in partnership between the district and county councils, including Harrogate Borough Council.

 

Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID to host energy saving workshops for businesses

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) is to hold three workshops around saving energy.

The organisation is partnering with energy consultant Ryan Edwards to look at ways of dealing with rising electricity and gas prices.

There will be three events during the day on Monday, September 19.

The first is being held at Hustle & Co on Prince Albert Terrace at 9.30am, the second on Zoom at 11am and the third at 5.30pm at Starling Café on Oxford Street.

The sessions will last between 30 and 45 minutes.

Business who want to attend the Zoom meeting have been asked to email the BID for the link.

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“We are acutely aware of the struggles our members are continually having when it comes to understanding, managing and securing new energy contracts for their businesses.”

He said Mr Edwards has expertise that will be helpful:

“He will be able to help us have a better understanding of what is happening within the energy market, and offer practical advice on securing energy contracts.

“Ryan works with more than 26 UK Suppliers, so can assure you that he can find the very best contracts on the market at this time.

“He can also bulk buy energy by buying all Members energy, at the same time driving the unit prices down significantly. It goes without saying, the more businesses we can get involved, the cheaper the unit.”

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Richard Levin of Loop Cashmere, Anne Blanden of Finance Yorkshire, Claire Heathcote of Loop Cashmere and Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire

Harrogate cashmere company secures Finance Yorkshire investment

Harrogate luxury cashmere brand Loop Cashmere has secured funding from the business loan organisation Finance Yorkshire.

The company makes its products using sustainable yarn from Inner Mongolia.

The £250,000 it has secured has gone towards opening a warehouse in Leeds and appoint a head of marketing.

Claire Heathcote opened the business with Richard Levin two years ago. She said:

“We saw a gap in the market for a sustainable cashmere brand offering contemporary styles made in the softest high-quality cashmere. Sustainability is the heart of brand from the way we source our sustainably accredited yarn, who we select as expert makers to craft our styles, our small production runs and the use of recyclable and compostable packaging.”

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said:

“In just two years Loop Cashmere has developed a strong brand with sustainable credentials which will appeal to fashion-conscious customers. We look forward to supporting them in the next chapter of their growth journey.”

Two Ripon ice cream makers brave the shave for charity

Two members of staff at G&T’s ice cream parlour near Ripon shaved their heads outside the shop this weekend for Cancer Research UK.

Sophie Craven and Lynsey Harker publicised the event on their Facebook page and quite a crowd turned up to witness the pair losing their locks at the parlour on Home Farm in Risplith on Saturday afternoon.

Both know friends and family who have suffered from cancer and wanted to help in some way so decided to fund raise by shaving their hair off . So far they have raised £2,000.

Lynsey said:

“It felt strange-one minute your hair is there and the next is gone! Bizarre!  It was fun and it was a good afternoon.

“Everybody has lost someone to cancer or knows someone who is going through it at the moment. It’s a big thing.”

Sophie added:

“The lady who shaved our hair is a local hairdresser for the area Sandra Bassett.

We did it outside the front parlour.  The seats outside were full up. Our families were here to watch it.

We couldn’t have asked for more – we are still collecting money and are flabbergasted by the amount we’ve raised.

We only decided to do it a few weeks ago! We can’t thank people enough.”

To donate click here.

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On demand Yorbus sees over 13,000 trips in first year

More than 13,000 journeys were taken using the on demand YorBus service in its first year of operation.

Data from North Yorkshire County Council showed that 13,426 journeys had been taken by the end of July, requested by 850 riders.

In July 2022, there was an average of 51 trips per day.

The bus service serves an area to the north and west of Ripon including Masham, West Tanfield and Bedale.

The pilot scheme, started in July 2021, has now been extended for another year.

The statistics are included in a report on the service’s first year which will be discussed by the council’s Skipton and Ripon area committee next week.

Increasing journey numbers

Journey numbers have gradually increased since the start of the year.

Despite this, the council almost doubled fares for the service at the start of August to £2 for an adult and £1 for a child.

The number of journeys is also roughly seven times the council’s target for the scheme.

It initially hoped that 885 journeys would have been taken after six months.

However, the Transport Action Network has accused the council of setting the target deliberately low.

YorBus covers 217 square kilometres to the north and west of Ripon

Councillor Keane Duncan, the county council’s executive member for transport, celebrated YorBus’s first year in July. He said:

“YorBus has proved incredibly popular since its launch in July 2021, with extremely positive feedback from users.

“We will continue to review this demand-responsive service to help us explore rolling out YorBus to other parts of the county.”

The report also stated that almost half of users would drive if the service was not available. It argued:

“This shows that YorBus is helping to encourage North Yorkshire residents away from the private motor vehicle and onto public transport.”

£229,000 has been allocated to the service for 2022/23.

Next steps

The council will now look at its future plans for on demand YorBus service.

This could include group discount tickets, a joint promotion campaign with the National Trust and investigating the viability of rolling out of YorBus to other parts of the county.

Police in Harrogate appeal for missing 73 year old woman

Police in Harrogate are becoming increasing concerned for the welfare of a 73 year old woman who has gone missing.

Judith was last seen walking along Harcourt Road at around 10.30am yesterday morning and has not been seen or heard from since.

Officers, who have not published Judith’s surname, have posted on social media saying CCTV cameras captured the pensioner turning right and walking in the direction of East Parade but have been unable to trace her movements after this.

Judith had little money with her and needs daily medication which it is not believed she had with her.

Judith is described as white, thin with medium length white hair and was last seen wearing dark coloured trousers and a coat.

Anyone who can help locate Judith is asked to contact the police.

Business Breakfast: New Head of Early Years at Harrogate Ladies’ College

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate Ladies’ College has appointed a new Head of Early Years at Highfield Pre-School, the school’s associated nursery setting.

Kathryn Wilson, who is originally from Ripon, is returning to her Yorkshire roots after teaching in Long Eaton, Derbyshire where she was an Assistant Head.

Mr Wilson, who has young children of her own, and was previously Deputy Head at new Park Primary School in Harrogate, said:

“I am very much looking forward to coming home to my roots and I know what an amazing place Highfield Pre-School is.  The ethos of the whole school and its close and caring community attracted me back.

The facilities are outstanding, particularly the outdoor space which the children clearly love.  I am looking forward to getting to know the children and their parents and building on the school’s already excellent Early Years provision.”

Sylvia Brett, Principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said Kathryn would be an enormous asset to the Pre-School department.

“The first few years of a child’s educational journey are so important and Kathryn has superb credentials and a vast amount of experience in Early Years provision.  We are all looking forward to welcoming her into our school community,”

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Ripon auction house inaugural art sale 

Elstob & Elstob in Ripon is to have its first pictures and sculpture auction featuring some of the region’s greatest artists.

The sale, on August 10, has been put together by the auction house’s newly appointed Paintings and Sculpture Specialist Rohan McCulloch.

It includes Leeds-born artist George Wright, the popular Staithes Group of artists and County Durham miner Tom McGuinness together with paintings of iconic Northern landmarks.

Mr McCulloch said:

“Until now, paintings and sculptures have been included in our Fine Art and Antiques sales but such has been the growing extent and quality of consignments that we have decided to introduce a dedicated auction that will give them their own platform.

“I am particularly pleased with this first collection, which has a broad offering of paintings, drawings and sculpture from the last 600 years of British and European Art.

There is something to suit all tastes and pockets with attractive pieces valued under a hundred pounds to the work of prestigious artists with price estimates of several thousand.”

 

 

Original Postman Pat art exhibition in Knaresborough

Ray Mutimer from Knaresborough was the main Postman Pat artist for fourteen years.

Now 84 years old, Ray is holding what he believes will be his last exhibition and sale of his original artwork for the much loved children’s books.

Ray has lived most of his adult life in the Harrogate district. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator he was head of art at St Aidens School.  It was only when his son was born that he started creating children’s picture books.

In 1989 he began illustrating the Postman Pat book series and quickly become the franchises’ premier artist.

Looking back on his career Ray said:

“I’m surprised I’ve been paid to do it, I enjoyed doing it so much. I like drawing, I don’t find it difficult. I tried to make the stories come alive as much as possible.

For example if Pat was talking to Mrs Goggins, I’d put Jess the cat in the background on a wall trying to jump on a bird. I liked to create a little subplot. “

Original artwork for Postman Pat can now sell for up to £600.00 but Ray said more commonly it’s around £250.00.

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In 2001 on its 20th anniversary, the creator of Postman Pat, Ivor Wood, sold the rights to Entertainment Rights and Ray lost his job. He told the Stray Ferret that he thinks it doesn’t have the charm it had.

“The original had a help you neighbour feel and a wonderful sense of community. When Ivor sold it, it changed and was brought up to date. I think they spoiled it.

“I followed the old look and was told I wasn’t allowed to and had to follow the new style”

The exhibition is part of Knaresborough’s FEVA festival.  Roy said he could have sent his illustrations  to London to be sold but he wanted to do it locally so people could enjoy them.

“I get Grandmother’s buying the pictures and want to take a photo with me and their baby grandchildren. It’s embarrassing but lovely” .

Ray’s exhibition can be found at 8 Whiteway Head, Calcutt, Knaresborough HG5 8LE.

It’s open between 11am and 4pm each day from August 12th to the 21st.

Some of Ray’s original illustrations 

Simon Weaver’s tribute to Harry Gration: ‘He was a premier league host’

The manager of Harrogate Town has paid tribute to Harry Gration, the Yorkshire TV legend who died suddenly last month, saying the club was privileged to have worked with him.

In the past year Harry had taken on the role of match day host for Town. He welcomed corporate sponsors and chaired Q and A sessions with invited guests and members of the team.

Simon Weaver told the Stray Ferret that Harry’s interest in working with Harrogate Town had come as something of a surprise to his father, Irving, who owns the club.

“My dad was nicely surprised to get a letter from Harry saying how much he loved the atmosphere at the stadium and was offering to lend a helping hand.

“Dad got on the phone and Harry become a host. He was very happy to pick up the mike for Q and As. He might ask the odd difficult question but he always did it with humour”

Simon played golf with Harry two days before his death as part of a fundraiser for Harrogate Homeless Project.

He said they were all devastated to learn of his death.

“We were all shell-shocked when we heard the news 48 hours later. Mum and Dad were so upset –he’d quickly became part of the club and part of our home games.

“He gave a feeling of familiarity straight away and made you feel like you could be yourself — as though you were chatting with a friend.

“Harry gave the club something new. It was like having a Premier League host at the club”.

The Weaver family and members of the management team at Harrogate Town attended Harry’s funeral at York Minster on Monday.

Like so many organisations that Harry worked with, they will miss him tremendously.

The funeral of Harry Gration held at York Minster on Monday

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Harrogate police accused of incompetence over attack on cleaners’ car

The owner of a contract cleaning company in Harrogate has accused the police of being incompetent after a man smashed up his staff’s car.

David Whan, who did not want to say the name of his company for fear of being targeted, said a man, who appeared to be drunk, accused two staff members of hitting him with their car when they parked outside the office they were due to clean off Victoria Avenue on the evening of July 19.

The staff members denied hitting him and went into the empty office to clean it.

Mr Whan said the man then returned with an axe and a hammer and tried to break into the office to attack them.

The two cleaners, seeing him return, ran downstairs and locked the front door. When the man couldn’t get into the office, he started to attack their car.

The man smashed the car windows, lights and doors of the vehicle, causing thousands of pounds of damage. The cleaners called the police and the man ran off when they arrived.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“Had that man hit anyone, he could certainly have killed them, such was the damage to the car and the force he used.”

Mr Whan said the two staff members gave the police a detailed description of the man and the officer said he thought he knew who it might be, even mentioning his first name.

However, they were later told that there was “insufficient evidence” and there was nothing more they could do.

Mr Whan told the Stray Ferret:

“I call this complete incompetence. I call it lazy policing. Why haven’t they checked for any CCTV? They had a very accurate description yet made no effort to follow it up.

“This means there is someone wandering around who’s done criminal damage and could have killed someone yet they’re doing nothing. How does that make my staff feel?

“I have staff working late at night and in empty offices who ought to feel safe. I can’t accept this, I am really cross.”

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Mr Whan has written to his MP, Andrew Jones, to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and to the chief constable, to get some answers.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said officers had checked for CCTV:

“Around 5.45pm on 19 July, officers were called to reports of a man being threatened by another man outside an address on South Park Road in Harrogate.

“Officers attended and took a description of the offender but following a search of the local area, no offender was located. CCTV enquiries were made and found no CCTV covering the location of the offence.

“With very limited further investigative opportunities, the incident was closed.

“When a crime is reported our officers will follow all available lines of enquiry to locate an offender or offenders, as well as providing safeguarding and support to victims.

“Unfortunately, if there are no further investigative opportunities then we cannot take any further action.”