Harrogate fashion show to celebrate town’s retailers

Harrogate is to celebrate its mix of retail shops with a fashion show in the town centre.

The Celebration of Fashion event on Saturday, May 20, will be hosted by Harrogate BID and is sponsored by the Victoria Shopping Centre. The Stray Ferret will cover the show as media partner.

The aim of the fashion show is to showcase what Harrogate has to offer in terms of high street chains and independent boutiques, and to invigorate the high street.

A pop-up catwalk will be installed in the town’s Victoria Shopping Centre piazza area and retailers will host in-house pop-up experiences to attract customers.

Morgan Clare, Hoopers, Specsavers, Lush and Primark have already signed up to take part, demonstrating the level of interest in the event from the outset.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Harrogate is renowned for being home to many retailers that offer visitors the opportunity to purchase the latest trends in fashion, whatever the occasion.

“What could be better than retailers coming together to display their unique offering and for visitors to head to the piazza and take a tour of the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion’s programme of events – to see what fashion suits them?”

The fashion show will run from 10am to 5pm.

Retailers wishing to showcase their ranges, from wedding collections to activewear, vintage to seasonal outfits, are invited to secure their place by emailing info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

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Farewell – the Stray Ferret compiles its top ten Harrogate Borough Council moments

Today marks the end of Harrogate Borough Council.

We’ve only reported on the council for the past three years but have pulled together this affectionate, and somewhat tongue-in-cheek, farewell to the authority.

It’s our top ten Harrogate Borough Council greatest hits and best read stories …

 

 

 

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Conservative councillor says Harrogate district alderman row ‘deeply disappointing’

Conservative councillor Nick Brown has told the Stray Ferret he was left deeply disappointed by the dispute over making him an Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Harrogate.

This week many Conservative councillors voted in favour of giving him the civic title, going against a motion put forward by Harrogate Borough Council‘s Conservative leader Richard Cooper.

The title is being bestowed on councillors who have given over 15 years of good service to the authority, which is being abolished next week after 49 years.

Cllr Brown said:

“I am honoured that most of my Conservative colleagues voted for me to become an honorary alderman despite the attempts of the council leader to block my nomination.”

Cllr Cooper’s motion proposed blocking any councillor from becoming an honorary alderman or alderwoman if they refused to take actions recommended by the council’s standards panel.

The row over Cllr Brown’s Alderman status centred on the outcome of a standards investigation into comments he made about Cllr Cooper.

Following the investigation, Cllr Brown issued an apology to the council leader, which he shared with all Conservative councillors.

But his apology was not accepted by Cllr Cooper, who said advice from the council’s Independent Person deemed the apology “not acceptable”.

Cllr Brown said:

“Although I made an apology, in the final decision by the external, independent, deputy monitoring officer appointed by the council, there was no necessity for an apology, or for it to be agreed by the council’s Independent Person.

“Many Conservative members of the public supported me and feel the whole issue created unnecessary division in the party locally on what should have been a harmonious final council meeting.

“I hope Cllr Cooper reflects on this.”

Cllr Brown said he now wished to put the matter behind him and focus on his new role as the councillor for Wathvale and Bishop Monkton on the new North Yorkshire Council.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate hotel owners hire project manager ahead of refurbishment

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A project manager has been appointed for the refurbishment of the St George Hotel in Harrogate.

Inn Collection Group, which runs the hotel, has hired Silverstone Building Consultancy to act as project manager and contract administrator for the scheme.

The hotel, which is set to be renamed The Harrogate Inn, will see six new bedrooms added on the ground floor and a “complete transformation of the venue’s hospitality spaces”, according to the owners.

Tom Wright, senior chartered building surveyor, who is based in the Leeds office of Silverstone Building Consultancy, said: 

“We are, naturally, very pleased to continue our working relationship with The Inn Collection Group. We have developed a great rapport with the team, which is built on the successful delivery of a diverse and complex range of projects.

“As well as the project management and principal designer role, our remit has progressed to contract administrator. Work on site has started with the appointment of the principal contractor, 7formation.

“The restoration of the hotel will very much be in keeping with the proven style of the Inn Collection Group and is a 16-week construction project that will see extensive internal and external works.

“We are looking forward to working with all parties to deliver a truly high-quality refurbishment which will be a major asset to The Inn Collection Group, to the town of Harrogate and to future guests, who will undoubtedly feel the benefit of the extensive investment made in the hotel.”

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

“We’re delighted to be working with Silverstone Building Consultancy on Hotel St George and the renovation project and strengthening our excellent relationship with them. 

“We are working in partnership with them across several refurbishments at the moment and have already completed some high-quality projects. It’s a measure of the strength of our relationship, that we have made them our contract administrator with this project, as well as project managers and principal designers. 

“The works at St George Hotel are going to give the venue an exciting refresh with the creation of new bar spaces, a new main entrance and external patio spaces, as well as undertaking some maintenance to the fabric of the building, including the roof and external elevations.”

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Housing developer donates £25,000 to Henshaws 

Henshaws Specialist College based in Starbeck has received a £25,000 donation from local housebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire East.

The money will fund the creation of a new outdoor classroom to support their Forest School.

The college, which provides education, learning and care for young people aged 18 to 25 years with a wide range of disabilities and complex needs, plans to add an outdoor classroom to the school which will enable students to develop skills using the natural environment.

Gemma Young, from Henshaws, said:

“We’re so grateful to Barratt Developments for their generous £25,000 donation in support of our college. The addition of a new outdoor classroom to our forest school will really help our students to develop new learning opportunities in a change in scenery, whilst also broadening their knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

‘We look forward to working with Barratt Developments in bringing this to life!”

Daniel Smith, managing director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East added:

“We’re extremely passionate about supporting the communities in which we build, and our donation to Henshaws Specialist College is a wonderful way for us to support incredible organisations within the local area…. We hope that our forest school donation makes a positive impact in students’ education and life at Henshaws and we look forward to working closely with them over the coming months.”

New specialist disability toilet set for Ripon city centre

Ripon city centre is set to get its first specialist toilet for people with disabilities.

Changing Places toilets are larger, accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.

They include equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.

After a successful bid by Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon Disability Forum £40,000 has been granted through the government’s Changing Places Fund to create the new facility.

It will be located at the existing Ripon Bus Station toilets and it is hoped it will be open by the end of the year.

Ripon already has a Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre but not one in the city centre.  Recent plans to develop Ripon Cathedral also include proposals to create a Changing Places toilet.

Councillor Graham Swift, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said:

“Changing Places toilets are a welcome addition for the local community and I am glad that following our successful bid we will be able to install a new facility for residents and visitors of Ripon.

“This new addition follows the Changing Places toilet at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre to ensure everyone has access to our fantastic new facility.”

Jeremy Dunford, from Ripon Disability Forum, said:

“Changing Places toilets allow families greater freedom when caring for a family member with specific needs.

“They allow whole families to shop, visit and travel with more confidence and security. For independent people with greater need it means their independence is supported by the facilities they need.

“This is great news for businesses, residents and visitors to the City of Ripon.”

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Business Breakfast: Ethical cafe opens second store in Knaresborough

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Number Thirteen Coffee House & Cakery – a retro-inspired, eco-conscious coffee shop in Knaresborough, is set to open a second, larger store.

Number Thirteen opened in January 2018 when operator Sarah Ward took over a small vacant shop unit on Castlegate.

Five years on, Number Thirteen is set to open a second, larger premises on the first floor space above Donkey’s Years Antiques on Silver Street.  The new space will have all the hallmarks of Number Thirteen’s signature retro styling, but will be more of a social space, with room for larger groups.

Ms Ward said:

“It’s very exciting to be opening a second shop in Knaresborough.  The town has such a strong, friendly business community and our customers are so loyal and supportive.  I just wanted to be able to give them all something to be proud of.

“Each shop will have its own identity but will work in harmony with each other too. We saw little point creating something that was exactly the same, just made bigger, and instead we’ve kept all of the best bits and built on them, trying out new things that we otherwise didn’t have the space to do in our Castlegate shop. ”

Number Thirteen on Silver Street will be opening on April 1 to coincide with the start of the school holidays.

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Transport chief in Harrogate tonight

Tonight’s meeting of the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce will focus on broadband and town centre connectivity.

Entitled “The Highway — super and public”,  the meeting with hear from NYnet about business broadband CityFibre about domestic broadband.

David Simister, the chamber’s chief executive said:

“Obviously businesses rely on high speed broadband — if they don’t have it they will be disadvantaged from other parts of the country that do.

“We live in a world where nothing less than superfast is acceptable.”

The meeting will also hear from councillor Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, on updates about the controversial Station Gateway project in Harrogate and wider highways issues in the town centre.

The meeting, at the Harrogate Convention Centre starts at 5.30pm.

Harrogate Sea Cadets hold first annual awards night after covid

Harrogate’s Sea Cadet unit held its first annual awards night since the covid pandemic.

The event at the Assembly room at Harrogate Ladies College saw awards, badges and qualifications handed out to current cadets.

The Harrogate unit, called T.S Cleopatra, closed for much of the pandemic although a lot of the instruction was done online. It has since resumed sailing, rowing, band practice, catering, marine engineering and drill practice.

Its patron, the Mayor of Harrogate Councillor Victoria Oldham, presented many of the prizes as did special guest Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren O.B.E (Commander Operations in the Royal Navy) whose 10 year old son, Harry, has just joined the unit.

Rear Admiral Ahlgren,who was a cadet himself in 1989, said:

“I was enormously honoured to present awards and promotions to such an impressive and enthusiastic group of Sea Cadets whose energy and commitment are unrivalled.”

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There was a 12 year award for the chairman, Michael Langford,  who started volunteering in 2011 and a prestigious Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate awarded to Mike Roberts who retired as a volunteer after 30 years as Treasurer.

The unit’s commanding officer Lt Dan Wilding said:

“The cadets have been amazingly resilient and loyal to the unit over the 2 years of Covid restrictions and we are glad to reward them with a night like this.

“Sea Cadets offers so many opportunities to both adults and young people. It is important to remember that we are an independent charity that relies on volunteers in the local community to help make a positive different to the lives of so many young people in your area. If you think you could help us, please get in touch. Likewise, if you are between the ages of 10 and 18 and are interested in becoming a Sea Cadet, we would love to hear from you.”

Harrogate’s T.S Cleopatra is part of the national charity Sea Cadets which operates across the UK with 14,000 young people between 10 and 18, to help them “see the world with confidence, gained through the challenge of nautical adventure and a Royal Navy ethos”.

The unit parades on Tuesday and Friday evenings and meets at 6 Springfield Mews. click here for more details.

 

Business Breakfast: New Diploma qualification launched by Yorkshire School of Garden Design

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

The Yorkshire School of Garden Design is to offer a new Diploma in Planting Design.

The year-long Diploma will be launched at the school’s Spring Open Day this Saturday and is an opportunity for those with a passion for plants to explore a career in garden design.

The school at Harewood House was launched less than a year ago and specialises in teaching professionals the art of garden design.

The course will cover topics ranging from plant taxonomy, through the history of horticulture in design, to the art and science of designing plants in a wide range of settings.

Yorkshire School of Garden Design founder Alistair Baldwin said:

“Our new diploma is the perfect opportunity for budding designers, amateur gardeners, professionals and all those passionate about the fundamentals of planting design.”

“The course will provide a careful blend of creativity, design principles, botany and taxonomy, the sociability of plants in sustainable communities, and insights into the work of the world’s leading practitioners in the world of planting design.

“Our proximity to many of Yorkshire’s finest gardens, landscapes and plant collections, not to mention the glorious gardens at Harewood, will also provide unrivalled opportunities to expand the learning process. Throughout the twelve months, our students will be encouraged to explore and gain first hand insight from our surroundings in the company of experts, supplemented by trips out to first class regional gardens and a study tour in the south of England.”

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A partner at Jones Myers has been named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Northern Powerhouse Awards.

Kate Banerjee won the award in the Private Client category.  Judges selected Kate, who heads the Harrogate firm’s internationally renowned children’s department, from a shortlist of eleven lawyers across the North of England.

With almost three decades of experience in children law, Kate has expertise in international child abduction. Her specialisms include contact, residence, and adoption.

Kate said:

“I am proud and honoured to receive this prestigious recognition which is attributable to the commitment of our highly experienced and respected team.

“An enormous and heartfelt ‘thank you’ to my colleagues who consistently provide the best bespoke solutions for our valued clients.”      

Kate Banerjee, partner at Jones Myers Solicitors, with her award 

Business Breakfast: two Harrogate small businesses win regional awards

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Two Harrogate based companies have won awards at the regional Small Business Federation’s Yorkshire and Humber Awards 2023.

Robotas Technologies Ltd won the Business & Product Innovation Award – and The Harrogate Brewing Company won the Family Business of the Year Award.

Robotas Technologies, which is about to move to carbon zero premises in Pannal, is a family-owned business which has been a leader in the field of optimising the PCB assembly process for customers all over the world.

Managing Director of Robotas Technologies, Nick Walters said:

“I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible team of talented engineers for their non-stop innovation which has led us to winning this award.

“This recognition is well deserved for the excellent work that you carry out every single day. Thank you Guys, this is your award, and it is very much well deserved!!

“Now, on to the National Awards in May!!”

Joe Joyce, who co-owns the Harrogate Brewing Company with his wife Julie, said:

“We’re equally delighted and surprised at this award. As a family business it is a validation that we are doing more things right than wrong.

Thank you all in our team.”

Joe and Julie Joyce (centre) receiving their award 

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The next Harrogate Chamber of Commerce meeting will focus on connectivity and superfast broadband.

The meeting  entitled, “The Highway – super and public”,  will hear from NYnet, CityFibre and North Yorkshire County Council’s member for highways and connectivity, Cllr Keane Duncan.

The event is at the Harrogate Convention Centre and starts at 5.30pm.

To attend click here.

Morning delays at Harrogate’s Prince of Wales Roundabout

There were delays at the Prince of Wales roundabout in the centre of Harrogate this morning.

Cones were placed around the roundabout reducing traffic to one lane – Leeds Road and Otley Road were also reduced to one lane approaching the roundabout.

The roadworks were not listed on North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map and were removed by lunchtime.

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