Northern Trains which operates the Harrogate line has appealed to customers to stop watching explicit videos and making inappropriate jokes whilst travelling.
It has extended the strict ‘not suitable for work’ rule regarding the viewing of content to its trains and stations, after facing a problem with “a minority” of commuters.
This can range in scale from inappropriate jokes and bad language to offensive topics and explicit material.
The operator said:
“Whilst people are more likely to err on the side of caution at work, the rush to view content once they’ve left the workplace can mean the train journey home is often the first opportunity to take a look.”
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Northern said the internet in its stations and on-board the trains is delivered in partnership with ‘Friendly WiFi’ – a government-initiated safe certification standard for public WiFi.
Friendly WiFi aims to reassure users that the service meets minimum filtering standards – particularly in areas where children are present, such as on station platforms and on trains.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“We welcome millions of people into our stations and on board our trains every year – and access to safe and reliable internet is part and parcel of our customers’ expectations.
“It is important, however, that people remember that some content is not suitable for everyone to see or hear – particularly children.
“As such, if something is ‘not suitable for work’ it’s more than likely not suitable in our stations or on board our trains either – so please wait until you get home.”
Bev Smith, director of Friendly WiFi, said:
“We are excited to be working with Northern as a ‘Friendly WiFi’ certified train operator.
“They were passionate throughout the process to achieve the standard to ensure a great experience online for all their customers whilst travelling with them.”
In 2010 Harrogate was dubbed Britain’s “porn capital” by the tabloid press after an analysis of residents’ internet use for the BBC2 show The Virtual Revolution.
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate law firm, LCF Law, has appointed a new business development and marketing director.
Nick Greenwood has spent the past 25 years working for banking, accountancy, and legal firms across Yorkshire.
In his new role, Mr Greenwood will head a broad spectrum of business development and marketing projects at LCF Law and oversee the firm’s overall growth strategy.
He said:
“I started my career at Barclays as a branch manager in both the Leeds and Bradford flagship branches, soon progressing through SME into corporate banking and agriculture, supporting all types of businesses with their financial needs.
“After that, I became part of the senior leadership team at a mid-tier accountancy firm as head of sectors, and then moved to a business development role at a 48 partner law firm supporting its achievement to become one of the most profitable law firms in the east of England.
“Whether it be providing finance, accountancy, or legal services, the key is always to focus on how firms can solve problems for their clients and deliver cost-effective solutions that help them achieve their business and personal goals.”
Simon Stell, managing partner at LCF Law, said:
“We have significant growth aspirations and Nick’s expertise and enthusiasm will help us to deliver those. At the heart of any good business are its people. We recruit great people and help them to achieve their potential and career ambitions. The addition of Nick to the team will help the business and our lawyers meet our goals..
“Nick’s appointment will help us to reach even more clients across a broad spectrum including the manufacturing, agricultural, healthcare, digital and charity sectors.”
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Harrogate BID funds town spring clean
Harrogate’s Business Improvement District has completed a spring clean as part of its business objective to keep the town ‘safe, clean and welcoming’.
The 150-hour long clean-up operation saw hot steam and pressure jet washing of pavements on Cambridge Street, Beulah Street, Oxford Street, Cambridge Road, James Street, Parliament Street, West Park, John Street, The Ginnel, Montpellier Mews, Kings Road and Station Parade.
The work was backed up by Chris Ashby, the BID’s in-house street ranger, who recently won the Unsung Hero Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to keeping the town spotless.
Matthew Chapman, BID manager, said:
“First impressions really do count, which is why we ensure our streets are cleaned on a regular basis.
“It is clear to see from the before and after pictures that the deep cleans make a huge difference to the aesthetic appearance of the town for all who visit it.
“I would encourage all businesses who are part of the BID community to make the most of the additional services the street ranger team offers over and above the deep cleaning.
“We provide reactive support for improvements to properties within the BID radius, to make sure they look professional, clean and inviting. Anyone wanting to make the most of this offering should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk.”
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Black Sheep Brewery has launched a strategic review to explore funding options to develop the business. One option could be to sell the company.
The Masham based company has appointed Teneo as its financial adviser to support the review.
In a statement it said was “considering all options, one such option being a merger or an acquisition of the Company, in whole or in part, if such a solution offers the best outcome for shareholders and other stakeholders whilst providing a stable base for the future of the business.”
Black Sheep said it was experiencing good sales volumes of its beers, however there remains a significant constraint on funding due to economic conditions.
Charlene Lyons, CEO said:
“We are pleased to have seen so many customers enjoying Black Sheep beers over the Easter bank holiday weekend, one of our busiest trading periods of the year. However, we believe that now is the right time to conduct this Strategic Review to secure the best outcome for our valued shareholders and other stakeholders.
The Brewery has exciting and ambitious plans for the future and interesting projects in the pipeline. Forward funding is an issue for many businesses in the tight market brought about by the after-effects of Covid-19 on the hospitality sector and this is exacerbated by the cost-of-living issues affecting consumer spending.
“We are confident that the wider investment market will see the opportunities presented by this well-established and highly regarded brand.”
Black Sheep said it was not currently in talks with any potential buyer.
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Provenance Collection has appointed two new senior staff at the Punch Bowl Inn in Marton-cum-Grafton.
Brian Furey is to be the new general manager and Ian Matfin has been appointed head chef.
Provenance Collection has nine sites across North Yorkshire and employs more than 150 people. Last year, The Punch Bowl Inn was awarded Best Food Offer in the Publican Awards.
Brian Furey commented:
“This is an exciting opportunity to work within a team so committed to offering the best in hospitality. Our chefs work with nature, creating seasonal menus, sourcing from local and regional suppliers, this is a family that has a set of values to deliver exceptional customer experience, which is something I live by, too.”
New head chef, Ian Matfin has worked at some of the UK’s leading restaurants including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison, Claridge’s, and more recently at North Yorkshire’s Devonshire Arms.
Mr Matfin said:
“I have worked in kitchens large and small and with all manner of teams and have seen success at its best. Having the skillset in the kitchen is one thing but having the drive and the values of this group is something I am relishing. The field to fork mentality, the access to our own kitchen garden at Mount St. John, the incredible local artisans I get to work with make every day a new opportunity.”
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Fat Badger named county’s best pub
The Fat Badger in Harrogate been named as the best pub in North Yorkshire at the National Pub & Bar Awards.
A total of 94 pubs and bars were recognised as county winners in the awards which aim to highlight the positive and inspiring work being carried out across the UK’s hospitality sector.
“We’re delighted to have been considered for this amazing award, but to go on and win our county category is just wonderful and a real testament to the hard work all of my team put in to making the Fat Badger the friendly and welcoming place it is.“The team are buzzing from the announcement and can’t wait until the overall national winner is announced as we really feel we deserve a shot at it!”
Harrogate fashion show to celebrate town’s retailers“I’m so proud that the Fat Badger has been recognised like this. Whilst I’m probably biased, I do believe we deliver something special in our pub and have made the brand a well known one in recent years with people travelling from far and wide to experience the first class food, ales and of course service that we offer.“We can’t wait to find out who will pick up the national pub of the year in June, but in the meantime, are delighted to be the overall North Yorkshire winner”.
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:
New specialist disability toilet set for Ripon city centre“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.”
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.