Harrogate district bucks UK trend with empty shops in decline

Across Britain the number of empty shops has risen again, but the Harrogate district has enjoyed a boost in businesses opening over the past 12 months.

In March 2020 8.6% of the district’s retail units were empty, but in March 2021 this had dropped to 6.8%.

Research by the British Retail Consortium published by the BBC found that one in seven shops in Britain were empty, with the north of England said to be the most affected.

But the Harrogate district is bucking this trend – despite the repeated lockdowns to tackle the pandemic.

Tina Parker opened a French furniture store, Once Upon A Time, in Killinghall in September and said she would never look back:

“We did feel like we were a little crazy at the beginning but we thought people would go back to supporting local after the pandemic and they have!

“It’s been fantastic, people have been really supportive.

“Of course it has been difficult having to close twice but luckily we did get some grants so it worked out well.”

watermark gallery owners

Liz and Richard Hawkes with Anna Martola (left) from the Watermark Gallery.

Liz Hawkes, owner of the Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade in Harrogate, opened her premises just as the first lockdown was imposed last March. She said:

“We had already signed the lease and done the refurb just as lockdown was enforced but I’m glad we did open then otherwise I never would have done it. The independent scene in Harrogate is really strong and getting stronger.

“It’s been a positive experience for us and encouraged use to be more creative with our space, windows and how we serve our customers.”

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David Lombardi opened his music shop, The Music Bank, in Knaresborough in October and said although he has not been open as much as he would like, the local support has been great. He said:

“We kind of thought it was an opportunity and prior to the pandemic people were moving online so it was risky then too.

“I think we are stronger than we would have been if we stayed open because we had the time to work on the business.”

Time running out for Stray dining as debate rumbles on

Time is running out for Harrogate bars hoping to use the Stray for outdoor dining as the debate rumbles for another week.

Andrew Jones MP reignited hopes two weeks ago by sending a letter to the Duchy of Lancaster, the land owners, but the outcome has left the bar owners disappointed.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the Stray space outside their businesses from April 12.

However, indoor dining is returning on May 17 so Trish Campbell, manager at the Empress, feels that they will likely miss out on the outdoor dining window.

She told the Stray Ferret today:

“This has completely missed the point. We have still got another three weeks but we are really missing out on a good opportunity.

“For some reason we have not had any help. So we are extremely disappointed and upset.”

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In a letter to Andrew Jones MP, the chief executive at the Duchy of Lancaster Nathan Thompson said:

“If the proposals are not permitted by the Stray Act, Harrogate Borough Council would be in breach of its management obligations in implementing them.

“We therefore suggested to the council that they might seek advice regarding compliance before finalising its proposals.

“Given the aftermath of the UCI World Cycling Championships in 2019, the Duchy also requested further clarification of the proposed scale and duration of the proposed temporary licences.”

Andrew Jones MP forwarded the response to the owners of The Empress and Blues Bar and told them:

“The council rejected taking legal advice and doing the required engagement because by the time this costly work had been undertaken it would be well past the return of indoor hospitality.

“The council have assured me that they were ready to licence limited use of the Stray. I wanted to see an equally flexible response from the Duchy of Lancaster.

“Instead they have quoted the Stray Act and declined to give a view on whether they support use of the Stray in this manner.”

New Starbeck bar and cafe granted planning permission

The Waiting Room, a new craft beer bar and cafe/restaurant run by the owners of So Bar and Eats will open this summer on Starbeck High Street.

Harrogate Borough Council granted local pub company Appetite for Life planning permission earlier this week.

The building at 34 High Street was previously occupied by Greenalls and Your Factory Bed Shop, but has been empty for some time. The name of the bar ties into its location near Starbeck railway station.

The company already runs a number of bars in the Harrogate district including the So Bars in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, The Hart pub in Knaresborough, and the Tap on Tower Street in Harrogate.

Appetite for Life owner Rob Thompson told the Stray Ferret he hopes to get the venue up and running in about three months.

He added:

“As a local family-run Harrogate company, we are excited to bring Starbeck our new bar, The Waiting Room, in the next few months. Our plan is for a cafe bar, selling local craft beers, amazing wines and the best in premium spirits and gins in a comfy environment.

“We will be serving a variety of food all day, including artisan coffee, pastries, homemade world food bowls, pizza and grazing boards to nibble on while you are enjoying a drink. We plan to trade all day with food and drink available for take-out for those on the go. When we have more details to share we will let everyone know more”.

A logo of the new venue

The Waiting Room will open from 7am Monday to Saturday and from 9am on Sunday, It will close at 11.30pm Monday to Wednesday and 00.30am during the rest of the week.

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Starbeck is currently served by one pub, the Prince of Wales, plus two clubs.

There were plans to open a micropub called the Office Ale House on 67d High Street, but proposals fell through.

Appeal for witnesses to street fight in Bilton

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a group of men began fighting on Knox Chase, Bilton, on Friday April 16.

The incident involved five men, of various ages, physically fighting on the street at around 7.40pm.

The police reported that several residents came out of their homes to try to calm the situation.

Some of the men involved suffered facial injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call 101 and quote reference number 12210099520.

If you have already been approached by the police about this incident there is no need to get in touch again.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Leeds Road reopens fully after four weeks of resurfacing

Leeds Road in Harrogate has reopened fully after four weeks of evening closures for resurfacing.

North Yorkshire County Council‘s highways team worked on the stretch of road between Beech Avenue in Harrogate and Princess Royal Way in Pannal.

It will come as a relief to drivers who have been forced to use an eight-mile diversion between 6.30pm and 11.30pm since March 29.

This is the third of three phases of resurfacing in Harrogate. Works in The Old Barber area in Bilton and Franklin Road are already complete.

The highways team used 2,500 tonnes of material and cleaned out 105 gullies. As they finished the work today, it was completed on time.

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Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“The extensive resurfacing scheme on one of Harrogate’s busiest roads is a real success story for our dedicated highways teams.

“In spite of the constraints on working times, it has been completed on schedule with relatively minimal inconvenience.

“It is a great demonstration of working well in collaboration to achieve the same goal. The standard of the road is much improved and is now fit for future traffic demands.

Brian L Dunsby OBE, a local resident and former chief executive of the town’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said:

“The highways teams have done a brilliant job in resurfacing to such a high standard and were well-coordinated to get it finished on time.

“The project was very well executed as by carrying out the work overnight it caused little disruption.

“This is a major route in Harrogate so it’s great to see such improvements are a priority for the county council.”

Car crash causing delays on Harrogate’s Leeds Road

A car accident is causing heavy disruption on Leeds Road in Harrogate this afternoon.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police are currently diverting traffic as only one lane remains open.

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Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

An eye witness told the Stray Ferret at 4pm this afternoon:

“Traffic is backed up all the way to and beyond the Prince of Wales roundabout and as far as the eye can see down Leeds Road.”

Drink-drive arrests up 75% since beer gardens reopened

Thirty-five suspected drink drivers have been arrested by North Yorkshire Police within a fortnight of beer gardens reopening.

The number represents a 75% increase compared to this time last year.

Those arrested include eight people in the Harrogate district. The only district with more arrests was York, with 11.

North Yorkshire Police launched a “Be a hero, Stay at zero” drink-drive campaign to coincide with pubs reopening on April 12.

It urged people thinking of going for a drink to use public transport or select a designated driver.

Roads policing sergeant, Andrew Morton, said:

“We’ve already encountered too many people who have ignored our warnings. Our message is simple – if you drink or drug drive, we will catch you.

“We have only just been allowed to start going to beer gardens again – don’t ruin this for yourself by losing your licence, getting a criminal record and driving ban, paying a heavy fine or going to prison.”

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Harrogate company wins Queen’s Award for second time

A Harrogate company that operates around the world has today won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the second time.

Primeast, which is based at Cardale Park, was founded in 1987 by John Campbell. It provides training and development in more than 40 countries.

The company, which was named in a list of 205 award winners, employs 30 people in Harrogate and now has a team of four based in its US office.

The business also won a Queen’s Award in 2015, as seen in the above picture.

Founded 55 years ago, the Queen’s Award is widely recognised as the top business accolade in the country.

The focus of this year’s awards was ‘promoting opportunity through social mobility’.

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Coronavirus restrictions make it unlikely for winning businesses to get the customary invite to Buckingham Palace to accept the award.

A representative of the Queen will present the award at Primeast’s Harrogate office, later in the year.

Russell Evans, chief executive of Primeast, said:

“This is such fantastic recognition for the entire team who’ve worked with such commitment and passion and the clients who continue to support and partner with us.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

“In the last 12 months, British businesses showed the entrepreneurial spirit that this country is renowned for.

“They are continuing to drive social mobility, find new markets to export to and produce innovative products and services.”

Pateley Bridge census support could save you £1,000

People who have had difficulty filling in the census form need not panic. Help is at hand to save those struggling a potential £1,000 fine.

The census support centre run by Nidderdale Plus in Pateley Bridge can provide assistance to anybody living in the Harrogate district.

It is based in the Nidderdale Plus community hub in Station Square, King Street and will be open daily between 10am and 4pm for the rest of this week and on Saturday and bank holiday Monday from 10am until 1pm.

Photo of a Census form

The Census 2021 forms were posted to millions of households in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Helen Flynn, executive director of Nidderdale Plus, told the Stray Ferret:

“The census support centre, with its specially-trained advisors Sandra Walker and Heather Blundell, has been very busy since census day on March 21.

“We are proud to be the fourth highest performing census support centre in the north-east, North Yorkshire and Cumbria region so we have been punching above our weight, as we have been helping people.

“Completing and submitting the census form is a legal requirement and failure to do it could result in a fine of £1,000.”

People can walk in to the hub to get help with filling in their form.

Alternatively, they can call 01423 714953 for help and advice over the phone.

Filling in the form, which takes about 10 minutes, can be done on paper, smartphone, tablet or computer.

For those unfamiliar with technology, assistance can be provided with filling out the form online and submitting it.

The census helps local and national government to obtain a snapshot of the entire population at one point in time.

This helps in future planning for services such as healthcare, education and transport.

 

 

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Census facts and figures

This year marks the 22nd census.

The first census was held in Great Britain in March 1801.

It recorded the combined population of England, Wales and Scotland at 10.9 million,  living in 1.8 million houses.

It has been held every 10 years, except for 1941, when it did not take place because of World War II.

By the 2011 Census, the UK population – which also includes Northern Ireland – had grown to 63 million, of which 32 million were female and 31 million were male.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning everyone and welcome back. Traffic is getting busier on the district’s roads now so make sure to keep and eye on our morning blogs.

It’s Connor here with you bright and early this morning, please get in touch with me via social media or email me at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

This blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, brings you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

9am – Full Update

Roads

That’s all from me this morning. I will be back bright and early from 6.30am tomorrow to keep you moving. The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning. There are some traffic hot spots to look out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning. There are some traffic hot spots to look out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning. There are some traffic hot spots to look out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning. There are some traffic hot spots to look out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning. There are some traffic hot spots to look out for:

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning but there are no traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads are now becoming more busy in the Harrogate district this morning but there are no traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update

Roads

The roads look to be clear so far this morning. No traffic hotspots to report just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place:

Road closures in place here:

Trains

Buses