Union concerns over leisure ‘ridiculous’, says council

Harrogate Borough Council has described union concerns that the authority is being tight-lipped over its leisure plans as “ridiculous”.

The authority was responding to concerns from Unison that the council had not kept union bosses informed over proposals and that it had “no overwhelming support”.

But, the council said the plan, which it has consulted residents on, will save the authority £400,000 a year.

It comes as the council faces an estimated £15 million deficit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a report due before the authority’s cabinet next week, the company would be called Brimham’s Active and has a target set up date of August 2021.

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If given the go-ahead, it would mean facilities such as Harrogate Hydro, the Turkish Baths and Ripon Leisure Centre would be run by the new company.

Unison bosses said they were concerned that not enough information had been shared with them about the proposal, but the council has said it would be unrealistic to provide a running commentary on the company.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“For Unison to suggest we have been “tight lipped” is ridiculous.

“The union is aware of the proposal to create a local authority controlled company to manage our sport and leisure services.

“To expect a running commentary while a report is prepared for councillors to consider at next week’s meeting of cabinet is unrealistic.

“The proposal would enable us to save £400,000 a year and invest in new facilities for the benefit of people across the district.

“Our valued colleagues would be transferred to the new company on exactly the same terms and conditions they enjoy now.”

Harrogate’s deep clean is underway

A deep clean of Harrogate town centre began last night as retailers prepare to re-open next Monday.

The four-year contract for the clean was given to a team from the Yorkshire-based company UK Nationwide Cleaning services. The team began on Market Street and Cross James Street.

The clean is expected to take three weeks with a team working through the night, five days a week. The pavements and street furniture will be power washed throughout Harrogate’s retail space.

The cleaning team began in the heart of the retail town today.

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Once the town centre clean is complete, it will then continue into the wider BID area.

Harrogate BID Interim Manager Simon Kent said:

“The deep clean of Harrogate town centre has been a long time coming, and I’m delighted that it has now got under way. In a recent survey by Harrogate BID, the majority of businesses who responded said they saw this as the number one priority. UK Nationwide Cleaning Services, whom we awarded the contract to, are experts in this line of cleaning, having worked successfully with BIDs across the UK, including a number in Yorkshire.”

 

Shortlist revealed for Harrogate’s crime writing festival

Harrogate’s crime writing festival has announced this years shortlist which includes one debut novelist alongside 5 Theakston award alumni.

The Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, part of the Harrogate International Festival, received a record number of submission this year. 6 books have now made the shortlist.

Organisers say the shortlist takes the reader on an international crime journey, visiting places such as New York, London, Lagos and the Australian outback.

Debut booker nomination – My Sister the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite

The executive director of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston said:

“Seeing the huge variety and originality within this shortlist, it comes as no surprise to hear that crime fiction is dominating our lockdown reading habits. Offering both escapism and resolution, these exceptional titles transport readers around the world and I can’t wait to see where we settle on 23 July when one of these extraordinary authors takes home the 2020 Theakston Old Peculier cask.”

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The overall winner will be revealed in a virtual awards ceremony on 23 July with the winner receiving £3,000 and an engraved beer barrel provided by Theakston Old Peculier.

The winner is now down to public vote. If you are a fan of crime fiction you can read them all and cast your vote for your favourite at: www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com.

Here is the shortlist:

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (Atlantic Books)

Worst Case Scenario by Helen Fitzgerald (Orenda Books)

The Lost Man by Jane Harper (Little, Brown Book Group, Little, Brown)

Joe Country by Mick Herron (John Murray Press)

The Chain by Adrian McKinty (Orion Publishing Group, Orion Fiction)

Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee (VINTAGE, Harvill Secker)

Yorkshire Tea goes viral with Black Lives Matter tweet

Yorkshire Tea went viral last night with a Black Lives Matter (BLM) tweet after responding to a right-wing commentator.

Laura Towler said that she was “dead chuffed that Yorkshire Tea [had] not supported BLM.”

The brand, which is owned by Harrogate-based Bettys and Taylor Group, rebuked her:

“Please don’t buy our tea again.

“We’re taking some time to educate ourselves and plan proper action before we post. We stand against racism.”

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Other tea brands like PG Tips and Teapigs got involved with the row by showing #solidaritea with Yorkshire Tea.

PG Tips added: “If you are boycotting teas that stand against racism, you’re going to have to find two new tea brands now.”

Please don't buy our tea again.

We're taking some time to educate ourselves and plan proper action before we post. We stand against racism.
#BlackLivesMatter

— Yorkshire Tea (@YorkshireTea) June 8, 2020

So far, Yorkshire Tea’s response has been retweeted nearly 12,000 times with around 6,000 responses.

Many of the people responding praised the tea brands for its stance but some condemned them for “virtue signalling.”

Advocacy group Hope Not Hate has previously named Laura Towler, who is from Yorkshire, among a list of influential and “racist alt-right” YouTubers.

District farm shops see rise in customers during lockdown

More of us shopped in farm stores during lockdown – that’s according to the Farm Retail Association.

The FRA, which is managed by the Yorkshire Agriculture Society,  said 92% of farm retailers it surveyed reported a “significant” rise in new customers. It said the success of the stores had secured jobs and helped food suppliers.

One Harrogate farm shop owner said she’d seen unprecedented orders during lockdown. Julia Corbett, from Roots and Fruits, said:

“We have definitely seen an increase, we’ve had so many people come to us who have never used independent shops before. When lockdown happened we moved to delivery only to protect our staff and customers in our small shop. We had 30 deliveries per week before lockdown but after three weeks we’d hit 550. I think people love how fresh and quick their order is and we offer a really personal service that you can’t get at the big supermarkets.”

Packages of fresh produce have become popular over lockdown

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Heather Parry, managing director of Fodder, which is based at the Yorkshire Showground said:

“We have worked hard to adapt quickly to ensure our customers continue to have access to quality, fresh locally-produced food without disruption.

“The feedback we have received from new and returning customers has been hugely rewarding and gives me enormous hope that they will keep shopping with us, long after the coronavirus pandemic ends.”

As lockdown measures ease, independent shops in the district are hopeful new customers will remain loyal to them. .

 

Harrogate retail prepares to fight for survival

As nearly 10% of Harrogate town centre’s retail spaces sit empty, traders prepare to fight to survive as lockdown is eased.

After 10 weeks of closure, retailers and independent boutiques now face the task of making up lost ground, earning a living and protecting their customers at the same time.

Non-essential shops, such as clothing outlets, can reopen from Monday. But the aim for some is to see if they can survive the challenge that comes with social distancing measures and the cost of the crisis.

As an economic downturn looms, Harrogate’s outlets face an uphill task in surviving. During lockdown, among those retailers to leave the town’s prestigious James Street is Jack Wills.

Among traders’ concerns ahead of Monday include:

Despite support from government and the local authority, it may not be enough as traders face the difficult decision of whether to open up or not on Monday.

Sophie Hartley, who owns Sophie Likes boutique on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

One of the shops reopening is lifestyle boutique Sophie Likes, which has been operating on Beulah Street for the past six years.

Sophie Hartley is the owner and sole employee in the store and has prepared for social distancing. But she said it will be difficult for local traders to make a living after lockdown.

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The closure of the shop left Sophie’s family without some of their income. She received a government grant but still hopes to have discussions with her landlord to help make it through until the end of the year.

She said: “It’s been pretty scary.

“All of a sudden you have the close the shop and you have no income.

“We are still not sure of our opening hours because we do not know how busy it is going to be.”

Another store owner, who did not wish to be named, said she had been “stung” financially by the lockdown and may have to close the store in future due to a lack of customers.

She said she had to seek advice after discussions about rent support with her landlord broke down and that Harrogate was a “ghost town” and the financial situation may lead her to reconsider the future of the store.

She said: “I cannot just keep going for face value.

“The high street is suffering and Harrogate is already a ghost town.”

Despite these difficult times, there is no place for small businesses to turn to for support when negotiations with landlords prove to be difficult.

Retail in Crisis

This week we report on Retail In Crisis as stores prepare to reopen after lockdown.

Over the coming days, we will look at the fear of shoppers returning to the High Street, how trade associations are working to entice customers into Harrogate and the long view of the future of retail in the town.

Tomorrow, we look at shoppers anxieties over returning to shopping in town.

Council plans for leisure have ‘no overwhelming support’, say Unions

Union bosses in Harrogate have claimed there is no overwhelming public support for council-run leisure services to be handed over to an arms-length company.

Officials from Unison have sought further information on the proposal after they say they have had no contact from the authority on the matter.

Harrogate Borough Council has consulted with residents on plans to hand over services to an authority-run company which it says will save £400,000 a year.

It comes as the council faces an estimated £15 million deficit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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If given the go-ahead, it would mean facilities such as Harrogate Hydro, the Turkish Baths and Ripon Leisure Centre would be run by the new company.

But unions say they fear that the move could lead to job losses and have requested further information on the survey carried out by the council.

A spokesperson for Unison Harrogate Local Government Branch said today: 

“To date Unison, have had no proactive contact from the council on the LACC, either before or after the consultation period ended.

“We do not believe there is overwhelming public support for such a change so we are seeking further information.

“We have recently requested information on how many residents had previously stated the cost of sport and leisure was too high (at 37p a week), which the council have said is one of the drivers of the move to a LACC.

“We have also requested to know how many residents have responded to the recent survey and what the responses are.

“We do know staff are worried because there has been an increase in our membership in sport and leisure since the proposal became public and our concerns remain around changes to terms and conditions, together with pension provision if staff transfer over.  There should be no doubt that this can happen if the council ultimately decides to go ahead with the transfer.”

Harrogate Borough Council has been approached for comment.

No coronavirus deaths as Harrogate total cases pass 300 mark

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any new coronavirus deaths but the number of cases in the district is at over 300 since the start of the pandemic.

Statistics from the government’s coronavirus tracker show that there have been 308 confirmed cases of the virus in the Harrogate district. North Yorkshire as a whole has confirmed 1,320 cases of coronavirus.

The hospital has, so far, recorded 70 deaths where the patient has tested positive for COVID-19.

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On Thursday, the hospital reported that it had discharged 118 patients who tested positive for coronavirus – an increase of nine on the previous week.

The number of deaths and discharges as well as a further 72 who have died in care homes accounts for the majority of cases in the area.

Independent Harrogate ‘very disappointed’ as parking charges restart

A group representing independent businesses in Harrogate has voiced its disappointment over the restarting of parking charges.

William Woods, on behalf of Independent Harrogate, said he had previously told the council to help retailers by delaying the reintroduction of charges.

He said that free parking would make a “huge difference” to businesses in Harrogate. Many of which are reopening for the first time on June 15, the same time charges come back into force.

“We wanted a grace period to help businesses to get back on their feet. We need to do all we can to get visitors back into the town centre. I thought that free parking would send a strong message.”

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Since the start of the lockdown enforcement officers have only targeted dangerous and obtrusive parking but that will change on June 15.

The measures will come into force for both on-street and off-street parking. North Yorkshire County Council is urging people to exercise social distancing when parking and paying to park.

Harrogate BID response to parking charges

Harrogate BID has been more welcoming to the reintroduction of parking charges but said that the change needed to be communicated well.

Sara Ferguson, acting chair, said: “I can see why the County Council is doing this, as it will ensure there is turnover in spaces when shops reopen, but it needs to be communicated loud and clear, so no one is caught unaware. We need to ensure that at the same time traffic wardens are back patrolling the streets, the town’s car parks are re-opened and properly signposted.”

Covid Co-Operation Harrogate raises £11,155 for local charities

Covid-Co-Operation Harrogate has raised £11,155 for local charities as a result of its crowdfunding appeal.

Covid Co-Operation Harrogate was set up as a means of connecting local people who need help, with those able to help. The group rapidly expanded to more than 10,000 members. As a result of the incredible response, the groups admin team set up a fundraising page for local charities who need help during this difficult time.

The charities, who have all received an equal share of the donations, include: Supporting Older People, Harrogate Foodbank, IDAS, SparkSupport, Hear to Help and Canaan Warehouse.

Susie Little, founder of the group and the crowdfund appeal, told The Stray Ferret:

“I chose 6 small charities who I felt were helping sections of society who are particularly vulnerable at this particular time.”

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The Great Stand Up To Covid-19 Bake Off is just one of the many activities run by the group. This event encourages members to bake their best cake and send a photo of their creation to the group.

Cake baked by Mia Wright, Age 14.

In order to take park, each participant donated a £2 entry fee to the crowdfund page and the bake off was judged by Bruce Reid and Harrogate’s White Watch. 10 finalists, 7 adults and 3 under 16 competitors, have been awarded a place in next weekends show stopper.

Cake baked by Dawn Peretti-Speirs.

The Bake-Off competition was one of many activities carried out by members of the group in order to raise money. Other fundraising events included a charity bike ride of 150 miles and auctions of jewellery and garden furniture donated by members of the group.