ODEON has announced its Harrogate cinema will reopen on 16 July with tickets going on sale online today.

Customers can expect to buy tickets for classic films such as 1914, Empire Strikes Back and The Greatest Showman. New releases will begin by the end of July.

The new ‘ODEON safer experience’ will be a little different to what film-lovers are used to. It will be a contactless experience with the usual boxes of popcorn being replaced by pre-packaged options. The new grab and go range will also limit customers to bottled drinks.

Family groups and social bubbles will be allowed to sit next together, but between separate customers there will be an unoccupied seat. Staggered show times will also limit the chance of long queues.

Staff will be trained on the new safety measures and equipped with masks and gloves.

Screens on the counters and markings on the floors will become the new normal for ODEON customers.

Read more:

• Safety measures could see waiters wearing masks and visors in Harrogate’s restaurants. 
• Hotel staff are being re-trained to make sure everywhere is covid secure for the planned reopening on 4 July. 

Carol Welch, Managing Director for UK and Ireland, said:

“We are excited to confirm that from 4 July, our UK cinemas will begin reopening. We’ve carefully planned every step of our guest journey and put safety measures in place to provide a controlled and safer cinema experience.

“New measures include social distancing in our auditoriums and foyers, additional cleaning regimes, and a request to book tickets online prior to arrival.”

A Harrogate retailer has threatened to rip up pavement widening cones that cut off parking on West Park.

North Yorkshire County Council put up the cones this morning to encourage social distancing on West Park and Royale Parade in Harrogate.

It has not gone down well with the majority of business owners on the street. Many told The Stray Ferret that the road is wide enough already.

Read more:

• When the council introduced pavement widening
• Why the county council wants pavement widening

Georgie Roberts owns women’s clothing store Georgie’s and was one of many businesses that found the cones this morning. She said:

“I am sick of the council. I will move the cones myself. I don’t care. It would be very nice to get a letter from the council to explain the plans. I am absolutely furious. We have got very wide pavements on West Park.”

Lisa Hawksworth is the manager of 27 West Park Antiques added:

“I can understand we’re trying to protect people but we are moving down to one metre. So the priority should be getting people back into the town to use the parking that is already there. It shocked me.”

The parking has been cut off on West Park.

It is not clear how long the cones will be up for. On other streets in Harrogate, they will be there until September.

When Brian Marshall, the owner of the Luxe Company, saw the cones he immediately sent a complaint to the council.

“This is farcical. The pavement is wide enough out there. We do not need this, why are they doing it now they are relaxing the social distancing rules? It’s ridiculous.”

Sally Monkman owns Boho Chic and echoed complaints about the council’s communication with businesses. She said:

“I had no idea that this was happening. They are killing the shops with this. It’s very difficult because they are not providing a different parking solution.”

The issue of pedestrianisation seems to divide the hospitality sector and the retail sector.

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate, said in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that he supported using outdoor space for hospitality and added that jobs in the district “depended on it.”

James Street, which has already seen its pavements widened, has been earmarked for pedestrianisation.

Mike Jarvis, the manager of COOK Harrogate, was more welcoming of the measures. He told The Stray Ferret that there is enough parking around the area.

“I am not particuarly worried about it. I presume it’s a short term measure, it’s not the end of the world.”

Siobhan Dodds, the assistant manager at Arlo & Jacob, said:

“I think all of the parking at the front can actually put people off because it can look quite hectic. We are just finding the new normal, it could be a positive thing.”

Burglars made off in a BMW with a first aid kit, a box of face masks and two sets of handmade doctor’s scrubs from a home in south Harrogate.

The Westbourne Avenue home was targeted between midnight and 6.45am on Saturday, June 20, when thieves broke in and took the keys for the grey BMW 220 D, which was on the driveway.

The car was recovered later that day after crashing and being abandoned on the way to Wetherby. However, items from inside the car were stolen.

As well as the face masks, scrubs and first aid kit, they included a child’s car seat, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a make-up bag. A personalised thermometer was also stolen from a doctor’s bag, but the bag was left outside the house.

Read more:

• ‘Outrageous’ series of bike thefts investigated at Harrogate Hospital
• Three arrested after cars stolen in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information from the public aboutt he “two-in-one” burglary. A spokesman said:

“In particular, [we] are appealing for information about any suspicious people or vehicles seen in the area, and any CCTV or dash-cam or doorbell footage taken in the area at the time of the offence.

“[We] would also like to hear from anyone who has seen or been offered any of the stolen items for sale under suspicious circumstances.

After almost 4 months of closure, Harrogate’s hospitality industry welcomes the government’s decision to reduce the two-metre social distancing rule.

The West Park Hotel in Harrogate, is one of those now getting ready to re-open its doors on July 4.

Anthony Blundell, Assistant General Manager and Harrogate resident told the Stray Ferret that a relaxation of the 2m rule was a ‘vital’ part of being able to re-open.

” It’s really exciting news… at 2m we could only run at 30% capacity but at 1m its about 70%… We are looking at starting some training next week so all our staff are on board with how we will work, making sure we are covid secure. We are doing a lot of refurbishments so fingers crossed it will all be ready for the 4th… We are really looking forward to welcoming our guests back.

“QR codes so people can order from their mobiles, sanitizing stations at the entrance way and key touch points, and masks or visors for members of staff, are just some of the measures we will be putting in place… we hope people feel safe but welcome.

Boris Johnson announced yesterday that pubs bars, restaurants and hotels would be able to re-open but only with table service if indoors and increased cleaning procedures. Owners will also be asked to keep contact details of customers to help with contact tracing.

Developers have been asked to “go away and rework” a major housing scheme near to Harrogate High School after councillors failed to approve it for a second time.

Meeting virtually today on Zoom and streamed live on YouTube, Harrogate Borough Council’s Planning Committee passed a motion submitted by Cllr Andrew Paraskos to defer the plans for 155 homes until developer Richborough Estates addresses concerns over housing density, transport provision and sustainability.

Plans for 170 homes on Kingsley Road were initially considered the Planning Committee at a meeting on January 28 but councillors passed a motion to refuse it, saying it would lead to a loss of green space and put local schools and the roads network under pressure.

However, HBC’s solicitor, who spoke at the Committee, said a full refusal could leave the authority open to a legal challenge from the developer as the site has been already been allocated in the Local Plan.

The revised plan reduced the number of homes from 170 to 155 which satisfied HBC housing officer who said it “mitigates concerns over being over-intensive.”

Speaking against the development, Cllr Pat Marsh said local infrastructure would be unable to cope with the added demand.

She told the Committee:

“It doesn’t serve any purpose for the existing community and it just brings more pain and aggravation. It adds nothing for the area other than misery for the local residents. The roads will be horrendous.”

Speaking to the Committee, local resident Mr Hansard said he was “aghast” that the plans were coming before the Planning Committee for a second time.

He said:

“The fact that Richborough Estates have reduced housing by 15 does nothing to change the fact that this proposal is nonsensical. No amount of legal interference will change the fact that this development is unethical and a potential risk to public health.”

Read more:

• Bilton homes would be ‘catastrophic’ for environment, residents say
• Details revealed of plans for new homes in Harrogate

Speaking on behalf of the developer, James Hall, agent for planning consultants Barton Willmore told the Committee that the plans have been revised after discussions with HBC officers and said he didn’t think the layout was over-intense.

He said:

“We’ve listened. We want to make the scheme work well”.

He also said changes have been made to the road layout to tackle congestion and a cycleway has been added to create a new “greenway” to the school and the town centre.

The development had 91 objections with one saying that the matter should not be considered virtually.

Several objections pointed to the impact the development would have on local schools. Harrogate High School has asked for a contribution of £307,435 and Grove Road primary school has asked for £263,422 to cover extra demand for places.

The Stray Ferret has been asking people in Harrogate whether they feel ready to return to pubs and restaurants.

It comes after Boris Johnson announced this afternoon that pubs, restaurants, hotels and cinemas would have the green light to open on 4 July.

The two-metre social distancing rule will be replaced with a ‘one metre-plus’ rule, with the government satisfied that the coronavirus rate of infection has fallen sufficiently.

But will people in the district feel comfortable returning to hospitality…

Police are appealing for information after a man exposed himself on the Stray in Harrogate at the weekend.

It happened near Slingsby Walk, which runs between Oatlands Drive and Wetherby Road, near the ginnel through to St Winifred’s Avenue, on Sunday afternoon between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

A man has been arrested and police are continuing to make enquiries. A spokesman said:

“We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. In particular, we are appealing for information from any person who witnessed anybody behaving inappropriately in that area around the time of the reported incident.”

Police have also warned the public to be careful about sharing material and speculating about the incident while the investigation continues, after people posted about the incident on social media on Sunday evening.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for Jon Everitt. Alternatively, email jonathan.everitt@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To report information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200104912.

As pubs and restaurants have now been given the go-ahead to reopen next month, the political debate has shifted kerbside as councils are urged to allow businesses to create space on pavements for drinkers and diners.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this afternoon that pubs, restaurants and hotels will be able to reopen from July 4 after three months of lockdown.

The two metre social distancing rule will also be relaxed to one metre where possible, but people will be encouraged to use their “common sense” and keep their distance.

But the debate among local politicians has now shifted onto how to help businesses deal with the number of customers who are eager for a pint while abiding social distancing guidance.

Ahead of the announcement, trade bodies in the Harrogate district called for quicker licensing laws to help pubs and restaurants open more space onto pavements to increase capacity.

Read more:

• Restaurant owner looks forward to reopening Valentino’s in Ripon
• Hospitality sector in Harrogate District desperate for one metre clarity
• Masks and visors for staff serving in restaurants to be new normal

Geoff Webber, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on North Yorkshire County Council, said that the district and county authority should support businesses where possible and monitor social distancing.

He said: “My first reaction is that it is too soon.

“But as a county council we should do everything we can to assist business. There is a danger that the pavements can get congested, so it needs to be monitored.”

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate, said in the House of Commons this afternoon that he supported using outdoor space for hospitality and added that jobs in the district “depended on it”.

Pleased to be able to ask @BorisJohnson about using outdoor space to ensure space for hospitality businesses to open safely. Many jobs and businesses depend on this locally in #Harrogate & #Knaresborough. pic.twitter.com/lrdHA8qEpy

— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) June 23, 2020

In response to Mr Jones, the Prime Minister urged local authorities to “be more creative” and said that there was “plenty of space to be found”.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton, has been contacted for comment on the news but has yet to respond.

Jack Woodruff, owner of The Disappearing Chin in Beulah Street, Harrogate, said a quicker licensing process would help  to open up more space in front of the bar.

He said: ”I’d like to hear a relax in outdoor licensing law from the government,

“I had one in from months ago but you have to go through several agencies.

“A relaxation to those rules would be ideal and it would be a really big help as we have a few areas that would allow that at the front but currently can’t use.”

The news comes as businesses in the district called for clarity on the the rule in order to reopen in July.

Pub, hotel and restaurant owners said the rule needed to be relaxed in order for their businesses to be viable after lockdown.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any coronavirus deaths for a third day running.

The last death at the hospital happened last Thursday, but any which occurred more recently could still be updated in the coming days.

It means that the total number of deaths at the hospital in Harrogate remains at 80, and it has also discharged 125 patients.

Read more:

• When Harrogate care homes recorded 90 deaths
• What is in the recovery plan for North Yorkshire’s tourism industry?
• Why the hospitality sector in Harrogate is desperate for one-metre clarity

Hospitals across England have recorded 46 deaths in today’s NHS figures, bringing the total deaths up to 28,384.

Patients were aged between 51 and 97 years old. Two of the patients, who were aged 84 and 87, had no known underlying health conditions.

A Harrogate couple has received some good news from The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate who has offered to host their wedding after their original plans were ruined.

Ali Farr and Ben Cross ,who both work for the NHS, had their wedding plans cancelled twice. Firstly due to lockdown and secondly because their chosen venue, St George Hotel on Ripon Road, went into administration.

The couple had their wedding invitations re-printed for free and then heard the venue had gone bust.

However, thanks to the help of Ali’s grandma and bridesmaids, The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate has offered their venue for the couples wedding on December 31- the day they’d been due to marry at the St George.

Read more: 

• Ali and Ben’s wedding plans have been cancelled twice so far 
• Harrogate wedding planner offers 5 top tips for 2020 brides 

Bride- to- be, Ali Farr told The Stray Ferret that she is still apprehensive and hopes there isn’t a second wave. She said:

“It has all been quite overwhelming, if it happens on New Year’s Eve it will be amazing, but I am trying not to get too excited just in case, but who knows what’s going to happen.”

The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate will host Ali and Ben’s wedding at the end of the year.

The Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate also offered their venue up for the couples wedding. Guests travelling from as far as Australia and Singapore have been told about the new date.

The couple, who have been working throughout the crisis, have still had no correspondence with St George Hotel except for the information given on their website.