Business Breakfast: Ripon bucks national footfall trend – data

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Footfall in Ripon city centre bucked the national trend last month, seeing a sharp increase on the previous year, according to the latest figures.

Record numbers were recorded in November 2023, with footfall up 81% on November 2022 and 98% up on November 2021, analysis from data firm Huq shows.

It follows an encouraging October, when footfall in the city was up by 57% on October 2022, 6% up on September 2023 and 62% up on October 2021.

Nationally, footfall tends to drop off after the summer, and this September it was down -2.8%.

Ripon’s vacancy rate of just 9% (empty city-centre ground-floor retail units) is also well below the national average for high streets, which stood at 13.8% at the end of 2022, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The figures were warmly welcomed by Ripon BID (business improvement district), which said in a statement:

“Ripon is going from strength to strength with a full programme of events plus its unique visitor offering of heritage, history, attractions and independent traders all leading to national media recognition and coverage.”

It added:

“With new traders such as Silva Bells, The Portly Pig, Elevate, Peacocks, BUD Floral coming in, expansions to larger premises from Yorkshire Bikemonger, Stuff for Offices and the Easy Learning Shop, together with the new bed stock provided by the recently opened Ripon Inn – the future looks very bright for Ripon.”

Impression becomes Show + Tell

Harrogate-based creative agency Impression Studio has rebranded and is now called Show + Tell.

The growing creative and digital products agency, established by CEO and founder Charlie Hartley in 2009, currently has 17 staff across two agency brands: the newly-minted Show + Tell, and its sister agency, Next Chapter, which specialises in digital marketing. 

The rename and brand transformation was spearheaded by the agency’s Head of Design, Jordan Donnelly. He said:

“The name Impression served us well since 2009, but as the agency has grown and developed and the services we deliver have progressed. It felt like we’d outgrown the name and we needed something that better represented our offering and what we’re about as a collective. 

“Show + Tell does exactly that. We believe in the transformative power of showcasing and storytelling. Our mission is to be the creative catalyst that enables brands to shine through captivating narratives and visually stunning designs. Just as ‘Show’ represents our dedication to presenting your brand’s unique story through outstanding creative and visual design, ‘Tell’ signifies our commitment to communicating it effectively in the digital world through strategy and brand storytelling.” 

Based in Harrogate, the agency works with clients across the UK and globally, including the likes of Bettys and Taylors Group, Omega Funds, Atlas Ventures, O&3 and Northern Energy. 

Charlie said:

“I’m incredibly proud of our growth and success, particularly in the last 2-3 years, and we’ve done a lot of growing up as a business as a result. 

“We’ve invested a lot of time and resources in the agency in recent years, from our outstanding studio space with its custom fit-out to hiring more brilliant people across the business, including in crucial senior leadership roles.” 

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Harrogate wild swimmers brave icy waters for Rob Burrows appeal

A group of Harrogate wild swimmers is undertaking seven dips in Yorkshire waters in seven days to raise money for the Rob Burrows appeal.

The Dippers, which formed in 2021 and meets regularly to swim, took inspiration from Kevin Sinfield’s 7-in-7-in-7 challenge, which saw the former rugby player complete seven ultra-marathons in seven cities over seven days to raise money for the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).

The group therefore hopes to complete seven swims in seven locations over seven days — and could hardly have chosen a colder week.

One of the dippers, Anna Cade-Smith, told the Stray Ferret:

“I lost my dad to MND last year, which inspired me to do this challenge.

“It’s a real group effort though – I couldn’t do it without the others.”

The group began the challenge last Saturday, in Grassington, and have since faced heavy snowfall and water temperatures as low as three degrees.

The dippers, equipped with wooly hats, have also braved the cold of Pateley Bridge weir, Linton Falls and Appletreewick this week.

Ms Cade-Smith added:

“Some people wear full wetsuits, some wear short ones and some just wear cardigan-like wetsuits.

“We had an aim of swimming for 7 minutes – to fit in with the 777 concept – but we’ve reached up to around 10.

“It obviously depends on individuals’ bodies. We all support each other through it.”

She also said the group, which regularly swims in wild waters, has found the cold temperatures on consecutive days particularly difficult:

“I think the hardest part is, when you get out, you know you have to keep warm and get your clothes dry ready for the next day to do it again.

“It has given us a real insight into what Kevin Sinfield is doing every day.”

“But, the swimmers have all managed to commit despite busy weeks, jobs and this week’s weather!”

The group has so far raised more than £800 as part of the appeal and will complete their final swim tomorrow at Burnsall.

The appeal will go towards the campaign to create a Rob Burrows Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

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Councillors approve Simon Graeme garage expansion near Hampsthwaite

Councillors have granted planning permission for a new MOT and servicing building at a garage near Hampsthwaite.

North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon planning committee met on Tuesday in Ripon to consider an application from Simon Graeme Auto Services Centre, which has operated at Graystone Plain Lane off the A59 for 30 years.

The current garage is located within the Nidderdale National Landscape (formerly called the AONB), which has strict planning laws.

The proposed new building, which would house two MOT bays and five servicing bays, sits on land just outside the National Landscape.

Plans were brought before councillors at the previous meeting in November but a decision was deferred following a request for more information about around planting, drainage and renewable energy.

At the previous meeting, Mr Graeme told councillors that the new building would future-proof his family business and allow it to service and repair electric vehicles.

Since November, an updated landscape plan and strategy has been submitted to the council, as has a drainage report and proposals to add solar panels to the site.

It was enough to satisfy councillors who unanimously approved the plans with Ripon Minster and Moorside Cllr Andrew Williams describing the changes as a “victory for common sense”.

He said:

“What we’ve now arrived at is a sensible position which everyone can hopefully subscribe to.

“It’s important the countryside isn’t a museum, it’s a place where people can live and work.”

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CCTV appeal after £10k worth of damage to Harrogate’s KD Carpets

The windows of KD Carpets, in Harrogate, were smashed in with a hammer last weekend.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident, which happened on Skipton Road, took place at 1am on Sunday, December 2.

The force said it caused damage “in the region on £10,000.”

Police are now appealing for information to help further the investigation.

It said in a statement:

“Officers are requesting anyone with information to contact them. They have also released a CCTV still which, although not high quality, may prompt people’s memories.

“Anyone with any information is asked to email chloe.winter-atkinson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 1820 Winter-Atkinson.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Quote reference number 12230229335 when passing on information.

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Missing Harrogate girls found

North Yorkshire Police has said two missing teenage girls from Harrogate have been found safe.

A police statement today said the girls, who had last been seen on Tuesday, December 5, had been located.

We have updated this article to anonymise the details of the girls.

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Pateley town council calls for 24 bus to operate later service

Pateley Bridge Town Council has called for a later service to be added to the 24 bus that connects Pateley and Harrogate.

The route, which runs about every two hours, provides a service for those living in Pateley Bridge and Harrogate as well as numerous villages in between, including Summerbridge, Darley and Birstwith.

However, the last weekday bus leaves Harrogate at 5.30pm, meaning some people in Nidderdale who commute to Harrogate or Leeds struggle to get back home on public transport after work.

At a meeting this week, the town council agreed to contact North Yorkshire Council about adding a later service, which would leave Harrogate bus station at about 6.40pm.

Councillors said this would align with commuter trains from Leeds that arrive in Harrogate between 6pm and 6.30pm.

Cllr James Critchley, who favoured the additional service, said it would also encourage a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. He said:

“The biggest problem we face is climate change and people need to get out of their cars.”

North Yorkshire Council will decide whether to investigate the proposal.

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24 bus saved

The plan comes after the 24 bus route was under threat this year.

North Yorkshire Council warned in January it was one of 80 bus services in the county facing uncertain futures after the Harrogate Bus Company, which is owned by Transdev, indicated the service was no longer commercially viable.

However, Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire County Council, said in April:

“The 24 is a key route that many people rely on so I am pleased to announce that we have been able to step in to support this service.

“When the operator notified us that it planned to withdraw most services on this route, we secured short-term funds to cover these until April 2023.

“This allowed us time to investigate a longer-term solution. We have now secured continuation of the service until April 2024, operated by Transdev (The Harrogate Bus Company).”

£1m Hookstone pollution penalty should have been spent in Harrogate, says councillor

A £1 million penalty paid by Yorkshire Water for polluting Hookstone Beck should have been awarded to a Harrogate group, according to the local councillor.

Yorkshire Water said last week it had agreed to pay £500,000 to York-based Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and £500,000 to Pateley Bridge-based Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.

The payments were to atone for an unauthorised sewage discharge that polluted Harrogate’s Hookstone Beck in 2016 and killed fish.

Cllr Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone on North Yorkshire Council, said the money could have paid for “desperately needed” repairs in Hookstone Woods.

A photo of cloudy water in Hookstone Beck caused by pollution from an unauthorised sewage release by Yorkshire Water.

Cloudy water in Hookstone Beck caused by Yorkshire Water’s pollution.

Cllr Marsh, who is also chairman of Hookstone and Stonefall Action Group, said she was “outraged” by the pollution and the decision to spend the penalty elsewhere, without consulting local councillors, “rubbed salt in the wounds”.

She said volunteers at HASAG, who look after the Pan Handle, Stonefall Park and Hookstone Wood, were trying to raise money to rebuild the willow bridge that connects two ponds in Hookstone Wood.

Cllr Marsh said:

“This is so close to where the spill occurred. Why shouldn’t they be supported rather than some area not even in the Harrogate area?

“Consultation with Harrogate councillors should have happened. Again this is another reason why we need a Harrogate Town Council. So we suffer the mess and receive nothing to compensate.”

Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust will use the funding on developing the iNidd campaign to improve the River Nidd.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID appoints communications officer

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Harrogate Business Improvement District has hired a public relations and communications officer.

Ed Horner, a former journalist at The Press in York, has joined the organisation and will be tasked with working alongside alongside the BID team, board directors and BID members to deliver its term two business plan.

He will also oversee the BID’s communications, as well as offering support on projects, campaigns and events.

Town centre businesses which fund the BID voted this year to continue to support it for another five years.

Matthew Chapman, manager at Harrogate BID, said:

“We were thrilled to have a strong collection of people apply for this role and Ed’s experience in local media, appetite to deliver positive outcomes and awareness of the local area really take us to the next level as an organisation as we approach term two and our new business plan.”

Pictured above: Matthew Chapman, BID manager, Chris Ashby, street ranger, Bethany Allen, business and marketing executive and Ed Horner, PR and communications officer 

Investment management firm recognised at London awards

Redmayne Bentley has been recognised at the Investors’ Chronicle Celebration of Investment Awards.

The investment management firm, which has an office on Victoria Avenue near Harrogate Library, received the accolade for Best Wealth Manager for Tax Services at the event in London.

The awards recognise the best financial service providers, and winners are voted for by Investors’ Chronicle readers.

Nigel Bottomley, head of office of Redmayne Bentley’s Harrogate office, said: 

“The expertise we have across the firm, coupled with the effort and commitment we put into building personal client relationships, is what we believe sets us apart.

“This award comes at what is a special time for the firm, coinciding with our celebration of 148 years in the industry after first being established by John Redmayne in 1875.”

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Harrogate hospital defends criticism of new parking payment system

Harrogate District Hospital has defended appointing Parkingeye to oversee its car parks after criticism from patients.

The hospital brought in the company to operate its new parking arrangements in September, which includes automatic number plate recognition and a ticketless system.

However, some patients and visitors have criticised the decision after being given fines due to problems paying for parking.

Derek Sendrove and his wife, Zhanna, used the hospital car park in October when both were receiving treatment.

Mr Sendrove said the couple had registered their card with the app, which makes it possible to pay for parking via mobile phone.

Derek Sendrove.

Derek Sendrove.

However, on a visit on October 30, which lasted 44 minutes and would cost £4, the card was not recognised. 

Mr Sendrove said the card has been valid every other time they have used the car park.

The couple were subsequently handed a £70 fine by Parkingeye, which Zhanna appealed but was refused. The pair have since taken the decision to Parking On Private Land Appeals, the industry arbitrator.

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Mr Sendrove told the Stray Ferret he felt the incident raised questions over why the hospital chose the parking company in the first place.

He said:

“It seems that Parkingeye are profiting from their own faulty app, and it is also rather surprising that instead of choosing another app, Appy Parking, which is installed throughout the town; for some inscrutable reason, Harrogate hospital have chosen to partner with a different organisation, Parkingeye.”

The Stray Ferret took Mr Sendrove’s concerns to Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and asked whether it had any response to the question over its choice of provider.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“Parkingeye has extensive experience of working with NHS organisations and currently manages parking at over 30 NHS trusts and more than 680 healthcare sites. After careful consideration Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust chose Parkingeye to provide a car parking management service at Harrogate District Hospital.

“Since the introduction of the new camera controlled barrierless system at Harrogate District Hospital, congestion has significantly decreased on Lancaster Park Road due to the improved access into our car parks ensuring that visitors can get to their appointments on time and visit their loved ones.

“On occasion a parking charge notice may be issued to motorists who do not follow the parking rules which are displayed on the parking signage.

“A motorist has the opportunity to challenge the decision through Parkingeye’s appeal process. Parkingeye will consider the evidence and circumstances and if it is appropriate may cancel a parking ticket.

“Should the motorist still wish to contest the decision, they can contact Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA), an independent organisation that allows motorists to contest the decisions of parking operators by visiting https://www.popla.co.uk/. POPLA will look at both sides of the appeal, consider the evidence provided and ultimately decide to uphold or overturn the ruling made by the parking management company.”

A Parkingeye spokesperson said:

“Parkingeye has partnered with Harrogate District Hospital since September this year to significantly improve how its car parks operate.

“During this time there has been investment in modern consumer-facing systems which has enhanced accessibility and made parking at the hospital easier and safer for staff, patients and visitors. The system is designed to ensure the efficiency and smooth operation of the hospital by ensuring that patients, visitors and staff park in their allocated car parks.

“The car park features over 30 prominent and highly-visible signs providing information on how to use the car park responsibly, including guidance that patients and visitors must pay on exit using one of the user-friendly payment kiosks or through the Evology payment app.

“The motorist received a parking charge after parking in an area that is reserved for patients and visitors and not making a payment. Our systems also show that the Evology app was working effectively and took a normal level of transactions on October 30th.

“Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge.

“The motorist’s appeal was unsuccessful and is now being reviewed by POPLA, the independent appeals service.”

What’s your experience of using the new Parkingeye app at the hospital? Get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

 

Harrogate women offer to cook free Christmas meals for people in need

Two Harrogate women have offered to cook and deliver free Christmas meals to people in need as a way of giving back to the community.

Anna Howe and Aimee Ions, who are both 20, got the idea after local people helped the couple through a “rough financial situation”.

The pair have now pledged to cook free Christmas meals to return the favour.

Ms Howe told the Stray Ferret:

“It was a hard time for us. My partner lost her job and we thought we would lose our house. We had to use a foodbank before getting back on our feet.

“We’re getting there now and we’re in a comfortable enough position to do this.

“Christmas can be a hard time for people – we just want to give back.”

Ms Howe, who is originally from Manchester but moved to Harrogate in April, said the meal will be “the full works” — with all the trimmings — and the pair will cater to any dietary requirements.

It will be made at their home on Christmas Day before being delivered to people’s front doors, she added.

Ms Howe also said anyone is welcome to get in touch and use their services.

“There is no real criteria.

“It can be daunting to ask for help – we felt the same. You don’t want that judgement.

“Those who helped us told us to ‘give forward’ when we wanted to give back to them. So, that’s what we’re doing.”

Ms Howe said people can order meals as late as Christmas Day and the pair will “do their best” to help anyone they can.

They will deliver across the Harrogate district, including to Ripon and Boroughbridge, and will travel as far as Leeds and Thirsk.

You can email Anna Howe on annahowe13@hotmail.co.uk or contact her on Facebook to find out more.

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