Empty Harrogate bar unit could finally have a new tenant

North Yorkshire Council says it has accepted an offer to rent out the former Potting Shed bar unit in Harrogate which has stood empty for more than five years.

The unit is next to JD Wetherspoon and is part of the vast council-owned Royal Baths estate. The council had it on the market for £120,000 a year.

The Potting Shed closed in 2019 after less than a year in Harrogate when its parent company went into administration.

The building was previously home to Rift & Co and Revolution and spans 7,000 square feet.

In February, the council confirmed that it had accepted an offer on the former Viper Rooms building, which is also part of the Royal Baths, however, the leases on both units are yet to be signed.

The Grade II listed Baths was purchased by North Yorkshire County Council in 2018 however its value has fallen from £9.5m before the covid pandemic to £7m today, according to a report.

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The council’s director of finance Gary Fielding blamed the drop in how much the building is worth on a “general drop in market sentiment” towards the retail and night-time sectors.

The council moved the Tourist Information Centre from the Royal Baths to the Pump Room museum earlier this year which could raise £40,000 a year in rental income.

Mr Fielding said there has been interest in the former Tourist Information Centre office and prospective tenants will be shown around in the next week.

Senior Labour politician in Harrogate to support mayoral campaign

Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, made a quick visit to Harrogate at the weekend to support the mayoral campaign of Labour candidate David Skaith. 

The Leeds West MP, who was formerly an economist at the Bank of England, met local party workers and joined Mr Skaith to canvass in the town centre. 

Mr Skaith, who now lives in Wheldrake near York, grew up in Harrogate and his family still live there. 

Also chair of the York High Street Forum, he has focused many of his pledges on helping people and businesses. He has promised to introduce a cost-of-living support fund to help those who are struggling financially, and launch a high-street fund to support businesses financially and strategically. 

He said: 

“We started the day with the dedicated and hard-working Harrogate & Knaresborough Labour Party. Showing Rachel Reeves around the town I grew up in and still have so much love for was a real pleasure. 

“I can’t wait to put in place my Mayor’s High Street Fund and the Labour plans for our high streets to really boost investment into towns right across our region.” 

Photo of Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and North Yorkshire mayoral candidate David Skaith campaigning with Labour Party workers in Harrogate.

Rachel Reeves MP and David Skaith with Labour Party workers in Harrogate.

Although Harrogate is not usually considered natural campaigning territory for Labour, the party has said it is the only one that can defeat the Conservatives across York and North Yorkshire as a whole.

The mayoral region includes Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire, where Labour has just 11 of the 90 county council seats, and Labour-controlled York, where the Conservatives have just three of the 47 city council seats. The region stretches from the outskirts of Darlington in the north to within five miles of Doncaster in the south, and from the east coast to within 10 miles of the west coast.

Voting in the mayoral election will take place across the region from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 2.

The candidates for mayor are:

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Harrogate’s newest councillor says town ready for a Lib Dem MP

Andrew Timothy says his victory in the Stray, Hookstone and Woodlands council by-election is a sign that Harrogate and Knaresborough are ready for a Liberal Democrat MP.

Earlier this month, Cllr Timothy beat his Conservative rival John Ennis by 326 votes — and with a general election around the corner, he believes the result is a shape of things to come.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Timothy said: 

“The result does show that in terms of a general election if people don’t want to have a Tory MP the best way is to vote Lib Dem. The Greens and Labour were far behind.”

He described the first few days as a councillor as a lot like starting any new job. He’s been given a laptop for casework, has Zoom meetings scheduled with the different executive members and will undertake training on things like planning.

He’s only been in position for less than two weeks but he said he’s been busy dealing with nuts and bolts local issues like potholes and grass verges.

Cllr Timothy said:

“I’ve already sent out emails to the council. One was talking about drainage off the Stray and its impact on nearby roads like St James’ Drive and St Winifred’s Road.”

Andrew Timothy (left) pictured at the by-election count.

Andrew Timothy (left) pictured at the by-election count.

At 25, Cllr Timothy is now the youngest councillor on North Yorkshire Council. 

He moved to Harrogate from the West Midlands a few years ago and the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands he works at Labcorp, formerly Covance, which is a science lab off Otley Road that is controversial due to its use of animal testing for medicines.

Cllr Timothy would not confirm that he works at Labcorp but did offer a comment on animal testing. He emphasised that the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) asks that all medicines be tested on animals before they are used on humans.

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At the by-election count at Woodlands Methodist Church, it was evident that the Lib Dem’s prospective parliamentary candidate Tom Gordon was now in charge of the local party, buzzing around with a notebook and liaising with different party members.

Cllr Timothy believes Mr Gordon’s background in the charitable sector means he understands the struggles that people go through day-to-day.

However, Cllr Timothy’s campaign was criticised for a leaflet that incorrectly said the Green Party weren’t standing in the by-election. The matter has been referred to North Yorkshire Police.

Cllr Timothy did not want to go into detail about the leaflet due to the investigation but said it was due to a “clerical error”.

Andrew Jones MP, who will face Mr Gordon for his fifth general election, wrote to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey about the leaflet and he repeated a previously made claim that the local party was now a “rogue political operation.”

Cllr Timothy said Mr Jones’ reaction “shows he’s worried about how the general election is going to go”.

He added: 

“He’s focusing on tarnishing us when really he should be making Harrogate and Knaresborough better”.

Cllr Timothy has big boots to fill, replacing veteran Lib Dem councillor Pat Marsh who resigned following controversial comments she made on social media platform X. He said he’s not in contact with her but hopes she’s doing OK.

He said:

“I’m honoured and slightly surprised so many people have put their trust in me. I’m thrilled to get the opportunity. Thanks again to the people of Stray, Hookstone and Woodlands, I won’t let them down.”

Town-centre residents launch petition to demand Station Gateway details

A resident of Harrogate town centre has launched a petition demanding to be informed about how work on the £12.1 million Station Gateway redevelopment will affect her and her neighbours. 

As we reported last week, Rachael Inchboard previously submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request to North Yorkshire Council to ask for the development plans to be made available urgently so that people could have their say. 

But although the council said the information would be published “as soon as it is practical to do so”, it revealed that would likely be in the summer, rather than the spring, as was previously stated. 

Now, Ms Inchboard hopes the petition, which she launched on behalf of Granville Road Residents’ Group, will help speed the process up. So far, it has been signed by 137 people; her target is at least 200 signatures. She told the Stray Ferret: 

“Residents like me who live in the town centre don’t know what’s going on. We’ve asked for the details but been refused. 

“We’d like to know specifically what the plans are so that we know whether or not we want to challenge them.” 

She fears the plan details could eventually be released so late that there will be no time to raise concerns or have them acted upon. She said: 

“A couple of years ago, just one local resident received a letter notifying her of one of the in-person consultations on the day it was happening, and the other residents found out about it from her. So we’re very aware that some of these consultations are very rushed. 

“There are a lot of issues that aren’t clear, and we don’t want that to happen again.” 

Granville Road Residents’ Group, which submitted an earlier petition in 2021 opposing the Gateway scheme, campaigns on behalf of people living on streets including Granville Road, Back Granville Road, Mount Parade, Back Cheltenham Mount and Strawberry Dale Avenue. 

Ms Inchboard said the issue was about more than just the Station Gateway – it was about accountability. She said: 

“People here are paying a lot of money in council tax, yet someone who’s just had a big pay-rise [Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council] can’t even get back to us about what’s going to happen just feet away from our front doors. There’s no transparency, and that has to change.”

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Conservative mayoral candidate promises ‘bold ambition’ for North Yorkshire

Keane Duncan believes he has a “bold ambition” for North Yorkshire.

The 29-year-old candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is tasked with securing the position for the Conservative Party on May 2.

Mr Duncan, who is also executive councillor for highways on North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret that he believes he has the most political experience for the role.

He added that he felt the mayor was an opportunity to do politics differently.

“I’m standing to shake things up and do things differently. I think we have probably been let down by politics being the same old status quo.

“This is now an opportunity for us to wrestle control from Westminster and to secure our fair share of investment that we deserve.

“It’s a big opportunity and we have one chance to get this right. I’m standing up for all generations, my generation and the next generation.”

Keane Duncan, with Prime Minister RIshi Sunak in Ripon earlier this month.

Keane Duncan, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Ripon earlier this month.

Mr Duncan has set his stall out and made bold pledges during his campaign. They include free car-parking in towns and cities and purchasing the Grand Hotel in Scarborough for regeneration.

The promise to regenerate the hotel is probably the most radical of his plans. Mr Duncan says he has “staked his political fortunes” on the pledge, but believes it is what Scarborough needs from the mayoral role.

He said:

“I have got bold ambition for North Yorkshire. I have got big plans for our county and I think it is right that we are bold and ambitious for the county.

“Scarborough is the third largest settlement in the county and it is the most deprived town. No one can doubt that it deserves investment.

“But this is just one example of my big plans for the county. It is radical and some people think I’m slightly mad, but I think it will be key for transforming Scarborough.”

When pressed on how much the plan would cost, Mr Duncan said he did not want to “compromise discussions” with Britannia, the company which owns the Grand Hotel.

However, he promised to seek negotiations with the firm within the “first few weeks”, if elected mayor.

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Meanwhile, as the senior councillor for highways in North Yorkshire, Mr Duncan is well versed in the trials and tribulations of the transport brief.

Mr Duncan says that part of his plan for mayor would be to invest in road repairs and key infrastructure such as the A64, York Outer Ring Road and A59 Kex Gill.

He also says he is prepared to look at a bus franchising model in North Yorkshire, if there is a “robust financial case”. 

Among his other pledges include full digital connectivity and no mayoral tax for each year that he is in office, if elected mayor.

Not taking it for granted

The race to become the first elected mayor in North Yorkshire is just 10 days away.

When asked if he confident of winning the election, Mr Duncan said he is not taking anything for granted.

He said:

“I have never taken any election for granted. I’m certainly not taking this election for granted. I do not think the outcome is guaranteed.

“I am working very hard, I’m getting out there into every single corner of North Yorkshire. I have embarked on a 100-day, 1,000-stop tour of the county, listening to people in every single community.

“My message is that nowhere is going to be overlooked or forgotten if I’m elected. That message is resonating strongly.”

The York and North Yorkshire mayor will be chosen by residents of the region in an election on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The candidates are:

Police issue CCTV appeals after Harrogate shop thefts

North Yorkshire Police has issued CCTV images for two separate shop thefts in Harrogate.

Police are appealing after a theft involving four women from Next clothes store in the Victoria Shopping Centre.

The incident happened in February and involved four women entering the store with pushchairs.

The force issued a statement today, which said:

“They walked around the shop, piling items of clothing and hiding them on the pushchairs. They left the store without paying for the items, which are estimated to be worth more than £500. Please contact us if you recognise the people pictured on CCTV, as they may have information that will assist our investigation.”

Next CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police

Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk, call 101,  or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. Quote reference 12240022674 when passing on information.

Harrogate Waitrose theft

Police have also issued a separate CCTV image of a woman they would like to speak to after a theft from Waitrose in Harrogate.

The incident happened on Saturday, March 2.

A police statement said the theft involved:

“A woman filling a basket with products worth more than £200, and leaving without paying. Please contact us if you recognise the woman pictured on CCTV, as she may have information that will assist our investigation.”

Waitrose CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police

Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12240038563 when passing on information

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Call for retailers to get involved with Harrogate fashion show

Retailers have been called on to get involved with this year’s Harrogate fashion show.

Harrogate Business Improvement District is once again organising the event with the Stray Ferret as media partner for the second year.

The celebration of fashion will again feature a pop-up catwalk on the piazza outside the Victoria Shopping Centre on May 18.

The catwalk will feature new categories alongside favourites from last year, including wedding dresses, activewear, the summer season and clothing.

Now, Harrogate BID is set to host a meeting on April 24 at 4pm at Starling Cafe to help inform retailers on how they can get involved with the event.

Then, on Wednesday May 1, the team have organised an ‘Open Office’ day to allow those who cannot make the initial meeting to learn more about how they can take part.

The BID is also looking for models and influencers to join to help show off the Harrogate fashion offer and spread the word about the event.

Bethany Allen, business and marketing executive at Harrogate BID, said: 

“We’re really excited to be hosting the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion for a second year running after a really successful event last year.

“The event truly champions Harrogate’s retail offer but also celebrates the hospitality and professional services sector as we saw from last year’s event, with the likes of Nicholls Tyreman and Howdens Insurance taking to the stage.

“It’s a really great event to be part of with a great community feel.”

If you would like to attend the meeting on April 24, register here or contact the BID team on info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

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Police investigate suspected dog poisonings at Harrogate reservoir

North Yorkshire Police is investigating suspected dog poisonings at Lindley Wood Reservoir near Harrogate.

Police are appealing for information following the death of two dogs at the site. The animals died after eating something that is believed to be toxic on a walk at the reservoir between March 31 and April 15.

The Stray Ferret reported on Friday that Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, had urged dog walkers to remain vigilant.

Police are carrying out enquiries and said in a statement released today:

“We were made aware of what happened at around 4pm on Tuesday, April 16.

“If you have any information that can help us with our investigation, please get in touch. We would also like to hear from any other dog owners who believe their dog may have been affected in similar circumstances after visiting the location in recent weeks.”

Last week, dog owners took to social media to report the suspected poisoning. A five-year-old Cockerpoo and a puppy died after being walked at the site.

Lindley Wood, along with nearby Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs is owned by Yorkshire Water.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson urged dog owners to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious at its reservoirs.

They said:

“We are saddened to hear of these incidents, which we were made aware of via social media. Our colleagues have not found anything suspicious at the reservoir, but we would encourage the dog owners to reach out to our customer service team and share specific details of where they were walking at the time so we can establish if this was on land owned by Yorkshire Water, and if so, support with any required investigation.

“In the meantime, we would continue to urge walkers and owners to remain vigilant and keep their dogs on a lead when walking around our reservoirs, for their safety, and the safety of surrounding wildlife.”

To provide information to the police email pierre.olesqui@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference number 12240069458.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

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Harrogate NHS dental patients offered places at clinic 10 miles away

A dental clinic in Boston Spa has announced it will take on NHS patients affected by the reduction in NHS service by Pannal Dental Clinic (PDC). 

As the Stray Ferret reported in November, PDC was forced to reduce its NHS contract after being hit with a demand for tens of thousands of pounds from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) that gave it its contract. 

Consequently, it is focusing on prioritising children, leaving its adult patients to choose between staying on with a private dental plan or finding a place on an alternative dentist’s NHS list.

Having recently read the Stray Ferret’s story, 210 Dental Clinic on Boston Spa’s High Street – more than 10 miles away – has said it is willing to take on PDC’s patients. 

William Hamer, practice manager at 210 Dental Clinic, said: 

“Harrogate had a lot of problems recently with practices closing their lists, and NHS patients finding it difficult to be seen.

“Fortunately, we recently had a fourth surgery installed. Our dentist can take care of the more complex procedures, such as dentures, crowns and bridge work, but our dental therapists are fully trained to do examinations, x-rays and even fillings.

“If PDC’s patients are looking to be seen on the NHS, we can offer them that.”

But Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said that people in Pannal “should not be forced to wait five months to be offered an NHS place 10 miles away”. He added:

“It is clear that our NHS dental system is completely broken and it is leading to unacceptable situations such as this.

“With NHS appointments scarce at best and in some places not existing at all, people are being forced to spend hundreds, if not thousands of pounds on private dental care with some even resorting to their own at-home DIY dentistry.”

He was referring to a YouGov survey from March 2023 which found that one in 10 (10%) people had attempted their own dental work. The poll also found that one in five people in the UK (22%) are currently not registered with a dentist, and of these, 37% said this was because they couldn’t find an NHS dentist.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has said that NHS dentistry is facing a “genuine crisis” of access. 

But Andrew Jones MP told the Stray Ferret:

“As I understand it, the delay in securing additional NHS places has been due to protracted negotiations with Pannal Dental Clinic who, according to the Integrated Care Board (ICB), are only reducing their NHS contract temporarily.  It took the clinic and the ICB some time to confirm that arrangement.

“In a letter to me the ICB have said: ‘This temporary reduction in activity has been implemented due to changes to their workforce meaning they are currently unable to meet the previous activity requirements’.

“I hope that the workforce issues at Pannal Dental Clinic, which the ICB tell me are the problem the clinic has identified to them, are resolved soon so that they can resume their full contract.

“It would appear that there is still funding released by Pannal to be reallocated and I have asked the ICB to do their utmost to keep that funding as local as is possible.”

Mr Jones supported the introduction of the government’s dental recovery plan, which was launched in February. Under the plan, dentists are to be offered a bonus to take on more NHS patients, which ministers say will create more than 2.5 million new appointments over the next year.

Dentists will also be offered ‘golden hello’ cash incentives to work in under-served areas, potentially allowing around 1 million new patients access to NHS dental treatment.

But Mr Gordon said:

“For years there have been hundreds of millions of pounds of underspend on NHS dentistry and the Liberal Democrats have back the BDA’s calls to reform the contracts to get this money spent on fixing people’s dental problems.

“Yet this Conservative Government has done next to nothing to tackle this crisis.

He added:

“It is high time that the NHS dental system was reformed and plans brought forward to end this mess, so no matter where you live you know you can get the NHS dental care you need in an emergency.”

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Business Breakfast: New managing partner announced at law firm after 30 years

LCF Law has announced that managing partner Simon Stell, who has led the firm for almost 30 years, is to step down from the role.

The firm has announced that partner and disputes specialist Ragan Montgomery will take the position.

Mr Stell joined LCF Law in 1995, when it was known as Last Cawthra Feather before becoming LCF Law in 2014. He will continue to work with Ms Montgomery to assist with the handover. He will continue with the firm, acting as a mentor.

In her new role, Ms Montgomery will be responsible for overseeing LCF Law’s operations and leading the firm’s client service, growth and development strategies. She has worked at LCF Law since 2003 and is currently operational head of the firm’s Dispute Resolution department.

Ms Montgomery said:

 “After joining the firm 21 years ago as an assistant solicitor, to be appointed managing partner is a huge honour and it’s a challenge that I’m really looking forward to as we strive to build on our enviable reputation in Yorkshire and beyond.

Mr Stell said:

“Over the many years that I have been with LCF Law, there have been lots of changes, but we have always had a firm eye on the future.

“One thing we were certain about was that law would still be a people business and we’ve worked hard to build a great team. I’m proud to remain a part of it in my new role. I very much look forward to supporting Ragan and continuing to be a dedicated contributor to LCF Law’s ongoing success.”

Toy shop opens in Boroughbridge

Coco & Bear Boroughbridge

Coco & Bear, a new toy shop in Boroughbridge has officially opened.

The store sells eco-friendly gifts and sensory items in the former Clairemarie fashion store on Horsefair. The shop is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10-4pm.

Store founder and owner Alyss Jones said:

“I am very excited to have officially opened the doors to my toy shop Coco & Bear. Boroughbridge is a beautiful town, and we are very proud to be a part of such a friendly community. The local support has been amazing. We would love anyone who is passing to pop in and say hello.”

Coco & Bear interior

Creative and digital agency appoint new marketing manager

Josh Dodd, Show & Tell marketing manager.

Yorkshire branding, creative and digital agency, Show + Tell, has announced Josh Dodd as the agency’s marketing manager.

Mr Dodd will be responsible for Show + Tell’s marketing and content strategies, brand development and tactical campaigns.

Previously Mr Dodd was commercial marketing coordinator at CMS Distribution, a supplier of business and consumer technologies.

Charlie Hartley, founder and CEO of Show + Tell said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Josh to the Show + Tell team. His impressive background in B2B marketing and his passion for creativity and innovation make him the perfect fit for this role. It’s a significant hire for us as an agency, and we are confident that Josh will make significant contributions to our marketing efforts and help us achieve our goals for growth and success.”

Mr Dodd said:

“I am thrilled to join the talented team at Show + Tell. The agency’s commitment to creativity, innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with my own values and aspirations, and it’s exciting to be part of an organisation that has just received two industry awards for the Best B2B Website. I’m looking forward to driving impactful marketing initiatives that contribute to the continued success and growth of Show + Tell.”

Harrogate accountants expand firm

Graham and Liz from Wild & Co Chartered Accountants 

Wild & Co Chartered Accountants has expanded its office space in Windsor House over the past two years and doubled the size of its team.

Liz Wild founded the firm in 2009 and now the company has 7 staff and looks after clients in Harrogate, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Halifax and South Yorkshire.

Ms Wild said:

“We set out to fill a gap for businesses that are looking for a proactive accountancy partner to work with them throughout the year and give them greater visibility over their business numbers.Last year we introduced a Growth Hub for clients with a programme of workshops, webinars and news bulletins to support business growth and we regularly share knowledge about new apps and software that streamline management information.”

“Even though digital accountancy is more widespread now than it was when we started out 15 years ago, we are still one of the few firms embracing all the possibilities it offers and keeping clients fully up-to-date on how technology can move them forward. As we continue to expand our own business, we are looking forward to helping our clients to grow theirs too and to enjoy doing so.”

Have some news to share about your business? Send it to us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

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