New South Indian restaurant opens in first for Harrogate

Harrogate’s diners now have a broader range of cuisines to choose from, following the opening yesterday of a new restaurant offering South Indian food. 

Illam, on King’s Road, is a family-run establishment specialising in Keralan dishes, and customer manager Rahisa Kombath believes it’s a first for the district. 

She said: 

“You can find authentic South Indian food in Leeds and York, but not in Harrogate – until now. We’ve had a lot of Indian and English friends asking why we don’t open a restaurant here, so now we have.”

Illam, which employs six people, has 60 covers – 24 on the ground floor and 36 upstairs – and is currently offering an introductory discount of 20%, with no booking needed.

The restaurant is owned by Rahisa’s husband Sadiq Kattil, her father Abdul Majeed, and their business partner Sharaf Malayampadi. Sadiq is an experienced restaurant manager and head chef Abdul previously worked at award-winning Leeds restaurant Tharavadu. 

Rahisa said: 

“My dad has worked in restaurants for over 20 years as a chef, and it’s always been his dream to have a family business with our own stamp on it, so we’re all very much excited to open Illam. 

“We love our authentic South Indian food and we always love to serve it to people who have never tried it before. I’m sure people in Harrogate will love it!” 

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Christmas market to be held at Ripley Castle

A Christmas market is set to be held in Ripley in December.

Real Markets, which also hosts markets in Grassington, Ilkley and Harrogate Farmers’ Market, will hold the free event in the castle courtyard at Ripley Castle.

It will include 40 independent and artisan traders, as well as festive carols from local school children and craft activities.

There will also be a visit from Father Christmas for children from 10am until 11.15am.

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, said: 

“We’re very excited to bring a specially curated local market to the magical setting of Ripley. It offers a fantastic day out for all ages, thanks to the historic, rural setting, where visitors can enjoy the village and castle grounds. 

“We hope it brings some real, traditional Christmas magic to visitors.”

The event will be held on Sunday, December 10, from 10am until 3pm.

Admission to the grounds is free and dogs on leads are also welcome.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate bus operator launches skills drive for engineers

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, November 30. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories.

Transdev, the Yorkshire company that owns the Harrogate Bus Company, has teamed up with one of the North’s leading apprenticeships providers to tackle the shortage of expert engineers.

The bus operator and Manchester-based Total People have launched SkillUp, a pioneering joint initiative to both attract newcomers and to encourage those already in other roles – including bus drivers – to retrain as qualified engineers.

It’s hoped the new engineers will lead Transdev’s drive towards electric power, by gaining specialist knowledge needed to maintain the latest battery-powered buses.

SkillUp is also offering semi-skilled people who already have workshop experience the opportunity to complete a fast-track one year course to boost their knowledge and skills.

Harrogate-based Owen Baxter is already in the third year of a four-year Mechelec Engineering Apprenticeship. He said:

“The joy of it for me is in fault-finding – the ability to look at something that doesn’t work, find the cause, and fix it. I love that feeling of achievement when you return a bus to the road, and I’m lucky to be learning from the best in the business.

“Everyone here specialises in a particular area, including electrical, mechanical and bodywork. That means I’m getting wide experience in an apprenticeship leading to an exciting future, just as we prepare to switch over to 100 per cent electric bus operation.”

Total People managing director Mel Nicholson said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity. Not only can we start people off on their new career in automotive engineering, we also get to help those already in the industry to take the next step in their careers. We can’t wait to see all the new faces, and maybe some familiar ones!”

Full details of the opportunities are available online.

Writing workshops in Knaresborough

Harrogate funeral company Full Circle will be running a series of writing workshops over the next six months, designed to help people express their feelings following personal loss.

The 10 sessions, to be held at Gracious Street in Knaresborough, will be split into two separate ‘circles’ and facilitated by writer, educator and celebrant Stephen Mckenzie, who was a secondary school teacher of English, Literature and Drama for over 30 years.

Full Circle said:

“Writing can be a powerful tool for processing and expressing complex emotions and we are delighted to be hosting a series of workshops for anyone who is interesting in exploring the benefits of creative writing for those experiencing grief and loss.

“There are many ways we might choose to write about people we have lost. These sessions will explore how we might use any form of text or writing to remember and celebrate our loved ones.”

For more information about the sessions’ content and to book a place at any of the workshops, visit Full Circle’s website.

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Woman racially abused in Harrogate Tesco Express

Police have issued an appeal to find a woman who was racially abused at Tesco Express in Harrogate.

It happened at around 10am on Thursday, October 19, at the store on Cambridge Road.

Officers said a woman was reported as being racially abusive and aggressive towards an Asian woman, who is yet to come forward and report the incident.

The suspect is described as a white woman, about 5ft 6, with dark brown shoulder length hair.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Officers are appealing for information to help identify the victim of this abuse and to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Jacob.higgins@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Jacob Higgins.

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

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230198588.”

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Police CCTV appeal after man glassed at Montey’s in Harrogate

Police have appealed for help finding a man they want to speak to following a serious assault in Harrogate town centre.

A man was taken to hospital with facial injuries after being assaulted with a glass at Montey’s on The Ginnel.

The incident happened at 1am on Sunday, September 3.

North Yorkshire Police first issued a CCTV image of a man they wanted to contact on September 18.

Officers today renewed the appeal. The force said in a statement:

“If you recognise the man in the image or have any information that could help please email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Sam Clarke.

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

“Please quote reference number 12230166084 when passing on information.”

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Northern Gas Networks gives end date for work on Harrogate’s Skipton Road

Northern Gas Networks has said roadworks on one of Harrogate’s busiest routes will end in eight days.

Skipton Road has been plagued by temporary traffic lights in recent years while the gas distribution company replaces metal pipes with plastic ones.

But the end is in sight, according to Mark Mawhood, operations manager at Northern Gas Networks.

Mr Mawhood said:

“I can confirm that we are in the final stages of the works in Harrogate. Next week we will begin work at the junction of Bilton Grange Close and Skipton Road.

“We will need to put in place a half and half road crossing on Skipton Rd with two-way lights in place, these works will be completed by Friday, November 3.

“After this section has been completed, the project to carry out essential work to ensure the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers in Harrogate will come to an end.

“We apologise for inconvenience caused by the number of works we have had recently in the area but due to the mains configurations, the traffic management has been unavoidable.”

Northern Gas Networks also said in a statement its seven-week programme in Harrogate town centre, which is due to end on November 20, “is currently running to schedule”.

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Why you should work with trusted local solicitors in a changing property market

This story is sponsored by LCF Law.

The importance of using a quality conveyancing solicitor in a slowing property market by Lynn Wilkinson, a director at LCF Residential (pictured above). 

It’s no secret that both house prices and sales activity in the property market are under pressure, predominantly due to rising interest rates pushing up the cost of borrowing.  

However, the Bank of England’s recent decision to hold the base rate at 5.25% was a relief for mortgage holders and fuelled optimism that the market could see an autumn pick-up. 

We work with homebuyers, sellers and estate agents throughout Yorkshire and beyond, as well as with nearly every UK mortgage lender, across all price brackets.  

Although it’s certainly true that the market has been more subdued during 2023, and especially in comparison to the furore that we’ve seen in recent years around the pandemic, it’s not all doom and gloom.  

Around Harrogate and North Yorkshire there has been less of a slowdown than in many other parts of the UK. Homes here are still selling and from what we’re seeing, interest rates are having less of a negative impact the higher up the market you go.  

We’re still working on high numbers of transactions in the local area and in the same way that it’s often when market conditions become sticky that a good estate agent really adds value, the same can be said for a premium conveyancing service.  

Where some conveyancers pile it high and sell it cheap, but often with lots of hidden last minute add-on costs, our clients continually tell us that they value having a named point of contact, local offices that they can visit and crucially price transparency, which is especially true during more uncertain market conditions, when every penny counts.  

A deep knowledge of the local market also means we can provide valuable insights into current conditions, helping clients make more informed decisions. Plus, in a slowing market, the risk of a property not selling or the deal falling through can be higher. We help clients minimise this possibility by advising on contingencies and contract terms, as well as identifying and addressing any possible hiccups before they arise.  

Ultimately, in more testing market conditions, the role of a conveyancing firm becomes even more critical in protecting clients’ interests and achieving a successful property transaction. It’s often our expertise, negotiating skills and ability to manage risks that make a significant difference to our clients.  

Find out why clients value Harrogate’s leading conveyancing solicitors at LCF Residential. Click or tap here to speak to the team and get a quote today.

Hair salon to open in Harrogate after £50,000 refurbishment

A new hair salon will open in Harrogate next week.

Charlotte Woolley Hairdressing, which is located on John Street, will offer traditional hair services including cuts, colours and hair-up services.

Owner Charlotte Woolley has 20 years of hairdressing experience under her belt and hopes the salon will bring “the ultimate salon experience”.

She told the Stray Ferret she wants the salon to be known particularly for its blow-dries.

She said:

“I’m so excited about it opening.”

“I think there’s a gap in the market for luxury hairdressing here in Harrogate.”

The unit is located in the former art gallery Bills and Rye. Ms Woolley said renovations, which began in August, have cost around £50,000.

Charlotte Woolley Hairdressing will open on Wednesday, November 1.

It will be open Tuesday to Saturday.

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No Christmas lights switch-on event in Harrogate this year

Harrogate’s Christmas lights will be switched on in three weeks’ time — but once again there won’t be an official event marking the occasion.

The event, which traditionally drew a crowd to the town centre to mark the start of the festive season, was halted due to covid.

It has not returned since and Harrogate Business Improvement District confirmed in a social media post the situation has not changed. It said:

“Harrogate BID are excited to announce that the Christmas lights will be switched on from Thursday 16th November in the town centre to kick start the festivities.

“As previous years, there will be a ‘soft’ switch on and no official event.”

The Stray Ferret asked Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, why the big switch-on wasn’t happening this year.

Mr Chapman said:

“Whilst we totally understand and respect how popular the Harrogate Christmas lights switch-on used to be, taking feedback from our members on the return on investment it offered, it was decided to utilise our festive budget in more impactful ways as well as funding events throughout the year such as the Harrogate Celebration of Fashion, Harrogate Music Weekender and recent Britain in Bloom gold award-winning Floral Summer of Celebration.

“As with all projects at Harrogate BID, we are constantly reviewing and will do so again in 2024.”

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Plan to create 200 HGV parking bays at Wetherby Services

Plans have been submitted to expand Wetherby Services to create 200 new heavy goods vehicle parking spaces.

Rapleys LLP which has tabled a screening application on behalf of services operator Moto Hospitality Ltd for the site off junction 46 of the A1(M).

It would see the site expand to create 200 HGV parking spaces, while the current HGV parking facilities would be replaced with 118 electric vehicle charging bays.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said the extension was required to meet demand at the services.

It said:

“The proposed circa 200 new HGV parking spaces form part of an urgently required extension to the existing motorway service area.

“This proposal arises from the need for increased HGV parking capacity at the existing motorway service area.”

The planned layout for the parking spaces at Wetherby Services.

The planned layout for the parking spaces at Wetherby Services.

It added that its plan to include 118 electric vehicle charging spaces would align with Moto’s strategy to increase infrastructure at its sites.

The document said:

“Electric vehicles will play a big part in the transition to zero emission transport, but to achieve these targets, it is imperative that suitable infrastructure is provided to support electric vehicles. 

“The proposed development forms part of Moto’s wider strategy to bring EV infrastructure at their services.”

The move comes as Gridserve, a sustainable energy firm in Kirk Deighton, also applied to North Yorkshire Council to install 12 charging bays within the existing services car park.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on both proposals at a later date.

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