Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 415 of 1042

Business breakfast: Finalists revealed for first Stray Ferret Business Awards

The shortlists for the first ever Stray Ferret Business Awards have been revealed this morning.

They feature some of the leading businesses from across the Harrogate district, as well as the up-and-coming stars of the future.

All the entries were put before the independent panel of judges, each leaders in their field: Marcus Boardall, CEO of Reed Boardall, Black Sheep Brewery CEO Charlene Lyons, Cloud Nine founder and CEO Martin Rae, and James Farrar, COO of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Tamsin O’Brien, director of the Stray Ferret, said:

“We had well over 100 entries and the judges had a full day of discussion as they worked through each category. There was some heated debate and they had to take some difficult decisions to whittle the entries down and select our finalists.

“For its inaugural year, we were thrilled that the awards attracted such strong entries. I’d like to thank the judges for giving us their time and being so thorough in their deliberations.

“We’re all looking forward to the big night where the winners will be unveiled.”

The businesses and individuals face a nervous wait until the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, on Thursday, March 9. In a spectacular night at Pavilions of Harrogate, the winners will be announced, with each category sponsored by a leading local firm.

Tickets are on sale now for the event, with the early bird price of £85 plus VAT per ticket available until February 9. Tables of 10 are £765 plus VAT.

To book your tickets, click here.

The finalists are:

Best Digital Marketing Campaign sponsored by Next Chapter:

Coach Gym

Ogden of Harrogate

Mumbler

Best Employee Development sponsored by Jones Myers:

Continued Care

Grantley Hall

Howard Conrad

Best Independent Retailer sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub:

Cocoa Joe’s

Fodder

TravelGate

Watermark Gallery

Whittams Hire

Business Growth Award sponsored by Raworths Solicitors:

Bamber & Brown

Evolve Psychology Services

Harlow Consulting Services

IDR Law

The Soundproofing Store

TMR Foods

Digital Innovation sponsored by ASE Computer Services:

Re-Macs

Strive Group

Dynamic Leader sponsored by Succession Wealth:

Sarah Jones, Full Circle

Danny Wild, Harrogate College

Andrew Meehan, Harrogate Family Law

Alastair Taylor, NYnet

Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Suzanna Prout, Xenonex

Inclusivity Award sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors:

Artizan Café and Creative Space

Horticap

Rising Star Under 30 sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants:

Tiffany Snowden, Blue Willow Heritage

Joe Andrew, Cocoa Joes

Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

James Owen Thomas, JOT’s Gallery

Sustainable Business sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub:

EnviroVent

Full Circle Funerals

JOT’s Gallery

NEOM Organics

Number Thirteen

Resurrected Bites

Source Climate Change Coffee

Unsung Hero sponsored by Big Bamboo:

Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

Jago Wallace, Himalyan Garden

Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

North Yorkshire Council leadership dismisses anti-democratic claims

Senior North Yorkshire councillors have dismissed suggestions they are “trying to curtail democracy” by limiting the number of questions elected councillors can publicly pose to the ruling group’s executive.

A meeting of Conservative-run North Yorkshire County Council’s executive saw proposals for the unitary North Yorkshire Council’s constitution pushed forward for consideration at a full council meeting next month.

But concerns were raised over democracy at the authority’s quarterly full council meetings, the only time where all 90 councillors can air issues together.

The meeting was told a clause of the constitution meant a restriction in the volume of questions the authority’s 10 executive members could face.

The authority’s opposition leader, Cllr Bryn Griffiths, questioned the rationale behind the proposal that “a maximum of five minutes will be permitted for questions to each executive member”.

The Liberal Democrat leader said the move was “effectively a guillotine from members of the council to executive members of the council”.

Corporate services executive member Cllr David Chance replied that the original constitution had stated members’ questions would be limited to those on the written reports of executive members to full council.

He added:

“The questions have become lengthened…”

Cllr Chance said there had been “a suggestion from another quarter” that the Tory administration introduced a one-hour guillotine for members’ questions, but that the proposal had been dismissed as the council’s leading group did not believe that was sufficient.

He added:

“So we settled on five minutes per question with the chair having discretion to extend that if he felt that was needed.”

The council’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said during discussions over the proposed change to full meetings of the council “on the face of it it seemed as though we were trying to curtail democracy and not hold executive members to account”.

He said the rule had been proposed to protect the integrity of the purpose of full council meetings and give members’ greater opportunities to raise issues with executive members.

Cllr Dadd said:

“For me the purpose of full council is yes, to allow members of the authority to hold those in positions of responsibility to account, but the primary purpose of full council is to set policy and debate policy.

“After reflection… we have written a means into the constitution by which members can raise their concerns and hold accountable members to account with written questions that will be published on a website to enable the public to see responses to concerns raised by councillors.”

Cllr Dadd said during discussions with a cross-party group of councillors the five-minute limit had received a broad base of support, when considered alongside the move to publish any questions raised by members.

After the meeting, Independent group leader Cllr Stuart Parsons said even with the proposal to publish members’ questions, the move was set to stifle debate, perpetuating a situation where 10 executive members had “inordinate powers” and the remaining 80 elected councillors could “go swing”.

He said:

“I think there will be quite a fight when we get to full council because putting that guillotine in effectively means what’s the point of being on North Yorkshire Council because everybody will not have the opportunity to question people on their remits.

“If they carry on controlling or attempting to control scrutiny in the way they are there’s nothing that opposition members can actually do.”

Major event signs up for five more years in Harrogate

A major four-day fair in the Harrogate hospitality calendar has signed up to remain in the town for another five years.

The Christmas and Gift Fair, which runs every January, has agreed a contract to take place at Harrogate Convention Centre until 2028.

It typically attracts more than 5,000 visitors and the convention centre said its estimated economic impact for hospitality in the district is £375,000 over the four days of the event.

Convention centre director Paula Lorimer said:

“I am delighted to seal the long-term relationship with Harrogate Christmas and Gift, an important trade show that has gone from strength to strength over more than seven decades.

“Harrogate’s unique heritage in hosting large-scale events and our venue’s central location, premier space, facilities and expertise mean that we attract a constant flow of events that keep our spa town busy all year round.”

The fair took over seven halls from January 15 to 18 this year, with 90 exhibitors. It has been running since 1950 and is organised by Harrogate International Toy Fair Ltd, whose annual nursery fair is also contracted to HCC for the next two years.

Simon Anslow, organiser of Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair, said:

“Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair is the most important exhibition in the UK for trade buyers who are buying for the following Christmas. Exhibiters and buyers also love the vibe of Harrogate with its quality restaurants and bars.

“We are delighted in securing a new five-year contract with the Harrogate Convention Centre running from 2024 to 2028.”

News of the new contract comes on the heels of disappointment for Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the convention centre. The council last night heard it had missed out on investment from the government’s levelling up fund to improve its facilities.

The council had asked for £20 million from the fund, towards its £49 million plans to overhaul the venue.

It has run at a loss for many years, though the council has supported it, arguing it brings benefits to the district’s economy.

Last week, Richard Flinton, chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council which will take on responsibility for the centre, last week said the authority would not take on an “enormous drain on public finances”.

Temporary traffic lights near Killinghall set to last another four weeks

Four-way traffic lights near Killinghall which have caused lengthy delays for motorists are set to last for another four weeks.

The roadworks at the roundabout near the Curious Cow at Oaker Bank are due to continue until February 17.

It comes as Express Utilities is carrying out work to install utility infrastructure for a nearby housing development.

The company has placed temporary traffic lights on the junction with Skipton Road while the work is carried out.

The works have caused delays for motorists, particularly during morning rush hour traffic.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Express Utilities said it was “supplying extra resources” to the works from January 23 in an effort to complete the work before February 17.

The company said:

“We appreciate that this type of work can cause inconvenience to members of the public and we will do all we can to minimise any disruption as far as practicable.

“As suggested, we will complete the works as soon as possible whilst keeping the traffic flowing as much as possible, maintaining the safety of our operatives and the public as our number one priority.”

Council leader ‘disappointed’ after Harrogate Convention Centre funding refusal

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said he is “disappointed” at a government decision to reject its bid for £20 million to go towards the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced last night more than 100 projects had been awarded a share of £2.1 billion as part of round two of its flagship levelling up fund.

However, the council’s bid to help fund the £49 million renovation of the town’s convention centre was refused.

It’s the second time the government has rejected funding for the project after the council requested financial support through the North Yorkshire devolution deal last year.

Cllr Richard Cooper, Conservative leader of the council, said he was “slightly surprised” at the government’s decision to refuse its bid.

He said:

“While disappointed that we were not successful in our bid I look forward to exploring with the minister the detailed reasons why that is the case.

“The decision is slightly surprising since the government rejected the inclusion of funding for the Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment in the devolution agreement with North Yorkshire County Council. This was done on the basis that we could bid to the levelling up fund, a bid which they have now also rejected.

“But if you bid for funding you have to be prepared for the possibility that you will not be successful. This was the second round of levelling up funding and there will be a third. We aim to be successful in that third round.”

Control of the centre will transfer to North Yorkshire Council on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished.

Last week Richard Flinton, who will be chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, refused to commit to the £49 million redevelopment and said the conference and events venue needed to be vibrant and relevant in the face of competition from a new venue in Leeds rather than “an enormous drain on public finances”.

Criticism of levelling up fund

Meanwhile, the government has faced criticism of its levelling up fund from officials at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership — a partnership group between civic leaders and businesses in the north of England.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the partnership, said those areas which had missed out on funding would ask “searching questions” about the process of holding funding rounds.

He told BBC News:

“People in the places that have received no money are going to be asking very searching questions about why these competitive funding rounds are being used when, for example, South Tyneside is now within a devolution area, Bradford has had a mayor for several years now.

“Why on earth wasn’t the money for places like West Yorkshire just given straight to Tracy Brabin or in the case of Greater Manchester given straight to Andy Burnham?”

Mr Murison, who is from Boroughbridge, added that bidding for funding also cost local authorities money.

He said:

“The issue is that it costs, the Local Government Association estimate, about £30,000 to bid. The estimate that has been given in the last few days is that it’s getting on for £25 million that has been spent bidding in these processes.

“That’s OK, I suppose, for areas that were successful… For those areas that bid and didn’t get any money, there’s areal question whether Michael Gove should be writing them a cheque because their council tax payers are worse off for having tried to secure this funding but not got it.”

Slimmer cuts weight by a third to reverse liver disease

This story is sponsored by Slimming World.

A Harrogate slimmer is celebrating after reversing her liver disease by losing over a third of her body weight with Slimming World.

Sylvia Skipper was told by doctors that her non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was off the scale, with a liver fat content of over 70%.

“I was heading towards severe cirrhosis of the liver, which could lead to me needing a liver transplant,” said Sylvia.

“The consultant explained the only legitimate way of improving or reversing this was by losing weight. I had struggled with so many diets in the past I had just about lost faith.”

It was then that she turned to Slimming World, whose science-based healthy eating plan has helped thousands of people across the UK achieve their weight-loss goals without ever going on a diet.

“I vividly remember messaging Cate Pervana, who runs Slimming World groups in Harrogate, and sharing my health issues with her,” said Sylvia.

“I had previously had thyroid cancer, so I struggled to control my metabolism and doubted my ability to lose weight.

“But Cate gave me the reassurance I needed, and I joined Westcliffe Hall Harrogate Slimming World group.”

Combining Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme, Sylvia soon started to see the weight fall off. Just over a year later, she has lost 6st 7.5lb – over 40 per cent of her original body weight – and is now down from a size 24 to a size 8. Even her feet have shrunk from a 6 to a 4 and she’s now proudly wearing her favourite pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, which had been stuck in her wardrobe for years.

Sylvia Skipper combined Slimming World’s no-hunger eating plan with its Body Magic physical activity programme to lose weight.

“But the best news came this morning,” said Sylvia. “I now have less than 5% fat in my liver, I have completely reversed my liver disease, and I’ve been discharged.

“I am so grateful to Cate and everyone at Slimming World for giving me all the support I needed. Getting healthy again has been my sole motivation on my weight-loss journey, and I feel on top of the world.”

Sylvia Skipper was in danger of needing a liver transplant, but with the help of Slimming World has stopped her liver disease in its tracks.

Slimming World in Harrogate and Knaresborough runs several groups, making it easier to find one to fit into your schedule. Cate Pervana runs groups in Harrogate, and Christine Husband runs them in Starbeck and Knaresborough.

Find out more:

If you want 2023 to be the year you achieve your weight-loss goals, find out more about your local groups by calling Christine Husband (Starbeck and Knaresborough) on 07890 621324, or Cate Pervana (Harrogate) on 07834 897533.

Alternatively, check out the Slimming World Harrogate and Knaresborough Facebook page here.

Government rejects £20m levelling up bid for Harrogate Convention Centre

The government has rejected Harrogate Borough Council‘s bid for £20 million to go towards the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre.

Last night’s decision is a significant blow for plans for a £49 million upgrade of the ageing centre and casts further doubt on the facility’s future.

More than 100 projects have been awarded a share of £2.1 billion from round two of the Levelling Up Fund.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, led by Michael Gove, rewarded six schemes from Yorkshire and the Humber, including £41 million to West Yorkshire Combined Authority for better bus services.

There was also £19 million to regenerate Catterick Garrison in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Richmond constituency.

But there was nothing for Harrogate Convention Centre or anywhere else in the Harrogate district.

A council Cabinet report on August 17 said it had submitted a levelling up funding bid on August 1.

It said Investment would “help to ensure that HCC can both sustain and enhance its position within the market place, support the ‘levelling up’ agenda and ensure that the economic benefits that this project delivers to the wider economy are maximised”.

But it also warned:

“Expectations do need to be managed as there are still some significant challenges in relation to this bid, in particular: Harrogate district is a priority three area therefore our chances of success are not high (only 7% of those were funded in round 1 of the fund).”

Control of the centre will transfer to North Yorkshire Council on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished.

Homeless man admits theft at two Harrogate hairdressers

A homeless man has admitted committing theft at two Harrogate town centre shops on the same morning this week.

Anthony Fraser, 37, pleaded guilty to stealing products worth £380 from hair and beauty salon Hart & Hart on Commercial Street on Monday.

He also admitted taking products of an unknown value from the nearby barbers shop belonging to Nathan Cosgrove.

Fraser, who gave his address as Harrogate Homeless Project on Bower Street, appeared before magistrates in York yesterday.

He was remanded on bail until February 10, when he is due to be sentenced.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm opens new office in Hull

The Stray Ferret Business Awards will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will be a celebratory night with prize draw and afterparty. Richard Flinton, the chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council is the guest speaker. Early bird ticket prices are available until February 9 and available to buy here. Bring your team, network and have fun.

A Harrogate law firm has expanded and opened a third office in Hull.

Truth Legal, which is based on Victoria Avenue, has also employed two new lawyers to staff the new office on Bond Street in the city.

The Hull base will be overseen by Frances Ledbury, specialist immigration lawyer, and Olivia Pickering, an experienced paralegal.

The new office joins Harrogate and Leeds as Truth Legal’s locations.

Georgia Parkin, managing director at the firm, said:

“2022 was a great year for the business, our most successful to date during which we celebrated our tenth anniversary.

“To kick off 2023 with the opening of a new branch gives us the best possible start to the New Year. We’ve experienced a rapid period of expansion, particularly over the past three years, opening successful immigration law, family law and business services departments in that time.

“A real upturn in demand for our services prompted the decision to open in Hull, offering the East Riding and Lincolnshire greater access to a dedicated, specialist legal team with a proven track record.”

Harrogate entrepreneurs to be offered business advice

Start ups in the Harorgate district are being offered free support through the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub this March.

As part of the Strive Incubator programme, 30 entrepreneurs with a business idea will be able to access one-to-one advice and a series of workshops covering over 20 topics, from finances to marketing.

Delivered primarily through weekly live training sessions with regular one-to-one advice and on-demand online learning, the incubator programme is designed to make it easy and exciting to start a business.

Andrew Raby, manager of the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, said:

“The StriveLive start-up incubator provides a hugely valuable programme of support to our local entrepreneurs allowing them to scale their ideas and make a tangible impact upon our local economy.

“We are very much looking forward to supporting all the entrepreneurs as they progress through this year’s programme.”

Daniela Genova, founder of Cafe Lago di Como in Harrogate who took part in the scheme, said:

“Strive is an amazing place to learn absolutely everything you need to know about business.

“But most importantly the team work very hard and they are always available for any questions or concerns. We really enjoyed it and we have learned a lot from the project.”

The Strive project is commissioned by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub and supported by City of York Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

The next scheme will start on March 16, 2023.

For more information on the scheme, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID

Harrogate BID will welcome a new chair and deputy chair at its annual general meeting this afternoon (January 19).

Dan Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow are replacing Sara Ferguson and Richard Wheeldon, who have led the business improvement district for almost three years.

The pair will remain on the board, which is strengthened by a number of new directors who attended their first BID board meeting last week.

They are Mike Patterson from Berwins Solicitors, Lyndsay Snodgrass from Verity Frearson estate agent, Ruth Burke-Kennedy from Bettys and Taylors, town centre commercial property owner Russell Davidson, and Mark Robson from the Harrogate town centre Marks & Spencer.

Hotelier Dan, who joined the BID board in March 2021, said:

“I want to thank both Sara and Richard for the tremendous contributions they have made to Harrogate BID. Richard has been a part of the BID since the idea was first mooted back in 2017, and his knowledge is invaluable.

“Whilst he’s standing down due to his retirement from Berwins, I’m delighted he’s agreed to remain on the board as a co-opted member.

“Sara has been a superb Chair, and has done a wonderful job in steering the BID through some extremely challenging times, not least being the Covid pandemic. Under her stewardship, Harrogate BID has gone from strength to strength, and is making a real positive impact within the town centre.

“I’m really passionate about Harrogate BID and the work it’s doing, and I’m looking forward to taking on the role of Chair, and building on Sara’s successes. I’m also delighted that Andrea, a longstanding BID member, is to be the new Deputy Chair.”

Andrea, a BID board member since July 2019, said:

“I too want to place on the record our thanks to both Sara and Richard for their leadership over the last few years.

“2023 is an important year for Harrogate BID. We are in the process of creating a new business plan and are asking our members to help shape this.

“We have a great board, which has been further strengthened by the addition of four new members and one returning member, representing different town centre sectors.

“Harrogate BID was created to benefit the town centre, which it does on an almost daily basis, from deep-cleaning the streets and providing weekend entertainers, to funding improvement grants, powering the Christmas lights and boosting Harrogate’s floral offering.

“I’m looking forward to taking up my new role on the BID board, and helping Harrogate continue to be a great place to shop, eat, drink and do business.”

Harrogate BID’s annual general meeting will be held at 5.30pm on Thursday, January 19, at the Crown Hotel. All BID members are invited to attend.

Further information about Harrogate BID can be found on its website here.

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Criticism of levelling up fund

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Harrogate entrepreneurs to be offered business advice

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