Leon has confirmed its Harrogate restaurant will close in just over two weeks’ time — as speculation mounts over the site’s future.
The Stray Ferret revealed this week the Wetherby Road fast food venue would cease trading, with the loss of about 20 jobs, on April 2.
Staff were informed of the decision on Monday.
A Leon spokesperson said today:
“We’re confirming we have decided to close the doors of Leon Harrogate on Wetherby Road. Our last trading day will be April 2.
“Guests will still be able to get their Leon fix at the drive-thru in Gildersome, and at the Leon Leeds Station restaurant.”
Retailer EG Group operates sites with franchise partners including Starbucks, Greggs and KFC in the UK.
It considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.
Our Facebook post about Leon’s closure generated about 400 replies, with people eager to know what will follow.
Some local residents had objected to the site being used as a fast food restaurant because of its proximity to homes and the busy junction of Wetherby Road and Hookstone Drive.
Vehicles will stop using the site after April 2 — but it could only be a temporary pause until a new business moves in.
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Harrogate council wins £2.5m from government to house Afghan and Ukrainian refugees
Harrogate Borough Council is set to receive a £2.5 million from central government to help buy 21 homes for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
A report will go before the council’s Conservative-run cabinet next week that asks councillors to accept the grant and continue Harrogate’s “long and proud history” of welcoming refugees that dates back to the First World War.
Many Ukrainian families have found homes in the Harrogate district since Russia’s invasion through the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Afghan families have also arrived through resettlement schemes but there is still a “pressing need” to provide homes for those fleeing war zones, according to the report.
The money will come from the Local Authority Housing Fund, which is a £500 million grant fund launched by the government so English councils can provide housing for those unable to find accommodation.
In the Harrogate district, just over £2 million will go towards buying 19 homes for Ukrainians and just under £500,000 will help buy two larger four-bedroom homes for Afghan families currently in temporary accommodation.
Funding from the LAHF equates to 40% of the cost of a single property. A total of £20,000 per property is also available to cover administrative and repair costs.
The government asks that local authorities secure match-funding to raise the remaining money needed to buy a property and the report says Harrogate Borough Council has come to an agreement with Broadacres Housing Association, which is based in Northallerton.
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The LAHF grant will be managed by Broadacres, which will identify and buy the homes with the council’s approval.
They will then be refurbished by the housing association so they can meet the decent homes standards.
The government says all homes should be bought and ready to be moved into by November this year.
The report says:
Power cut hits hundreds of homes in Harrogate district“Harrogate has a long and proud history of welcoming those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries. In the past, this has included Belgium victims of the First World War and Jewish people escaping the Nazis.
“More recently the area has welcomed Syrians, vulnerable children, Afghans and Ukrainians.
“The acceptance of these funds will help the UK’s humanitarian duties to assist those fleeing war and ultimately provide a lasting legacy by increasing the supply of accommodation available to local authorities to address homelessness pressures.”
Northern Powergrid has said it aims to restore electricity by 4pm today after a widespread power outage in the Harrogate district.
The company, which manages the electricity network, reported cuts in Harrogate and in many rural areas to the west in Nidderdale this morning. The number of homes affected in total is not known.
The Curious Cow of Harrogate pub, on the edge of Killinghall, posted on social media that it was unable to serve lunches today due to the situation.
Northern Powergrid’s live power cuts map indicated properties were affected in Harrogate and nearby villages, including Birstwith, Menwith Hill, Kettlesing and Darley.
The message accompanying notifications said:
“We’ve had to switch off the power for safety purposes whilst our engineers work on the cables and equipment that serves your area. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
#Powercut in #HG3 affecting 15 customers. #TeamPowergrid are working hard to restore power and estimate to have all customers restored by 4pm. Report your power cut online to be kept updated at https://t.co/q94zD0HFnk. pic.twitter.com/Yc8OhkJf3N
— Northern Powergrid (@Northpowergrid) March 15, 2023
Read more:
- Hundreds of job losses as Harrogate company goes under
- Laughing gas discovery fuels fears for young people in Harrogate district
Hundreds of job losses as Harrogate company goes under
As many as 450 people have lost their jobs after Harrogate telemarketing company Amvoc crashed into administration, leaving employees in shock today.
Staff received an email at 10pm last night from chief executive Damian Brockway informing them all the company’s offices, in Harrogate, Leeds and Manchester, would close with immediate effect, citing “covid debts” as the cause.
The email, seen by the Stray Ferret, said:
“We have appointed administrators with immediate effect who will now be responsible for paying wages this week and all outstanding bonuses.
“I am gutted. Words fail me.
“Unfortunately our covid debts were too high and repayments not high enough. We have been issued with immediate request to pay all outstanding within seven days which is impossible.
“I cannot tell you how upset this makes me.”
The speed of the company’s demise surprised many – it was still advertising for new staff as recently as last week – and staff expressed their shock in social media posts. One said:
“I, as many others will be during this time, am now frantically looking for work. With huge overheads, a small child to support and a mortgage to pay, I am very concerned about the coming weeks.”
Mr Brockway set up Amvoc, the trading name of A Marketing Vocation Ltd, from a small office in Dacre in 2010. It sold telemarketing services, initially in the legal sector, and grew rapidly, moving first to Pateley Bridge and then to large offices at New York Mills near Summerbridge.
It opened a new head office on Cardale Park in Harrogate in 2015, a facility in Leeds in 2018 and an office in Manchester in 2022. It also had plans to expand to London.
Amvoc’s clients have included BP, Barclays, Virgin Media, Leeds Beckett University, and both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.
The company has been approached for comment.
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Laughing gas discovery fuels fears for young people in Harrogate district
A dog walker has expressed concern after discovering 10 canisters of laughing gas dumped by the side of the road.
John Chadwick stumbled across the canisters on the rural Gravelly Hill Lane in Huby.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the second most-used drug among UK 16- to 24-year-olds. It can induce euphoria and relaxation, as well as hallucinations.
The drug can lead to various health problems but is not currently illegal to possess. However, selling it to children is prohibited.
Mr Chadwick said this was the first time he’d seen the canisters and it “highlights what I believe is becoming an increasing health and behavioural issue predominately amongst younger people”.
He added:
“I’ve heard lots about it on phone-ins, I guess maybe I didn’t expect it in a rural environment. In that sense it was a bit of a shock – a bit like seeing a few old fridges dumped. A violation of our village.
“I am concerned that what could be seen as some harmless fun could escalate into something worse.
“Had somebody driven to this place to inhale the gas for fun and then driven off? In that case there is a danger to the perpetrator and others. Or was it just littering?”
The canisters were dumped by the side of a rural lane.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:
“There are significant dangers associated with using nitrous oxide. Inhaling it can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately suffocation as the body is essentially starved of oxygen.
“There is also evidence to show that people with heart conditions can be at risk of higher harm and that inhalation can lead to anaemia or long-term nerve damage.
“We would ask parents to be vigilant for the signs that their children may be purchasing the substance online.
“Anyone who is found guilty of supplying nitrous oxide could face up to six months in prison or an unlimited fine.”
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- County council plans programme to tackle children being ‘enticed’ to vape
Hundreds sign petition for 20mph limit across south Harrogate
A petition calling for a blanket 20mph zone across an area on the south side of Harrogate has received more than 600 signatures in support.
The proposal would see all streets between York Place and the southern edge of Harrogate limited to 20mph.
The petition has been set up by parents Hazel Peacock and Vicki Evans, who founded the Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign. They say it is vital to ensure children can travel to and from school in safety.
They wrote:
“We want safer streets for the children, young people and wider community when travelling to school and other locations in the area, from their home to their destination.
“Road safety has been of particular concern from school leaders, parents and carers of school children and local residents in Oatlands and the wider Harrogate area for many years.
“A maximum speed of 20mph is now urgently needed to reduce road collisions, improve safety, reduce air pollution and create a better environment for walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to schools, shops, workplaces and local amenities.”
Dr Evans and Ms Peacock will present their proposal to a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee on Thursday.
Their proposed 20mph zone covers as far east as Wetherby Road and extends west to West End Avenue and Green Lane.
There, it links with another existing petition for a 20mph zone and additional safety measures, including crossing points, proposed by campaigners Jenny Marks and Ruth Lily.
Dr Marks presented those plans to the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee in November.
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- Pressure grows as politicians join calls for road safety outside Harrogate schools
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Since then, pressure on NYCC’s highways department to improve road safety has grown, particularly following a serious collision on Yew Tree Lane that left two 15-year-old boys from Rossett School with leg injuries.
In the wake of the incident at the beginning of February, headteachers from almost every primary and secondary school in the area met at Harrogate Grammar School to urge representatives of NYCC to take action.
After the meeting, Rossett School’s acting headteacher, Pete Saunders, told the Stray Ferret:
“Speaking to the family of one of the boys [who was injured], they said that was one of five incidents that has affected just their family since their children were small.
“It’s a very pervasive issue. We will do whatever we can to support changes being made.”
Next week, the group is due to meet again – this time at St Aidan’s school – and will be joined by a caseworker for Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, as well as NYCC’s transport lead, Cllr Keane Duncan, and local councillors whose divisions are affected by the concerns over safety.
The meeting of more than 30 people will follow a walk around the Pannal Ash area led by the parents, for councillors and school representatives to discuss the issues.
Business Breakfast: Eco-focused Ripon business celebrates successful first yearIt’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
The GreenHouse, an environmentally and ecologically-focused business in Ripon, is celebrating a successful first year this week.
Rebecca Crallan, who owns and manages the independent retailer based in North Street, told Business Breakfast:
“We’ve had a fantastic first year year and are looking forward to many more.”
The business operates with a planet-friendly ethos, selling home and garden supplies designed to have minimal impact on the environment through use of refillable bottles, biodegradable packaging and the sale of items ranging from compostable sponges to bamboo toothbrushes, wax food wraps to solid shampoo bars.
Ms Crallan added:
“In our first 12 months we have refilled over 1,200 bottles, saving them from landfill.
“We’re working with 26 local companies, artists and makers – seven Ripon-based and a further 19 around Yorkshire – fuelling business in our local economy.
“These include individual artisans, such as Joe the Yorkshire framer, and companies such as Miniml, the West Yorkshire company that manufacture the refills we sell.”
As a footnote to its first year of trading, The GreenHouse has donated 137 pairs of socks to homeless people via Thriving Earth’s donation initiative
Harrogate climate firm appoints new scientist
A Harrogate-based climate technology firm has appointed a new climate scientist.
Flotilla, which is based on Station Parade, has hired Dr Charlotte Weaver to the company.
Dr Weaver joins the firm after working with charities such as the United Bank of Carbon.
She will be tasked with carrying out data analysis of Flotilla’s carbon accounting to ensure its accuracy for businesses to use to monitor their carbon footprint.
Dr Weaver said:
“I am ambitious and hard-working with a passion for the environment. Flotilla’s drive for creating a greener future through helping businesses reduce their emissions thus really appeals to me.
“I’m also excited to be part of the talented, experienced, and friendly team that is Flotilla.”
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Harrogate district teachers set to strike for third time
Teachers at schools across the Harrogate district are staging another walkout tomorrow.
Members of the National Education Union are striking tomorrow and Thursday in a dispute over pay.
The union argues a 5% pay rise in 2022 was insufficient to combat the impact of inflation at 10%, leaving many teachers effectively facing a pay cut.
The move will affect education across the district, with some pupils taking lessons remotely.
How Harrogate district schools are affected
Tomorrow, Harrogate Grammar School pupils in years 9, 11 and 13 will be asked to attend school as normal.
However, those in years 7, 8, 10 and 12 will take lessons remotely.
On March 16, years 10, 11 and 13 will be asked to attend school while years 7, 8, 9 and 12 will work from home.
Meanwhile, St Aidan’s Church of England High School has told parents it will “endeavour to provide their usual suite of lessons” for those who are required to attend school.
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Years 8, 9, 11 and 12 have been told they should take lessons at home, while years 7, 10 and 13 should attend as normal on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the school has informed years 7, 9, 10 and 13 to work from home while year 8, 11 and 12 should attend lessons.
Elsewhere, Rossett School has informed parents that it intends to keep the same arrangements for both strike days.
The school said:
“As a leadership team, we have decided that Year 8, 11, 12 & 13 will be in school and Year 7, 9, and 10 will be working remotely.”
St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate will remain open to year 11 and 13 only on March 15 and year 10 and 12 on March 16.
Outwood Academy in Ripon will remain open to year 9, 11 and vulnerable students tomorrow.
On March 16, it will be open to year 11 and year 10. Other pupils not due in school will be expected to work from home on both strike days.
Details of how other secondary schools are affected will be posted as we get them.
Phase Eight to move into Harrogate’s Hoopers storeWomenswear chain Phase Eight has closed the doors to its James Street shop – but will not be leaving Harrogate entirely.
The brand is set to open a new concession on the first floor of Hoopers department store, just a few metres down the road, on April 3.
At more than 270m sq, the old premises has retail space on the ground and first floors, as well as staff facilities on the second floor.
The unit is now being marketed by Montpellier Property Consultants at £72,000 per annum on a full repairing and insuring lease, with the term to be agreed.
Phase Eight has not publicised its reasons for the move, nor confirmed whether any jobs will be lost as a result. It did not respond to a request for details from the Stray Ferret before publication.
The Harrogate branch is one of 350 across the UK and Ireland, alongside 200 elsewhere around the world. It already has concessions in Hoopers’ stores in Tunbridge Wells and Wilmslow.
It is owned by the Foschini Group, which is also home to Hobbs and Whistles – both of which have shops along Harrogate’s James Street.
The popular address has recently seen a new branch of Oliver Bonas arrive, alongside Pret a Manger, which opened its doors last May.
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- Traffic order issued to close part of Harrogate’s James Street to vehicles
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Teenager pleads not guilty to murder of Seb Mitchell in Harrogate
A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty after being charged with the murder of Seb Mitchell in Harrogate.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied the charge at a hearing at Leeds Crown Court this morning.
It follows an incident on Claro Road in the early hours of Sunday, February 19, where Seb Mitchell, 17, was found at a property on the street with injuries.
He died at Leeds General Infirmary two days later. He would have turned 18 on February 28.
The 16-year-old is due to reappear before Leeds Crown Court on July 7 this year.
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- ‘We will carry him in our hearts forever’ — family’s tribute to Harrogate teen Seb Mitchell
- Harrogate Grammar School pays tribute to Seb Mitchell