On Monday 5 February, Harrogate Restaurant Week will begin. Restaurants in and around Harrogate are taking part in a promotional week, serving up some tasty discounts and helping us enjoy the luxury of dining out for less.

Restaurant Week is running from Monday 6 – Friday 10 February.

To help you save your pennies, we have curated a list of six participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week offers.

The Fat Badger

The Fat Badger is offering a homemade pie with a pint of bitter for just £10 during the promotional week.

Customers can enjoy a hearty steak, mushroom and ale pie, washed down with Tetley’s Best.

For more information on the restaurant, visit here.

The West Park Hotel

The West Park Hotel is offering two courses for £15, or three courses for £20 during Restaurant Week.

Customers can choose their courses from the new Restaurant Week menu.

Click to find more information on The West Park Hotel. 

The West Park Hotel will have a specific Restaurant Week menu.

Cosy Club

Cosy Club is offering customers a main and dessert for £15.

The Restaurant Week menu includes buttermilk fried chicken with fries, coleslaw and smoked red pepper aioli, along with a vegan baked vanilla cheesecake with raspberries.

Read more:

• New Masham restaurant wins Michelin Guide accolade
• New Mediterranean restaurant opens in Harrogate

William & Victoria

William & Victoria will also be partaking in Restaurant Week, offering customers two courses for £15, or three courses for £20.

Customers can expect to see dishes such as honey glazed goats cheese, fresh Moules Marinière and affogato on the promotional menu.

The menu will be available during both lunch service from 12pm – 2.30pm, and dinner service from 5pm – 9m.

Rudding Park Hotel

Rudding Park Hotel’s Clocktower Brasserie is offering two courses and a glass of Prosecco for £20 during Restaurant Week.

The offer will be available from 12pm – 5pm during the promotional week.

Customers can choose their courses from the Restaurant Week menu.

For more information, click here.

The Clocktower Brasserie will be participating in Restaurant Week.

The Inn, South Stainley 

The Inn, South Stainley between Harrogate and Ripon is also offering a starter and main course for £20.

The offer is available during lunch and dinner services.

The Restaurant Week menu includes a homemade soup and giant Yorkshire puddings.

A gaming café in Harrogate is raising money to create a calm space in its store designed specially for autistic customers. 

Geek Retreat has teamed up with autism support specialist KoKoPie Families to hit its £250 fundraising target and is already a third of the way there.  

Supporters can make a donation to guess the number of sweets in a large jar in-store or enter a prize draw to win a hamper. 

The initiative will culminate on Saturday, February 25, when the Geek Retreat will hold its main fundraising event at its Oxford Street premises, with a bake sale, portrait-drawing and game-play. 

Geek Retreat staff member Maddy said: 

“It’s really important to me and the team at Geek Retreat that everyone has a space where they feel safe and wanted. I already see this happening at Geek Retreat, and can’t wait to see how the fundraiser makes that goal include as many people as possible.” 

The funds will be used to supply sensory equipment, a film-screening licence and equipment, bean-bags, stim-kits, and inclusive books to add to the café’s diversity library. 

Nurse consultant Laura Hellfeld, who runs KoKoPie Families, said:  

“Partnering with Geek Retreat was a quick decision as we share a vision of creating inclusive and accepting spaces. The resources bought through this fundraiser will be incredibly valuable for ensuring even more community members know that they are valued and welcomed into a café that has been adjusted to fit their needs.” 

Geek Retreat is a national franchise operation, with about 50 stores across Britain. 

To donate to Geek Retreat’s inclusive calm space fundraiser online, go to its JustGiving page.

Read more:

• ‘Long waiting lists’ for child ADHD and autism in Harrogate, says MP
• Harrogate’s Geek Retreat to create autism-friendly space
• Harrogate Library to launch Lego club for children with autism and disabilities

A developer has withdrawn plans to create six new flats above the former Orvis store in Harrogate.

The proposal lodged by York-based Balance Planning Solution Ltd on behalf of Andrew Farr would have seen the upper floors of the unit on West Park converted for housing.

Orvis closed its doors back in April 2022 after 25 years of trading in the town.

The plan would see part of the ground floor unit converted for access to the apartments, along with an entrance to the back of the building next to the Coach House flats on Robert Street.

However, the developer has since withdrawn the application.

It comes despite supportive comments from Harrogate Borough Council’s economic officers and Harrogate Civic Society.

Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the authority, said in a letter:

“Upper floor residential at this location will add to the vibrancy of the town, supporting both the daytime and evening economy.”

Meanwhile, Henry Pankhurst, of the civic society, said:

“The civic society has for many years – decades actually – supported the use or better use of unused or underused upper floors of town centre premises, especially residential use.”

Read more:

• Plan to create six flats above former Harrogate Orvis store
• Developer withdraws plan for 55 retirement homes in Kirk Hammerton
• Harrogate council refuses James Street aparthotel plan

A free drama class will use common experiences to unite the generations in Harrogate this month.

The Cuttings extra care apartments in Starbeck will welcome pre-school children to take part in the new drama class run by a familiar face around the Harrogate district.

Ami Stott is running the event, on February 13, through her new venture, Stardust Drama. The free class will see young and old unite to explore the weather theme, with storytelling and music to guide them through.

Ami said:

“I had already formed a link with The Cuttings before covid and it was amazing to take classes there.

“Then covid struck and that stopped everything. They weren’t able to have groups coming in for a long time, but they’ve been wanting me to come back for a while.

“It’s brilliant for the residents. It’s new faces, it helps combat loneliness and it just brings a bit of joy to their days.

“For the children, there’s no fear at that age. As children grow up, they can become nervous of elderly people and it’s if you get these activities form a younger age, hopefully you can avoid that.”

Taking “great British weather” as a universal theme, the session will use drama and imaginative play to take participants from a trip to the beach to a storm and into snow.

Familiar songs and stories will help residents to recall trips to the seaside and they will be able to join in the action from the comfort of their own seats.

Ami said she hopes the event, which has already sold out, will become a monthly fixture in the calendar at The Cuttings.

Read more:

• Harrogate mum launches group for neurodiverse children and their parents
• Harrogate district school launches parent and baby group to help with cost-of-living crisis

Meanwhile, Ami is also launching weekly drama classes for children aged between two and four.

Taking place at Oatlands Community Centre on Wednesdays and Elim Pentecostal Church on Park View on Thursdays, they aim to encourage children to develop a range of abilities, including theatre skills, confidence and making friends.

Ami, who trained in drama and arts education at Bretton Hall, was previously head of drama at Heckmondwike Grammar School for seven years, before leaving teaching to raise her children.

She has since led classes for other baby and children’s groups around the Harrogate district. Stardust Drama is her first solo venture, and classes begin at the start of March.

Ami said:

“I am so excited, I just want to get started now. The themes of each week will link to national events, so we’ll be starting with one on World Book Day and exploring We’re Going On a Bear Hunt.

“We’ve got a mascot, TaDa the Star, and I’m absolutely loving creating all the lesson plans and getting ready to deliver the classes in the way that benefits the children the most. That’s where my passion lies.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough firefighters were called out last night to a shed that was set alight on purpose.

The crew was summoned to Dalby Avenue in Harrogate at 4.53am to deal with the incident.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:

“The cause was deliberate.”

Earlier in the night, a crew from Harrogate went to Starbeck High Street at 1.14am to a report of a male locked out of his home.

The incident log said:

“The male needed access to medication inside therefore crews used a lock snapper and spreaders to gain entry.”

Read more:

• Harrogate firefighters release images of Blubberhouses collision
• Harrogate district teachers go on strike — and firefighters could be next

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has revealed a plan to leave more than 120 jobs vacant this year to balance the books.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative commissioner, will ask a panel of North Yorkshire and York councillors on Monday to consider increasing the force’s council tax demand by 4.99%, which would amount to £14.03 extra for the average band D household.

The band D £295.08 demand would represents an average rise of more than £90 in the amount residents are obliged to pay North Yorkshire Police to cover the cost of the police service not paid for by central government.

Under the proposal, North Yorkshire taxpayers would be contributing 45% of their police force’s £191m income. In contrast Northumberland residents’ contribution only equates to 19.3% of their force’s funding.

Of 2,343 responses from residents over the proposed police budget, some 55% said they would be prepared to pay up to £5.60 more – an increase of up to 1.99%.

Nevertheless, the commissioner’s report concludes there is “significant support from the public for an increase of at least £10”.

However, a report by the commissioner to the panel also highlights that North Yorkshire has among the highest policing precept levels in England and Wales but will need ro make £8.2m of savings in the coming year to balance the books.

The report states:

“I have been clear with the force that in asking the public of North Yorkshire to pay more they should expect more from their police service.

“As you would expect with the predicted continuing inflation and potential pay awards that the budget will continue to be a challenge and therefore the chief constable has indicated that an organisational and operational review will be taking place to restructure the organisation to deliver the best possible front
line and visible policing services within the new future budget constraints.”

The proposed precept increase will also be used for long-awaited service improvements, such as £1.9m extra to improve 999 emergency call handling times, 101 call handling time, and expand means of the public contacting police.

The report states:

“Demand profiling has identified that in comparison to other forces, North Yorkshire Police have a significantly smaller workforce in the control room than other comparable forces.”

Read More:

• Fewer than half of 999 calls in North Yorkshire being answered on time
• North Yorkshire has lowest IOPC complaints rate of all police forces

Rising cost of policing

Costs facing the force are expected to increase by £18m, mainly due to pay rises and inflation.

With a £1.5m injection it is proposed to boost frontline uniformed response teams, which will see the number of officers rise to 1,645.

Since 2001, the number of response offices in the City, County and Coastal Command units has risen significantly, from 87, 142 and 96 to 146, 163 and 105 respectively.

The report says due to the labour market crisis, some 50 Police Community Support Officers posts “have been unable to be filled despite recruitment efforts”, and will remain unfilled this year to save £2m, particularly as the force already employs the highest proportion of PCSOs compared to other staff in England.

To cut costs by another £1.2m it is proposed the force will allow non-officer staff vacancies rise from 50 to 74.

Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s shadow home secretary, raised North Yorkshire Police’s proposal in the House of Commons.

Labour’s Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, raised North Yorkshire Police’s proposal to leave 120 vacancies unfilled in the House of Commons on Tuesday (January 31).

She said the move was a reflection of increasingly fewer police staff across the country.

Ms Cooper said:

“There are 6,000 fewer neighbourhood officers and 8,000 fewer PCSOs, with the number of PCSOs having halved since 2010. Neighbourhood teams have been decimated.

“People say they do not see the police on the street any more—that is because, across the country, they are not on the street any more.”

Meanwhile, the report states extra resources are needed to cope with increased demands on areas such as child protection, domestic violence and safeguarding the most vulnerable, as the need for more officers to investigate burglaries, robberies, and serious violence has become plain.

The report states:

“This has now reached a point where the demands and workload are no longer manageable and an increase in resources is required.”

A collision involving a pedestrian this week has reignited debate about what can be done to improve safety at a bottleneck junction in Killinghall.

The Ripon Road and Otley Road junction has been added to the agenda of Monday’s Killinghall Parish Council meeting in the wake of the accident.

It may be a new agenda item but it is an old topic, as parish council chairman Anne Holdsworth is only too aware. She says:

“I’ve lived in the village since 1961 and that junction has always been a problem.

“People in the village have been anticipating a collision like this. It’s horrendous but the question is, what do you do?

“I’m not sure what the solution is. All we can do is draw attention to it to the experts.”

The junction is frequently snarled up at rush hour so there are concerns about traffic flow as well as safety.

Vehicles turning right from Otley Road or turning right on to Otley Road often face particularly long delays, and the addition of the Tesco Express — although widely welcomed in the rapidly-expanding village — has added another dimension to drivers’ thoughts at the junction.

Turning right on to Otley Road

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, considered installing traffic lights pre-covid but nothing happened.

Cllr Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on the county council, said the traffic lights plans were “paused” due to work on the Tesco Express, which opened last year. Cllr Harrison added:

“I have asked the council highways team for an update on this.

“I have previously voiced concerns about potential congestion that signalising that junction might cause, although obviously that has to be balanced against safety concerns which are more apparent since the pub was converted to a Tesco.”

Tackling speed ‘the priority’

Villagers agree it’s time for action — but what is the solution?

Harvey Radcliffe said the junction was “poorly designed and an accident waiting to happen”, adding:

“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed. I’ve lived in the village for 12 years and I’ve never seen driving like it recently. I’m genuinely concerned for the kids and older residents of the village.”

Mr Radcliffe said speed prevention measures were the first priority. He said adding traffic lights and moving the bus stop that is close to the Tesco entrance, would help. He added:

“Everyone’s in a rush but when you drive in a populated area, if there is one straight road the quality of driving becomes worse as people just see it as a race track, especially at night. I’ve seen taxis doing 60 or 70mph down Ripon Road.”

The Tesco Express has created another factor for drivers to think about.

A mini roundabout, similar to the ones that have improved traffic flow at Bond End, has been suggested but Killinghall resident Tom Beardsell, who recently posted a video on social media highlighting the problems facing motorists at the junction, isn’t keen. He said:

“There would be more accidents with a mini roundabout as most people don’t know how to use them.”

Mr Beardsell said locals were “absolutely fuming” following this week’s collision and suggested introducing smart lights that allowed traffic to flow on the A61 most of the time but changed when someone pulls up at Otley Road. He said:

“It will disrupt traffic flow but it will be safer.”

Read more:

• Refurbished church aims to meet needs of growing Killinghall community
• Killinghall Cricket Club applies to build new two-storey pavilion

Former parish councillor Mike Wilkinson also thinks it’s time for traffic lights.

“As a resident and parent living in Killinghall, l am daily concerned that a fatality at the junction of Ripon/Otley Road will occur due to the unsafe driving witnessed on a daily basis.

“Incidents have been reported to the police and also Harrogate Borough Council but no safety measures have been put in place to give reassurance to the Killinghall residents. I would like a meeting to be set up with relevant agencies and the public to share the recent issues

“Traffic lights would be the best option, and this would stop traffic rushing through the junction especially trying to turn right from Otley Road onto Ripon Road.”

Whatever the parish council calls for this week, the final decision will rest with North Yorkshire County Council, and North Yorkshire Council — which will succeed it on April 1.

Two men have been interviewed under caution after a collision in Harrogate yesterday that left two teenagers in hospital.

The men, both aged in their 40s, were the drivers of the Ford Ranger van that collided with a wall on Yew Tree Lane, and of the Vauxhall Astra also involved in the incident.

Both had remained at the scene yesterday to help police with their investigations, along with the driver of a Ford Fiesta, who has not been interviewed under caution.

The two 15-year-old boys who were injured remain in hospital today, North Yorkshire Police has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the force said:

“Officers investigating the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who witnessed the collision or who has a dashcam and was travelling in the area around the time of the collision to come forward.

“Members of the public should contact 101 and quote reference number 12230019910.”

The incident happened yesterday morning around 8.45am.

The boys, both pupils at Rossett School, were both walking along Yew Tree Lane and were left with serious injuries.

Nearby pupils rushed to the scene before Ashville College staff provided first aid until emergency services arrived.

The boys were taken to hospital by road ambulance. Police have not provided any further update on their condition.

Read more:

• Man taken to hospital after empty overturned car discovered in Harrogate
• Two people taken to hospital after North Rigton collision

Paperchase in Harrogate is holding a closing down sale after the company went into administration this week.

Tesco bought the rights to the cards, gifts and stationery brand, entitling it to sell Paperchase items in its supermarkets, but did not buy the stores.

It means the shop on James Street is one of 106 stores facing uncertain futures. More than 800 staff nationally are affected.

Signs have now gone up in the window confirming the closure, although the final day of trading is not yet known.

In-store notices confirm administrators Begbies Traynor have been running the business since Tuesday.

They say no further gift cards will be sold and customers have until 5pm on February 14 to use existing gift cards.

Read more:

• Paperchase in Harrogate faces uncertain future as company goes into administration
• Valley Gardens visitors urged not to feed ducks

Teachers at Pannal Primary School have been praised by Ofsted for having high expectations of pupils.

The schools inspector found children lived up to those expectations and the school’s vision of ‘Pannal-shaped’ pupils who are collaborative, respectful and self-aware.

Ofsted’s latest report maintained Pannal’s ‘good’ rating, with inspectors writing:

“Leaders have prioritised the personal development of pupils. A well-planned curriculum for personal, social and health education (PSHE) is supported by other opportunities.

“Trips and visits enhance what pupils’ study. The emphasis on pupils’ personal development also supports their positive behaviour, which is seen in lessons and around the school.”

The report, published this week, found pupils felt safe in school and were confident to raise concerns with staff. They had positive relationships with staff and with each other.

Pupils who needed extra support were well supported, the inspectors said, adding:

“Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is strong. Leaders provide effective support to ensure that teachers have the skills to support all pupils with SEND well.

“Leaders have invested in a high level of adult support. This is used well across all classes. Leaders are quick to identify the best ways to support these pupils, including work with external agencies.”

Read more:

• Harrogate pre-school wins Ofsted praise for care and teaching
• Ofsted praises ‘true family feel’ at village school near Harrogate

Visiting at the end of November, the inspectors found children learned to read quickly after starting school and could get extra support if needed. They also said daily maths lessons with a “carefully planned” curriculum helped to make a good start.

The report added:

“Leaders have created a curriculum which they keep under review. Passionate and knowledgeable curriculum leaders have identified knowledge and skills they want pupils to learn as part of their big picture.

“In some subjects, leaders have not identified the small steps of learning that teachers need to follow in the right order to ensure that all pupils gain the key knowledge and vocabulary for the subject. Without coherently sequenced subject plans, pupils will not secure the essential building blocks for future learning.”

Responding to the report, Pannal Primary School headteacher Jane Turner said:

“We are very pleased that the inspectors found that we were “good” in all aspects of the inspection schedule.

“The identified areas for improvement match well with our current school development plans to further enhance our broader curriculum and strengthen the expertise of class teachers as subject leaders.

“The inspectors were blown-away by the volume and positivity of our ParentView responses – all 215 of them!

“100% of our parents would recommend our school to others. We were thrilled with this level of parental support.”