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.

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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.

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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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Harrogate firm Cicada announces death of founder Di Burton

Di Burton, founder of Harrogate PR firm Cicada, has died at the age of 68.

The company, which Ms Burton founded in 1987, announced in a statement on its website today that she had died this month.

She was also a former member of the Cabinet Office communications review team, a former director of Harrogate Theatre, a board member of the Northern Aldborough Festival and an alumna of Harvard Business School.

Cicada’s statement said:

“If you met Di, you were unlikely to forget her.

“Assertive and inquisitive by nature, her infectious personality always left a lasting impression.

“She will be remembered as one of Harrogate’s best-known and most respected business figures and one of the country’s leading PR practitioners.”

The statement added Ms Burton turned the company “into a thriving PR consultancy that helped a wide range of companies to manage their reputation, raise their profile and boost their bottom line” and that colleagues “benefitted from her enthusiastic leadership and mentoring”.

It said:

“As Di’s husband Andy eloquently puts it: ‘Di was one of those people for whom tomorrow could not come quickly enough. Much of her mind was always in the future; there was always so much more to accomplish’.”

Cicada’s current management team acquired Cicada in 2015, which enabled Ms Burton to retire although she continued to work by training PR professionals.

Ms Burton is survived by husband Andy, children Sarah and Rupert and grandchildren. Her funeral will take place at All Saints Church, Ripley at 2.30pm on January 30.

The family has requested no flowers at the funeral, but instead for donations to either Harrogate’s Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre or Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

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Harrogate council defends decision to transfer audit staff to Veritau

Harrogate Borough Council has defended its decision not to transfer some staff to the new North Yorkshire Council.

Five audit services staff recently discovered they would transfer to Veritau, a shared service group owned by local authorities in Yorkshire and north-east England.

Public services union Unison said on Tuesday it was “dismayed” by the decision, which it said came after more than a year of talks in which it was expected all staff would transfer to the new super-council under TUPE terms.

Unison Harrogate branch secretary Dave Houlgate said it had raised a dispute and called on Harrogate Borough Council to “stand by its staff and resist this late change”, adding:

“We object in the strongest terms to this late change of plan which shows total disregard for the staff involved, denies them the opportunity to move on to new terms and conditions negotiated and agreed by Unison and ignores established procedures and protocols that are in place.”

A council spokesperson said today:

“Engagement with staff, and consultation with trade unions, has taken place at every stage of the transition to North Yorkshire Council. This will continue, ensuring staff are kept informed of progress and have the opportunity to raise concerns. All staff also continue to be offered support.

“The audit service for the new council will be provided by Veritau, a company created in 2009 by North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council. Veritau has provided audit and other specialist services to the authorities, as well as other organisations, for many years. Providing income that will continue for the new council. Veritau already provides services to five of the seven district and borough councils that will be replaced by North Yorkshire Council.

“It is proposed staff currently providing the service in Harrogate will move to Veritau on April 1. Employment protection ensures that they will transfer on their existing terms and conditions. Individuals will have the option of choosing Veritau’s terms and conditions, should they wish to do so.”

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Judges shortlist finalists for the Stray Ferret Business Awards

A judging panel made up of leaders from top local businesses and organisations have shortlisted finalists for the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, sponsored by Prosperis.

It wasn’t a simple task, with more than 100 entries across 10 categories, which highlighted the strength of the local business community.

Our four judges were Marcus Boardall, chief executive of Reed Boardall, Black Sheep Brewery chief executive Charlene Lyons, Cloud Nine founder and chief executive Martin Rae, and James Farrar, chief operating officer of York and North Yorkshire LEP.

The judging panel met at West Park Hotel in Harrogate in the morning and debated well into the afternoon.

On Friday, January 20, the Stray Ferret will announce the shortlist for each of the 10 categories.

From growing businesses to the up-and-coming stars of the future, the categories are designed to allow businesses to showcase their strengths.

The glittering, black tie awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 9 at Pavilions of Harrogate. To book your tickets, click or tap here.

More pictures from the judging day:

There were lots of entries for the judges to get through.

Our judges enjoyed debating about each of the entrants.

Marcus Boardall of Reed Boardall and Martin Rae of Cloud Nine.

James Farrar of the York and North Yorkshire LEP and Charlene Lyons of Black Sheep Brewery.

Harrogate burglar jailed after ‘audacious’ raid of £10k worth of clothes

A prolific Harrogate burglar has been jailed for two years after stealing £10,000 of clothes from a warehouse in two audacious break-ins on the same night.

Aaron Herbert, 49, and an unnamed man drove from Harrogate to the commercial warehouse in York in a stolen VW Golf, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill said CCTV footage showed Herbert and the driver getting out of the vehicle and being joined by two other people including a woman outside the warehouse in an industrial compound on Malton Road, Stockton-on-the-Forest.

One of the men used bolt croppers to cut the lock of the warehouse doors to break in. 

Mr Cahill added:

“A short time later, the two who arrived on foot left, leaving (Herbert) and the driver in the warehouse,

“CCTV showed the defendant and his accomplice going in and out of the warehouse…with stock from the warehouse, particularly coats.”

The burglars got back in the car and drove off after bagging £5,000 of loot in the raid, which occurred at about 11pm on December 11 last year. Herbert, who was a disqualified driver, was at the wheel. 

Shortly afterwards, in the early hours of the following morning, Herbert drove back to the warehouse and was again with another man. 

Mr Cahill said:

“The men made numerous trips in and out of the warehouse, stealing various items of clothing.”

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CCTV showed Herbert coming out of the warehouse with a bundle of coats – one of which he was wearing. 

Mr Cahill said that about £5,000 of clothes were stolen in this second raid, and £10,000 in total.

Herbert then drove the Volkswagen away from the loading-bay doors to make way for his 

accomplice to drive out in a “mini” vehicle which he had stolen from inside the warehouse. 

They then carefully closed the warehouse doors to make it look “as if nothing had happened”.

Herbert drove off in the VW and his accomplice drove away in the stolen warehouse vehicle. 

However, it didn’t take police long to coming knocking at Herbert’s door as he was immediately identified from CCTV footage. 

The two stolen vehicles were both found in Harrogate’s Fairfax Avenue.

‘Audacious’ raid

Herbert, of Deane Place, Harrogate, was arrested on December 15 and charged with two counts of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified and without insurance. 

He admitted the offences and appeared for sentence today.

Mr Cahill said Herbert had taken the VW car after a sneak-in burglary at a named woman’s home in Harrogate in which her car keys were stolen.

Herbert’s 22-year criminal career comprised 27 previous convictions for 85 offences including burglary and 24 theft and kindred offences. 

Defence barrister Harry Crowson said that Herbert, a long-standing heroin addict, had spent most of his time in prison in recent years. 

Judge Simon Hickey described the burglaries as “audacious”.

He told Herbert: 

“You were seen emptying the warehouse of a significant amount of clothes (which represents) a significant economic loss.”

He said the burglaries involved “significant planning” and that Herbert was now at risk of becoming “institutionalised”.

Herbert will serve half of the two-year jail sentence behind bars before being released on prison licence. He was also given a two-year driving ban.

Fly-tipped jalapenos could solve mystery of Harrogate couple’s missing van

A Harrogate couple who run a mobile business selling tacos hope the discovery of some tinned jalapenos by the side of a road will lead them to whoever stole their van.

Tom and Emma Peak set up Tacoporium six years ago and sell their Mexican treats at weddings, festivals and corporate events.

But the business suffered a blow when one of the two vehicles they use, a white Ford van, was stolen from the back of their house just off King’s Road on Sunday night.

Fortunately, it isn’t their main vehicle but it contained numerous items including cutlery, trays, a cooking back — and jalapenos.

Today the couple received an email from Ryedale District Council accusing them of fly-tipping a list of items that had been dumped near Malton.

Mr Peak explained to the council the van had been stolen and now hopes that knowing where the goods were deposited will help narrow down the police search of where to look for the still-missing van.

He has even seen the funny side, posting on Instagram:

“Now let’s find that van and nail these fools who don’t appreciate a good quality pickled pepper.”

He told the Stray Ferret:

“They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. They put no value on my jalapenos whereas they are the best money can buy.”

Mr Peak plans to drive to Malton this week to collect the abandoned items — and reassured customers the business would continue despite the missing van.

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Harrogate’s affordable boutique gym goes from strength-to-strength

This story is sponsored by Coach.

Harrogate’s £1.5m Coach gym is continuing to go from strength-to-strength following its launch in the town a year ago.

The affordable boutique gym boasts more than 200 pieces of state-of-the art equipment, as well as over 200 instructor-led fitness classes across four studios.

Surge Padel, where members can play one of the world’s fastest growing sports, can also be found on the first floor of the building at Hornbeam Park.

Stuart Perrin, owner and CEO of Coach, which opened in January 2022, said:

“Coach is a boutique health and fitness concept, which in a nutshell means everything is very high end. From the fixtures and fittings, to the experience.

“It’s something very different and is the biggest gym in Harrogate by a long way.”

Coach boasts a bar area, which serves bespoke shakes and smoothies. There are also luxury changing rooms, including GHD straighteners and solid oak benches.

The gym itself features a range of equipment – from cardio and resistance machines to free weights, squat racks, battle ropes, tyre flips and a sled.

Mr Perrin said:

“If you’re a real gym-goer, the equipment we have is really quite special. We have the best the brands have to offer, including Nautilus, Schwinn, StairMaster and Concept, all under one roof. We make sure we have the best possible pieces of kit.”

Boutique fitness studios

Coach’s four boutique fitness studios offer something for everyone. They include:

Coach Spin: A spinning studio that can take up to 30 people in a session.

Coach Class: A group exercise studio, which hosts everything from Body Pump to yoga and Pilates. Classes are delivered and programmed by highly-qualified, passionate and respected instructors.

Coach Box: A boxing studio, which can take up to 20 people in a full cardio and bodyweight resistance class, where you learn the fundamentals of boxing in the process.

Coach Evolution: A High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) studio which has 10 treadmills, 10 airbikes and 10 HIIT benches. Coach Evolution is designed using HIIT to give you a full cardiovascular exercise and full-body resistance workout.

Mr Perrin said:

“Within Coach itself we have four studios and we offer a timetable of more than 250 classes a month, which are included in membership if you are on our top tier.”

Coach is offering Stray Ferret readers a free day pass to come and try the facilities, which can be accessed here.

Mr Perrin added:

“Members love the feel, the experience, the quality. Come and try it for yourself with a free day pass.”

Coach Gyms is redefining affordable luxury. Join now from only £18.99 a month. Find out more and join the fitness revolution today!

 

Harrogate hospital pays six-figure sum to patient left severely disabled

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has paid a six-figure sum to a patient who suffered a stoke and cardiac arrest after an operation, leaving him severely disabled.

The trust and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were found jointly responsible for the treatment of the 74-year-old patient, who suffered a minor stroke in January 2016.

Having developed some slurring of speech and a headache, he was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, where he was admitted to the stroke unit and underwent a CT scan of the head.

As part of the legal case against the two trusts, solicitors acting on behalf of the man made several allegations of negligence. It was alleged imaging was wrongly reported and surgery was unnecessarily performed.

During the surgery the patient suffered a stroke and later a cardiac arrest from which he was successfully resuscitated.  He was left severely disabled and brain damaged.

Solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, a specialist in medical negligence claims at Hudgell Solicitors, led the legal case on behalf of the patient, whose daughter was appointed his deputy by the Court of Protection to manage her father’s affairs.

Ms Maliakal alleged the operation had been carried out without the patient or his family being fully informed of the risks involved, and without being informed that the benefits of surgery were small. She said the case centred on two key aspects of care and treatment:

“Firstly, there was no need for surgical intervention and, had my client not undergone surgery, he would have avoided the stroke which occurred during surgery and the later cardiac arrest.

“Secondly, he was inadequately consented over the decision to operate and, given doubts about his mental capacity to consent, his family were not consulted over the decision either.

“Had an appropriate discussion taken place regarding the relative risks and benefits, neither my client nor his family would have consented.

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elizabeth maliakal hudgell-solicitors

Ms Maliakal (pictured above) added:

“Whilst our medical experts felt that he may well have gone on to suffer further strokes in the near future, had he not undergone the surgery, they were of the opinion that he would not have been left as profoundly disabled as he is now.

“He has been left with a catastrophic injury.  He is paralysed, has little vision in his right eye and reduced vision in his left eye. He is unable to talk, he is doubly incontinent, needs to be fed through a tube and requires hoists to be moved.  He now lives permanently in a nursing home.”

‘Denied liability’

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust agreed a six-figure sum for damages. The precise amount has not been revealed.

The compensation agreed covers the cost of future care, nursing home fees, private medical treatment, medication expenses and aids and equipment.

Mrs Maliakal added:

“This was a hard fought case. Initially both trusts denied liability and it was only after court proceedings were commenced that settlement discussions took place. The negligent treatment left my client severely disabled, and in need of round the clock care, which could and should have been avoided.

“As part of our investigations into the case we instructed independent medical experts, including a vascular surgeon, a stroke physician and neuroradiologist. The Trusts agreed to compensate

A joint statement for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The trusts sincerely regret the difficulties experienced by the claimant and are pleased to have been able to reach an amicable compromise of his claim.  The trusts wish the claimant and his family well for the future.”