Local Harrogate News & Views around the district - Page 634 of 1103

Ripon business gets Dragons’ Den star endorsement

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Ripon business has been endorsed by retail entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.

The GreenHouse, which is based on North Street, opened three months ago and offers an array of home and garden supplies.

Owner Rebecca Crallan messaged Mr Paphitis on Twitter as part of his Small Business Sunday campaign, which picks six weekly winners to be endorsed on his social media.

The winners also get a chance to network with other small businesses and include a profile on the Small Business Sunday website.

Mr Paphitis picked The GreenHouse and, as a result, shared the Ripon business with his 490,000 Twitter followers and 34,000 Instagram followers.

Ms Crallan said:

“The GreenHouse has only been open three months but I’ve been warmly welcomed by the community in Ripon, both shoppers and fellow retailers alike.

“It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

Harrogate jewellers wins shop frontage grant

A Harrogate business has been awarded a £750 grant to improve its shop frontage.

Fattorini’s on Parliament Street, which reopened under new management in March, has been granted the money by Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Harrogate BID Matthew Chapman, left, and Fattorini’s director Wayne Beales outside the Parliament Street jewellers.

The grant was part of £10,000 awarded to BID levy payers to help improve the frontages of their businesses.

Other businesses awarded grants include The Den, Cold Bath Brewing, Drum and Monkey and the new Coach & Horses.

The jewellery business used its £750 to refurbish the Victorian canopy and install a new facia board and signage.

Wayne Beales, Fattorini’s director, said:

“Being a BID levy payer, I’m delighted that our application for a grant was approved.

“The painted canopy and new signage has really helped us shout about our revival. It has certainly made us stand out from other businesses on Parliament.

“I would also recommend all levy paying retailers to take advantage of the next round of BID improvement grants, so Harrogate town centre can really shine.”

Harrogate district MP quizzed on reaction to Tory resignations

The Stray Ferret has approached all three Harrogate district Conservative MPs for their reaction to this evening’s momentous political developments.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both quit the Cabinet amid a row over the handling of misconduct claims against ex-Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.

Their resignations have sparked frenzied speculation about more Cabinet resignations and whether Boris Johnson will survive as Prime Minister.

We have emailed Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby with Ainsty, asking for their reaction to the resignations and whether they feel Mr Johnson should resign. None has replied yet.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has retweeted Mr Sunak and Mr Javid’s resignation statements. Mr Smith has been critical of the government’s decision to rewrite parts of the Brexit deal.

Mr Jones is not active on social media but he was among the Conservative rebels who voted for Mr Johnson to step down last month.

Mr Adams, who is minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, is regarded as a Johnson loyalist. He last tweeted earlier today about England’s victory over India in the Test match.

David Goode, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret:

“Johnson being Johnson will try to. hang on. Until the wider Conservative Party finally make a decision and get rid of him he will stay as long as he can.

“The Andrew Jones’ of this world have to step up and be counted now.”

Harrogate’s historic Coach & Horses pub to reopen this month

A historic Harrogate pub with a history dating as far back as 1830 is set to return this month after a two-year hiatus.

The Coach & Horses, well-known for its traditional charm, Sunday roasts and real ales, will reopen on Friday, July 22.

Provenance Inns, which owns the West Park Hotel on the same street, took over the pub in October last year.

It has been closed since May 2020 after previous landlord John Nelson had his licence revoked for breaching covid rules.

The refurbishment aims to add “a touch of modernity to the pub”, whilst paying homage to its heritage.

The first floor has been transformed into a dining room, which overlooks The Stray.

A gastropub-style menu will feature dishes including Doreen’s black pudding scotch eggs, beer battered fish and triple-cooked beef dripping chips, as well as a traditional Sunday roast.

The Coach and Horses burger will see £1 from each sale donated to Martin House children’s hospice, a charity relationship the new owners are keen to foster.

The pub will also offer a selection of pies, while an extensive range of local and international gins will complement a selection of cask ales.

Speaking ahead of the reopening, which will create 30 new jobs, operations manager Chris Cartledge said:

‘’As one of just a handful of Harrogate’s oldest surviving traditional pubs, it’s safe to say that anticipation for the return of the Coach & Horses has been high.

“We’re pleased to say that meticulous care and attention to detail has been taken to ensure the Coach is subtly modernised, whilst restoring original features, where possible, to their best.’

“The new first-floor dining room is the perfect spot to enjoy our hearty and traditional menu, whilst taking in the views of The Stray.

“Along with our fresh food and vast drinks range, we will also be carrying on the tradition of a regular quiz night and of course raffles, all in aid of local charities which we are keen to continue to support.

“We can’t wait to welcome our first guests into Harrogate’s original local pub.”

Harrogate man ‘out of his mind’ on alcohol admits attacking friend

Vitalijus Koreiva has admitted punching and kicking Gracijus Balciauskas during a drunken argument but that he was “out of his mind” on alcohol during the weekend he died.

Mr Koreiva, 36, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 39, are accused of murdering Mr Balciauskas at a flat on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate on December 20 last year.

Yesterday afternoon and today at Leeds Crown Court, Mr Koreiva was cross-examined by defence barrister Simon Kealey QC and prosecuting barrister Peter Moulson QC.

The court heard how Mr Koreiva, who is Lithuanian, had abused alcohol since he was 13 and there were periods during his life when he was drinking a litre of vodka a day or “until I get knocked out”.

He moved to Harrogate in 2017 to move in with his sister in a failed attempt to get sober and had previously been in prison in Germany for drug offences.

Mr Koreiva said he was working at the Morrison’s factory in Flaxby packing onions and carrots and had developed a friendship with both Mr Rutowicz and Mr Balciauskas whilst living in Harrogate.

Read previous articles on the trial below:

Game of chess

Mr Koreiva disputed Mr Rutowicz previous claim that the argument took place over a game of chess but said he could not remember how it began.

The court heard how on in the early hours of December 20, Mr Koreiva erupted after Mr Balciauskas told him to “go f*** himself”.

Mr Koreiva then said he raised his fists in aggression and punched Mr Balciauskas four times in the face.

A video was again shown in court, taken on Mr Rutowicz’s phone, that showed Mr Koreiva kicking him whilst Mr Balciauskas was laying bloody on the floor and semi-conscious.

When asked why he kicked a defenceless man, Mr Koreiva said:

“I was in such a state I didn’t know what I was thinking or doing.”

He then said he “did not remember” what happened after he kicked Mr Balciauskas.

‘I was in shock’

After several hours passed without either man calling an ambulance, Mr Rutowicz felt his pulse and told Mr Koreiva that he was dead. Mr Koreiva said he attempted CPR to try and save him.

“I had two hands on his chest and I was doing CPR. I saw the blood in his mouth at that moment Rutowicz said, ‘It’s too late, leave it, leave it.

“I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it. It was unexpected really.”

Mr Koreiva then said the pair had a drink of alcohol together “to give our last respect for Gracijus, a drink for our friend.”

Speaking about the assault on Mr Balciauskas, he added:

“If I was sober it would never have happened. I was out of control.”

‘Out of our minds’

Mr Koreiva also admitted to putting Mr Balciauskas’s dead body in a rug after he died. He said both himself and Mr Rutowicz were “absolutely out of our minds and in madness”.

He added:

“We didn’t know what we were doing. You can’t imagine me and Rutowicz carrying a dead body through Harrogate town centre? It was a situation when you are drunk, lost and don’t know to do.”

During cross-examination, Mr Rutowicz claimed that Mr Koreiva threatened him with his life he called 999, which he denied.

He said:

“He is trying to get out of prison. I wasn’t holding him or threatening him. He was free to go. He’s lying. He’s a good actor.”

Police interview

In Mr Koreiva’s original statement given in the days after the incident took place, he told police that he saw Mr Rutowicz strike Mr Balciauskas twice.

However, in court, he admitted this was not true and he initially tried to “create another version” of events because he feared Rutowitc would pin the murder on him.

Mr Koreiva confirmed that he did not see Mr Rutowicz be violent towards Mr Balciauskas on the night that he died.

He told the court, “I’m taking my responsibility for the death of Gracijus” who he called a “good man”.

Mr Koreiva added:

“I want to apologise to Gracijus’ family for everything that happened. He did nothing wrong and he didn’t deserve this”.

The trial will continue tomorrow.

Work to fell 500 Nidd Gorge trees to start next week

Work to chop down 500 trees in the Nidd Gorge has been delayed until next week.

The Woodlands Trust, which is a conservation charity that owns Nidd Gorge, says the trees are infected and need to be felled.

They have a disease called phytophthora ramorum, which is having a devastating impact on native trees.

Government body Forestry England has given the trust permission to fell the trees before the disease spreads further.

Work, which will be accompanied by footpath closures, was due to begin yesterday.

A map showing the first planned footpath closure.

But it is now expected to start on Monday next week and will take between four to six weeks, the trust has said.

As part of the tree felling, a footpath between Bilton Beck footbridge and Milers Fork will be closed.

Paul Bunton, community engagement officer at the trust, said previously:

“It is devastating news for our site team and visitors that we are having to reluctantly fell these diseased trees at Nidd Gorge to protect others. Phytophthora ramorum, while of no risk to the public, is one of the biggest threats to our native tree species at the site.

“Nidd Gorge is and will remain a really popular and cherished woodland close to Harrogate and Knaresborough and we ask the public to bear with us while we carry out the work.”

Man dies after three-car crash at Scotton

A man in his 80s has died after a three-car collision on Ripley Road at Scotton.

A Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza were involved in the crash, which happened at about 6.15pm on Sunday.

Police, fire crews and and an air ambulance were summoned to help.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the driver and passenger of the Focus, who were a man and woman in their 50s, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The man in his 80s, who has not been named, was driving the Fiesta.

A police statement added:

“North Yorkshire Police’s major collision investigation team has launched an investigation.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet come forward, or anyone with dashcam footage, is asked to email marie.williams@northyorkshire.police.uk

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Marie Williams.

Please quote reference 12220115083.”

Sir Patrick Stewart films Yorkshire Tea advert in Harrogate

Sir Patrick Stewart features in a new Yorkshire Tea advertisement filmed in Harrogate.

The iconic actor, who is known for films and television series such as X-Men and Star Trek, is the latest star to appear in the brand’s “Where Everything’s Done Proper’ TV adverts.

In the one-minute advertisement, he can be seen paying tribute to a colleague on her last day of work.

You can watch it here.

The advert was first broadcast on television yesterday and was filmed in Harrogate with employees from across the business.

Yorkshire Tea is part of the Bettys and Taylors Group, whose brands also include Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate.

Sir Patrick said:

“”No matter where I am in the world, I always make sure I have some Yorkshire Tea with me for a proper brew.

“My career has taken me from the West End to Broadway, from Hollywood to the far ends of the galaxy, but now I’ve returned to where it all began. Yorkshire.”

Lucy Hoyle, senior brand manager at Yorkshire Tea said:

“We’re chuffed to bits with this new advert and hope everyone loves it as much as we do. Sir Patrick is an absolute legend when it comes to delivering a heart-felt performance.

“If anyone is a master of the art of ‘doing things properly’ – something that is central to everything we do here at Yorkshire Tea – it’s Sir Patrick and we’re thrilled he is part of the Yorkshire Tea team.”

Yorkshire Tea’s advert series has featured a number of famous names, including Sheffield’s Sean Bean and the Kaiser Chiefs.

793 Harrogate district second-home owners face double council tax charge

About 800 second-home owners in the Harrogate district could be hit by double council tax charges under proposals to tackle the affordable housing crisis.

North Yorkshire County Council has proposed the 100% premium on council tax bills for all second homes in the county from April 2024.

Official figures show there were 793 second homes in Harrogate last year and the county council said these could generate an extra £1.5 million a year to fund services and affordable housing schemes.

Across North Yorkshire, the tax hike could create around £14 million annually, the county council added.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, described second homes as a “major issue” for areas across the country and said the proposals for North Yorkshire would depend on the government passing legislation in the coming months.

He said:

“The county is a wonderful place to live and visit, and that has seen the trend towards people wanting to purchase a property either as a second home or a holiday let.

“Any proposed premium on second home owners will be carefully considered and debated by the council before the new legislation is introduced.

“But the revenue generated would prove to be a key source of funding to help to bridge the new council’s budgets and finance vital areas such as homelessness costs and also providing more affordable housing.”

The proposal has also been welcomed by councillor Pat Marsh, leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrats, who said holiday hotspots were in danger of “becoming ghost towns” because of second homes.

She said:

“Villages in these desirable areas, in particular, suffer from the viability of not just shops and pubs, but also schools and in some areas the impact is also felt through losses of GPs and other NHS services.

“That is why the Lib Dems welcome the proposal to charge a council tax premium on second homes.

“Residents of these largely rural communities are finding it increasingly difficult to get onto the property ladder because of huge demand for holiday homes pushing up the overall price of property out of their reach.

“In some extreme areas this has created resentment and bitterness as locals cannot afford to buy property in their own communities.”

The number of second homes in Harrogate has increased by more than 13% over the last decade and it has been argued the problem puts a strain on an already limited housing stock at a time when high house prices are driving low-income earners out of the district.

Yet the proposed tax hike has been met with opposition from some politicians who fear it could devalue homes and undermine businesses which depend on second home owners.

There are also concerns it could lead to second home owners transferring their properties to holiday lets to qualify for discounted business rates.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on the county council, described the move as “one of the stupidest suggestions the Tories have ever come up with”.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the proposals would cause more harm than good as there would be “so many loopholes people could dodge out of paying the premium as they wish”.

Other local politicians have also claimed some areas of the county are suffering more due to holiday lets than second homes.

Another Harrogate district primary school faces closure

Another primary school in the Harrogate district with dwindling attendance could close.

Governors at Fountains Earth CE Primary School, in Lofthouse said today they have made the decision with a “heavy heart” to begin the process of applying to North Yorkshire County Council for a consultation for closure.

The news comes the day after a consultation closed on the proposed closure of Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton.

Last year Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham said goodbye after 200 years.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School is due to close next month.

A final decision on Fountains Earth is due next spring.

The school has 11 pupils on its register, with the same figure due to attend in September 2023.

It belongs to the Federation of Fountains Earth and St Cuthbert’s CE Primary Schools.

The closure proposal does not apply to St Cuthbert’s, which is in Pateley Bridge.

11 pupils on register

A press release by North Yorkshire County Council today said the lack of pupils meant sustaining a varied, thorough curriculum was impossible, due to the lack of age-appropriate peers and the wide age range across the class.

Abi Broadley, chair of governors, said:

“Despite the best efforts of our headteacher, staff and governors, we cannot overcome the challenges of having such low pupil numbers.

“Our pupil numbers have been declining over the last few years and we now have just 11 children. We understand there is no sign of the school population growing significantly in the future.

“With such low pupil numbers and no hope of them dramatically increasing them soon, we will continue to have limited children in each year group. Indeed, some year groups are void of children altogether.”

Ms Broadley added the governors had “exhausted all options”, adding:

“A lot of work has been undertaken by our headteacher and team which has improved the situation, but it just isn’t enough due to a lack of pupils.

“These interventions include introducing a more structured curriculum, structured sessions and interventions from subject lead teachers from across the federation, all in an effort to try to meet educational needs; and Federation Fridays to help to address the social and emotional needs of the children.

“Although Federation Fridays are successful in enriching the lives of our children, they can only cover certain subjects such as personal, social, health and economic PSHE education, music and PE.

“This cannot be a long-term solution and further highlights the fact that our Fountains Earth provision alone does not adequately meet our children’s needs.”

The county council will consider the request for consultation. Its executive member for education and skills, Annabel Wilkinson, the Conservative councillor for Morton-on-Swale and Appleton Wiske division, will decide whether to approve the proposal.

If the consultation to close the school is agreed, it is likely to start early in the new academic year. It will consist of a six-week period of consultation through the autumn term, which will include a public meeting.

A final decision on closure would be made once the consultation responses had been reviewed. That decision is likely to be made in the spring of next year.

Fountains Earth CE Primary School will remain open throughout the process.

Plan to convert 53 Bo Grove into flats

Plans have been tabled to convert the site of the former 53 Bo Grove antiques emporium and cafe into five flats.

The bohemian business on Grove Road in Harrogate closed in December 2021 after more than two years of business.

It became a hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by remaining open to sell food at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.

Kyrensa Bentley, who set up 53 Bo Grove.

Now plans have been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the site, which consists of two buildings and a car park, into flats.

The proposal has been lodged by Architecture One Eight Ltd on behalf of David Birtles.

All of the apartments proposed would be two-bedrooms.

A planning statement from the developers said the proposal would help to bring the building back into use.

It said:

“The existing buildings have fallen into disrepair and are having a negative impact on the adjacent conservation area.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Harrogate jewellers wins shop frontage grant

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Read previous articles on the trial below:

Game of chess

‘I was in shock’

‘Out of our minds’

Police interview

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11 pupils on register

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