Townhouses plan for Harrogate’s Old Courthouse approved

A plan to convert the Old Courthouse in Harrogate into townhouses has been approved.

The building on Raglan Street was previously occupied by Stowe Family Law, which vacated the property for another site in town in February this year.

Park Design Architects tabled plans to convert the site from offices into two three-bedroom and one two-bedroom townhouses.

Now, Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the proposal.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the site was a “sustainable location” for new homes.

It said:

“Overall, the site is located within a highly sustainable area and will utilise existing car parking provision to serve the proposed use, with easy access to alternative means of transport other than the private car to support sustainable travel.”

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The original building was built in 1857 and was initially a police house for the town.

This was later demolished and replaced with a courthouse, which was used by justices of the borough until 1991.

Stowe Family Law moved into the property as tenants in 2004.

Harrogate hairdresser to rebrand with new name and new look

Harrogate hairdresser to rebrand with new name and new look

The Joseph Ferraro salon on Cheltenham Crescent in Harrogate is to be taken over by salon manager Nicola Rayner and rebranded with a new name and new look.

Ms Rayner has worked for Joseph Ferraro, who has another salon on Leeds Road, for 10 years and been part-owner of the salon for six years. But the pair have now decided to part ways and Miss Rayner is taking on the salon alone.

From August, she plans to rebrand as Rayner and Green and refurbish the salon. She said:

“As the years have gone on we both decided it was the right time to separate and I’m really excited to take on the salon as my own. All of my team will be staying with me too.”

Ms Rayner and her four staff intend to make a few changes including setting up Klarna, a payment app which allows customers to pay for their hair appointment over a number of instalments.

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Investment advisor with Harrogate branch makes deal with The Law Society

Wealth and investment advisor, St James’s Place, has struck a deal to become strategic partner of the Law Society of England and Wales.

As part of the relationship St James’s Place (SJP) will help solicitors at all stages of their professional career decide how to invest, manage significant cash bonuses or business cash flow, acquire or merge with other practices or create a legacy plan for their business.

The advisor has more than 4,000 partners across the UK with one of those offices being in Harrogate. The deal allows it to work with all solicitors represented by the Law Society.

Paul Ainslie, head of campaigns and partnerships at SJP, said:

“I am delighted that the Law Society of England & Wales have chosen to work with St. James’s Place, affording us the opportunity to expand on the support we already provide to solicitors via The Law Society of Scotland.”

“Our remit is simple, we will share our professional expertise with members so that they have the confidence and knowledge to help make the right decisions at the right time to create the future they want for themselves, their family, their business and their clients.”

Hound parade cancelled at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

The traditional parade of hounds in the main ring at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show will not take place this year, organisers have confirmed.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that the parade, which features hunting dogs, had been cancelled due to pressure from animal rights activists.

The newspaper said event organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society had acted “following a sustained campaign of emails and letters, in particular from a Welsh activist known to be linked to hunt saboteur groups”.

It added the decision had prompted a “backlash” from local farmers who had accused the organisers of “caving unnecessarily over the issue”.

The show, which has taken place annually since 1837, is one of the country’s premier agricultural events.

Princess Anne will be the royal guest at this year’s show, which takes place from July 12 to 15.

The hound show will still take place but the parade in the main ring will not.

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The Stray Ferret asked the society whether the decision was due to pressure from animal rights activists.

A spokesperson from the organisation replied:

“The hound show will be held as usual at the Great Yorkshire Show and we have very strong entry numbers across all types of hounds this year including for Foxhounds, Beagles, Harriers, Draghounds and Bloodhounds.

“Across the site, there have been several changes to the content of the Great Yorkshire Show and this includes in the main ring. All decisions taken are always considered and balanced, and that includes the decision to postpone the hound parade in the main ring this year.

“We remain committed to demonstrating the best of farming and rural life in all its forms to our visitors.”

County council rules out ‘printing money’ to attract staff

North Yorkshire County Council leaders have pledged they will not be “printing money” to boost its workforce’s wages despite facing its highest staff turnover on record and struggling to recruit staff .

A meeting of the council, which employs some 15,000 people, heard that many staff had left for higher salaries, resulting in a turnover rate of nearly 16 per cent.

The Tory-led authority’s executive heard the county’s significantly lower unemployment level than the region was exacerbating the recruitment issue, and despite launching innovative recruitment campaigns finding staff remained “a significant challenge”.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Bryn Griffiths said that because local government pay had been “significantly suppressed” over austerity and recent pay rises had been outstripped by the private sector. it was not surprising the council had an issue with filling job vacancies.

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Cllr Gareth Dadd, the authority’s finance boss, replied the council had to find a way to respond to workforce competition,

He added while the council had set aside £375,000 in bonuses to boost social care recruitment, “it’s no good just printing money”.

Gareth Dadd

Gareth Dadd

He said it was important the council highlighted the benefits of working in the public sector, adding: 

“Sooner or later local government generally has got to recognise that perhaps its policies and offer isn’t in many cases what it was 40 years ago, we are competing with the private sector.”

Condemning the RMT union’s railway strike as “absolutely disgraceful”, Cllr Dadd said the cost of living crisis was not just confined to transport workers.

He revealed a cost of living crisis action plan would be considered by the authority’s executive next month, coupled with a revised list of priorities, such as council tax reductions, benefits and revenues.

Cllr Dadd said: 

“From that I am confident we will see our priority will be helping those that are really struggling. It is only a small part, but nonetheless it flags up the commitment.”

People in crisis

The meeting heard the council’s Local Assistance Fund, designed to help people in crisis, would be used as part of the initiative, and while the fund had spent almost £200,000 more than its £675,000 budget last year, it would not be capped.

Stronger communities executive member Cllr David Chance said: 

“If there is a need we will consider it.”

He said the council was working in numerous ways to help with the crisis.

Alongside the council injecting funds into the Citizens Advice network, school holidays programmes and a domestic property improvement scheme to reduce fuel bills, and as petrol prices continue to soar trading standards officers were visiting numerous “more remote petrol stations to ensure the equipment they use it accurate”.

He said the authority’s Income Maximisation Service, which works to ensure residents receive the best benefits they can from government, has gained about £45 million in additional funds for the county’s residents.

No update from police following blade incident in Beckwithshaw

A man and young boy were left with serious injuries following an incident with a “bladed article” on Monday in Beckwithshaw but the police are yet to give any further updates.

North Yorkshire Police was called to a house on Church Row at 8.20am on Monday morning. It later said an 11-year-old and a 40-year-old man had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Later in the day, police confirmed the 11-year-old had undergone emergency surgery and was now in a “stable condition in hospital”.

The 40-year-old man, however, was still in a serious condition and remained under police guard. The police added two children aged 10 and 13 had escaped the house and were now under the care of relatives and specialist officers.

Since this update at 3.15pm on Monda,y the police have given no more information.

The Stray Ferret asked today about both the man and child’s current condition, whether anyone has been charged and if the man was still under guard. The police said:

“No update at the moment – enquiries ongoing.”

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On the day, the Stray Ferret received reports of numerous emergency services vehicles and an air ambulance attending the scene.

Council’s Brierley Group reports £327,000 loss

North Yorkshire County Council has reported a £327,000 loss for its Brierley Group of companies for the last financial year.

The council set up the group in 2017 to bring together council-owned companies and save money.

But the group, which includes housebuilding firm Brierley Homes, NY Highways and Yorwaste, reported the loss for the 2021/22 financial year against a budgeted profit of £324,000.

The group lost £639,000 in the previous financial year and the latest figures have raised questions about the council’s ability to run businesses.

According to a council report, authority officials put the loss down to the “impact of covid and the current and emerging market conditions”.

It remained confident that the Brierley Group would turn around the financial situation and post a profit in 2022/23.

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The council said the overall loss was “driven principally” by two of the companies, Brierley Homes and NYHIghways, posting losses for the year.

However, it added that Brierley Homes’ loss was in line with budget as three of its sites “were in a construction phase during the year” and expected sales were to be realised next year.

Brierley Homes Woodfield Square

The sites include Woodfield Square in Bilton, Millwright Park in Pateley Bridge and Yew Tree Farm in Marton-Cum-Grafton.

NYHighways’ loss was attributed to it being its first year of operation and “higher mobilisation and integration costs”, the report said.

The council report said:

“The expectation is a return to a positive profit after tax position through FY22/23.”

“Brierley Homes will see the sales completion of a number of sites; Woodfield Square, Millwright Park and Yew Tree Farm and NY Highways are now in a stronger position to refine and streamline the business, with other companies in the portfolio like First North Law, Align, NYnet and Veritau building on the successes of FY21/22 with high levels of customer retention and satisfaction as well as additional capacity and expertise into their teams.”

‘Sad state of affairs’

Stuart Parsons

Stuart Parsons

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on North Yorkshire County Council, described the loss as a “sad state of affairs”.

He added it would mean less money for vital services.

Cllr Parsons said:

“It’s a sad state of affairs. The company was created by North Yorkshire County Council to generate profits which would be used to support services like adult social care. 

“Expecting North Yorkshire County Council to guarantee this loss means that even less money is available for front-line services.

“North Yorkshire County Council obviously does not have the capacity, nor the ability, to run commercial companies.”

Cllr Gareth Dadd, the council’s executive member for finance, assets and resources, said:

“The Brierley Group includes several companies providing services for us and financially most performed well last year, with some outstripping expectations.

“While we are disappointed the group recorded an overall loss, we recognise the unique set of circumstances  which contributed to the position and are also reflected across the whole of the economy last year. However it should also not be forgotten that the profit or loss a Brierley group company makes is only part of the picture.

“All companies generate a value for North Yorkshire County Council as shareholder and last year the value of this was £5.6m through interest payments to the council alongside contributions towards council service costs.”

“We are confident in the outlook for the future as the group emerges from the challenges of covid and that it will return to a financial surplus in the current year.”

Andrew Jones MP calls on Prime Minister for rail improvements

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones today urged the Prime Minister to introduce more apprenticeships in the rail industry.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Question Time, Mr Jones asked Boris Johnson if he would ensure there were apprenticeship schemes in place to help the industry become more efficient and embrace technology.

He called for the government to focus on training engineers and drivers in order to recover services lost during the covid pandemic.

The Conservative MP said:

“For years in Harrogate and Knaresborough we had the Labour no growth Northern rail franchise.

“We have new rolling stock, more and better services. We have though seen some lost as the industry has had to suspend some services while they catch up on driver training lost during the pandemic.

“Strikes just takes us back to the 1970s, so will the Prime Minister’s focus on the future ensure that we have apprenticeship schemes focussing on engineering and driver training to ensure we recover the services lost and an industry that’s focused upon efficiency and embraces technology for the future.”

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In response, Mr Johnson said:

“We’re doing just that. 

“We’re reforming train driver training to make entry into the sector simpler, while continuing of course to make sure we meet vital safety requirements.”

Chris Watt, a Labour Party campaigner in Harrogate and Knaresborough, responded on Twitter by saying that Harrogate was one of the last stations left with old fashioned Pacer trains during Mr Jones’ time as rail minister.

Extraordinary #Harrogate #Knaresborough MP @AJonesMP to call for rail improvements #PMQs when he was Rail Minister (3 times) Harrogate line was one of the last in the country left suffering Pacer trains and under his @Conservatives Gov @northernassist have recently cut services!

— Chris Watt (@ChrisWatt4) June 22, 2022

New mural to welcome visitors to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

A new mural has been painted to welcome visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show.

Sam Porter, from Mural Minded, created the canvas which is aimed at capturing the best of the Harrogate show by blending countryside and agriculture.

The mural can be found on the former fashion show building and will be on display for visitors when they arrive on July 12.

Mr Porter, is from a fine art, sculpture printmaking and graffiti background and uses walls as huge canvasses, said:

“It’s been amazing to do a mural in such beautiful surroundings with nature all round.

“I like to try and represent endangered species in murals I do and to highlight that wherever I can, it was challenging to incorporate as many animals as I did within the mural but I am really happy with the end result and I hope all the visitors to the show can enjoy the mural for many more years to come.”

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The Great Yorkshire Show has become a four-day event after a raft of changes were implemented at the 2021 show due to covid regulations. 

Tickets are on sale now for the show, which will run from Tuesday 12 July to Friday 15 July, 2022. 

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Traffic is moving normally across the Harrogate district this morning.

Despite strike action, train services are expected to operate as normal today – however Northern has warned that some disruption is possible.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel roundup.

Roads

Traffic is running as normal this morning, but, as always, be aware of the usual traffic build ups on Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road heading towards Harrogate during rush hour.

Trains and buses

Trains to between York and Leeds are due to run as normal today despite industrial action.

Strike action is due to continue tomorrow and Saturday.

However, Northern has warned that disruption still could take place on non-strike days and previously warned commuters not to travel this week.

You can check train times from Harrogate and Knaresborough here.

Tomorrow (June 23), there will be no trains through Harrogate and Knaresborough due to strike action.

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting some early morning cancellations on the numerous routes this morning.

The 36 from Harrogate to Leeds at 7.40am is cancelled. 

Other services including the 1A, 1B, and the 1C are affected. You can find out more here.

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New owner takes over Harrogate’s former Farrah’s sweet shop

A new owner has taken over the former iconic Farrah’s Olde Sweet Shop in Harrogate after working at the store for more than a decade.

Natalie Moore said she jumped at the chance when she was offered the opportunity to buy the business on Montpellier Parade.

The 31-year-old is now putting her own stamp on the business, which has been renamed Harrogate Olde Sweet Shop.

And while it is no longer under the Farrah’s umbrella, it still remains one of the largest stockists of the historic brand, which makes the famous Harrogate Toffee.

Ms Moore said:

“We are still the number one customer for Harrogate Toffee. We still have one of the biggest ranges of Farrah’s in the country, including Harrogate Toffee gin.

“Even though it’s no longer part of Farrah’s, it is still the original place where it was sold.”

Ms Moore next to the shop’s large loose chocolate counter.

The 31-year-old started working at the shop as a sales assistant when she left school 13 years ago and was eventually promoted to manager.

The shop was previously run by father and son team Gary and Peter Marston for almost 25 years. Peter still own Farrah’s, which is now exclusively a wholesale business based in Starbeck.

Ms Moore said:

“We will continue to be in-keeping with the traditional side of things, but we are going to be giving the interior a bit of a revamp.

“Overall the shop works well, but it’s just really nice to be able to put my own stamp on it.

“All the staff have been here a long time and I’ve been getting them involved, which is really nice.

“For example we have made some tiny changes to the chocolate counter, but it has really made a difference. We have increased the range and also the way we display it and it looks so much brighter.

“As far as I’m aware, we are the only shop in Harrogate that has a loose chocolate counter. When it’s full on a good day, there are 80 different types of chocolate, which are mostly Belgian. We also have some that are made in England.”

The original team of nine staff will continue to work at the shop and Ms Moore said her family also enjoyed helping out.

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Other plans for the future include continuing to increase the range of sweets and promoting the shop’s gift department, which sells a large range of Harrogate merchandise.

Ms Moore also wants to promote the shop more to the town’s residents.

She said:

“We get customers coming in here who have lived in Harrogate all their life and they say they didn’t know it was here or how big it was.

“Tourism is great for us and always has been, but with everything going on through covid, you realise you want to rely on the customers on your doorstep even more.

“That’s one of my goals. To try and put it on the Harrogate map a bit more.”