Scandinavian-inspired coffee shop opens on Harlow Hill

A Scandinavian-inspired coffee shop opened today on Harlow Hill.

Nord Coffee House has moved to a unit at 135 Otley Road that was previously home to cafe, The Kitchen, for five years before it closed last year.

Nord sells artisan coffee, sandwiches, pastries and donuts. A pop-up Nord opened in Knaresborough in December.

Craig Buchan, who is involved with Nord, also co-founded FI:k, which is a Swedish-style cafe in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

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Nord manager Iain Walker said:
“We’re really proud of what we have created at our new coffee house on Otley Road. Everything starts with the quality of the coffee for us and our whole menu in turn reflects that. We have chosen Dark Woods Coffee from Huddersfield as our coffee provider not only because of the quality of their product, but because of the sustainability story that they have.”
“We have taken as our inspiration the beautiful area that we are situated in and we’ve tried to bring the Pine Woods into the interior.”
In another boost for the area, Wharfedale Fruiterers, which is next door to Nord on Otley Road, will reopen with a new name and new owners this month.
Harrogate district church leaders back mosque

Church leaders in the Harrogate district have shown their support for a planned mosque in the town.

Twenty-two leaders have signed a joint statement backing the plans, saying the “time is right” for a place of worship for Muslims.

Signatories include the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

Harrogate Islamic Association has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Home Guard Club into a place of worship.

The joint statement from church leaders says:

“As church leaders in Harrogate, we the undersigned wish to express our support for our Muslim friends and neighbours as they seek a suitable site for a dedicated place of worship.

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to worship and, without wishing to prejudge the specific suitability of the site currently under consideration, we believe that the time is right for the creation of a permanent mosque to serve the needs of Muslims who live and work in our community.”

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So far, the application has received 135 public comments – 72 in support and 59 objecting.

Traffic and parking concerns

The objections highlight concerns about traffic, parking and the fact that the building is a non-designated heritage asset.

Households across Harrogate have reported receiving anonymous leaflets through their doors encouraging them to oppose the plans with a guide on how to word the objection.

Supporters dispute the concerns. They say there is enough parking nearby, particularly as there is a multi-storey car park on Tower Street, and that it would be good to see the building brought back into use.

HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.

Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.

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

Church leaders who have signed the statement are:

Harrogate firm Yorkshire Resin Coatings goes into liquidation

Harrogate firm Yorkshire Resin Coatings Ltd has ceased trading and gone into liquidation.

A resolution for winding-up the company was posted on the public record website The Gazette today.

The company specialised in resin-bound driveways and patios. Its trading address was Hartwill House, Hookstone Avenue.

Founded in 2005, its customers included Grantley Hall, a luxury hotel near Ripon. Former Harrogate Grammar School student Mark Kennedy was its managing director.

The company’s last accounts posted on Companies House, for the financial year ending July 27, 2020, said it had 12 employees.

The Gazette listing says Manchester insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor has been appointed liquidator.

The Stray Ferret contacted YRC’s public email address for a statement but we did not receive one at the time of publication.

Enquiries about the liquidation can be made to Jo Hudson at jo.hudson@btguk.com

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Major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could start in October

A major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could get underway in October after councillors backed spending £2.8 million of cash reserves to speed up the first phase of works.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet last night agreed to the spend after warnings that the local economy could miss out on up to £14.9 million through cancelled events unless the centre’s studio two gets an upgrade sooner than originally planned.

The works would see the creation of flexible events space for up to 1,200 people, which centre director Paula Lorimer said was the most crucial part of all the plans.

She told last night’s meeting: 

“The convention centre has an auditorium with a capacity of just under 2,000, but it only has breakout space for 560 delegates.

“This in my opinion is one of the biggest reasons why we have not been able to attract some of the larger conferences.

“The studio two package is a game changer for the convention centre – and it is also a crucial part of the redevelopment to rebuild confidence in our venue.”

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If approved by all councillors, a competitive tender process would be launched under the next stage of the studio two works, which could be completed by February 2023.

Overall, the full redevelopment plans could cost up to £47 million and involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 square metre hall and a refurbished auditorium.

The proposals were first revealed last year when the council said the 40-year-old centre was in “critical need” of an upgrade to keep its national appeal and that without investment its maintenance costs could reach £19 million over the next two decades.

A decision on the whole project is expected from councillors in summer.

Centre unable to attract ‘large and lucrative’ events

The studio two works are being accelerated after Ms Lorimer said the centre had been unable to attract “large and lucrative” events due to competition from more modern conference venues elsewhere in the country.

She said events are planned at least 18 months in advance and that without an upgraded studio two, the centre could lose £1.1 million in lettings revenue in the coming years with businesses also missing out on an economic impact of £14.9 million from the venue.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said he supported the plans because of the wider economic impact.

He told last night’s meeting: 

“Nearly everybody in the Harrogate district knows somebody or have themselves worked in the hospitality and tourism industry.

“That to me always underlines the critical importance of the convention centre to our local economy.”

E-scooter rider in Harrogate arrested for suspected drug dealing

Police arrested a man on an e-scooter in Harrogate this week on suspicion of dealing cannabis and ketamine.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the man failed to stop when asked by officers on Monday night.

Two officers found drugs after catching up with the man, who was then arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.

A police statement today added:

“Once in custody, tests showed him to be under the influence of drugs, so he was further arrested for a further offence of driving whilst under the influence.

“He’s now been released on conditional bail whilst enquiries continue.”

E-scooters are similar to regular scooters but have small, electric motors.

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Plan to demolish ‘eyesore’ Starbeck building finally approved

Harrogate Borough Council has given the green light to plans to demolish the former McColl’s supermarket in Starbeck, over three-and-a-half years since it was ravaged by fire.

Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough submitted an application in November to demolish it under permitted development rules.

This permits the demolition of a building without the prior approval of the council if it is deemed a safety risk.

The owner hopes to build new retail and housing units on the site, although these plans are yet to be formally submitted.

The plans were put on hold in December after the council asked for safety documents, which have now been provided, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.

The council says the developer now has three years to demolish the building.

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Planning agent Pete Gleave from Zerum Consulting told the Stray Ferret the developer will submit a planning application for the new building “in the coming months”.

“There are currently no timescales for demolishing the building. Our client is however looking to progress the redevelopment of the site as quickly as possible and will be working up a planning application in the coming months.”

The fire-damaged building has frequently been described as an ‘eyesore’ blighting the centre of Starbeck.

Andrew Hart, founder of Starbeck Community Group and owner of Starbeck Post Office, said he hopes things can now finally move forward.

“Starbeck Community Group are pleased that demolition has been granted but we are hoping that the owners will expedite the work quickly, certainly the demolition.

“We also hope that the original stone frontage and the carved ‘Harpers’ stone can be saved and used.”

Harrogate care boss: Vaccine mandate led to ‘significant’ staff losses

A Harrogate care home manager has criticised the government’s NHS vaccine review, which was announced this week.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the policy of compulsory vaccines for NHS staff would be paused while a consultation is held on the policy.

But the pause was announced after it became a legal requirement for health and social care staff to be double vaccinated.

James Rycroft, managing director of Vida Health Care, which is based in Harrogate, said the mandate had led to a significant number of staff leaving the care sector.

He said:

“The social care sector has suffered significant losses to our workforce due to the compulsory vaccine policy at a time when we were already experiencing a national staffing crisis.”

Mr Rycroft added that the care sector has had to deal with the fallout of the policy without any support from government.

He said:

“I hope that by allowing staff back to the social care sector, even if they’re unvaccinated, we’ll be able to begin combatting the ongoing recruitment crisis, although the safety of everyone remains our main priority so we would have to ensure precautions are in place.”

Hospital to continue to encourage staff vaccination

Meanwhile, Harrogate hospital officials have said they will continue to encourage staff to get the vaccine despite the review.

Of the 5,000 staff employed by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, 98% have had at least one dose of a covid vaccine and 97% are double vaccinated.

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Angela Wilkinson, director of workforce and organisational development at the trust, said staff had been encouraged to get a vaccine through a variety of communications including weekly online videos, emails and one-to-one conversations with managers.

Ms Wilkinson said:

“Vaccines save lives and are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. 

“Since the development of a vaccine for the covid virus, we have actively encouraged our staff to get their jabs. 

“We have provided staff with a wide variety of information including how they can get their vaccinations and what the benefits are. We have also engaged with staff who have not had the vaccination to support them, allay any fears and dispel any myths.”

She added:

“We await the outcome of the consultation on ending vaccination as a condition of deployment as this will determine whether staff in patient facing roles will need to be legally required to have the vaccination if they wish to work for our trust.

“Nonetheless, we will continue to encourage all of our staff to have the covid-19 vaccination.”

Plan approved to create five flats above Cambridge Street shops

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert space above shops on Cambridge Street into apartments.

Aegon Property Income Fund lodged the proposal to create five flats on the upper floors of 6-14 Cambridge Street.

The ground floor of the properties is currently occupied by the Card Factory and two empty units which were formerly the Phone Doctor and Smiggle. For many years the site was home to Carphone Warehouse.

Under the proposal, the upper floors would be converted into three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments.

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The developer said the flats would be designed with “modern living” in mind. They will be open plan and include dining and kitchen arrangements.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:

“The site is in a highly sustainable location within the town centre, accessible by a range of sustainable modes of transport including train and bus as well as walking and cycling.

“The proposal creates additional accommodation within the town centre which will help to contribute to an improved range and distribution of housing and will increase activity in the town centre beyond the normal working day leading to greater natural ‘surveillance’ through a more vibrant after work environment.”

Rudding Park launches 10km trail race

Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate is launching a 10km multi-terrain race to raise money for the Queen’s platinum jubilee initiative to plant more trees.

The Rudding ParkRace, as it will be known, will take participants through 300 acres of parkland.

Profits from the race will be donated to The Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative that encourages people to plant a tree in honour of the jubilee.

The race will be held on Tuesday, May 10 and the 18th century hotel will act as a backdrop for the finish line.

Simon Mackaness, owner of Rudding Park, said:

“Rudding Park is set within 300 acres of parkland which forms part of our heritage and we understand the important role trees play in combatting climate change.

“It is crucial we all do our bit to protect the woodland so we are delighted to be able to support the Queen’s canopy in this celebratory year and commit to planting a tree in our grounds to represent each Rudding ParkRace competitor.”

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It is hoped the race will become an annual event.

To find out more and enter, click here. Entries open on Saturday.

Harrogate and Ripon hospitals maintain visitor restrictions due to high covid rates

The NHS trust that runs hospitals in Harrogate and Ripon is to maintain visitor restrictions while coronavirus case rates remain high.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust imposed restrictions at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital on December 23 amid concerns about the Omicron variant.

It means visitors are only allowed for patients on end of life care, patients with a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment such as dementia. Parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

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At the time, the hospital said it would review the restrictions regularly and relax them “at the earliest opportunity”.

However, although the government removed all Plan B measures a week ago, the trust has yet to say when regular visits will resume.

A spokesperson for the trust said today:

“Visitor guidance has not changed since December 23, 2021, although it is regularly reviewed.

“While infection rates remain at the current levels, we need to maintain the current restrictions on visitors to our wards for the safety of our patients and staff.

“These restriction also still apply to those people wanting to accompany outpatients to their appointments.

“Anyone entering our hospital will also need to wear a mask, ensure they sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing.”

Another 339 covid infections were recorded in the Harrogate district yesterday, bringing the seven-day average to 1,305 cases per 100,000 people — the highest in North Yorkshire and considerably above the England rate of 1,048.