Harrogate district MPs silent over Prime Minister party apology

Two of the Harrogate district’s Conservative MPs have so far remained silent after Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised for a party at 10 Downing Street at the height of the first lockdown.

Before Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday, Mr Johnson issued a public apology after coming under fire for a “bring your own booze” event during lockdown in May 2020.

The reports sparked backlash from the public as many had to abide by restrictions at the same time, including not being at the bedside of loved ones when they died and missing funerals.

Mr Johnson confirmed he was at the event and said he understood the “rage” people felt. However, he added that he believed it was a “work event” and had not seen the invitation from his principle private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

Labour leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, called for the Prime Minister to resign yesterday and alleged that he had misled parliament over the lockdown parties.

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So far, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP and Julian Smith, Ripon and Skipton MP, have yet to give their views on the issue.

Following the apology, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural part of Harrogate, retweeted a tweet from Nadine Dorries, culture secretary, which backed the Prime Minister and said he was “right to personally apologise”.

Mr Adams is also minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

https://twitter.com/nadams/status/1481342527684980740

The Stray Ferret has asked Mr Jones and Mr Smith whether they believe Mr Johnson should resign, but had yet to receive a response by the time of publication.

During an emergency debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Jones asked paymaster general Michael Ellis for a specific date when an inquiry into the lockdown parties will be published. He was told that it would be a “swift” investigation.

Meanwhile, Matt Walker, vice-chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said he has written to Mr Jones urging him to join calls for the Prime Minister to resign.

Mr Walker said:

“Yesterday we heard an evasive apology from the Prime Minister for hosting a garden party at the height of lockdown.

“This is just one of many recent allegations made about government representatives and officials breaking the rules during the pandemic, but none so clear cut as the occasion on May 20, 2020.”

Review into Oatlands Drive traffic measures delayed

A review into traffic measures on Harrogate’s Oatlands Drive has been delayed.

North Yorkshire County Council was due to publish a list of measures to improve walking and cycling in the area last year.

However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the council, told the Stray Ferret that publication of the review has been delayed as the council is working with consultants on the matter.

The Oatlands Constituency Feasibility Study is being drawn up after the council ditched proposals to introduce a one-way system on the road following complaints from residents.

It is expected to look into issues such as parking, access to the Saints area and the blocking of the cycle way on Oatlands Drive by cars.

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The study was earmarked to be finalised last autumn.

But Cllr Mackenzie said:

“It has been delayed. We are working with our consultants on that.

“It will look at parking and various issues in the Saints area. I am sorry that it has been delayed.”

Concerns over parking in the cycle lane on Oatlands Drive have been raised with the council over many years, Cllr Mackenzie added.

In September, Harrogate Borough Council erected no parking signs warning drivers they face a £100 fine or being towed away if they park on Stray land next to the cycle lane.

However, drivers were later pictured defying the “no parking” signs.

Oatlands Drive

The parking signs which were erected on Oatlands Drive.

One side of Oatlands Drive has double yellow lines but the other side — where cars park — does not.

The county council is working with London-based consultancy firm WSP on the Oatlands study. The company also carried out work on the £60 million Kex Gill realignment project for the authority.

Victoria Avenue cycle scheme expected to hit delays

Another cycling project which is also expected to be delayed is the Victoria Avenue scheme in Harrogate.

The project is set to see cycle lanes implemented in order to connect with the nearby Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood.

It comes as part of a £1.2 million government funded scheme to to get more people walking and cycling as the nation emerges from the pandemic.

The project which has been earmarked for Victoria Avenue in Harrogate.

However, Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret that the Victoria Avenue part of the project could require Stray land to be exchanged.

This could delay construction of the project as the county council would have to liaise with Harrogate Borough Council to identify land to be exchanged with the Duchy of Lancaster.

Cllr Mackenzie said he had hoped to start work on the Active Travel schemes, which also includes a project on the A59 Harrogate Road, this summer.

Street entertainer and litter ranger among plans to boost Harrogate footfall

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to outline its plans for 2022, which will include street entertainment and pop-up markets.

Officials from the BID will hold their annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel today to outline plans for the year ahead.

The plans will include a “HastobeHarrogate” promotional campaign, as well as a street ranger whose remit will be to keep the town centre clean and tidy.

The BID is also planning street entertainment which will include home-grown theatrical talent, who will be performing in the town centre over a series of weekends throughout the year.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“The good news is that we are going to do more to make Harrogate even more appealing, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to ‘pop into town’ time and time again.

“This month our street ranger, whose main remit is to keep the town centre looking spick and span, will make his official debut. So, look out for him and his branded electric vehicle complete with jet washer.

“Our street cleansing crew will be back in March for the first of four major cleaning and weeding sessions, and ensuring Harrogate looks fresh and clean in time for the Easter holiday.

“Our barrier baskets and planters will again be giving Harrogate a vibrant burst of colour and clearly demonstrating why it is renowned as a floral town.”

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Proposals outlined by the organisation will coincide with the queen’s platinum jubilee, which will take place over four days in early June.

Officials at the BID said its plans for the year are designed to make the most of the event and entice ore people into the town centre.

Ms Ferguson said this would include a partnership with LoyalFree to create a series of ‘shop local’ campaigns, aimed at promoting Harrogate as Yorkshire’s number destination to “shop, eat and drink”.

She added that the BID also intended to look into “hosting a series of pop-up markets” off the back of the Christmas Fayre.

St Aidan’s ‘inadequate’ rating prompts debate over its handling of bullying

The release of Ofsted‘s report giving St Aidan’s an ‘inadequate’ rating prompted heavy debate on social media with some agreeing the school needed to improve and others defending it.

The inspection led the Harrogate high school to drop from ‘outstanding’, which it received at its previous inspection in 2006, to the lowest of four possible ratings.

Parents, locals and former students took to social media to give their views on the report’s findings.

Claims bullying wasn’t dealt with proactively 

One comment that was raised by multiple people was bullying at the school, some claimed it often wasn’t dealt with effectively.

One former student, Caitlin Nicole Chang, attended the school between 2004-2011 and said:

“Whilst I am saddened to learn St Aiden’s has been rated inadequate, I was not surprised that the school was let down by its safeguarding measures.

“I was severely bullied and racially abused by one girl whilst at St Aiden’s. When I reported this to the head of year, she got banned from our form room, however the school continued to put me in the same classes as her for a large majority of my subjects. Where was the safeguarding there? Unfortunately, the bullying did not stop, I called her a racist. The head of year said “you can’t just go around accusing people of racism”. Here I was, a young girl, crying for being racially abused, and getting told off for calling the girl who was racist towards me, a racist. I believe if I went to the headteacher, something would have been done.”

This was echoed by another former student, Max Prudames, he said:

“I’m not surprised by St Aidans Ofsted report. Many of my friends and I dealt with bullying during our entire time there and nothing was done about it. It also felt like since many of the bullies took part in representing the school in sports, nothing was done against them since it was ruin the schools image.”

In the report, released yesterday, Ofsted said all pupils inspectors spoke to said bullying was dealt with but on a survey some parents and pupils disagreed.

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A “fantastic school”

However, not all people agreed with the ‘inadequate’ rating. Josephine Mary said the rating would not stop her sending her child to school there:

“The school is a calm, safe and supportive place. They have great support for those with extra needs and have massively supported deaf children in the past. I believe that as Ofsted haven’t been for many years nearly 15 years that the school has had not as much practice in keeping up with records and with the Ofsted requirements.”

Mo Burn agreed adding her granddaughter was enjoying her time at St Aidans:

“My granddaughter has been doing her A-Levels at this school and I think it is a fantastic school. Every school has its faults and problems. She has had fantastic results and the support, care and understanding she has had from her teachers was first class.”

Bubble tea phenomenon comes to Harrogate

Harrogate might be famous around the world for its tea, but a new kid on the block called bubble tea has arrived with the opening of Sweet Pearl House on Commercial Street.

Bubble tea originated in Taiwan and has gone on to become one of the nation’s best-loved and most recognisable exports with takeaway cafes in cities across the UK.

The drink blends a milk or fruit tea base before the signature “bubbles” are added. The bubbles are made from chewy tapioca pearls, also called boba, that sit at the bottom.

Bubble tea is particularly popular among teenagers and is sucked through an especially large straw, which has enough room to hoover up the bubbles.

The family-run Sweet Pearl House was opened last week by Candy Yip and her husband Man Wong. The couple and their daughter moved to Harrogate from Hong Kong last year.

Ms Yip said she spotted a gap in the market and wanted to share their love of bubble tea as well as traditional Hong Kong egg waffle snacks.

“I think Harrogate loves tea, but I didn’t see any bubble tea places here.

“We love drinking tea so much. We opened the shop to share popular Taiwan tea and Hong Kong traditional eggettes snacks culture to people in Harrogate.”

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Sweet Pearl House offers customers different milk or fruit tea bases, including brown sugar milk, strawberry, matcha, jasmine and oolong.

These are combined with fruity toppings including peach, passion fruit and mango, which are served with the tapioca bubbles.

Pearl Sweet House

Most of the drinks can be served hot or cold. Opening hours are from 11.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.

Almost all the ingredients are imported from Taiwan directly, which Ms Yip says ensures their drinks have the authentic bubble tea taste. 

She added:

“The bubble milk tea is a unique taste. There really is no other drink like it.”

Two people wanted following burglary at Harrogate jewellers

North Yorkshire Police has put out an appeal for information following a burglary at a jewellers in Harrogate town centre.

At 2.30am on Friday last week, Browns Family Jewellers on Beulah Street was broken into.

Police said today they were keen to hear from anyone with information, especially in relation to two people seen on bikes around Station Parade and Beulah Street.

Police are also keen to find the owner of a large black ratchet jack, a tool often used to lift heavy equipment, that was left at the scene.

It is not yet known the value of the items taken.

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To give information, call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for 1523 or email James.Skaith@northyorkshire.police.uk.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The crime reference number is 12220003179.

Harrogate Discount Store to close this month

A discount shop which has operated in Harrogate for the last two years is set to close its doors at the end of the month.

The Harrogate Discount Store took on prime retail space on James Street on a temporary basis after Next moved to the Victoria Shopping Centre.

It will close on Tuesday, January 25 but the owners hope to find smaller premises elsewhere in the town centre.

The company moved in when the landlord wanted a business to fill the space while seeking planning permission for a renovation.

Harrogate Borough Council approved the renovation works, which include refurbishment of the shop front and the addition of separate access for the upper floors of the building, in December.

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In the planning documents, the landlord said the proposal would improve the chances of attracting a “quality long-term tenant”.

Gavin Broadbent, who runs the Harrogate Discount Store with another employee on behalf of the owners, told the Stray Ferret:

“As far as I am aware, the landlord just needs the place back. We were only meant to be here for three months but that was two years ago.

“We have been on a rolling deal and have done quite well out of the place. We have been really busy so we are going to try and find somewhere a bit smaller in a couple of months.

“It has been great. We have really built it up to be quite well liked. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea being on a posh street in the middle of Harrogate but people like a bargain.”

Harrogate charity beer festival to return in March

The Harrogate and District RoundTable Charity Beer Festival will return to the town’s Crown Hotel on March 11 and 12.

The 32nd edition of the festival will offer over 40 cask ales and 10 keg beers as well as ciders, wine, Prosecco and gin.

The festival has raised over £500,000 for local charities since it began in 1990. This year it will be supporting Samaritans and Martin House Hospice.

The event was cancelled last year due to covid.

Posting on its Facebook page, Harrogate RoundTable said:

“Let’s band together, say “Cheers!” and support our community.”

If you’re interested in tickets and wristbands for the festival, visit its website.

The RoundTable is an association of men between the ages of 18 and 45 that supports local causes.

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Harrogate district taxi drivers call for 5% fare increase

Harrogate district taxi drivers are calling for a 5% increase in taxi fares to help cover soaring fuel prices and a decline in earnings due to covid.

“Please help us” is one of several messages sent from taxi drivers to Harrogate Borough Council, which will hold a licensing meeting on Wednesday next week to consider the request.

It comes after 2021 saw record costs for both petrol and diesel in the UK, with diesel hitting prices of over £1.50 per litre for the first time in history.

Local cabbies also said rises in vehicle prices and parts and the climbing cost of living had contributed to them asking for a fare increase.

One taxi driver told the council:

“It is sometimes very difficult to strike the correct balance between what is a reasonable fare increase and keeping our loyal customers happy.

“That said, we have witnessed in the past six months an increase of more than 30% in our fuel costs alone and there is a lot of talk that fuel could reach £2 per litre by mid 2022.”

Another said:

“Since the pandemic there has been a huge increase in customers paying by card which attracts card reader fees. Due to card payments there has also been a very significant loss of tips.”

The request from taxi drivers is for a 5% rise on the running mile and waiting times of journeys, as well as an increase in starting prices £3.40 to £3.60.

Harrogate district taxis among the most expensive

According to national trade newspaper Private Hire and Taxi Monthly, the Harrogate district is currently ranked as the 31st most expensive council area in the UK, charging £7 at 2 miles.

And if approved, the proposed 5% rise would move the district to 14th in the table.

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However, taxi drivers have argued Harrogate’s position is not as high for journeys above the two-mile mark.

In November, there were warnings that as many as 50 taxi drivers in the district had quit during the previous lockdowns and that many have now found new jobs with little desire to return to the trade.

This came shortly before the council froze taxi licence fees for the second year running due to the impacts of the pandemic.

Speaking at the time, Gareth Bentley, licensing manager at Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Whether we will get a new set of drivers coming to replace the 50 we have lost – only time will tell.”

Low response to consultation

Mr Bentley said in a report to next Wednesday’s meeting that a consultation on the proposed fare increase had been held with 500 taxi drivers, although the response rate was low with only 30 drivers taking part.

He also said while the council’s licensing committee would consider the rise request at the meeting, it would be the cabinet member for housing and safer communities, councillor Mike Chambers, who would make the final decision.

Mr Bentley added:

“The setting of fares is a statutory duty placed upon the council and it is the council’s responsibility to strike a balance between setting a fare that is acceptable to the customer and to the taxi driver.”

Harrogate’s Crimple appoints executive chef

Harrogate’s newly-renovated Crimple has appointed a new executive chef.

Tim Kitchen started his first head chef role in 2013 at D&D in Leeds and has worked in various venues across Yorkshire since.

Mr Kitchen has moved to Harrogate from Skipton’s Keelham Farm Shop — a success story Crimple is keen to replicate.

This new chef joins shortly after Crimple, previously known as Crimple Hall, completed a £6 million investment. It now has a 20,000 square foot food hall, 150-seat restaurant and private events space plus a garden centre and gift hall,

The food hall has an in-house bakery, 12-metre butcher’s counter and chef-cooked ready meals. All the food and produce is locally sourced and fresh.

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Graham Watson, the owner of Crimple, said:

‘”We are incredibly excited to bring Tim aboard the Crimple team. We’re passionate about supporting local and can’t wait for Tim to weave his creativity and passion into our menus.

“With late night dining launching imminently and a big focus on private events in 2022, there’s lots to do but with Tim at the helm we know the food will triumph.”

Mr Kitchen added:

“I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my culinary journey.

“With all the buzz around the re-launch of Crimple I can’t wait to get started.

“I am truly excited about the opportunity to meet customers and help make their dining experience unforgettable.”