Harrogate hospital will be open for vaccinations on Christmas

With the government calling for everyone to “get boosted now”, we’re running this regularly-updated blog to let you know where you can get your jab in the Harrogate district.

Besides the GP-run sites at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Races, numerous pharmacies are also now offering boosters and covid vaccines. Some also have an option for under 18s.

If you work at one of these sites, or have recently visited for your own vaccination, please let us know about any update,s such as queues and supply issues.

Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Where to get your vaccine:

Harrogate 

Knaresborough

Pateley Bridge 

Ripon

Friday, December 24

9am – Get a jab at Harrogate showground this morning only

The vaccine centre in Harrogate will be open until 12.30pm today. It’s the last chance to get a jab until the New Year.

Walk-ins are available. First, second, third primary and boosters available for all ages over 12.

Ripon Racecourse is closed as a vaccine centre until the New Year.

8.30am – Harrogate hospital open for jabs on Christmas

Harrogate District Hospital is open for booked appointments only over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day, as other centres close temporarily.

There are no walk-ins available at the hospital.

Thursday, December 23

4pm – Last chance for jabs before Christmas

Knaresborough Chain Lane Hub is open for walk-ins until 8pm today. It will then reopen on December 28 at 8am.

Harrogate Showground has now closed for walk-ins today, some appointments remain until 5pm. It will reopen tomorrow for the morning until 12.30pm. It won’t reopen until January 4.

Ripon Racecourse also closes today at 5pm and won’t reopen until January 4.

10am – Walks ins available today ahead of Christmas

There are still walk-ins available today across the Harrogate district ahead of the Christmas break when vaccine centres will close.

The Yorkshire Event Centre site is experiencing a “very quiet morning” so those running it will be able to welcome walk-ins, including those under 18.

The site at Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients for those over 12. It will be open until 5pm.

Knaresborough’s vaccine centre at the Chain Lane Community Centre is also open for walk-in patients until 8pm today.

Wednesday, December 22

9am – Christmas opening hours in Harrogate

The vaccine centre in Harrogate, which reported no queues all day yesterday, has revealed its Christmas opening hours.

The schedule for today and tomorrow is:

Booked appointments 08:30 – 16:55
Walk-in 18 and over 09:00 – 16:00
Walk-in 12-17 year olds 09:00 – 16:00

Christmas Eve is open to all patients 08:30 – 12:30.

Then the vaccine centre will be closed until 2022 with clinics starting up again for appointments on January 4.

8.45am – Ripon Racecourse open for vaccinations

Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients. All age groups 12 years and above. It is the same tomoroww until 5pm.

Tuesday, December 21

2.20pm – Great Yorkshire Showground reporting quiet queues

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination site are reporting quiet queues for walk-in and pre-booked appointments.

The site is also accepting under-18s for walk-in vaccines all afternoon.

1.15pm – Harrogate District Hospital vaccination site to be open on evenings

Hospital bosses have confirmed that Harrogate District Hospital’s vaccination site will be open on an evening for pre-booked appointments.

Those wishing to have a vaccine at the site have to book through the NHS national booking service. No walk-in appointments are available.

The vaccination centre, which offers up to 24 appointments an hour, will be open daily Monday to Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm and selected bank holidays 8am – 2pm.

However, the site will be closed from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day and on New Years Eve and New Years Day. It will also be closed on January 3.

A spokesperson for the hospital said:

“We are very proud of our colleagues who are supporting this as part of the huge national drive to ensure everyone can be boosted to protect themselves and others.”

8.15am – Ripon Racecourse open all day for appointments and walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse vaccine centre is open until 4pm today for booked appointments and walk-in patients.

All age groups over 12 are welcome.

8.10am – 1,700 vaccinations delivered at Harrogate Showground yesterday

Yesterday was a busy day at the Showground, with walk-ins and people with booked appointments getting their vaccines alongside under 18s.
The centre said it did just short of 1,700 vaccinations and the longest walk-in wait time was 45 mins.
Today’s schedule:
The centre has asked everyone to come prepared with their NHS number to hand, you can find it here, and anyone with an appointment to have their booking reference number.

8am – More clinics for 12-15s in Knaresborough

The vaccine centre at Chain Lane Community Hub has added more vaccine clinics for 12-15 year olds.
The clinics will offer first and second doses and be open tomorrow and Thursday and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week plus all Sundays in January (apart from the January 2).
The centre has asked for people to try and book via the national booking system.

Monday, December 20

11am – Knaresborough vaccine centre aims to give out 1,500 jabs today

Homecare Pharmacy Services, which runs the vaccination centre at Chain Lane Community Hub, is planning to give out 1,500 jabs today.

Walk in sessions will be available from tomorrow 8am to 8pm and then again at the same time on Wednesday.

The vaccine team has asked for people to be patient if they have to queue and to bring their NHS number to speed up the process.

9am – Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground offering walk-ins for children today

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate is accepting walk-in patients and booked patients for booster jabs this week.

Children aged 12 to 17 will also be able to turn-up for walk-in vaccines at the showground from 1.30pm to 4.30pm today and from 9am to 12.30pm tomorrow.

Ripon racecourse, which was not open yesterday. re-opens today.

Saturday, December 18

2.15pm – Queues expected to remain quiet at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Showground

Vaccine staff at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground are expecting queues for walk-in booster jabs to remain quiet for the remainder of the day.

The site is still accepting walk-ins. Those looking to turn up at the showground without an appointment for a vaccine have until 4pm to do so.

12.30pm – Pateley Bridge vaccination centre reaches milestone

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Today, Pateley Bridge’s vaccination clinic is expecting to have seen its 10,000th patient.

The centre, which is run by Pateley Bridge pharmacy, was recognised by the mayor of the town for the efforts of vaccination staff, admin staff and volunteers.

10.15am – No queues at Yorkshire Showground

There are no queues for walk-ins at the Great Yorkshire Showground, according to staff at the site.

Those wishing to get a booster vaccine today are urged to attend the site before 4pm.

8.30am – Harrogate vaccine sites prepare for another day of boosters

Booster vaccine walk-ins are available at the Yorkshire Showground and at other sites, as listed above.

The showground site is fully booked for appointments and has advised people to have booking references ready. The site will be offering Moderna today.

For those deciding to walk-in, people should have their NHS number with them. Capacity for walk-ins has increased, so officials expect a “first thing” rush before queue times decrease.

Those planning for a walk-in booster vaccine are urged to get to the site before 4pm.

Friday, December 17

1.50pm No queues at showground for walk-ins

The lunchtime rush is over at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, according to staff on site, and any walk-ins this afternoon can expect to be seen quickly.

12.50pm Harrogate Hospital on NHS booking site for boosters

Harrogate District Hospital has appeared on the NHS booking site this afternoon for booster appointments.

It looks as if appointments are available from Wednesday, December 22.

12pm Knaresborough centre opens up for walk-ins

The vaccine site at Chain Lane Community Hub has said it has additional capacity today and will open as a walk-in.

It is open until 6pm.

9.15am Ripon vaccine site open for walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse has reopened as a vaccine centre and will operate a walk-in service alongside its appointments today and tomorrow.

People can head there for a booster throughout the next two days. Staff ask people have their NHS number to hand.

9am Harrogate Showground expecting another day with minimal queues

Staff at the Showground vaccine centre has said following a rush this morning the centre has quietened down.

It is expecting another day with minimal queues and encourages as many people as possible to get their booster before Christmas.

7.30am Knaresborough vaccine centre to offer walk-ins next week

The Chain Lane Community Hub vaccine site will begin offering walk-ins at certain times next week.

Run by Homecare Pharmacy, the centre will offer walk-ins on:

People may need to queue.

Read more:

District pharmacies offering vaccines and boosters

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Thursday December 16 and Friday December 17 8am-6pm, Saturday December 18 8am-3pm, December 20 to 23 8am-8pm, December 28 to 30 8am-8pm and December 31 8am-3pm.

*Some of these dates have been extended today so new appointments are now online to book.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Saturday December 18 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Tuesday December 21st 8am-1pm and Thursday December 30 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.45pm

Appointments are available on the NHS app Monday to Sunday 9am-1pm, 2pm-4pm and 5pm-6.30pm

Currently full until New Year but has staff said if people don’t show up for their appointment they can offer it to someone else. They advised people to ring on the day to see what’s available.

Currently full until New Year

No information available at the time

No information available at the time

Waiting on vaccine supply, keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Waiting for official approval then clinic appointments will be made available online. Keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Harrogate jewellers Fattorini sets closing date after 190 years

A well-known Harrogate jewellers which designed the FA Cup and has been in the same family for 190 years has set a date for its closure.

The Stray Ferret revealed in November that A.Fattorini The Jewellers was due to close when the current manager Anthony Tindall retires.

In the months following Fattorini held a closing down sale to clear the remaining stock before Christmas.

There are still some pieces left which Mr Tindall hopes to sell before he closes the shop for good on January 8.

If the jewellers have not sold everything by that date he plans to take whatever remains to an auction house.

Read more:

It is unclear what will happen to the iconic building where Fattorini has been based since 1884 when it closes.

A. Fattorini through the decades.

Mr Tindall, whose great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831, hopes to find a buyer or tenant. He told the Stray Ferret:

“Ever since we said we were closing the response has been fantastic but I am certainly looking forward to that closing date now. I suppose you could say I am getting demob-happy.

“Ideally a buyer could take on the shop and continue the Fattorini name, but that would take a lot of trust. I have lots of special memories here.”

While there have been a couple of interested buyers, Mr Tindall believes the latest wave of coronavirus driven by Omicron has forced them to be a little more cautious.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

A very good morning to you and welcome back to the traffic and travel live blog designed to help you avoid any disruption on your journey.

If you spot anything, let me know on 01423 276197. Let’s help everyone have a smooth journey today.

These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning. I will be back bright and early with all your traffic and travel news from 6.30am tomorrow on Christmas Eve.

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning but there are a few hotspots to watch out for:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are running well so far early this morning with not many out driving so far. Keep checking back for more updates but here is a list of places to avoid.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Plan to convert former Harrogate working men’s club into apartments

Plans have been submitted to convert a former Harrogate working men’s club into apartments.

The National Reserve Club, East Parade, formally closed in July following an unanimous resolution from its members last year.

The organisation had been registered as a working men’s club since July 11, 1913, when it was known as the Harrogate Battalion National Reserve of the West Riding of York Club.

Now, documents submitted by ID Planning to Harrogate Borough Council propose converting the building into two apartments.

According to the proposals, a three bedroom and two bedroom apartment would be built.

Read more:

ID Planning, which has submitted the plan on behalf of Ashleigh and Caroline Wells, said in its plans that the scheme would help a viable use for the building.

It said:

“The proposed development offers an opportunity to secure a long-term, viable use for the building while delivering two dwellings in a highly sustainable, brownfield location.”

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

Although the closure of the National Reserve Club represented the end of an era, the district is still served by working men’s clubs.

Clubs are registered with the Club and Institute Union, which represents more than 1,600 societies across the country.

According to the CIU website, nine clubs are affiliated with the union in the Harrogate district.

You can read an in-depth history on working men’s clubs in Harrogate written by historian Malcolm Ness for the Stray Ferret here.

Thieves steal wrapped Christmas presents from Harrogate home

Thieves have stolen wrapped presents from a Harrogate home just days before Christmas.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the burglary on East Parade, which took place yesterday between 2pm and 5.30pm when the residents were at work.

As well as the presents, several other high-value items were stolen and police believe they may have been carried away in a duvet cover, which was also missing.

A police statement added:

“We are appealing for information about any sightings of someone in the immediate vicinity carrying these items, items possibly concealed within a bedsheet or any relevant CCTV.”

Anyone with information on the incident should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Katie Jacobs. You can also email katie.jacobs@northyorkshire.police.uk

Read more:

Harrogate and Ripon hospitals restrict visitors due to Omicron

The NHS Trust running Harrogate and Ripon’s hospitals has said visitors will only be allowed onto wards in exceptional circumstances due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Officials at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the “highly transmissible” nature of the variant has meant it must bring in new measures.

The new rules will come into place on December 23 and will mean visitors will only be allowed onto wards in certain circumstances.

The exceptions are:

The changes also apply to people coming for outpatient appointments. Patients won’t be bale to bring someone with them unless it is they are a parent of a child or a carer.

Emma Nunez, executive director of nursing, midwifery & allied health professionals at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly. We understand that this will be disappointing for people who have a loved one in our care, and we apologise for any upset that this will cause, but we have had to take this difficult decision to protect both our patients and our staff.

“We will be reviewing our visitor arrangements regularly and we will look to relax visiting restrictions at the earliest opportunity.”

Read more:

The hospital has had to make this decision before in previous covid peaks and says, once again, it must make the safety of patients and staff a priority.

The trust also emphasised the need for everyone to get behind the vaccine and booster roll-out. It said nearly 90% of its staff have had a first and second dose.

A vaccination centre has been set up at Harrogate hospital as part of the acceleration of the booster vaccine programme. Appointments can be booked on the NHS website.

London estate agent returns home to Harrogate to open new firm

A new estate agents is opening in Harrogate after its owner, Libby Watt, decided to leave London to return home.

After more than 20 years in the capital working for firms such as Featherstone Leigh and Manors, Ms Watt said she chose to move back home to be closer to her parents and set up a new firm, Barclay Watt Estates.

The new agency will cover all of Harrogate and surrounding towns.

Ms Watt said she is hoping her London contacts and love for property will help her stand out among the numerous well-established Harrogate agencies.

She said:

“I’m obsessed with property and never ever tire of visiting clients and seeing other peoples houses.

“I am always friendly, always fair, but will fight to the death to get my clients the best deal, and ensure their transaction is pushed along to a swift and satisfactory conclusion.”

Initially, Ms Watt was planning to buy a second home to be closer to her parents and commute regularly but said it was her experience with local agents planted the seed to set up her own firm.

“After registering with pretty much all the agents, only three made contact with me. I also made an offer on two properties – one I never heard back from, and the second emailed about five days later.

“I was genuinely shocked, after all, clients give you their properties to sell/let in good faith and to me it is just not acceptable to not get back to people, or not to act in your clients best interest. I discussed setting up on my own with friends here, who had been left frustrated when buying or selling properties here, and they thought it was a great idea – so here I am.”

Read more:

Ms Watt has said she will be focussing on sales, lettings, management and property acquisitions. In London, she said it is common for agents to close deals on homes before they hit the market she is hoping to offer the same in Harrogate.

She is currently working alone but said she hopes to hire more staff in the future.

Ms Watt said she is also in the process of securing an interior designer to work alongside her and will also offer a national, and international Global Relocation service.

Two men charged with murder at Mayfield Grove flat

Two men have been charged with murder after a man was found dead at a flat in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate.

Police arrested the men, 36 and 38, on Monday night after receiving a report at around 11.30pm that a man had died there.

The two men are due to appear at York Magistrates Court.

A third man arrested in connection with the incident has been released with no further action.

DCI Jonathan Sygrove, of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:

“I’d like to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carry out enquiries. I can reassure people that this was an isolated incident, and officers will remain in the area to provide ongoing reassurance and support to the community.”

Read more:

 

Station Gateway hit with second petition calling for project to be halted

A second petition demanding the Harrogate Gateway project is halted has been delivered to council bosses behind the £10.9 million scheme.

In what marks another sign of growing opposition against the major plans to reshape key parts of the town centre, the petition from Harrogate Residents Association has been backed by 714 signatures and will be debated at a council meeting on January 6.

This comes just days after the results of a latest council-run survey revealed 55% of 1,320 respondents feel ‘negative’ about the project, while 39% feel ‘positive’.

The remaining 6% were either ‘neutral’ or said they didn’t know.

North Yorkshire County Council – which is leading on the project – declined to comment on the latest petition.

It also did not say whether the opposition to the project could mean key parts of it – including the part-time pedestrianisation of James Street and reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic – are scrapped or changed.

In its petition, Harrogate Residents Association said its main concerns are that the proposed road changes would be bad for business and only divert traffic elsewhere – something council bosses have argued against.

The residents association said:

“All we need to do is look at Oxford Street, Cambridge Street and Beulah Street to see the detrimental effects pedestrianisation has on shops, businesses and the appearance of our town.

“We need a flow of people through the town to support business, not to cut it off.

“These visitors bring a substantial amount of income to hospitality and retail without which we fear it would be terribly damaging to the town’s economy.”

Read more:

The residents association – which previously petitioned against Harrogate’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove – also claimed cycle lanes are not the answer to improving sustainable transport. It said:

“We welcome improved cycling provisions across the district to encourage people to walk and cycle, however, what we are opposed to is anything that could have a detrimental impact on our livelihoods, environment, businesses, conference trade and town as a whole

“Wholesale introduction of cycle lanes through the town is not necessarily the answer. Harrogate has steep roads and the climate is not always warm and sunny – too often it is cold, windy and wet.”

The petition will be debated at a virtual meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee on January 6 when members of the residents association and council officials are expected to speak.

This comes after the Granville Road Area Residents Association previously delivered a petition against the Gateway project to Harrogate Borough Council which is supporting the scheme.

As well as changes to James Street and Station Parade, the plans also include improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass with the aim of providing better links to the train and bus station.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, recently said the responses to the latest survey were now being considered before designs are finalised and recommendations are presented to the council’s executive in the New Year.

He also argued sustainable transport measures were well supported during the Harrogate Congestion Study – a major survey held in 2019 when thousands of residents said a greener town centre was needed. He said:

“The clear message sent to us by members of the public then was that they wanted more walking and cycling infrastructure, greater support and use of public transport, and encouragement to leave cars at home when making short journeys.

“It was made clear that the best way to combat congestion was to change travel behaviour, to walk, cycle and use public transport more often.

“At a time when climate change is a global priority, these proposals will play a part in improving the environment in the town centre by encouraging less use of motor vehicles.”

The Gateway project is being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, with a deadline for the money to be spent by early 2023.

If approved, construction could start in spring 2022.

Free Harrogate buses every Sunday in January and February

Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free buses every Sunday in January and February to give businesses in Harrogate town centre a much-needed boost.

Free buses will be available on the electric services only – on the 2, 3 and 6.

The Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) has once again sponsored scheme, called the Sunday Freeway, after partnering with the Harrogate Bus Company in 2020 and 2019.

Tomorrow also marks the final day of Harrogate BID’s free parking initiative on Mondays to Thursdays after 3pm at the Victoria multi-storey car park.

With coronavirus cases on the rise and further restrictions on the agenda, this free service is expected to entice more visitors into Harrogate.

Back in 2019 the free Sunday buses generated a 90% rise in the number of customers travelling compared with the same period the year before.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair and business owner, said:

“This is the third time we have partnered with our local bus operator, and on both previous occasions it helped to increase the number of passengers.

“This year, we have chosen January and February, which can be quiet months for the retail and hospitality sectors.

“Harrogate town centre is well worth a visit at any time of the year, and we hope the added incentive of free bus travel will make it even more appealing.”

Read more:

The Harrogate Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby said:

“We’re delighted that Harrogate BID are able to again work in partnership with us to support our ‘Sunday Freeway’ on our Harrogate electrics buses.

“Free Sunday travel on our pioneering Harrogate electrics buses will make it easier to support our local economy and help keep our town’s traders in business into 2022.

“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for Harrogate’s businesses, with previous lockdowns and now the prospect of further restrictions.

“More than ever, it’s now up to us all to support them in the vital first few months of the New Year by taking advantage of free travel on Harrogate electrics buses.”