Jaeger to return to Harrogate inside Marks and Spencer

Women’s fashion brand Jaeger is set to return to Harrogate with a section inside Marks & Spencer on Cambridge Street.

Jaeger went into administration last year and was then taken over by M&S in January.

Harrogate’s Jaeger store, which was on Cambridge Crescent by the war memorial, closed shortly after the takeover.

But M&S is set to bring the brand back to 12 of its UK stores, including Harrogate, from October 30.

A total of 300 Jaeger product lines will be available to view in M&S, which can then be ordered and delivered either to the store or the customer’s home.

Two full-time and two part-time jobs will be be created.

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Harrogate women call for action after recent drink spiking cases

Two Harrogate women have called for police officers and bar staff to take more action after recent drink spiking cases in the town centre.

Both wanted to speak out about the issue after hearing from friends and staff at Harrogate District Hospital that many others had been through similar experiences.

One of the women experienced the drink spiking first hand while out for a drink at a bar during the day on Sunday afternoon.

She wanted to remain anonymous but told the Stray Ferret:

“I did not quite understand what was happening at first. I really did not feel right so I went to the bathroom to sort myself out.

“It didn’t quite make sense. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me, I was slurring my words and I was all over the place so my son took me to hospital.

“The nurse told me to report it to the police because she had seen a lot of drink spiking cases recently. Luckily I came round after four hours on a drip.”

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The hospital took a blood test which found tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in her system. It is a component of cannabis which paralyses people and causes hallucinations.

Just a week before, a mother said her daughter had a similar experience at a different bar in Harrogate. She also wanted to remain anonymous but added:

“It does seem to be rife in Harrogate at the moment unfortunately. Both my children and their friends have had all similar experiences in the past couple of months.

“Luckily they had other people to help them but drink spiking is completely vile. My daughter walks around with her keys in her hand, a rape whistle and a wristband to test her drinks.

“She should not have to do any of that, it’s really scary. I just want to get the message out there, this is not normal.”

The Stray Ferret has raised the concerns of the two women with North Yorkshire Police. The force has not yet commented.

Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering

A Ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and road train will be among the highlights of Harrogate’s festive offering.

Harrogate Borough Council announced a raft of new initiatives today to bring festive cheer this year.

The festivities will last from November 15 to the first week of January.

A road train will operate around the town centre from December 3 until December 12, which coincides with the dates of the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

It’s all part of the council’s drive to get people into the town centre to support the new fayre and the artisan market in the Valley Garden, which will also stimulate high street businesses.

The Stray Ferret asked where the attractions will be placed and what the cost will be but a council spokesperson said those details were yet to be confirmed.

To encourage footfall to town centres across the Harrogate district, a magical window trail will also be unveiled.

Funded by the government’s Welcome Back Fund, the window trail will feature 12 festive depictions that have been designed by local people.

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Gemma Rio, head of destination management at Harrogate Borough Council, said Harrogate would be “an absolutely unmissable destination for a festive day trip or weekend away” this Christmas.

She added:

“We have been working hard to ensure festivities return this year in order to drive visitors to our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions, hotels and B&Bs.

“This latest announcement confirms that Christmas is well and truly set to return to Harrogate town centre and I’m really excited about what we’re due to bring.

“We are also about to launch the biggest Christmas marketing campaign in Visit Harrogate history to ensure all towns enjoy the benefits the additional footfall brings.”

Free parking

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate Business Improvement District manager, said it promised to be “one of the most impressive festive offerings Harrogate has seen in many years”.

He added:

“In addition to supporting the Harrogate Christmas Fayre and co-funding the Ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, and helter skelter, in just a few weeks our Christmas lights will be illuminating more streets than in previous years.

“We are again partnering with the Rotary Club of Harrogate for the annual Christmas Shop Window competition and Harrogate International Festivals for their North Pole post office. And on Monday (18 October), we will officially take the Christmas wrapping off our Father Christmas experience.

“We have also been working with Harrogate Borough Council to offer shopper’s free parking in Victoria multi-storey car park at set times during the month of December. Retailers are expecting us to pull out all the stops this Christmas, and I don’t think they will be disappointed.”

Christmas markets

Christmas market operator Market Place Europe have also announced this week that Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be open between 10am and 7pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.

The market will take place on Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent and will be a great place to pick up some last minute and unique gifts along with mouth-watering treats for people to enjoy as they wander around taking in the sights and sounds.

Around 50 traders from Yorkshire will take part in the fayre.

In addition, Little Bird Made is set to hold a festive artisan market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December, with times to be confirmed.

The artisan market will feature approximately 60 local and regional traders and producers who will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as food and drink.

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“More than 100 traders, as well as our high street businesses, will bring a first-class offering to Harrogate town centre this December that will truly get people in the festive mood.

“With the absence of a number of Christmas markets across the region this year, I have no doubt visitors will arrive by the coach load to see what Harrogate has to offer.

“Whether that’s our district’s shops, restaurants, visitor attractions or hotels and B&Bs, I hope everyone will see the benefit this town centre offering will bring.”

Harrogate’s Victoria Road scheme delayed due to bin wagon concerns

A scheme to stop vehicles in Harrogate turning from Victoria Road onto Otley Road has been delayed because bin wagons will find it difficult to turn.

North Yorkshire County Council was due to introduce the initiative before the end of September as an 18-month trial to improve safety for cyclists using the forthcoming Otley Road cycle route.

A barrier would have been placed at the junction, and one-way only and no entry signs installed.

However, the scheme has been delayed while the council draws up a new design that accommodates turning bin wagons. The council does not know when the project will now be introduced.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the council, said:

“The original design needs to be amended to accommodate the safe turning and manoeuvring of bin wagons and making sure the proposed one-way filter lane doesn’t have any other impacts on waste services.

“We anticipated this design stage to be concluded by the end of September.

“We are currently working with Harrogate Borough Council to agree a revised design before the introduction of the 18-month trial of a one-way filter lane on Victoria Road.

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The council wants the Victoria Road scheme to join up with other active travel schemes in the town, including the nearby Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood, the scheduled new cycle path on Victoria Avenue, and the Harrogate Station Gateway project.

Construction on the much-delayed Otley Road cycle route began last month.

There are still uncertainties over when the project will be completed due to negotiations with the government and the Duchy of Lancaster – the landowners of the Stray – over the use of grass verges protected by law.

Live: Harrogate District Traffic and Travel

Happy Friday and good morning. It’s Leah back with you this morning on the traffic and travel desk to help with your commute.

There are a few road closures and temporary lights in place across the district, make sure you check our lists in case you need to leave a few minutes earlier.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is it from me this morning, I will be back with you on Monday morning. Have a lovely weekend.

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The roads are looking busier this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic is building:

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8.30am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking busier this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic is building:

Road closures:

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8am – Full Update 

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The roads are looking busier this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Traffic is building:

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7.30am – Full Update 

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7am – Full Update 

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6.30am – Full Update 

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‘Irreplaceable’ Harrogate Theatre pantomime director Phil Lowe dies

Phil Lowe, who directed and co-wrote Harrogate Theatre‘s hugely popular pantomime, has died unexpectedly.

Mr Lowe, who had been instrumental in the success of the pantomime since he took charge in 2007, died yesterday.

He was an associate director, pantomime director and co-director at the theatre.

The theatre issued a statement today saying it was “devastated” by the news but that this year’s production of Cinderella will continue in his honour.

The statement said:

“Phil was an integral part of what makes Harrogate Theatre special, both to work at and visit.

“Our pantomime has truly sparkled since he came to the helm in 2007. He is irreplaceable.

“In his memory Cinderella will continue this Christmas. No one wanted to bring the party back to Harrogate Theatre more than him.

“Our thoughts are with Phil’s wife, Caroline, their beloved boys, family and friends.”

Harrogate Theatre has set up a Just Giving page on Mr Lowe’s behalf with a £1,000 target. All of the money raised will go towards Harrogate District Hospital and its cardiac care unit.

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Harrogate firm CNG to stop supplying energy companies

Harrogate-based energy supplier CNG Group is to stop supplying gas to energy companies, amid spiraling gas prices that have caused several companies to close.

CNG, which is based on Victoria Avenue, was set up 27 years ago and is one of Harrogate’s major employers with around 180 staff.

It supplies about 15 to 20 retail energy companies through its wholesale business arm. It also has about 50,000 business customers.

However, an email from chief executive Paul Stanley to customers, seen by the Stray Ferret, said the current energy crisis had caused “significant financial damage to CNG” and it was exiting the wholesale market.

The email urged customers to find alternative suppliers.

It said:

“The past few weeks in the energy market have been unprecedented. Market volatility has caused many suppliers to exit the market in a short space of time, causing a significant amount of financial damage to CNG.

“We expect more suppliers to fail in the coming weeks, further compounding the issue. We have been exploring options to sustain CNG’s shipping services, but it is with regret that I have to inform you that we do not have any further option but to exit CNG’s wholesale business.

“This means CNG will no longer be able to provide gas shipping services. We advise you to seek alternative shipping arrangements through other known gas shippers in the market.”

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Mr Stanley hailed the company’s return to profit in the latest annual report, published in June. This was in part due to improvements in its now stricken wholesale division.

But since June, the energy crisis has deepened and the future of the company appears uncertain.

Sources told Sky News that CNG was preparing its wholesale business for insolvency. Sky News also reported yesterday that the company has a Friday deadline for bidders for its small and medium-sized enterprises arm, which directly supplies more than 40,000 SMEs.

CNG was formerly the main sponsor of Harrogate Town’s stadium on Wetherby Road, which was called the CNG Stadium.

The Stray Ferret has asked CNG for a statement and if it expects to make any job losses but we had not received a response by the time of publication.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Happy Thursday and good morning. It’s Connor with you for the final time this week on the traffic and travel desk to help with your commute.

There are a few road closures and temporary lights in place across the district, make sure you check our lists in case you need to leave a few minutes earlier.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this week on the traffic and travel desk. I am heading over to the news desk now. Leah will be back with you tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

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8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are starting to become quite busy this morning as people drive through Harrogate and Knaresborough to get to work and school. Look out for these areas:

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet. Spotted something? Give me a call.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

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Coach and Horses set to reopen under new ownership

The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is set to reopen under new owners Provenance Inns and Hotels.

Provenance Inns, which also owns the West Park Hotel on the same street, plans to refurbish the historic pub before it reopens.

It is unclear when the Coach and Horses will open but the new owners said in a statement today it will create more than 50 jobs.

Karen French, operations director for Provenance Inns and Hotels said:

“We are delighted that we could take on such a fantastic building and have the opportunity to bring the Coach and Horses back to life. It’s a very exciting time for us all.

“Not only will this opportunity create more than 50 new jobs, but we plan to work with local groups and the community, to be able to offer something that’s accessible to everyone.

“We are pleased that we will be the new custodians of the Coach and Horses, and that we are able to retain the family values of the pub.”

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The news comes almost a year since Harrogate Borough Council granted Samantha Nelson a new alcohol licence.

Previous landlord John Nelson, Ms Nelson’s father, lost the licence when police found customers drinking outside and not observing social distancing rules during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Nelson is well-known in the Harrogate area — he was landlord for 33 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.

New ‘immersive soundscape’ art celebrates Harrogate’s spa history

A new art installation will celebrate the 450th anniversary of William Slingsby’s discovery of spring waters at Tewit Well in Harrogate.

Sound and light artists Dan Fox and James Bawn will bring the history to life on Crown Place, which is the cobbled street between the Crown Hotel and the Royal Pump Room Museum.

Called ‘1571 The Waters That Made Us’, the artwork will consist of recordings of water sounds, from deep underground noises to the well and the tap water sounds at the pump room museum.

Mr Fox said:

“This is an immersive soundscape played through speakers along the length of Crown Place.”

The temporary exhibit will be in place from October 17 until October 23. You can visit for free between 2pm and 9pm daily.

It will form part of the build up to the four-day Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

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Speakers at the festival, which takes place at The Crown Hotel, include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and historian Melanie King, who will talk about the history of Harrogate’s mineral springs.

Pictured from left are Deborah Boylan, from Raworths, and Marcus Black and Clare Gibson from Slingsby Gin.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“2021 has been momentous for a lot of things, few of them being celebratory.

“So it felt only right we lead on a new, temporary attraction for Harrogate to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the discovery of our spa waters.

“The event industry was particularly hard hit by covid, and commissioning new artistic work, and a new tourism attraction, in the midst of the pandemic was a risk.

“However, as an arts organisation, it was one we were determined to take as we firmly believe that keeping artists in work is key.

“It’s also a superb opportunity to celebrate the rich history of Harrogate.”

Information about this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival, and the visiting guest writers, can be found on Harrogate International Festivals’ website.

Interested in Harrogate’s history? Join celebrated local historian Malcolm Neesam on two guided audio walks by clicking or tapping here.