Business moves to independence despite covid challenges

Two business partners have taken the next step in their future plans, despite the challenges of coronarivus.

Kevin Masheder and Marc Squires have owned the Harrogate franchise of Signarama since 2016 and, like most business owners, have faced the challenges of changing regulations since last March.

They have now decided to launch as an independent signage business under a new brand, SignHub, and hope the contacts they have built over the last five years will see them through the rest of lockdown and beyond. Marc said:

“When the first lockdown was announced, we closed for seven or eight weeks, when the shops were all closed. They started saying manufacturing could be open as an essential service, but it was all very uncertain.

“When retail opened, Kevin and I came in, then the other staff followed on part-time furlough. After we opened, we had a lot of work from people like landscape gardeners, who could work outside.”

The second half of 2020 was a mixed picture for the business, with quieter periods during tighter restrictions and over Christmas. The new lockdown from the start of the year saw work tail off, but Marc said the last two weeks have been busier again – and the pair are hopeful that the next stage in their business journey will be a success, despite the challenging circumstances.

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Initially employed as graphic designers, when Marc and Kevin took over the franchise they were given the opportunity to turn it into an independent business. However, they wanted to learn the ropes from outgoing owner Michael Webster, who stayed on to help them get established before taking full retirement.

With a host of local companies using their services to create signage and more, the pair hope the rebrand will only help to raise their profile. Customers have already been complimenting the new signs on their Knaresborough Road premises – but they won’t be in place for long.

The lease on the building ends this spring so, needing more space and covered areas to brand vehicles, they are moving to Killinghall Business Park. Marc added:

“When we could network, we got to know a lot of people in the business community. We thought if we can spread the word about the changes, it won’t be too bad.

“We are roadside now, so people do come past, but they only come in if they need what we offer – and at the moment, the retail side is click and collect only. A lot of our work comes from online, especially since covid began, and a lot of our bigger customers wouldn’t come to the shop anyway – they just email or pick up the phone.

“We also get a lot of referrals from our customers, so we hope that will continue.”

Harrogate cub scout leader jailed for stalking

A former scout leader and rugby player from Harrogate who stalked a woman and sent her bloodstained letters has been jailed for over three years.

Ian Binns, 46, followed his ex-partner in the street, drove past her home “shouting and screaming”, bombarded her with phone calls and text messages, and posted her “begging” letters smeared with his own blood, York Crown Court heard.

On one occasion, the former Harrogate Pythons and Harrogate RUFC player doused himself in fuel — thought to be petrol — and tried to set himself alight in front of the petrified woman, said prosecutor Michael Bosomworth.

In another incident, he threw a bloodstained letter at her in the street.

Binns, who was once a cub leader in the 3rd Harrogate Scout Group, was “obsessed” with the woman and couldn’t accept the end of their on-off, six-year relationship, added Mr Bosomworth.

The victim, who was named in court, ultimately ended the relationship just before going on holiday in September last year because she had “had enough” of his obsessiveness and aggression towards her. Mr Bosomworth said:

“When she returned from holiday, he was waiting for her in his car at the end of the road.

“He walked towards her; she told him to go away. There was a physical altercation.”

Bloodstained letters

Binns, of Woodfield Road, Harrogate, returned to the victim’s home in Harrogate the following day, on the pretext of collecting his belongings, and when she tried to close the door on him, he forced his way in, resulting in another “altercation”. Mr Bosomworth added:

“There then followed a series of (phone) calls and letters.”

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In the letters, Binns would “express his love” for the woman and wrote offensive things about another man with whom she had been in an on-off relationship, saying he “wanted him dead”.

In the stained letters, Binns told the victim, “I’m not worth anything. You know I can’t cope”.

Binns, a grandfather who worked as a self-employed electrical engineer, started bombarding her with Facebook messages and unanswered phone calls. He made 53 calls alone while she was on holiday. Mr Bosomworth said:

“When she (asked) him not to send her any more letters or contact her on Facebook…he took to putting notes through her letterbox.

“A number of (the letters) were bloodstained. The defendant was effectively threatening to kill himself.”

Followed in street

He said the rugby forward would follow the victim in the street — in some cases right up to her door.

In one incident, he cut his arm with a knife and grabbed her arm, trying to smear blood all over her. The victim cut her finger during the struggle. Mr Bosomworth said:

“He said, ‘My blood is on your hands.’

“In one incident in the street, (Binns) had a bottle of petrol or some kind of fuel.

“He drank some then poured it over his stomach and set it alight. She tried to put it out.

“He said, ‘What does it matter? It doesn’t matter anymore.’”

In a separate incident, Binns — whom the victim described as “reckless, irrational, dangerous and unstable” — walked up to her and pushed her to the ground. She suffered a scraped elbow.

She eventually reported Binns to police and he was duly arrested. He was charged with harassment, or stalking, which caused fear of violence.

He admitted the charge and appeared for sentence via video link on Thursday after being remanded in custody.

Hid in gardens

The court heard that the victim, who had ended the relationship once before, in 2017, only for it to be rekindled, had kept a typed diary of the harrowing events and the “self-pitying” letters sent to her. Mr Bosomworth said:

“He was threatening to harm himself or even to commit suicide and (was) making her feel she was responsible for that.

“The worrying feature is the repetitive nature of (the letters) and the number of times he is driving past her, following her and (he is) clearly, completely obsessed with her.”

The victim said she was still terrified and “hyper aware” when out in public despite Binns having been remanded in jail.

She said she used to “hide in people’s gardens so he couldn’t see me”, adding:

“He used to wait at the end of my street for me; he used to frighten me.

“He would get out of his van and shout at me. He was so angry.”

She said she was “very distressed” and had had “nightmares… about being chased, attacked, murdered”. She added:

“I’ve sadly come to terms with the fact that this is now my life; it will always be there.”

‘Outside normal behaviour’

Defence barrister Robert Mochrie said Binns had “certain” mental health issues and was taking tranquilizers at the time of the offences, but his stalking campaign was “so extreme that it is (outside) normal human behaviour”.

Recorder Alex Menary described Binns’ offending between September and December last year as “disturbing, inexplicable (and) extreme” for a man who had previously led a relatively blame-free life and volunteered for the Scouts.

He said the stalking campaign had had a “devastating” effect on the victim.

Binns was jailed for three years and four months and made subject to a lifetime restraining order, which bans him contacting the victim or going anywhere near her home.

Harrogate Gift Card enjoys record month

Harrogate Gift Card enjoyed its best-ever month in December, as 392 cards were bought with a combined value of £17,200.

The cards, which can be pre-loaded with any value up to £500, are redeemable at more than 90 town centre shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, businesses and attractions.

Participating businesses include Bettys, Crown Jewellers, Dizzy Duck, Harrogate Theatre, Yorkshire Farmers Meat Co, Rhodes Wood and Blamey’s Florists.

The initiative, which is free for businesses to sign up to, ensures that every £1 pre-loaded onto a card stays within the local economy.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate Business Improvement District, said many people regarded its card as an ideal Christmas present. She added:

“It was also particularly pleasing to note that a number of businesses and organisations bought cards as gifts for employees and clients.

“The biggest single transaction recoded at the beginning of the month was for 50 cards!

“The BID’s remit is to increase footfall, spend and dwell time within Harrogate town centre, and the Harrogate Gift Card is one such initiative helping us support our high street.

More information on the Harrogate Gift Card, which during lockdown can only be purchased online, is available here.

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Have you seen our Shop Local section? You can shop online and continue to support Harrogate businesses during lockdown. Click here to find out more.

Police officer ‘very sorry’ after high speed crash with Harrogate women

A police officer has apologised after she drove through a red light at 50 miles per hour and crashed into a car with two elderly Harrogate women inside.

Bradford Crown Court heard the statement DC Quita Passmore prepared when questioned under caution by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The court previously heard how Patricia Bulmer and Janet Roberton sustained severe injuries as a result of the crash, including broken bones and a punctured lung.

DC Quita Passmore has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving. She has entered a plea of not guilty to both counts.

She was responding to reports on May 5, 2018 from her colleague PC Nicola Copley – who said she was in distress while trying to make an arrest in the Bilton area.

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The defendant made a three point turn, put on her blue lights and sirens and drove down Otley Road towards the centre of Harrogate.

DC Quita Passmore said in her statement, read out in court with a jury today:

“Despite my concern for [PC Nicola Copley] I limited my speed to 50 miles per hour and kept my road conditions under constant review.

“I was aware that I needed to give way for the red light. But I thought it was unlikely that anything would emerge as my colleague had passed through seconds before.

“As I went through the junction a red car emerged. My evasive action was not enough to avoid the collision.

“I am glad to hear that the two other people involved are making a recovery. I am very sorry this happened, it was never my intention.”

The court called in three witnesses today. PC Steve Kirkbright, driving trainer Kenneth Tate and IOPC officer Paul Whitaker provided evidence.

Steve Kirkbright, a forensic collision investigator with more than 30 years experience at North Yorkshire Police, told the court:

“I do not think that DC Quita Passmore braked heavily before the crash. I have watched the CCTV dozens of times.

“The brake lights do not appear on DC Quita Passmore’s car. Other vehicles in the CCTV slow down and you can see the light bloom.”

Kenneth Tate, a driving trainer at North Yorkshire Police who has taught DC Quita Passmore, also said:

“If I were approaching this junction with a red light I would slow down to a walking pace.

“It is only safe to go once I have got the ‘arena,’ which means that everyone has eyes on the police car around the junction.

“You have to make sure the junction is clear. That is how we always train.”

The trial continues.

Woman, 19, in critical condition after being struck by tractor in Ripley

A woman is in a critical condition after being struck by a tractor near Ripley yesterday.

The 19-year-old from the Ripon area was standing next to a broken down silver Hyundai 4×4 when she was hit by a passing tractor.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report, the Hyundai started filling with smoke and the driver pulled over.

The report added:

“One of the passengers of the vehicle got out and ran round to the driver side to get the driver out and they were then hit by a moving vehicle.

“Crews administered first aid on their arrival. The passenger was taken to hospital by road ambulance, the driver and other passenger were uninjured. Incident left with the police.”

Police were called to the scene on Fountains Road between Ripley and Bishop Thornton at 5.17pm. The road was closed until 11.13pm while emergency services attended.

According to North Yorkshire Police, the broken down Hyundai had been travelling away from Ripley towards Bishop Thornton, as was the tractor.

Police added the tractor driver did not stop at the scene but was later traced. He was subsequently released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Dashcam appeal

Police described the woman’s injuries as serious and said she remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The green John Deere tractor was towing a flat trailer carrying bales wrapped in black plastic.

Police are asking for anyone with dashcam footage or anyone who saw the vehicles involved on Fountains Road to contact them.

They are particularly keen to trace a car also believed to be travelling towards Ripley at the time of the collision. Police believe the driver may have witnessed the collision or seen the tractor passing the 4×4.

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Any witnesses are asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Alison Hoyle. The officer can be contacted on email using Alison.Hoyle@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

The reference number is 12210045363.

Social media campaign to defy lockdown raises concern

Harrogate district businesses will be fined if they defy the national lockdown to take part in the ‘Great Reopening’.

Those leading North Yorkshire’s coronavirus response have picked up on a growing movement on social media. Organisers encourage people to approach shops and restaurants in their area with posters.

They are concerned of the impact on coronavirus infection rates and the NHS if people take part this Saturday.

Ten thousand people have joined the national group called the ‘Great Reopening’ on messaging app Telegram.

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Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum meeting that the council, police and other agencies would not hesitate to take action.

He said:

“Yesterday we were made aware of a campaign doing the rounds across the north of England which urges business to have what they’ve called a great reopening on January 30.

“First of all, can I thank all North Yorkshire businesses for complying with the closure requirements during lockdown. I know how tough it is for so many businesses both economically and on your health and wellbeing.

“My plea to all businesses is to ignore this campaign. There will be no great reopening on January 30. I would ask that you continue to act as you have been doing throughout this lockdown and before that and that we fight together this deadly virus.

“My warning to those who choose to take part in this campaign, the enforcement authorities the police, trading standards, environmental health and others will have no choice but to take enforcement action against you.”

Harrogate hospital gets £14 million to reduce carbon footprint by 25 per cent

The government has awarded Harrogate District Hospital £14m to reduce its carbon footprint by 25 per cent.

The funding will be used for a series of initiatives: perhaps the most noticeable to visitors will be the installation of solar panels on the roof to provide more green energy.

An air source heat pump, which extracts heat from the air which can then be used to provide heating and hot water across the site, reducing the consumption of natural gas, will be bought.

Some of the site’s long-standing maintenance issues will also be fixed, including repairing and replacing flat roofs that leak and old windows.

It is hoped the measures will reduce the carbon footprint of the hospital site by 1,100 tonnes per year.

The works will be carried out by the hospital’s estates and facilities subsidiary company, Harrogate Integrated Facilities in partnership with Imtech and its specialist energy performance business, Breathe.

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Harrogate and District NHS Trust said in a statement today the funding would also benefit the local economy because local businesses will be involved.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy awarded the grant from its public sector decarbonisation scheme. Public sector organisations submit bids to the scheme.

Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate Integrated Facilities, said the grant was “brilliant news for us, everyone who works here and patients who access services here”. He added:

“We have a firm ambition to reduce the carbon footprint of Harrogate District Hospital by as much as possible, and as quickly as possible.”

The hospital already has a 25-year carbon reduction project with the Carbon Energy Fund and Imtech, which it says delivers energy savings of around £680,000 each year.

Gary Parke, managing director of Breathe, said:

“The new energy saving installations will enhance and accelerate the savings our team has delivered over the last few years.

“As well as ensuring further cost and carbon reduction benefits for the trust and a better environment for staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.”

Drivers ‘dice with death’ at Starbeck level crossing

Drivers who try to beat the level crossing on Starbeck’s High Street have been told they are “dicing with death” and can expect to be fined.

British Transport Police said yesterday it has recorded 12 incidents at the crossing this month, so has put out a warning to anyone thinking of trying it.

Shocking video from the dash cam of a police car captured the moment a 4×4 driver ignored the signals and lowering barriers.

There are cameras at the crossing and BTP said it will increase patrols. It recorded two incidents in one day on both January 8 and January 14.

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Officers are investigating each incident and have said drivers can get points on their licence and a hefty fine as a result.

Inspector Andy Roberts said:

“Level crossing safety procedures are there for a reason.

“By trying to beat the system you risk your own lives and potentially the lives of passengers and the driver of the oncoming train.

“A fine and a few points on your licence is a lucky escape considering what the outcome can be if you dice with death on a level crossing.

“Have a little patience and wait until it’s safe to cross, it really isn’t worth risking your life in order to save a few minutes.”

Darren Lord, the route level crossing manager for Network Rail, said:

“There is simply no excuse to ignore the warning signs, lights and barriers at level crossings. Doing so is incredibly selfish and puts other people’s lives at risk, as well as your own.

“We’re working closely with the British Transport Police to investigate these incidents and we encourage anyone to report any instances of misuse at a level crossing to them.”

Harrogate park and ride could be built in Pannal

Two locations in Pannal have been identified as sites for a new Harrogate park and ride bus service.

A park and ride is among measures proposed by North Yorkshire County Council to reduce traffic and ease congestion around Harrogate.

Other schemes include a Killinghall bypass, new cycle paths and traffic calming in Bilton.

Land near Pannal Golf Club and land near Buttersyke Bar roundabout south of Pannal have been chosen as park and ride sites.

County councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said a key factor was the sites’ location on the 36 bus route that runs regularly between Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon. He said:

“One of the great costs of a park and ride is the shuttle bus, which would have to be contracted out.

“If you can tie it in with a scheduled service it would mean you could avoid this cost.”

Pannal is about three miles from Harrogate. Cllr Mackenzie said a more central location might not work as well because if motorists had to battle through town centre traffic to get to the park and ride they might not think the service was worth bothering with and park in town instead.

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Cllr Mackenzie said the park and ride idea “could happen fairly quickly” depending on developments.

It is one of the main projects in the council’s Harrogate transport improvement programme.

Perhaps the programme’s most ambitious and controversial proposal is for a Killinghall bypass.

Cllr Mackenzie said the likely route would be from the Old Spring Well pub on the A59 and then south and east of Killinghall to join the A61 at the roundabout in Ripley that goes to Pateley Bridge and Ripon.

It would not touch the western side, where the Nidderdale Greenway is located, he added.

Nazi swastikas sprayed on Harrogate homes and car

Nazi swastikas have been spray painted on two homes in Harrogate.

Police say the incidents caused “considerable distress” and are appealing for anyone with CCTV footage to come forward.

The damage occurred on Bilton Lane in Bilton and Trefoil Drive in Jennyfields between 8pm on Sunday and 11am on Monday.

Nazi Germany adopted the swastika flag in the 1930s.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement this morning a front door and a garage door were sprayed painted. It added:

“The victims cars were also damaged, one with a swastika, the other with a red line.

“This is an abhorrent image and one that has caused the victims considerable distress.

“Officers are requesting your help and are appealing to anyone who has any information, in particular anyone on the two roads that might have doorbell or household CCTV cameras, to contact the police.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Jonathan Cleary. You can also email Jonathan.cleary@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210038263 or 12210039205.

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