Stray Ferret Secret Shopper: 6 reasons to shop in Harrogate today

A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I am a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. Just in case you don’t know how lucky you are to have this thriving town centre with its fabulous independents alongside the high street big names, I’m here to show you what’s caught my eye in the excitement of the first week of the stores reopening. The items I have picked are my personal choices – I have not been paid to feature them.  

 

WALKING BOOTS

Joules, James Street. £89.95

Let’s face it, after nearly three months of trudging through mud with one other person, our walking boots are completely knackered by over-use aren’t they? With lots more outdoor socializing on the agenda, spring walks will look even more tempting, and stylish, with these cute, lightweight, super comfy upgrades.

 

 

 

BACKPACK

Marks and Spencer, Cambridge Street. £39.50  

It’s tucked away in the menswear section upstairs – but this backpack is perfectly suitable for women too.  The rubberized finish is very cool as well as water repellent, and there’s a handy internal padded laptop compartment. My only complaint is that the Harrogate branch doesn’t stock the larger rucksack with a fold-over top in the same fabric, nor (that I can see) the range of rainwear jackets in the same material – also missing. This range is very fashionable and about a half to two thirds the price of a similar Scandinavian version which might have inspired it. Plus, from my extensive consumer research (ie going round the shops whenever I can), I know that there are other covetable items that M&S aren’t carrying in Harrogate, either. Why not M&S?

 

LAVADA SOAP

Hoopers, St James Street. £4.75

Editor’s choice: “The best soap in the world”, apparently.  Well, it’s an Italian, triple milled natural vegetal soap from Florence so she may well be on to something. As well as lavender they do an iris and a cedar scented version which is more masculine. Plus, it being Hoopers, there’s a whole table of other tempting soaps from this and other brands, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

 

PYJAMA SETS

Jigsaw, James St.  Short sleeve and shorts set £80, Long sleeve and long leg set £85

I love Toile De Jouy patterns on fabric, and blue on white is my favourite of all.  I’m immediately transported to 18th century country life: I can almost hear the harpsichord tinkling in the background. On closer inspection this particular print features punks with spiky clothes and Mohican haircuts and racing cars, which makes it even better.

 

 

STRIPEY TRAINERS AND BAG

Moda in Pelle, West Park.   Trainers £109.95,  Bag £89.95.

Strictly speaking you may not need any more trainers but the metallic rainbow stripes are just so cheerful.  The bag has an adjustable chain handle, two inner compartments, zip pocket and a phone holder. The fashion jury is out on the wisdom of full accessory co-ordination but if you want to – hell, why not?

 

 

 

MOTHER OF PEARL ART DECO EVENING BAG,

Antique Market, Montpelier Mews. £68.

Bear with me on this.  It’s a beautiful, glamorous piece of craftsmanship and history, in great condition, plus I reckon its big enough to fit your phone and bank cards in. Totally unique and a very fair price. I hope it soon finds a careful owner who will treasure it.

More next month!  Keep shopping and keep Harrogate great.

If you have seen something that might catch our Secret Shoppers eye please email the Stray Ferret on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and mark it for her attention. </strong

Harrogate hospital apologises as waiting list nears 16,000 patients

NHS records show that nearly 16,000 people were waiting for treatments at Harrogate District Hospital as coronavirus pushed staff to the brink.

The data reveal how the waiting list has increased by close to a fifth from 13,505 in March 2020 to 15,805 in February 2021.

During the month of February, Harrogate District Hospital was treating 67 coronavirus patients, which was a record number.

Coronavirus has pushed many trusts across the UK closer to breaking point.

The national waiting list reached a new high of 4.7 million in February with 387,000 people waiting for a year to start treatment.

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Harrogate District Hospital has said its staff were “working hard” to reschedule appointments and operations.

It also apologised to patients who have experienced delays.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“The pandemic means that for many of our patients there will be a delay, and waiting times will be longer than we would normally expect.

“The pandemic continues to affect us and how we deliver our services.

“We have arrangements in place to risk assess every patient on our waiting lists to ensure we prioritise people on the basis of their clinical need.

“This can be a worrying time for patients. We know that people will want their procedure as soon as possible, and that waiting may be frustrating.

“We are sorry for any delay that is experienced, and we are continuing to work hard to provide timely care.”

The trust also paid tribute to the efforts of its staff, who the spokesperson described as being “absolutely fantastic throughout the pandemic”.

Have you been affected by this story? Get in touch with the Stray Ferret by sending an email to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Harrogate cocaine and ketamine dealer jailed for 18 months

A cocaine and ketamine dealer from Harrogate has been jailed for 18 months today.

Callum McLachlan, 20, sold cocaine and ketamine – a tranquilizer notorious for inducing a trance-like state in users – on the streets of Harrogate.

In June 2019 his enterprise fell apart when police pulled over a Fiat Punto travelling between Harrogate Hill and the A61.

McLachlan was the driver and his 17-year-old girlfriend – a former boarding-school pupil whom we have chosen not to name – was in the front passenger seat. A third named man was in the back seat, said prosecutor Imran Khan.

Officers, noting a strong smell of cannabis inside the vehicle, searched the car and found 7g of ketamine inside McLachlan’s wallet. His girlfriend and the male passenger had small amounts of cannabis.

A roadside test revealed he had been drug-driving for which he subsequently received an 18-month driving ban.

McLachlan was arrested and taken into custody, where police found 18 wraps of cocaine and ketamine.

Officers searched a flat in the Dragon Road area where McLachlan and his girlfriend had been living together and found more drugs and £3,585 cash – the proceeds of his dealing. 

McLachlan, lately of Woodfield Road, Harrogate, was charged with six separate drug charges, including possess cocaine with intent to supply, cannabis possession, possessing ketamine with intent to supply, supplying ketamine, possessing MDMA and possessing criminal cash.

He pleaded guilty to all charges on the basis that he had been dealing within his own social circle.

His girlfriend – was charged with being concerned in the supply of ketamine. She initially denied this but later pleaded guilty on the basis that she acted as a conduit for her boyfriend.

Ismael Uddin, for McLachlan, claimed his young client was no “master criminal” despite having criminal convictions.

Mr Uddin said:

“He was living in a predominantly middle-class area…where he started dabbling in drugs.”

“He didn’t have a hard upbringing; there was nothing wrong with his life. He simply fell into the lifestyle he was in.”

He pointed to McLachlan’s “glowing references” from “everybody” who knew him, and he was in gainful employment.

Susannah Proctor, mitigating for McLachlan’s then girlfriend, said she had been “achieving (educationally) at a very high standard” until she met McLachlan.

The female defendant, now 20, had been at boarding school until the age of 16 and then enrolled at a college where she met and fell in love with McLachlan.

She failed her college course because of her relationship with her co-accused but was now back in full-time education in London.

Ms Proctor said:

“She is now doing extremely well (educationally).

“Her parents were obviously devastated by this offending. She has disappointed them in ways she could never have expected.”

She said the woman had “closed her eyes to the reality” of what her boyfriend had been up to, and the resulting court case had been an “awful” experience for her family.

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Judge Sean Morris, the Recorder of York, said there was no getting away from the fact that McLachlan was a “supplier and street-dealer” and must face justice to serve as a warning to others that “drugs wreck lives”.

The judge told McLachlan he was “going to keep (the jail sentence) as low as I can”.

“You were (supplying drugs) so you could live in your flat with your girlfriend and it’s thanks to you that she is here (in court).”

McLachlan was jailed for 18 months, he will serve half of the term behind bars before being released on licence.

Dealers peddling Class A substances can normally expect sentences of at least four years.

Mr Morris told McLachlan’s female co-defendant: 

“Were it not for the influence of the person you fell in love with, you wouldn’t be here. You need to have a long, hard think about where you are going in life and who you choose to spend time with.”

She was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours’ unpaid work.

The judge postponed financial-confiscation proceedings until September, when McLachlan will be stripped of the cash he made from his dealing enterprise. 

Harrogate Fashion Week is back this summer

Harrogate Fashion Week is back in the diary as its organisers have confirmed dates for summer 2021.

The event, which usually takes place twice a year, was last held in January 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic but is set to welcome guests on August 1 and 2.

Event director Wendy Adams said:

“We are delighted to confirm that Harrogate Fashion Week will be going ahead this August after such a disappointing 2020 and we are looking to ensure the event celebrates the endurance of the fashion industry.”

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The fashion week’s fifth edition will be held at the Harrogate Convention Centre, which was transformed into a 500-bed NHS Nightgale Hospital during 2020 but was not used for any covid patients.

The hospital facilities were dismantled earlier this month.

Although the summer show has previously had a July date, the organisers have chosen August to give the centre time to be fully ready for visitors.

Marble, Pomodoro, John Charles and Lily & Me are among the womenswear brands booked to attend, along with footwear labels Caprice, Legero and Lotus.

Sarah Moody, the show’s director, who is based in Harrogate said:

“It’s expected to be a busy selling season and many brands have already reserved their stands in the excitement of getting back to face-to-face selling.

“We have had more special occasion and promwear inquiries than ever before, so definitely see a growth in this area.”

 

Harrogate MP backs outdoor dining on the Stray campaign

Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP has thrown his weight behind a campaign for outdoor dining to return to the Stray.

Andrew Jones MP met Sharon and Simon Colgan, owners of the Blues Bar and The Empress, as well Trish Campbell, bar manager at The Empress, today.

While Mr Jones refused to speak to the Stray Ferret during or after the meeting, the bar owners said that he supported their campaign.

Harrogate Borough Council recently told the Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro that they cannot use tables and chairs on the Stray this year.

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The council did approve the measure last year but said after consulting with land owners the Duchy of Lancaster that it “would not be appropriate at this stage.”

Part of the reason the council gave was that it could “potentially inhibit the open access and enjoyment for all.”

Simon Colgan, co owner of The Empress and Blues Bar, told the Stray Ferret after his meeting with Mr Jones:

“Mr Jones seemed dumbfounded that it wasn’t rolling out again.

“He told us he would look into the council’s response, consult the Duchy of Lancaster and its chancellor Michael Gove.

“That is very positive isn’t it? It is great he did not dismiss us. We just want exactly the same as we had last year, there’s no reason not to do it again.

“We did press him and said time was of the essence, we do not want to miss out on this sun. When you go into town you can see there’s an appetite for it.”

Fewston reservoir fly tipper ‘spoils it for everyone’

A fly tipper has dumped several bags of rubbish near Fewston reservoir as more people head out to enjoy the sun and easing of lockdown.

The rubbish was left on Meagill Lane between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. It is unclear who is responsible.

Harrogate Borough Council, which cleans up after fly tippers, is aware and should be sending out a team soon.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chairman of Washburn Parish Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“It is one of the worst fly tips I have seen in the area. We normally get around three or four bags worth, but this is a lot more.

“There are plenty of ways you can get rid of your rubbish, there’s a recycling centre not too far away so why dump it here?

“When people leave so much rubbish it spoils it for everyone. We try our best to keep the area clean, but people should clean up after themselves.”

Washburn Parish Council has organised a litter pick at 10am tomorrow, but will mainly focus on rubbish thrown out of car windows and dropped on walks.

Read more:

 

Council set to retain single-sex sessions at Turkish Baths

Harrogate Borough Council is set to retain single-sex sessions at the town’s Turkish Baths, but make swimwear compulsory.

Last year, the council considered scrapping single-sex sessions in order to reflect “equality and balance”.

The authority launched a consultation into the matter, which ran while the baths were closed.

In a report due before the Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport next week, council officers have recommended two weekly single-sex sessions for males and females under a new timetable.

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Currently, it offers three single-sex sessions for women and one for men.

The council has also recommended making it a requirement to wear suitable swimwear for these sessions.

The authority said the changes would promote inclusivity, enable male and female attendants to work at both sessions and help it comply with the Equality Act 2010.

In the report, it said:

“The proposed timetable changes will promote further inclusivity.

“Making the wearing of swimwear compulsory at all single-sex sessions will also promote inclusivity, allow the Council to meet its equality obligations under the Equality Act and alleviate staffing issues during single-sex sessions.”

The consultation received 325 responses – 89% of which said they booked single-sex sessions at the baths, while 90% believed a move to a fully mixed timetable would not allow for equal access to all customers.

The council said the new timetable for sessions would come into force when the Turkish Baths fully reopened.

It added that the timetable would be reviewed every six months to ensure it had “no negative commercial impact”.

Harrogate Town allowed capacity crowds once covid restrictions end

Harrogate Town has been awarded a general safety certificate to hold full capacity games next season once all coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

The club completed works to expand its 5,000-seater EnviroVent Stadium following promotion to League Two last year, but even without any Covid disruptions this many spectators could not have been allowed in until now.

This is because any Football League or Premier League ground in England with a capacity more than 5,000 must be granted permission by their local authority.

While coronavirus restrictions have kept Town’s gates closed since January, the club’s managing director Garry Plant was awarded a general safety certificate by North Yorkshire County Council on Tuesday.

It marks a major boost for fans as it means the club could hold full capacity games during the 2021/22 season if the Government’s roadmap out lockdown stays on schedule.

Mr Plant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“The best day is match day and we haven’t had a single one with fans this year so we can’t wait to see the stands and terraces full once again.

“We have missed our supporters so much. It is the Bradford City game this weekend – can you imagine how much of a great atmosphere that would have been?

“The council have been extremely supportive of our plans – especially the safety advisory team – and we would like to give them a big thanks.”

Under the government’s roadmap, from May 17 larger outdoor sports venues will be allowed to operate at up to 25% capacity with a maximum of 10,000 spectators.

Restrictions will be eased further from June 21, but with all adults not expected to be offered at least their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine until the end of July, full venues at major sports events are understood to be unlikely until late summer at the earliest.

Read more:

With Harrogate Town’s season set to end just nine days before May 17, it means supporters will have to wait until August before they can return to the EnviroVent Stadium.

Restrictions mean players will be greeted by empty seats again when they walk out at Wembley to contest the 2019/20 FA Trophy final against Concord Rangers on May 3.

The club’s historic win over Notts County to secure promotion to league football was also played behind closed doors at the London stadium.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald, trading standards officer at the county council, said the club’s “massive success” in reaching League Two should be celebrated not just in Harrogate, but across North Yorkshire.

She said:

“They have done marvellously and we want to help them as much as we can with guidance and advice to get things back under way with people back through the doors once again.”

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning and welcome back to the traffic and travel service. It’s Leah here with you this morning, with updates every 15 minutes as more people get onto the roads.

The live blogs, brought to you by The HACS Groups, aim to keep the Harrogate district moving.

Make sure to keep in touch via social media or email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

9am – Full Update

That is it from me today. I will be back bringing you updates every 15 minutes from 6.30 am on Monday.

Roads

Traffic is building in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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Back to bus time table

8.45am – Full Update

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Traffic is building in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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8.30am – Full Update

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Traffic is building in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon centres this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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8.15am – Full Update

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Traffic is starting to build slowly this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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8am – Full Update

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Traffic is starting to build slowly this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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7:45am – Full Update

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Traffic is starting to build slowly this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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7:30am – Full Update

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Traffic is starting to build slowly this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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7:15am – Full Update

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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7am – Full Update

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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6.45am – Full Update

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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6.30am – Full Update

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The roads are looking clear so far this morning, no traffic hotspots yet.

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Harrogate soft play centre to close after five years

The owners of a soft play centre in Harrogate have revealed that it is closing after five years in business.

Winkies Harrogate, based in Starbeck, has only been able to open for a couple of months over the last year.

It has been closed since January under the third national lockdown and will not be reopening with other soft play centres on May 17.

With the doors shut for so many months, the owners of the small independent business said Winkies is no longer viable.

Read more:

A statement by Zoe and Victoria, who run Winkies Harrogate, said:

“To all of our lovely customers, one year ago we never envisaged what the year ahead held for us.

“It is with much sadness that we have to let you all know Winkies is no longer able to open its doors.

“We have loved meeting so many families who have enjoyed not only the soft play centre but have attended our wonderful classes and birthday parties.

“We have tried hard to keep winkies going but quite simply the business is no longer viable.”

The pair also thanked customers and added they will “miss the Winkies community very much”.

When Winkies shared the news on its Facebook page it received more than 200 comments from people sharing memories of the play centre.

It is the second children’s play centre to close recently. Goose, which was based on Hornbeam Park, went into liquidation in August last year.