The latest figures from Public Health England show there have been 70 new positive covid cases in the past 24 hours.

It brings the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic in the district to 2, 835.  In Yorkshire and North East NHS figures published today showed 82 further deaths of people who had tested positive for coronavirus — none were in the Harrogate district.

On Thursday, the district reported its record daily case increase with 96 positive tests confirmed.

Read More: 

• Harrogate hospital coping well with second covid surge says chief executive
• Harrogate council scraps off street parking charges during lockdown

Health bosses said this week that 24 patients were being treated for coronavirus at Harrogate district hospital and that it is coping with the increased number of patients.

Meanwhile, care home visits will continue in North Yorkshire. The county council restricted visits during October but advised homes they could relax the rules in November to allow one designated visitor for each resident.

Officials have said the measure will continue through lockdown, but homes which report an outbreak will have to restrict visits.

A Harrogate pub has won the CAMRA pub of the year award after just one year of opening.

The Disappearing Chin, Beaulah Street, has been awarded the prize for the Harrogate and Ripon district.

Owners Hannah and Jack Woodruff opened the pub in April 2019 and say they pride themselves on their loyal customers and good beers.

The Campaign for Real Ale award looks to recognise those pubs which serve quality beer and are “worth seeking out and visiting”

Read more: 

• Pub champion backs campaign to save Kirkby Malzeard inn
• Plan to convert Little Ouseburn pub into housing

But this year has seen pubs fall on hard times due to the coronavirus pandemic, with 10pm curfews and closures during two national lockdowns.

Hannah said the award was a ray of light during dark times for the pub.

She said:

“It has been really positive for us.

“For us to be recognised that we are serving good beer, that is really important to us. We never thought that we would get it in our first year.”

Like other pubs in the district, the Disappearing Chin had to make alterations in order to be covid secure and keep customers safe.

A screen had been put up along the bar so punters can still chat with the bar staff and space was created both inside and outside.

The pub was hoping to celebrate its first birthday this year, but the celebrations fell victim to the first national lockdown.

Hannah and Jack had specially brewed beers from the north east prepared, as well as a cake.

Instead, the occasion was commemorated with a Zoom call amongst the pub’s regulars. Hannah said it was a “real boost to morale”.

Now, Hannah is looking forward to when restrictions are relaxed and pubs can return to normal.

She said:

“I’m looking forward to taking a mallet to that screen on the bar.

“I cannot wait for the point when we can get back to normal and get more people in.”

A Harrogate group has stepped up its support with care packages to support new mums during lockdown.

Hey Mama is an online community designed to be a place for mums to share their experiences and open up about mental health.

Now that we have entered a second national lockdown the group’s founder has set up care packages to give a boost to those in need.

The packages include treats for mum’s like chocolates, tea, face masks, affirmation cards and bullet journals.

Read more:

• Christmas Eve Doorstep Jingle goes global
• Harrogate district shows support for volunteers and NHS
• Harrogate restaurant serves first free school meals

It has been made possible by donations from the Tesco community fund and the Two Ridings Community Foundation.

Trish Pedley, who founded the group nearly three years ago after struggling with postnatal depression, told the Stray Ferret that mums need support more than ever:

“It is hard at normal times to be a mum. Lockdown makes it three times or four times worse. The lockdown takes away that support network that is so vital.

“The group lets mums open up about their experiences with others. It shows them that they aren’t alone and that others are going through the same thing.”

As well as the care packages they are set to launch a text message service on Sunday. It is designed to give any mums struggling a direct line to help.

Since setting up three years ago Hey Mama has slowly built up a solid group of volunteers and mums.

In the future Trish hopes that they can set up Hey Mama groups all over the UK and branch out into a group for dads as well.

Anyone who wants to donate towards the group’s efforts can do so by clicking or tapping here.

EnviroVent has earmarked a new multi-million pound business park in Harrogate to relocate its head offices.

The company, which installs ventilation systems for homes and other premises, is currently based at Hornbean Park.

According to a planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the company plans to relocate to a new business park off Burley Bank Road which is seeking final planning permission.

The site was handed £1.5 million in funding in August as part of the government’s Getting Building fund.

Read more:

• Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

• Lidl plans to open first Harrogate store

The document, submitted by ID Planning on behalf of EnviroVent and Teakwoods Development Ltd, say the company wishes to expand and relocate to the 75,000 square foot unit.

It says:

“Envirovent are currently located at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate. They are a leading manufacturer and installer of ventilation systems for homes, property and employment premises. 

“The company is expanding and wishes to relocate to purpose- built premises at Burley Bank Road. 

“The new building will comprise 75,820 sqft (approx. 7044 sqm) in total with 16,845 sqft (1565 sqm) for use as offices, 13,725 sqft (1275 sqm) as assembly and 30,250 sqft (2810 sqm) to be used for storage.”

The reserved matters proposal forms part of phase one of development on the site.

The borough council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Libraries in North Yorkshire have closed again for lockdown — but people can still order books and collect them from the entrances of the buildings.

North Yorkshire County Council revealed yesterday it would operate its select and collect service, which began this year.

The service enables library members to call or email libraries to order books and then pick them up.

Select and collect is available at council-managed libraries in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. Some community libraries will also offer the service.

Computers available

It is no longer possible to browse libraries but members can book computers for essential use only. A council statement said:

“Workstations will be cleaned between each use and hand sanitiser and wipes will be available.”

The home library service and mobile library will continue to operate during lockdown, although books from the mobile vehicle must be pre-ordered online.

Read more:

• Bilton and Boroughbridge libraries highly commended
• New app kicks off Libraries Week

Library membership grew during the first lockdown.

Current loans extended

All books issued before the current lockdown have had their loan period extended to January 11.

County Councillor Greg White, executive member for library services, said:

“Libraries can be of significant benefit to people’s wellbeing, and it was clear from the last lockdown how much people relied on and missed library services, so I am pleased that has been recognised and that some services will be able to continue.”

With near empty streets today, Harrogate is clearly a town in lockdown.

Shops selling goods deemed non-essential are closed for the next month so there are fewer reasons to visit.

Some people are still walking and driving around town but there has a dramatic shift over the last 24 hours.

We filmed at the same spots in the town centre at about 3pm yesterday and today to see what had changed.

Harrogate at the same time on Wednesday and Thursday. The day before and first day of lockdown.

The gardens and grounds of Ripley Castle and Harewood House will remain open to the public during the coronavirus lockdown.

The castle and house closed to the public today but the outdoor areas remain open. Both venues will provide takeaway food and drinks.

Ripley Castle will be open daily from 10.30am to 3pm with last entry at 1pm. Adult tickets are £3; entry for children is free.

The owners are also considering keeping the gardens and grounds open up to Christmas. They usually close during winter.

Read more:

• Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey to stay open
• Gardens centres and RHS Harlow Carr will stay open

Booking is currently unavailable online but tickets can be bought from the tea room. There is free parking in the main village car park, which is open from 9am to 6pm daily.

Harewood House will also keep its grounds, gardens and adventure playground open during the lockdown.

It will be open 10am to 4pm daily with last entry at 3.15pm. Pre-booked tickets are required.

Santa taking a break

Ripley Castle has also confirmed it will not be running a Santa experience in the run-up to Christmas this year.

The big man has decided to take a break this year so he won’t be in his grotto at the castle.

Harewood House has also cancelled its Lord Whitney’s Upon a Christmas Wish this year. However, it will be replaced with Christmas at Harewood.

Other places still open in lockdown

RHS Harlow Carr, Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey will also remain open for outdoor walks during lockdown.

They will all operate a takeaway service to keep people warm and fuelled for their autumnal and winter walks.

Garden centres are also open.

German supermarket chain Lidl has unveiled plans to open a new store on the site of the former Lookers car showroom on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate.

The company has yet to submit a formal planning application but has opened a public consultation for the store, which they say will create about 40 jobs.

The 1,263 sq metre supermarket would have an in-store bakery and 94 car parking spaces.

It would open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Read more:

• Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

• Boroughbridge farm shop hopes to boost trade with artisan market

Lidl entered the UK market in 1994 and now has over 800 stores across the country, including one in Knaresborough.

Harrogate District Hospital has confirmed it will no longer allow patient visits, except in a few limited circumstances.

The restriction came into force today as part of lockdown measures.

The only exceptions are for visits to patients at end of life; instances where difficult conversations need to take place; patients with physical or cognitive impairment; long-stay patients.

A hospital statement said ‘all of these exceptions will be at the discretion of the shift lead’.

Visitors must wear masks and visors, which the ward will provide.

Steve Russell, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, told the Stray Ferret it had been a difficult decision that had been debated this week.

Read more:

• Harrogate Hospital reports another coronavirus death
• Harrogate hospital coping well with covid, says chief executive

The hospital has also limited the number of visitors to maternity wards to one.

Visiting slots between either 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm will be allocated in the morning by the midwife in charge. Hospital guidance adds:

“If you are attending for an induction of labour your partner can attend with you.

“This is a decision we’ve taken reluctantly because we know how important visitors are and we know how much it means for partners to be present at key stages of pregnancy and birth.

“However, we have to play our part in reducing contacts and minimising potential spread of covid. We hope you understand why we’re doing this.”

Christies Bar on Kings Road, Harrogate is selling pints of cask ale for £1 today to shift the last of its beer before lockdown begins tomorrow.

Landlord Marik Scatchard told the Stray Ferret it had around 200 pints of Black Sheep and Roosters beer to sell this afternoon — and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Mr Scatchard said business this week had not been as busy as expected and the offer would save the beer from a probable fate down the plug-hole.

He was disappointed the pub has been forced to close due to the month-long lockdown, and is waiting for news on financial support from the government. He said:

“There really hasn’t been any [financial] help this time. We still had to pay full rent last time for three months, which was a bit of a nightmare.

“We’re covid-secure and have had no issues since reopening.”

Mr Scatchard said he was unsure if there would be a melancholic atmosphere at Christies this evening, as drinkers sup their final pints for several weeks.

He hopes the pub will be able to welcome its regulars back on December 2.

Read more:

• ‘Very few’ covid infections in North Yorkshire pubs

• Pub champion backs campaign to save Kirkby Malzeard inn