Police are investigating after an individual who claimed to be a police officer approached motorists in Boroughbridge, instructing them to pay thousands of pounds in overdue vehicle tax.
The incident took place in the Morrisons car park in Boroughbridge, when the individual is reported to have taken personal contact details from motorists and repeatedly called them the following day. They were told they owed thousands of pounds in unpaid fines and would be arrested if the amount wasn’t paid immediately.
North Yorkshire Police has warned residents to be vigilant in case they’re approached by the same individual. A police spokesperson said:
“If you are approached by someone claiming to be a police officer, they should be happy to show you their identification if asked and you can also confirm their identity by asking their name and ‘collar number’ and calling 101 to verify these details.
“The police will never contact you over the phone, text or email to request payment or to ask you to transfer money to them so if anyone claiming to be the police does so, hang up immediately.”
The police are asking people to call 101 if they believe they have experienced a similar scam.
https://twitter.com/KnaresPolice/status/1277206489971728389
Masks and visors for staff serving in restaurants to be new normal
Toilet traffic light systems and pre-booking an arrival time are to become the new normal as pubs and restaurants set to reopen from 4 July.
Hospitality businesses in the district are anxiously waiting to hear the reduced one metre distance to be announced during todays’s coronavirus briefing. Even with the new distance in place, the experience previously offered for customers is likely to be different when they reopen.
Jack Woodruff who owns The Disappearing Chin in Harrogate, said the distancing rule has made planning problematic:
“We are offering pre-booked slots for maybe two or three hours but due to our size the distancing is problematic when it comes to the toilets. For example, we couldn’t have one person walking to the toilet and another sat at the bar as they would be too close together so we’ve had to introduce a one-way system to the toilets.
“For the sake of the size of our bar we have also had to order perspex screens to use and we will have to limit contact between staff and customers.”
Simon Wade is the owner of the Grantham Arms in Boroughbridge, like many others he will have to introduce new safety systems once he can reopen:
“We’re now taking orders from tables, those orders will then be placed on large barrels, that are dotted around, for the customers to collect.
“We also have a one way system for the toilets. It’s like a traffic light system, so a person will press a button with their elbow to indicate they’re inside and will press it again as they leave another way to let the next person waiting to go in know they can. We will also have staff constantly sanitising areas and we just hope customers are happy to follow our rules.”
Outdoor spaces are invaluable for pub owners who may be limited to indoor space.
Read more:
- Restaurants fight for survival as they hope to reopen in July.
- Council plans for outdoor space to be made available to Harrogate’s hospitality sector.
David Straker, is the co-owner of the William and Victoria restaurant in Harrogate, believes the new dining experience may not be as enjoyable for guests:
‘It will be a lot quieter. The width of the room is about two metres. We could fit four tables in downstairs, then the same in each room upstairs”.
“My biggest reservation is do people want to be served by people wearing masks and visors? It doesn’t lend itself to a nice experience. It’s not going to be forever but we’re going to have to. We have a responsibility to our members of staff and you have to give them the right stuff.”
Nick Rahmen, owner of Cardamom Black in Harrogate, said:
“There will be no toilets open and people won’t be allowed to congregate at the bar. We’ll have thermometers to test if somebody is visibly under the weather. But we cant go too far to offend people.”
Read More:
- Column: Yorkshire Director of CBI says months of challenge ahead
- Harrogate Council approves leisure services shake up
Police find car carrying £10,000 cash in Boroughbridge
North Yorkshire Police has reported it stopped two suspicious cars near Boroughbridge, one carried £10,000 in cash.
The first car was found on the A1(M) southbound at junction 48, near Boroughbridge, on Saturday evening. The officers found the cash inside the Mercedes C200 and chose to carry out a roadside drug test on the driver.
The officers arrested the 60 year old driver on suspicion of drug driving and money laundering.
A further car, seen near the Mercedes, was stopped by the police at junction 46. The 26 year old driver was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving and money laundering as well as possession of cannabis.
Both men were charged with failing to produce a specimen of blood for analysis and were released as investigations continue. The second driver also received a warning for possessing cannabis.
The cars were seized for further examination.
Boroughbridge is a “small, safe bubble” say shop ownersThe shops in Boroughbridge are now open, following lockdown. One shop owner called the town a “bubble” and suggested that was a reason shoppers felt comfortable to return.
The small market town did not see the long queues at stores other towns saw yesterday.
Shop owners were optimistic though for a positive return to trading. Sue Hufton who owns Issima, a gift shop in Boroughbridge, felt confident about the reopening:
“Nobody has questioned any of our safety measures, we’ve had customers waiting to come in for a while. Boroughbridge is a bubble its a small place, I think because its smaller people feel safer to come and visit us. Many are happy to come in and buy our products.”
Issima was one of many shops that opened today.
Read more:
- Knaresborough shop owners were hopeful as they reopened today.
- Unlike other shops today, charity shops will not be re-opening.
Similarly, one shopper agreed the size of the town made her feel confident to shop. Honour Wearden told The Stray Ferret:
“Its only a small market town and they seem to be looking after people quite nicely, its well sign posted and you get gel when you come in. You feel quite happy because it seems normal, its well organised and there are measures out to help. I appreciate what they’re doing, I feel quite comfortable here as in the bigger shops I feel quite uncomfortable but here its more or less normal.”
Not all shoppers felt comfortable, Lynne Crane was still cautious of the shops reopening, she said:
Restaurant owner looks forward to reopening Valentino’s in Ripon“I think people are still going to be very wary of going into shops and I think it’ll take us a while to get back to normal. I feel bad for the shop owners as they’ve been desperate to open but there doesn’t seem to be crowds of people out. I’ve decided that I’m not going to just go in to browse I’ll only go in if I need something.”
At the age of 15, Rick Jones was washing pots in Valentino’s and 22 years later he is its owner and looking forward to re-opening the newly-refurbished Italian restaurant in the heart of Ripon.
Rick (pictured) who was born and bred in the city, made a rapid rise from ‘washer up’ to chef, having studied at Harrogate College following his secondary education at Boroughbridge High School.
He has made his mark in the hospitality business at the Water Rat pub and restaurant, on the bank of the River Skell, overlooking Alma Weir and later this year, will be double-handed, when Valentino’s re-opens its doors following a £500,000 restoration that has seen the addition of five en suite rooms.
Valentino’s, located on the corner of Westgate and Blossomgate, was where Rick learnt the Roman style of Italian cooking and cuisine under brothers Fermino and Mario di Silvestro, who opened in Ripon in 1986 after selling the well-known No. 6 Restaurant in Harrogate.
He told The Stray Ferret:
“Fermino and Mario treated me like family and taught me so much. They were perfectionists and always required the very highest standards.”
Inspired by what he had learnt at Valentino’s, Rick took over the Water Rat in February 2007, but the premises were hit by flooding in June of that year.
The coronavirus crisis, has disrupted the latest stage in his hospitality career – as the original plan was to re-open the new-look Valentino’s with its hotel facilities on 30th April and now August is the target date.
Read more
However, in spite of natural disaster and pandemic – with their financial consequences – Rick has remained positive, saying:
“It may appear dark at times, but I know that the sun will always shine again.”
Many of the Water Rat regulars, who he looks on as an extension of his own family, have been using the weekend takeaway pizza, pasta and dessert delivery and collection service that gives them a taste of the Valentino’s menu.
As well as bringing in welcome revenue while the pub remains closed, Rick pointed out that it has helped him and his team to keep in contact with each other and customers, ready for the day when both of his establishments are open again.
Independent Harrogate ‘very disappointed’ as parking charges restartA group representing independent businesses in Harrogate has voiced its disappointment over the restarting of parking charges.
William Woods, on behalf of Independent Harrogate, said he had previously told the council to help retailers by delaying the reintroduction of charges.
He said that free parking would make a “huge difference” to businesses in Harrogate. Many of which are reopening for the first time on June 15, the same time charges come back into force.
“We wanted a grace period to help businesses to get back on their feet. We need to do all we can to get visitors back into the town centre. I thought that free parking would send a strong message.”
Read more:
Since the start of the lockdown enforcement officers have only targeted dangerous and obtrusive parking but that will change on June 15.
The measures will come into force for both on-street and off-street parking. North Yorkshire County Council is urging people to exercise social distancing when parking and paying to park.
Harrogate BID response to parking charges
Harrogate BID has been more welcoming to the reintroduction of parking charges but said that the change needed to be communicated well.
Parking fines to come back into force in Harrogate districtSara Ferguson, acting chair, said: “I can see why the County Council is doing this, as it will ensure there is turnover in spaces when shops reopen, but it needs to be communicated loud and clear, so no one is caught unaware. We need to ensure that at the same time traffic wardens are back patrolling the streets, the town’s car parks are re-opened and properly signposted.”
The county council is reintroducing parking fines in the Harrogate district from next Monday as more shops open to customers.
Since the start of the lockdown enforcement officers have only targeted dangerous and obtrusive parking but that will change on June 15.
The measures will come into force for both on-street and off-street parking and will not be welcome by many Harrogate retailers who are desperate to get shoppers back into the town centre.
However, NHS staff, health or social care workers, and NHS volunteer responders will still be eligible for free parking if they leave evidence in their windows like an NHS permit.
Read More:
- Independent Harrogate calls for cheaper parking to help stimulate town centre economy
- Harrogate BID calls for urgent review of car park signage
North Yorkshire County Council is urging people to exercise social distancing when parking and paying to park and encouraging contactless payment through the AppyParking app.
They have asked anyone needing to pay by cash to use hand sanitiser before and after using the parking machine.
In the run-up to 15 June, officers will issue warning notices to motorists with expired permits and those contravening the regulations.
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said:
Attractions prepare to open gates to visitors“At any time, parking enforcement is an essential tool in helping to manage traffic flow to provide ease of access for all road users. As our towns open up it is important to manage traffic and to support the emergency active travel measures implemented to enable pedestrians and cyclists to maintain social distancing.”
A one-way system and additional staffing will be implemented to enable Grewelthorpe’s Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park to re-open tomorrow.
The visitor attraction – named Yorkshire in Bloom Tourist Attraction of the Year in 2018 and 2019 – features more than 80 outdoor sculptures around its grounds. Operations manager Naomi Hutchinson said it could only open if visitors follow social distancing guidelines:
“We believe that being outdoors and in beautiful gardens is restorative and important for people’s wellbeing. It can be a source of much-needed tranquillity in these super anxious times, and with 45 acres, the Himalayan Gardens offers the open space needed.
“We are however mindful that the safety of visitors and our staff is our number one priority. We’re pleased to welcome visitors and that they won’t miss out on the final blooms of spring, but our re-opening depends on all following the social distancing rules.”
The gardens’ new one-way system has been created using natural materials including stones, plant pots and wooden signs. While public toilets will be open, with social distancing in place, and plants will be on sale, the tea rooms will remain closed for the first week.
A booking system will also be in place to control numbers, so visitors will need to book in advance for a specified day via the attraction’s website.
Huge demand
Meanwhile, Newby Hall is set to open its grounds from Wednesday for season ticket holders, and from Saturday for the public. Its other attractions, including the railway, restaurant and teddy bears exhibition, will remain closed, and additional safety measures will be in place for visitors, including more toilets.
Booking will be essential, with slots set to go on sale on Newby Hall’s website on Tuesday, June 2.
Newby Hall and the Himalayan Gardens are the latest tourist attractions to announce they are opening their gates. RHS Garden Harlow Carr last week saw huge demand for access to its grounds as it opened bookings on its website.
The National Trust has not yet opened its properties in the Harrogate district, but slots to visit others around the country sold out quickly last week.
WATCH: Take a look at what might be Harrogate’s first community woodland
Majority ‘appalled’ at Dominic Cummings’ 500 mile lockdown tripA majority of residents in the Harrogate district have said they are “appalled” and “furious” at the behaviour of the Prime Minister’s chief adviser who made a 500 mile round trip to County Durham during lockdown to isolate.
Across social media and e-mails to The Stray Ferret, people have been reacting to the news. Though most objected to the adviser’s behaviour, some have defended Dominic Cummings’ actions and said those who want him to resign are doing so for political reasons.
Mr Cummings found himself in the middle of a political storm over the Bank Holiday Weekend over his decision, but he said he believed he acted reasonably and did not regret it.
Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly joined other backbenchers and called for Mr Cummings to resign, but there is still no word on whether Ripon MP, Julian Smith, has joined the call.
Neither MP has responded to The Stray Ferret’s request for a comment.
Harrogate MP, Andrew Jones, has reportedly called for Mr Cummings to step down. But Julian Smith, MP for Ripon, has yet to comment.
On social media, the majority of comments from the district’s residents revealed they were unimpressed with Mr Cummings and some have e-mailed their local MP to voice their concerns.
Racheal Bowen said on Facebook: “I am furious and emailed Andrew Jones yesterday to voice my opinion. Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives. Unless you are Dominic Cummings and then just do what you want and the NHS will pick up the pieces. Disgraceful behaviour from Cummings and all those in government who are supporting him.”
Susan Halliday said: “I am appalled at his arrogance. I have not seen my seven grandchildren for eight weeks and have followed the rules to the letter but now I’m not sure if I’ll pop and see them all and not feel guilty. I’m thinking the rest of the country may feel the same.”
No doubt Cummings should go. Don’t care if he resigns or is sacked, just as long as he goes.
— Marc Smith (@marcxsmith) May 25, 2020
But some have criticised the response to the story and said those who want Mr Cummings to step down are politically motivated.
Sue Stott said on Facebook: “I find it hard to comprehend the levels of hate that so-called respectable people are showing for this man & his family. What is this country turning into when all we can do is criticise and harass others.”
Cheryl Allan said: “I couldn’t care less. There are loads of people who have been out meeting other people and no one gives a damn. But if you’re in the public eye everyone goes mad about it.”
Most people wanting Cummings to be sacked are doing it for political reasons. #Gameplay
— Harrogate Stuff (@harrogate_stuff) May 25, 2020