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17
Aug
How Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road became an independent business hotspot
Cold Bath Road has been through many metamorphoses in its lifespan, but the latest may be its most exciting yet - a diverse melting pot of local, independent businesses.
In the 19th century, when Harrogate was at the height of its fame as a spa town, it was a connecting road between Sulphur Well at Low Harrogate and the eponymous Cold Bath in in the Pavilion Square/Beechwood Crescent area.
In the years since it has steadily increased its retail offering, now hosting over 30 different shops, cafes and bars along the half-mile stretch.
Few roads can boast to having a social media presence, but Cold Bath Road can count itself amongst that exclusive number – its Instagram account is a collaborative space, sharing snippets from each shop.
From Manna Bakery to Tilly Peppers, William and Victoria Wine Bar to Illingworth’s Hardware Store, some of Harrogate’s best-known institutions line the pavement.
So what’s in the (spa) water that makes Cold Bath Road such a hotspot for independent businesses? The Stray Ferret went to visit, and find out more.
'It’s nice being a business on a street that means something to me'
(Image: 17 Miles)
17 Miles will be reaching an important milestone this September – one year since it first began trading on Cold Bath Road.
Described by owner Matthew Gray as a ‘passion project’, the bar occupies the former Bias clothes shop, and specialises in Belgium craft ales, niche beers and cocktails.
An NHS consultant by day, Matthew is a Cold Bath Road resident himself and when the opportunity arose to start a business in the empty unit, he decided to take the plunge.
Inspiration for the bar’s name comes from his young son Miles, who was on hand to help the lengthy process of into transforming the space from retail unit to bar.
He explained:
Miles and I put a lot of graft in, he helped me paint the walls and we went to car boots to source lots of the furniture and fittings.
He really enjoyed it – I’d give him a bit of money and set him off to find some gems, so it was like a treasure hunt.
According to Matthew, the variety of businesses on Cold Bath Road offers residents and visitors alike an alternative to the bustle of the town centre. Many regulars have told him they have ‘no intention’ of heading further into Harrogate on a weekend, preferring to drink and dine in less congested area.
While there are several other independent bars along the road, Matthew believes they all bring something different, contributing to a well-rounded offering.
He added:
We want to contribute, rather than replicate what others are doing, there’s space for everybody to carve out their niche.
“I’m doing it for Miles and for the local area - it’s nice being a business on a street that means something to me.
'We have wonderful shops with real characters behind them'
By Tim Brown’s estimation, his fishing equipment and country clothing store Brown Trout is one of the longest-running businesses on the road.
After 22 years, he’s seen how the road has developed from ‘not having a great deal going on’ to a destination for leisure and retail.
Tim Brown, owner of Brown Trout
He believes one of the catalysts for this is the lower commercial rates, benefiting independent businesses who don’t have the financial cushion that larger corporations do.
He said:
Since I opened my business in 2002, the environment has changed. It’s so interesting to walk up the road on a Friday night now and experience the atmosphere.
The development of the surrounding streets has helped too – it’s a very desirable area to live.
People love independent stores, and we have wonderful shops with real characters behind them. Put all those factors together, and it’s a great big tick.
'We have to work harder to advertise ourselves, but people appreciate what we offer'
Directly opposite Brown Trout is HG Pets, owned by Jon Bradley.
Selling a vast range of pet-related products, as well as offering an onsite grooming service, the shop first opened in 2022, but lifelong Harrogate resident Jon had admired Cold Bath Road for much longer.
He explained:
I knew [Cold Bath Road] had its own community – before I opened my shop here I would regularly visit, and there’s always been a nice feel to it.
John Bradley, owner of HG Pets (image: Instagram/@HGPets1)
Falling outside of the Business Improvement District (BID) brings its own challenges, such as a lack of exposure, but Jon feels as though there are many positives too.
For him, while they may not benefit from the publicity and support the BID can offer, the number of indie shops is a key factor in driving footfall to the road, attracting tourists to venture further afield.
We have to work harder to advertise ourselves, but people appreciate what we offer.
People want to buy from independent retailers; I think there’s an understanding that some of these bigger companies don’t contribute greatly to the local economy. You get a different experience that you can’t get anywhere else by shopping local.
It might seem that with so many independently owned companies, competition for survival would be fierce, but according to Jon, that’s not the case.
He added:
We benefit from each other – I’m next door to Tilly Peppers which is dog-friendly, so I get customers from there popping in to mine afterwards. There’s room for everybody to grow and thrive.
'The diversity of the community helps us thrive'
Despite the drizzly weather, Cold Bath Deli is busy with the lunchtime rush; a mixture of regulars who are greeted by name, and day-trippers to Harrogate.
Jake Booth, the general manager, has been with the business since it was taken over by new owners three years ago.
The team at Cold Bath Deli
Formerly a more traditional delicatessen, it has since transitioned into a café and bistro, a move which has he has described as being ‘very popular’ with its customers.
Having relocted to Harrogate after living for a number of years in Leeds, Jake said what struck him about the town was the ratio of locally owned retailers compared to chains.
He commented:
I think it’s a big draw for people – it’s so nice to see visitors from all over the country making their way up here.
We're blessed with Valley Gardens close by, the school and the surrounding residential areas. The diversity of the community helps us thrive.
It’s nice to see the road growing and expanding over time – that can only be a positive thing. If there’s competition, it’s healthy, good competition that benefits the area as a whole.
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