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May 2022

Last Updated: 26/05/2022

Business

Rural property firm opens office in Boroughbridge

by Newsroom

| 27 May, 2022

A rural property firm opens an office employing 23 staff in Boroughbridge, and business groups install a third donation point for Street Aid in Harrogate.

gsc-grays-boroughbridge-business-breakfast

Rural property firm GSC Grays has opened a new office in Boroughbridge.

The High Street branch, which opened on Monday, is the company’s ninth office to open in the past 10 years.

It now employs over 100 people, mainly in the north of England. Twenty-three are based at the Boroughbridge branch, five of whom have been newly recruited.

A number of the farm and land management consultants are from the local area, and some members of staff grew up or live on farms.

Managing director Guy Coggrave said:

“This gives us exceptional expertise at a time when the farming industry is dealing with the impact of the Agricultural Transition Plan, the biggest change in agricultural policy in half a century."

GSC Grays specialises in land and farming, estate agency, planning and development, and environment and sustainability.

HSBC and Harrogate BID install third contactless donation point for Street Aid

A third contactless donation point for Street Aid has been installed by HSBC and Harrogate Business Improvement District in Harrogate town centre.

The ‘tap terminal’ encourages people to make donations to Street Aid, which supports people in Harrogate who have experienced homelessness.

The most recent donation point is in the Cambridge Street branch of HSBC, where donations from £3 to £20 can be made via a contactless payment.

Linda Lewis, senior network manager at HSBC, said:

“It’s our pleasure to be part of this scheme and house the third Street Aid terminal.

“Since its installation, I’ve seen a number of customers tapping it with either a card or a phone to make a donation.”

The scheme was launched in October 2019, after research was conducted by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Horizons.

Since then, the charity has raised over £20,000 through online donations and the three donation points.

The two other stations are in the Oxford Street M&S window and in Victoria shopping centre.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“We are delighted to throw our weight behind the Street Aid scheme, which helps those who are genuinely in need get back on their feet.

“We want Harrogate to be known as a friendly, caring, welcoming town.”

Money raised has been administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation to fund items for 28 individuals, ranging from fishing equipment, furniture, a gym membership, bikes and clothing.