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28
Jan
Starbeck set for international grocery store
An Asian grocery store is set to open in Starbeck.
GrociKo, which is taking over the Stonefall Avenue unit formerly occupied by Papa Johns, markets itself as an international grocery store with a “particular focus” on South Indian products.
North Yorkshire Council last week approved plans lodged by Magnus Innovations Ltd to display signs advertising GrociKo outside the unit.
It comes after the authority permitted an application to convert the ground floor of the former pizza takeaway site into a convenience store last November.
GrociKo told the Stray Ferret products from other Asian countries and African countries will also be available to buy, as well as household essentials, fresh foods, spices and alcohol.
“Our aim is to bring a wider selection of international grocery products to Harrogate, all in one convenient location, which we believe is currently limited in Harrogate”, the company added.
More visuals of the proposed GrociKo signage.
GrociKo also plans to launch a delivery service through an app, which would allow shoppers to order their groceries to be delivered to their front door.
The company said:
We can confirm that signage approval has now been granted, and work is currently underway at our Stonefall Avenue site. Fit out and stock preparation are ongoing and progressing as planned.
At this stage, we are aiming to open around mid-February, subject to the remaining works being completed as scheduled.
The former Papa Johns Starbeck. Pic: Mtaylor848 wikimedia commons
Planning history
Magnus Innovations Ltd, which is registered to an address in Sowerby near Thirsk on Companies House, was behind both applications for the convenience store.
The change of use application said the first and second floors of the Stonefall Avenue unit were understood to be vacant at the time but had most recently been used as residential flats.
However, the plans related solely to the conversion of the ground floor.
The council said the proposal received two objections, which raised concerns over the sale of alcohol and cigarettes potentially exacerbating anti-social behaviour and congestion on Stonefall Avenue.
The applicant defended its proposals and said the convenience store would both revive a vacant unit and boost local employment opportunities.
But both sets of plans were ultimately approved and a redundant unit will soon be brought back to life.
The site became vacant after Papa Johns announced in 2024 it would close 43 “low-performing branches” across the UK.
The company said the identified sites, which included Starbeck, were no longer financially viable.
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