It has undoubtedly been a tough year for businesses across the Harrogate district as the effects of the pandemic have continued to be felt.
There have been a number of closures over the year. However, 2021 has also seen some businesses buck the trend, with new shops opening in the district.
Here is a look back at some of the notable business closures and launches in the last year.
Debenhams, Harrogate
For generations, the Debenhams building on Parliament Street has been one of the major retail landmarks in Harrogate.
But sadly at the start of 2021, as the country was in the grip of a third lockdown, the retail giant announced the town’s branch would not be reopening.
The site had been a retail unit on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.
The building has stood empty ever since its closure.
However, in December the Stray Ferret revealed that developers have submitted plans to demolish it and build 50 apartments on the site, along with two commercial units.
Aldi, Knaresborough
Knaresborough Aldi
A new Aldi supermarket opened its doors to customers in Knaresborough on January 28.
The 8,000 square metre site was built on Swallowtail Way, near the Manse Farm housing development on York Road, after plans were approved in May 2020.
Solita Food Hall, Harrogate
Solita Food Hall
Harrogate’s first food hall opened its doors in May with an aim to serve up a range of different cuisines under one roof.
Solita Food Hall, on Parliament Street, was located in the former Jamie’s Italian building and was set over two floors, including a rooftop terrace.
Under the Shoot the Bull brand, it housed Rupert’s Coffee House, Rotisserie & Grill, Solita Wagyu Burger, Slice Me Nicely Pizza, Cure & Pour Wines and Solita Fish Bar.
However, it wasn’t around for long, closing after just six months in November.
Tomahawk Steakhouse, which had been planning to move into the empty Bistrot Pierre restaurant on Cheltenham Parade, is now planning to move into the large building.
Cut by Farmison & Co, Ripon
Farmison & Co’s boutique butcher shop, Cut
Cut, online butcher Farmison & Co’s first physical shop, opened at the company’s Bondgate Green head office in Ripon in July.
The boutique butcher’s is aimed at showcasing “the crown jewels” of Yorkshire heritage breed meat and allows customers to select from the online range and collect within an hour of placing an order.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to get monthly artisan markets
- Royal Baths Chinese restaurant reveals plans to re-open
Fi:k, Harrogate and Knaresborough
Vicky Somerville and Luke Morland of Fi:k outside the new café in Harrogate
A Swedish-inspired coffee shop opened its doors in Harrogate in August with ambitious £780,000 plans to roll out the concept across Yorkshire.
Fi:k has renovated 1 Montpellier Gardens, which used to be the home of furniture business Covet.
In December it opened a café on Knaresborough Market Place.
Hotel Chocolat
Queues at the launch of the new Hotel Chocolat store
Queues formed on James Street for the opening of the new, relocated Hotel Chocolat store. Around 30 people waited for the store to open on October 22, with staff serving hot chocolate to them whilst they waited.
The new store is almost opposite the old one, but is larger with a café that can seat 30 people at the back of the shop. The chocolate chain has seen rapid growth in recent years and the new store has had up to 15 staff in the run up to Christmas — double the number of the previous store.
Crimple, Harrogate
Crimple Food Hall
Harrogate’s huge new £6m food hall in Pannal, which overlooks the Crimple Valley, opened its doors in November.
The 48,000 sq ft building, which is simply called Crimple, includes a butchery counter, an in-house bakery and patisserie, a floristry and a 160-seat restaurant.
Crimple has been owned by Graham Watson since 2013. With a personal investment of £4m for the construction, plus £2m for the fit-out, the business-owner created the town’s latest foodie destination in a bid to showcase all the amazing produce the district has to offer.
Previous visitors to Crimple Valley will remember the former antiques centre at the site. This has been completely knocked down and the food hall and restaurant has been built in its place. The garden centre remains and the existing restaurant and terrace has become an events space.
Fattorini, Harrogate
Harrogate’s oldest independent shop, A. Fattorini the Jeweller announced it will close after 190 years of trading
Thought to be the oldest independent jeweller in Harrogate, A. Fattorini, has been located on Parliament Street since 1884.
The announced closure of the Harrogate institution was marked by a closing down sale, which saw people queuing down the street.
It is set to close on January 8, 2022.
63rd+1st, Harrogate
The Manhattan-style cocktail bar at 63rd+1st
Harrogate’s answer to a Manhattan cocktail bar opened its doors in November, with the launch of 63rd+1st.
Decked out in trendy dark blue and gold, and featuring lots of greenery, the restaurant, lounge and bar on Albert Street is aimed at customers who might just want a nibble and a drink after work or a meal out with friends.
The venue was developed by Hostmore PLC, which also includes TGI Fridays as part of its portfolio.
Harrogate’s branch was the third to open in the UK, behind Surrey in May and Glasgow in September.
53 Bo Grove, Harrogate
Kyrensa Bentley when she opened a pancake shack (left) with a general view of 53 Bo Grove
Bohemian Harrogate cafe, antiques and garden centre 53 Bo Grove, on Grove Road, just off Kings Road, closed in December, after more than two years of business.
The business became a vital hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by staying open at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.
Owner Kyrensa Bentley attempted to improve business by opening a pancake shack and a farm shop on site.
Ms Bentley, who opened the business in September 2019, told the Stray Ferret she made the decision to close after struggling on a number of fronts, including the difficult location and the impact of the pandemic.
She will continue to operate Bo Grove at Oxford Street, which opened in November 2020.
