Our new website, app and subscription: your questions answered

Last updated May 9, 2024

When will the transition to the new website and app happen?

We will be launching the new website and app towards the end of May.

Will I have to do anything to access the Stray Ferret after that time?

No. The new website’s URL is identical to the old version – so you’ll be able to access it the same way that you’ve always done.

The app will update automatically. If it doesn’t, you will need to update it in the Apple App store.

What’s different about the new website and app?

Both the new site and the app will be easier to navigate, with a more reader-friendly layout. Our aim is to make it easier to find different types of content.

We’ve also introduced highly requested features, more in-depth news articles, images you can expand, notifications, subscribers will have the ability to comment underneath articles and an expanded lifestyle section.

There will also be an improved community What’s On section that will allow local groups to post upcoming events for free.

When will the subscription model begin?

Subscription will be launched on Monday July 1 after the new website and app have been introduced.

This is to make sure the new site doesn’t have any technical issues and to give readers the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new layout and see what’s on offer.

How much is a subscription?

The Stray Ferret subscription is £4.99 a month, or you can pay a one-off amount of £49.99 for the year – which works out at less than one pound a week.

What are the benefits of subscribing?

We produce more local news than any other publication or radio station in the Harrogate area. We are committed to being first with breaking news, reporting in-depth about local issues and being a voice for the local community.

By subscribing to the Stray Ferret you will be able to read all our content and be fully informed of what is happening around you.

Subscription will also give you access to features that celebrate the area and its residents, delve into its history and give you ideas about what to do in your spare time.

Join the debate.

Only subscribers will be able to join local debate and comment on our website about the stories we publish. The comments section will be a safe space to post views about issues and features.

Exclusive discounts

There will also be fantastic, exclusive discounts just for subscribers.

In partnership with many local businesses, we’re offering discounts on products, experiences and services that won’t be found anywhere else.

Subscribers will be able to access new offers throughout the year.

Our aim is you’ll love the content and use the discounts to support local businesses and help cover your subscription.

What can I access if I don’t subscribe?

The vast majority of our news and features will be for subscribers only.

A small number of daily news stories will be free for everyone to read. By doing this we aim to show non-subscribers the quality of our journalism and encourage them to subscribe.

Some breaking news will be free. This is because we will judge the information as being clearly in the wider public’s interest to know – an example might be a serious police incident, accident or where there is risk to life- such as flooding.

Access to the homepage of our website and app will be free. The What’s On section, competitions, voucher deals, community events and commercially paid for content will also be available to everyone.

Whilst our aim will be for readers to enjoy what’s free to read, we hope, when you see the stories and the discounts that only subscribers will benefit from, it will encourage you to subscribe.

Will my subscription automatically renew?

All subscriptions will renew automatically, unless cancelled. If you’re paying monthly your subscription will automatically renew each month, from the date purchased.

If you’ve bought the yearly package, this will also be renewed from the date purchased.

Can I cancel at any time?

Yes, you can cancel anytime.

If you’re paying monthly, you can cancel at any time. There is no refund within the month you cancel. Payment will not be taken the following month.

If you’ve bought a yearly subscription up front, you can cancel, but you won’t be eligible for a refund. You will cease to be able to access the content at the end of your year’s term.

What payment methods can I use?

There are many payment options available, to make it as easy as possible to access The Stray Ferret.

This includes direct debit, credit card, PayPal, and both Apple and Google Pay. If you want to discuss payment, you can contact us on [email protected] or call us on 01423 276224.

Alternatively, you can visit us at our offices on 5 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, HG1 1PE and we can help you will payment.

How will the payments appear on my debit or credit card statement?

The payments will appear on your bank statements as The Stray Ferret Ltd. Occasionally, this may appear as Stripe – that is only due to the company name not pulling through properly.

Will there still be adverts?

Yes, but as before, we will always make sure our adverts are not intrusive.

Unlike other news services that cover their pages in pop-up ads, detracting from the story, we ensure that delivering local journalism remains the priority.

All our adverts are for local businesses which we believe helps them access new customers and raises their profile, helping the local economy.

Why is there a subscription model in place?

The Stray Ferret is fiercely passionate about providing brilliant journalism to the communities of Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham.

Advertising revenue hasn’t been enough to cover our costs and keep the quality of the content we produce. We did not want to cut down the amount or quality of the news and features we produce. We have so much feedback that readers value the quality of what we do, above anything else.

We’ve tried to keep the cost of subscription as low as possible. By offering exclusive discounts with local businesses, readers can off-set the cost of subscribing.

Choosing to subscribe is an investment in local journalism and ensures we can keep doing what we do best – holding power to account, highlighting issues in the community, and championing everything that makes this area so fantastic.