A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. This month, I’ve chosen a small selection from Harrogate’s home wares specialists that I hope you’ll like. From the chains to the independents, from budget to bijou there are plenty of purchases to tempt you in town.
The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.
POCKET BLUETOOTH SPEAKER, The Luxe Company, 20 West Park. £49.99
Editor’s choice: “It’s quite retro and very stylish. This is a great shop for gifts – and there’s a lot in the store that’s very reasonably priced as well as high end treat purchases.”
The boss, as ever, is right. I also spotted a lovely water carafe and glass (24.99) and an elegant range of white ribbed ceramics (£20 for a dinner plate) that won’t break the bank. In the back of the store there’s a beautiful selection of night and beach wear, plus some fancy (but still very tasteful) cashmere lounge gear that will break the bank. But that’s what shops like this are for, once in a while. Luxe started out online-only, but they’re convinced the high street has a future and customers like looking and touching in a shop like this – so they opened their flagship store a couple of years ago. I’m glad they did.
Naturally hand crafted, the speaker comes in bamboo, walnut and cherry wood. Handy for use around the house, for travelling of course, and for all the outdoor socialising to come this summer…
HOME OFFICE STORAGE, Paperchase, 40 St James St. From £6.
Working from home looks set to stay for many of us, at least for the forseeable future.
So if you’re operating a study/office in the spare bedroom this ‘Kraft’ range from Paperchase offers a tasteful (and affordable) way to keep the place organised.
There are boxes, box files, expanding files and concertina wallets, and they come in black, too.
PICQUOT WARE TEA AND COFFEE SET, Space, The Ginnel. £68
Not all covetable design is Scandi you know: this quintessential mid century must-have is English and dates from 1947. Picquot ware was manufactured in a metal works that had made aircraft parts during the second world war and is made from a special aluminium alloy, ‘Magnailliuman’, that polishes up beautifully whilst retaining its vintage patina. The handles are sycamore. Space has a really good range of mid century furniture (besides vintage clothes, bric a brac and great jewellery): I also spotted a nest of teak tables in perfect condition for £95 and a telephone table with integrated padded seat (remember them?) for £170.
I already have one of these Picquot sets and can vouch for its non-drip pouring, so at a very fair price, this one is yours for the taking.
QUEEN BEE VELVET CUSHION, Woods, 65/69 Station Parade £220
I know I know, it’s very expensive, so not for everyone and not an everyday purchase. A focal point to a room maybe. But it is really nice – what more can I say?
Woods of Harrogate is a five-generation family business that first opened as a fine linen store in Harrogate at the end of the 19th century, so its clearly getting something very right. It’s since broadened its offer which now spans bathroom accessories, home fragrance, even children’s toys. And they’ll do your interior design, too.
RE-USABLE SANDWICH BAGS, Lakeland, 48 St James St. £9.99 for a pack of 8.
Definitely an everyday item, I was very happy to come across these. Lots of people will be used to shopping from Lakeland online, but for those really committed gadget-inclined shoppers amongst us, nothing satisfies like a find you make when you have a real life root round a shop.
These re-usable sandwich bags are freezer and dishwasher safe, and they’re free of all the bad stuff you’d get in lots of plastics: BPA, PVC, phthalates and latex. There’s a snack size, too. Next I’m tempted to a flan tin with a detachable perforated base – the way to finally prevent a soggy bottom? (£11.99 and wondrously named ‘PerfoBake’)
DINNER SET, ProCook, 7-11 Princes Street.
Everything for the serious cook is to be had here: from top of the range knives to a bean slicer you never knew you needed.
This ‘Oslo’ stoneware dinner set is £129 for 16 pieces. It’s substantial yet still stylish and the grey will work well in lots of contemporary kitchens. There are some elegant white bone china sets too, including the ‘Harrogate’ range which will have you overflowing with civic pride. Plus, the staff at ProCook are really helpful: I bought a heavy cast iron casserole as a gift, and, since they didn’t have the colour I wanted in store, they ordered it from the warehouse and delivered it direct to my friend, for free.
Another triumph for Harrogate as it delivers, yet again, for your committed consumer champion.
