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07
Oct
Harrogate swimming pool showroom set to open next spring
Plans to create a swimming pool showroom in Harrogate have been approved by North Yorkshire Council.
North Yorkshire Swimming Pools Ltd applied in July to convert the former Yorkshire Care Equipment site into a showroom.
The showroom is set to open next spring at Linkside House, Forest Lane Head, between Starbeck and Knaresbough.
The showroom will be operated by North Yorkshire Swimming Pools Limited, a franchisee of Desjoyaux Pools.
The new business is owned by James and Polly Metcalfe.
The company will sell Desjoyaux kits and equipment to install in-ground heated pools.
Desjoyaux Pools already has showrooms in the south of England, including, Essex, Kent, Surrey and Cambridgeshire. This will be their only partnership in the north of England.
Mr Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret that he was inspired to launch a swimming pool business after their rise in popularity since the covid pandemic.
He said:
We are looking forward to opening and always wanted to be in the Harrogate area. It is a very affluent area – it is probably the best place to open in the North. We also wanted a good roadside presence so took the opportunity when we saw the site listed for sale.
The showroom site and a Desjoyaux pool
Mr Metcalfe is currently a director of turf-growing business, Rollaturf, based near Darlington and “wanted to add another string to the bow”.
The couple live near York and have been searching for a suitable site near Harrogate for the past two years.
The showroom will be used for potential customers to visit and view a number of the pools that are available as well as purchase pool chemicals and accessories.
The company will offer pool building, installation and maintenance.
Mr Metcalfe said that each pool can be built into any shape or size within 18 days and will cost between £50,000 to £90,000.
He told the Stray Ferret that the site is set to undergo a £250,000 refurbishment and work will begin soon to renovate the interior of the unit.
There will also be two fully functional outdoor swimming pools built in the existing carpark for display purposes.
He said:
At the moment there aren’t many companies offering cost-effective pools in the north of England. We want to offer the opportunity to buy a pool that is more cost-effective and quick to install.
Mr Metcalfe added that there will be five jobs created initially and he predicts the showroom will open in February.
The plans state the showroom will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am-5pm and closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
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