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30
Dec 2023
Last Updated: 28/12/2023
What our business community is saying about 2024
Crystal ball: Annie Wilkinson Gill, owner of The Crystal Buddha in Knaresborough.
As 2023 winds down and we start to look to the year ahead, there are some things we can be fairly certain will come our way over the next 12 months.
North Yorkshire will go to the polls in May to elect its first ever Mayor, and there will probably be a General Election too. One has to be held by January 28, 2025, but sometime in 2024 – May or November, perhaps – seems far more likely.
The Bank of England expects inflation to continue to fall over the coming year, and so too will house prices, according to most forecasters.
Locally, though, individual people in business have their own forecasts – and hopes – for the year ahead. So we asked a cross-section of the district's business community what their aspirations and expectations are for 2024. From electric gritters to selling beer in Taiwan, here's what they had to say:
Katie and Paul Rawlinson – owners, Baltzersen's and Bakeri Baltzersen
"Small business owners have to be optimists by nature, so we'll enter 2024 full of determination to make it our best year yet."We'll invest further in making sure Baltzersen's can compete with a growing number of really great venues in Harrogate.
"We're also planning to raise our game in the bakery, Bakeri Baltzersen, with refinements and improvements planned across our whole range of bread and pastry, including a good number of new products and the launch of our first vegan range."
Photo: Matthew Lloyd.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill – owner, The Crystal Buddha, Knaresborough
"I'm very excited for what 2024 will bring for The Crystal Buddha."I have so many things planned for next year, including organising the Knaresborough Wellness Festival on March 24, which is a celebration of lots of lovely local holistic businesses, where anyone can come along and sample what they have to offer!
"We have talks and workshops, stalls and an opportunity to experience a sound bath or aura photography alongside some self-care and retail therapy."
Simon Eyles – managing director, Bettys
"As with the last few years, I am sure this next year will bring lots of uncertainty, challenge, and change. One thing that is for certain, Bettys will continue to focus on delighting every single customer."I’m expecting customers to be increasingly selective in where they spend their money, so we will ensure we provide a brilliant Bettys experience like no other.
"I’m also looking forward to some amazing new menu items and delicious new products from our craft bakery. Look out for those!"
Matthew Chapman – manager, Harrogate BID
"Looking ahead to 2024, as we launch the new objectives within our term 2 business plan of pride in our town, a vibrant town and voice and vision is looking as positive. Dates for events are set, promotional plans for our town taking shape and proactive Harrogate BID teams on the street likely to be expanded."Strategically, we would like to see the Government follow up on a policy announced in May 2022 on local leaders being given more power within long-term commercial vacant units.
“We are also keen to continue our positive collaboration with the local authority and future North Yorkshire Mayor as we head towards devolution that should provide more local powers, decision making and funding."
Zakaria Battal – owner, Kurdish Kitchen, Harrogate
"I think my business will carry on growing in 2024.
"It can be hard to get bookings, and when I do, there’s so much paperwork, but that’s actually good, as it makes me more experienced.
"It also makes it safer for people – I have a five-star food hygiene rating.
"My dream is to open a Kurdish Kitchen restaurant here in Harrogate, so hopefully I’ll get closer to doing that. I’m starting small and slowly getting bigger, one step at a time."
Sharon Canavar – chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals
"2024 will be the first year we have the Harrogate International Festivals team back up to full strength post-Covid, so I am looking forward to an amazing year of events and festivals. "We have our usual programmes with one or two very special events including a free light festival across Harrogate town centre, as well as the return of the Spiegeltent – so lots to celebrate.
"We know times are hard for everyone, so I hope that the range of work we do will touch everyone in some way, bringing a little joy or fun into their lives and the community which we serve."
Richard Bradbury – managing director, T&R Theakston
“At Theakstons, we expect to see continued growth for our major brands like the iconic Old Peculier and some of the new beers which have been going down incredibly well as increasing numbers of pubs and supermarkets choose to stock our beers. Although prices continue to increase, the fact that the rate of increase is much lower than 12 months ago gives us confidence that we can continue to keep our beers affordable for drinkers, wherever they’re purchased.
“As a business, our focus for 2024 will continue to place beer quality at the centre of everything we do. As a result, we are substantially growing our investment into the brewery to keep this at the heart of our business and honour our commitment to drinkers.
“Turning further afield, having re-entered the US market in 2023, we’ve been buoyed by the growing worldwide demand for our beers and are looking forward to building new distributor relationships in countries including Poland, Sweden and Taiwan.”
Lee Bellwood – co-owner, Major Tom’s Social
"Being an independent in the bar and restaurant trade is always challenging. With various terrible things happening around the world, I’m happy if we can keep our heads above water. We are in a fortunate situation compared to lots of others.
"At Major Tom's Social we are looking at extended opening hours and organising some more social educational events.
"Hopefully, Harrogate will still attract visitors and tourists even with its dwindling high-street presence."
Paula Lorimer – director, Harrogate Convention Centre
"Future forward bookings for the year ahead look promising and we are expecting to exceed driving £40 million of economic impact in 2024/25 to support businesses.
"I would like to thank businesses across the borough, especially the hotels and restaurants who support our clients and make event organisers and delegates feel so welcome in our spa town. If Harrogate Convention Centre is successful in making the business case for further investment, then the sky’s the limit to what we can achieve!”
Charlene Lyons – CEO, Black Sheep Brewery
"It goes without saying that 2023 has been a turbulent year, with inflated prices and the cost-of-living crisis impacting us and so many businesses across the Harrogate district. However, Black Sheep Brewery is still moving forwards and we’re hopeful for a much stronger 2024 with some positive changes coming soon. We remain committed to securing local employment as well as continuing to innovate and produce high-quality beers, brewed right here in Yorkshire.
"There have been many positive things that have happened at the brewery in recent months that have helped the team finish strongly for the year. This includes the opportunity to collaborate with and raise funds for Rugby legend Rob Burrow MBE with the launch of ‘Burrow’s Blonde’, a delicious new beer now on tap in your local pub that is already proving to be one our most popular brews.
"In 2024, we also plan on further cementing partnerships with pubs and retailers both across Yorkshire and the wider country, as well as supporting our local communities by renewing sponsorships with grassroots sports clubs such as Harrogate Town AFC."
Jonathan Lupton – managing director, Econ Engineering, Ripon
“This year has seen Econ continue to develop and demonstrate the UKs first ever fully electric gritter, the E-QCB, which is currently being used at various sites across the country. A major stride in the push for a more sustainable solution to our nation’s working fleet of vehicles, we look forward to working with councils and contractors in 2024, helping them to cut their emissions footprint.
“The E-QCB, which has a unique swap-body system allowing it to be used all-year round as a gritter, tipper and caged body vehicle, has already made quite an impact and is a major game-changer when it comes to the environmental impact of fleet operations up and down the UK. We hope 2024 will see us build on that initial success.”
Peter Lacey – joint managing director, Whole Systems Partnership; executive team member, Knaresborough & District Chamber
"During 2023, Knaresborough & District Chamber, along with other groups in the town, planted the seeds for what I hope will be a year in which we begin to realise the full potential of our fantastic town.
"Securing funds from North Yorkshire Council to explore exciting new ventures will enable us to find our voice for the benefit of businesses and the wider wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.
"The Whole Systems Partnership is in the business of helping the health and care systems across the country to deliver the best possible services for their local populations. For example, early in 2024 we’re looking forward to spreading our wings across the Pennines to help Lancashire County Council work more closely with the different NHS organisations in their area.
"The great thing about being in Knaresborough, however, if that the lessons we learn elsewhere can also be applied in our town, something we’ve supported through Covid and in our support to Knaresborough Connectors in their work to make the town an even better place to live, visit or work in."
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