This story is sponsored by City Plumbing.

A Harrogate plumbing store has recently celebrated its first anniversary – and recommitted to helping residents’ future-proof their homes with energy efficient alternatives.

City Plumbing operates a nationwide network of over 360 branches across the UK and Ireland, spanning the trade, home improvement and DIY markets.

Open to both trades companies and the general public, it stocks a wide product range of plumbing and heating essentials.

From boilers and copper tubing to a bathroom showroom and specific electrical parts from big-brand names, City Plumbing prides itself on supplying most products from its central distribution centre, cutting down on waiting times.

The Harrogate branch – based in Hookstone Park – first opened in 2023, and last month celebrated a successful year of trading.

City Plumbing’s Harrogate branch

‘Be bold, try new things, and create the future’

Not only has it made a name for itself locally as a one-stop shop for customers and tradespeople, but City Plumbing also strives to be at the forefront of greener forms of technology.

After all, a key ethos underpinning the business is ‘be bold, try new things, and create the future’ – and there are a number of services offered to deliver on this promise.

One such service is their in-house design and quote service for air source heat pumps and solar panels, which offers bespoke solutions tailored specifically to your household.

The team also lends their expertise to heat loss calculation – after consultation, they can work out on average how much a home is losing through energy inefficiency, and advise on ways to improve this.

City Plumbing’s bathroom showroom

There’s even a recently expanded range of renewable energy products on offer, including air source heat pumps, solar panels, and underfloor heating, further enhancing the business’ goal of being at the forefront of the latest innovations in the sector.

City Plumbing has previously worked with prominent local businesses such as Yorkshire Energy Systems and Tetley Renewables to supply the aforementioned technology to help them enhance their own renewable energy goals.

The friendly team at the Harrogate branch are always on-hand to answer any questions customers may have about how to start their greener energy journey, as well as tackling any other queries surrounding plumbing and heating.

Find out more:

City Plumbing Harrogate’s store is located at Unit 2B Hookstone Park, HG2 7DB. For more information, visit the website or call 01423 649808.

This advertorial is sponsored by Allertons

Allertons has built an incredible team of highly qualified stylists since opening in Harrogate just six weeks ago. The team is here to help people in Harrogate achieve their dream hair.

Allertons has just celebrated eight years in business and has two salons in Leeds, one in Nottingham and another in Harrogate.

The company’s owner Nicholas Nicola is hugely proud of everything his staff has achieved including being Leeds’ highest rated salon, with plenty of five star ratings on Google.

Nicholas lives in North Leeds and has always enjoyed visiting Harrogate. So when a unit became available on Montpellier Street he knew it would make the perfect addition to the Allertons family.

Following a £60,000 refurbishment the salon opened with a team of four and with further plans to transform the two upper floors the team is eager to continue building its reputation.

Lauren Wood, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“I specialise in most things including colour, extensions and blow-drying. A bit of an all-rounder.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“We get a lot of support from Nick and everyone in the team, there’s a lot of training opportunities too. We are also kept up-to-date on what is going on so there’s never any surprises.”

Who is your celebrity hair crush?

“Definitely Hailey Bieber, she’s just spot on every time and I love that sometimes she can surprise you.”

Jess Hewitt, hair stylist

What is your speciality?

“Definitely say I prefer colour, it’s a little bit more enjoyable transforming someone’s hair. I really like it when someone comes to me for a complete change in style.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“It’s the team, we all get on really well. It just feels good coming to work and getting on with everyone. Plus the simple things like being paid on time just makes the experience that bit better. We just all really support each other.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“It’s opened my eyes to new careers, so I’ve thought about going down the hair education route. All the courses we get sent on just help us develop into the stylist we want to be.”

How does a consultation work?

“Normally someone comes to us with a picture and we can talk through the process of getting to that point. Unfortunately there are times when the client’s hair type might not suit the hair they want but I’ll always give advice and other inspirations.

“I also want to make sure the client can maintain their hair, so if someone can’t make it to use every six weeks I wouldn’t suggest bleach blonde. It’s about making sure the client gets the hair they want without spending hours a day making it look fabulous.”

Francis Emechette, national educator

What is your speciality?

“Precision cutting and training.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“My position at Allertons allows me to utilise my skills and work on my passion whilst passing my experience on to the rest of the team.”

What is your favourite hair era? 

“An Eaton Crop wonderfully modelled by Charlize Theron and Tilda Swindon also there’s a style called Wolf Cut which gives more volume at the root and front of the head. Then celebrities like Billie Eilish have brought the Japanese Anime style back into the mainstream.”

Robyn Mackin, apprentice

What is your speciality?

“I’m really enjoying the colouring aspects of hairdressing, learning techniques and developing my skills. Especially highlighting hair.”

Why do you enjoy working for Allertons?

“I love the area where Allertons is, I’m from Harrogate so it’s really nice to work where I’ve grown up. Our clientele are lovely and always come in with smiles on their faces so it makes my job even more positive.”

How does Allertons enable you to give your best? 

“Allertons are so supportive with my training with in house training every week and they send me on courses to develop my skills regularly which enables me to reach my goals of becoming a really good hairdresser.”

The salon is currently offering up to three free appointments as part of its eighth anniversary celebrations. To find out more click here.

Allertons Harrogate has plans to expand to 15 staff once all the refurbishments are complete. The renovations are set to get underway by summer and will include beauty rooms offering facials, massage, manicures and pedicures.

The salon is currently looking to hire a full time salon manager and hair stylist and two part time hair stylists.

This article is sponsored by Ison Harrison Solicitors.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help give you and your family peace of mind should anything happen to your health later in life.

Ison Harrison Solicitors in Harrogate provides expert advice on how to set one up and is offering 20% on all LPAs for a limited time.

What Is A Lasting Power of Attorney & Why Do You Need One?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint one or more people whom you trust, together or separately, to act on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself.

One of the biggest motivators for organising an LPA is the possibility of losing mental and physical capacity later in life. With around 900,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK – and an expected increase to 1.6 million by 2040 – it’s important to put plans in place early on so your best interests are looked after by someone you trust.

If you do not have an LPA, it may be that an application has to be made to the courts for a deputy to be appointed and this is a complex, costly and time-consuming process.

What types of LPA are there?

There are 2 types of LPA:

• Health & Welfare
• Property & Financial Affairs

It is often advisable to set up a health and welfare LPA and a property and financial affairs LPA at the same time, as this ensures both elements are taken care of and gives you peace of mind for the future.

Once an LPA has been executed, it will last indefinitely.

What are the benefits of making an LPA?

Most importantly, you will be taking a prudent step towards safeguarding against future problems for your loved ones whilst also ensuring you have put plans in place for your future whilst you are of sound mind and health. None of us know what the future holds, and just like making a will is important, so too is making a Lasting Power of Attorney, yet the latter is often overlooked.

How long does the process take?

Typically, it can take up to 12 weeks to register an LPA. It is always advisable to get legal advice before proceeding with the process.

Ison Harrison Solicitors specialise in wills, probate and lasting power of attorneys.

Wills & Probate expert at Ison Harrison, Rebecca Austin, said:

“Few people realise that due to increasingly complex data protection legislation, no one else is usually allowed to deal with your assets and other matters, so making a Lasting Power of Attorney helps to protect you for the future.”

Save 20% on Lasting Powers of Attorney

During the month of May, Ison Harrison Solicitors is running a limited-time offer of 20% off all LPAs.

The firm has a branch at 6A Albert Street, Harrogate, HG1 1JG.

To take advantage of this offer, please email Rebecca.austin@isonharrison.co.uk or call 01943 889 084.

This article is sponsored by 53 Bo Grove.

When Kyrensa Bentley launched 53 Bo Grove in September last year, she wanted to create an independent bohemian destination for lovers of unique and quirky antiques in and around Harrogate.

Since then, the Aladdin’s cave of vintage, retro and antique delights has developed into a much-loved community space, complete with farm shop and cafe.

And now, collectors and creators in the Harrogate area have the opportunity to launch their own pop-up-shop within 53 Bo Grove.

The team is looking for artists, sewers, knitters, crafters and collectors of vintage clothes and toys to add to the bo-ho market, and is particularly keen to feature eco-friendly products and pre-loved items.

Kyrensa said:

“We feel that by having a collective of sellers, we can offer not just a wide range of products, but a community space for people to visit. Because visitors can get so many different things in one place, you never know exactly what you’re going to find or see.

Although crafters and collectors often sell their products online, I think people are missing visiting physical shops, and with our farm shop, café and collection of different sellers, 53 Bo Grove is a social and tactile experience – it’s underrated how much having a physical space is part of being a retailer.”

Kyrensa and the team look after all of the pop-up-shops, so collectors and makers can continue to collect and make without needing to attend to their shop in person – and the affordable rent and community spirit make 53 Bo Grove the perfect place to transition from online-seller to physical retailer.

To find out more or to book your own pop-up shop, email 53bogrove@gmail.com or call 07957 364962 Monday to Friday.

Read More: 

• Help give homeless and elderly people free Christmas hampers
• Harrogate’s community woodland starts to take shape

Camilla Davies started up Skin SOS in November last year with a vision of providing ‘complete relaxation and rejuvenation along with some fantastic results-driven treatments for people in Harrogate.

She has years of experience in both clinical settings and spas and has worked all over the world, including in Perth, Western Australia where she developed a great deal of her expertise. Camilla focuses on treatments that offer both ‘holistic well being and fast results’ and has partnered up with two brands ‘Comfort Zone’ and ‘Dermaquest’ as she feels they tick both boxes.

Pre-lockdown, Camilla invited me down to her salon, a relaxing haven, with basement treatment rooms tucked away on Cold Bath Road. She explained her ethos and talked me through the products she uses and why.  What was absolutely clear, is the belief that she has in the brands she uses. Camilla is a font of skincare knowledge and I felt in totally safe hands.

Whilst lockdown means Camilla is unable to do her usual hands-on ‘hormone ageing facial’ or ‘body active massage,’ she has a lot the same products that she uses in her treatments available to buy within her Christmas selection, with lockdown-friendly options of click and collect or delivery (for free to a Harrogate postcode.) So you can treat your self or someone else to a Christmas beauty set that not only looks amazing but is a total game-changer for your skin. It also means your supporting a local business… which is really important right now.

The Christmas gifts were on display in her treatment room felt and smelt just like Christmas. Here are just a few of the most perfect pressies on offer. You just need to get in touch with Skin SOS via Facebook, Instagram or the website to order:

Dermaquest essential mini cleanser- Packaged to look like a beautiful bauble for your tree! This ph balancing cleanser is great for all skin types for daily use, with papaya and pineapple eating away at dead skin cells to leave your skin glowing.

Price- £15 

Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes- The Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes Kit contains a hyaluronic acid eye gel that provides relief to tired, puffy eyes. The high-definition lengthening mascara extends the lashes for more volume.

Price – £25, eye gel sold separately is £33 so a fabulous deal! 

Comfort Zone Remedy kit- A winter essential for everyone. The mixture of cold weather and having the heating on at home is a recipe for dry skin, so these products are perfect gifts to keep your skin hydrated. The professional, fragrance-free solution for sensitive and redness-prone skin. The intensive serum with soothing, fortifying actions is ideal for reinforcing the skin’s complete defence. The soothing cream, with a barrier-effect texture, nourishes and calms even the driest and most delicate skin. Price – £75 – products sold separately would have been £120. £45 saving with this Christmas kit.

You can also buy a voucher for a Signature Facial, perfect as a Christmas gift. Usually £50, buy one for just £25 here. 

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover, please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.