Harrogate-based law firm Haddletons has announced a merger with Leeds firm SCE Solicitors.

SCE provides specialist employment, HR support and health and safety services.

The merger is expected to provide the enlarged firm with the opportunity to bolster the range of services it offers to clients.

The company will trade under the name of Haddletons

The merger is expected to provide the enlarged firm with the opportunity to grow, strengthen and further develop the range of services offered to clients.

James Haddleton, chief executive of Haddletons, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Samira and the SCE team into the Haddletons family.

“At both SCE and Haddletons we know our clients well and we know what we want to offer them. For that reason, the tie-up is a strategic and mutually beneficial move for both our firms’ clients, bringing them excellent practical support borne of decades of experience. We can’t wait to get going with our extended team.”

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Harrogate business group celebrates 125th birthday

More than 100 business people attended the 125th birthday celebration for Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce last night.

The event, which was held at Roosters taproom at Hornbeam Park, included the presentation of several awards, including the President’s Cup, which was given to Robert Ogden (pictured above) of jewellers Ogden of Harrogate for services to the town.

The chamber’s 125 birthday was actually last year but the celebration was postponed for 12 months due to covid.

Harrogate charity calls for new trustees 

Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire is seeking new trustees to join its board after a number retired.

The charity, based on Hornbeam Park, is keen to attract those who themselves are disabled, or who have other personal experience of disability.

Business people with professional skills are particularly well suited to the voluntary roles. Disability Action Yorkshire is particularly in need of people with skills in digital and IT, investment management, law, HR, marketing and business development.

The organisation recently received planning permission to replace its residential care home on Claro Road with 36 apartments, which will give disabled people the chance to live independently whilst having support staff nearby 24/7.

Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire chief executive, said:

“We are a long established, Harrogate-based charity which believes that disabled people should have exactly the same access, rights and services as everyone else. In order to further this, we provide a number of practical solutions and services which include personal assistance, support in employment and access advice.

“We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, and whether you are an experienced trustee or looking for your first post at board level, we would love to hear from you.”

To find out more, click here. Applications close on May 31.

New head starts at Harrogate independent school

A new headteacher started this week at Ashville Prep School, an independent school in Harrogate that caters for pupils aged five to 11.

Asa Firth took on the role after 14 years teaching at schools in the United Arab Emirates, including 12 years at Dubai’s top independent school.

Mr Firth said there would be a new approach to learning from September and his top priority now was to speak to every parent and pupil about their views of the school to help determine the direction of the school going forward.

He said:

“Ashville Prep School is a fantastic school and I want to make it even better. I’m delighted to be its new head, and starting now means I have a whole term to get to know the school inside out before the beginning of the new academic year.”

He also said he wanted to “reintroduce Ashville Prep School back to the wider community” and focus on its “really strong” music, sport and performance departments to set the school apart from others locally.

Mr Firth with pupils from years four, five and six

Two appointments at Roecliffe pub

A new chef and general manager have been appointed at the Crown Inn in Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge.

The 16th century coaching inn was bought by the Coastal and Country Inns Group in September 2020 and was subsequently refurbished.

The group has hired chef Paul Murphy, who previously helped to establish the Timble Inn near Otley into a five-star hotel. He also worked with fellow chef Frances Atkins at the Michelin-starred Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge.

Paul Bennington will also join the team as general manager.

Mr Binnington, who first teamed up with Paul Murphy at the Station Inn in Birstwith, previously ran the Black Lion in Thirsk.

Chris Hannon, managing director of Coastal and Country Inns, said:

“These two appointments are crucially important for the future of the Crown. The two Pauls, who are both very experienced and very talented, are a true dream team. They work brilliantly together.”

Harrogate’s Duchy Hospital sends medical supplies to Ukraine

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has worked alongside a UK-based Ukrainian Doctor to deliver more than 110 tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine.

Working with the Ukrainian doctors’ union and the British Red Cross, the Duchy Hospital has identified the supplies needed by war-hit hospitals.

The Duchy Hospital is one of 53 Circle Health Group hospitals that has stockpiled supplies such as ventilators, crutches, respiratory masks, scrubs, wound kits and operating tables for Ukrainian hospitals.

The latest delivery contained £185,500 of medical equipment loaded on 35 pallets.

Staff and doctors at Duchy Hospital have raised additional funds with a bake sale, food collection and a 12-hour continuous cycle, which have raised more than £2,000.

Harrogate-based marketing agency to represent Henry vacuum brand

Harrogate digital marketing agency Extreme has won a contract to handle marketing for the Henry vacuum brand.

The Henry brand, which is known for colourful vacuums with faces, is manufactured by Numatic International.

The Harrogate team will focus on search engine optimisation, pay per click and paid social advertising.

James Brunyard, client services director at Extreme said:

“We’re really excited to have the chance to work with such a legendary brand. Henry is an icon and one we’re all familiar with, so our team is revelling in the opportunity to help get these products in front of new audiences in a variety of creative ways.”

Extreme has worked with other well-known brands, such as Nisa and Black Sheep Brewery.

Harrogate Borough Council supports free Federation of Small Businesses membership

Harrogate Borough Council is giving 200 businesses the opportunity to have a fully-funded membership to the Federation of Small Businesses.

The offer is available to those who are self-employed, as well as to micro and small businesses with up to 250 employees in the Harrogate district.

FSB members gain access to a range of services, including legal help, advice on cyber protection, free banking and help to access funding.

This is another scheme funded by the government’s covid business recovery funding. Last week, the council announced it was supporting free memberships to the Institute of Directors for all small and medium sized businesses in the Harrogate district.

Trevor Watson, the council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“FSB membership will offer up to 200 businesses with employment advice and protection and one-to-one legal advice, and a wide range of benefits from the FSB, which should help speed their recovery from the crisis.”

Carolyn Frank, development manager York & North Yorkshire, FSB, said:

“We are seeing more demand than ever for our services as small businesses and the self-employed find themselves needing advice and guidance, financial support and a powerful collective voice with government.

“We are very grateful to Harrogate Borough Council for their support, they have rightly identified the importance of the smallest businesses to the local economy and we look forward to supporting these businesses by welcoming them to the FSB.”

Business who are not already members of the FSB can apply via email by contacting Nick.Bradley@fsb.org.uk with the reference ‘HBC’. They will be then be contacted by a membership advisor who will help them unlock the funding and sign them up to start using the benefits.

Plans to increase outdoor dining space at West Park Hotel

Outdoor dining areas could be created in front of shops along West Park if plans by West Park Hotel are approved.

The owners of the hotel and restaurant have applied to place six tables and 19 chairs in front of 17a and 18 West Park, where Moda in Pelle and Georgie’s trade.

The furniture would only be used outside the shops’ opening hours, no later than 10pm, and would be in addition to the furniture already outside West Park Hotel itself.

As part of the application, the owners said:

“The outside dining does create a pleasant ambience and enhance the attractiveness of the street, thereby making a positive contribution to the vitality and vibrancy of the area…

“The portable barriers will prevent encroachment into this pedestrian space.

“The facilities for pedestrians are maintained. Additional outside dining serviced by the West Park Hotel will help meet the increased demand from customers concerned about, or with vulnerability to, Covid 19. Allowing access for all to outside dining in an attractive and serviced location.”

Full details of the proposal can be found via Harrogate Borough Council’s planning website, using reference 22/01593/FUL.

Director leaves accountancy firm to pursue financial coaching role

The founder of a Harrogate accountancy firm is stepping down in order to take on a new challenge.

Teresa Hitchens, pictured left, who founded CCF Accountancy in 2010, will be turning her hand to financial coaching, after building up her own company for more than a decade.

She said:

“This is all about helping people get their business and personal finances in order and using this as the base to help them get to the position they want to be in their business, either working smarter, working less, or exiting and doing something completely different.”

CCF Accountancy will continue trading under the direction of co-owner and operations director Kelly Chadwick, pictured right, and Andy Lock.

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Knaresborough car finance company shortlisted for four awards

Oracle Car Finance, based in Knaresborough, has been shortlisted at the Car Finance Awards.

The prestige, sports and classic car company has been shortlisted in the following categories:

• Best Car Finance Company to Work For
• Customer Service Excellence
• Rising Star
• Best Specialist Car Finance Provider

Peter Brook, managing director, says:

“Having been voted best specialist car finance provider in 2020 and 2021 we are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for a third year running.”

Fran Irvine celebrates 25 years at Harrogate Ladies College 

Fran Irvine started at Harrogate Ladies’ College in 1997 as a PE teacher.

Since then she has been promoted to assistant head and has now celebrated 25 years at the independent school.

Talking about her time at the school, Ms Irvine said:

“I’ve stayed at Harrogate Ladies’ College for such a long time because the teaching is so rewarding, and there’s such variety in the job — both coaching many different sports and abilities, and taking care of the Middle School pupils in her care, academically and pastorally.

“I love seeing the pupils progress from Year 7 all the way through to upper sixth when they are ready to leave and embark on the next part of their journey.”

Fran Irvine

Businesses in Yorkshire’s tourism industry are being invited to an online event to ask them what they want from a new tourism organisation.

In March the troubled tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire went into administration as council leaders withdrew funding for it.

The Yorkshire Leaders Board, which is made up of local authority leaders, says there now needs to be a new approach to marketing the county. It plans to set up a new organisation to replace WTY and will meet in May to agree a timeline for its creation.

In a statement on the new website Yorkshire Tourism it said:

“We would like to ensure that Yorkshire’s tourism and hospitality businesses, and local destination managers are involved in the development of this organisation. We believe in the power of collaboration and open communication, and look forward to creating a more positive future for the Yorkshire tourism industry.”

If you want to be part of the free Zoom discussion contact Yorkshire Tourism here. 

Property firm, Artium Group, launches in Harrogate

A new Harrogate firm specialising in property development, investment, construction, and asset management is to launch.

Artium Group is headed by property developer Thomas Shotton and chartered surveyor Sam Colley, owner of Ousebank Consultancy.

The firm will have three subsidiaries; Artium Investments, Artium Construction and Artium Asset Management.

The pair have already secured projects totalling almost £30m in gross development value including two high-end residential conversion schemes, a leisure conversion with a rooftop in Harrogate and a residential new build scheme in York.

Mr Colley said:

“We are thrilled to announce the establishment of Artium Group.

“Operating initially in Yorkshire and the Humber, we are positive about the prospect of owning and operating a portfolio, focussing on occupiers and their requirements which drive quality throughout and give our investors added confidence.”

Bakery site Bakeri Baltzersen has begun a £250k expansion project.

The site, in Kettlesing, supplies the company’s sister brands in Harrogate town centre, as well as other, wholesale partners.

The project will involve knocking through to a unit at Springfield Business Park, which will then create triple the floorspace of the bakery.

It will be part-financed by a £20,000 grant from the Product and Process Innovation Fund, a European funding programme. Harrogate Borough Council has also provided a grant of £27,390.

Along with it, more jobs will be created, with a particular demand for trainee bakers, packers and drivers.

Paul Rawlinson, co-director of Baltzersen’s and Bakeri Baltzersen, said:

“We are proud to be a part of the Harrogate community. We want to grow our range of products to offer a wider selection, work with more wholesale partners across Yorkshire as we fly the flag for our town, and create new jobs, training and career opportunities for local people.”

The work is expected to be completed in June.

Harrogate woman semi-finalist of Florist of the Year

Helen Pannitt, owner of Helen James Flowers

A Harrogate florist is celebrating making it to the semi-final of the Florist of the Year competition run by Interflora.

Helen Pannitt, who owns and runs Helen James Flowers in Harrogate, has been a florist for 37 years. She has previously won a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For the competition, she created a hand-tied bouquet, under the theme ‘Inspired by Nature.’

The winner will go on to represent Great Britain and Ireland at the Interflora World Cup in September 2023.

Helen Pannitt, owner of Helen James Flowers, said:

“I simply love competitive floristry and with the curtailment of competitions over the last couple of years due to COVID, it’s great to have something to get the competitive juices flowing again.”

The finals will see participants creating floral designs on the theme of ‘growing together,’ with a final unknown topic that will be revealed on the day.

The winner of the competition will be announced on Sunday 24 April.

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Artizan café, which opened on Cambridge Road late last year, is set to expand to an upper floor.

The floor was initially used for offices and storage space. Due to increased demand, it will now be opened up to the public as an extended café area.

Artizan International was founded by Suzie Hart MBE in 2013.

Ms. Hart will be behind the design of the second floor, which will include the same tiles, mosaics and artisan textures on the ground floor.

The café was introduced to help people with disabilities learn hospitality skills and get into the job market.

Anna Maria Wilson, part-time manager at Artizan café, said:

“It was always in the plan. We are definitely doing it sooner than was anticipated because there was that increased demand.

“We have been so busy, that we needed the extra space. It is beautiful up there, and we aim for it to be more of a tranquil and relaxed area for people to enjoy.”

Although the official date is not yet known, the second floor should be open in a couple of weeks for customers to enjoy.

Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

Specsavers Harrogate is joining the Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service (CUES) scheme

Specsavers Harrogate has announced that it will be joining the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service programme.

Those with urgent eye health issues can visit the store for treatment under the CUES scheme.

The service was launched to reduce pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients with urgent eye issues and in need of treatment will now be able to visit Specsavers Harrogate to have vision checks, which will be covered free-of-charge by the NHS.

Robert May, optometrist director at Specsavers Harrogate, said:

“The Cues scheme has been set up as we have the expertise and equipment in-store to deal with a range of eye-related emergencies.

“We’re seeing around one hundred customers every week through the scheme, which is definitely taking the pressure off the NHS’ services and waiting times.”

You can find out more about the CUES scheme here.

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APS, which runs a national electric vehicle charger repair and maintenance service in Harrogate, has partnered with Harrogate College to set up a training and recruitment programme.

Harrogate College will be introducing the new course to help the borough transition to electric cars.

Principal Danny Wild of Harrogate College said:

“We are determined to support emerging green technologies and have been working closely with local firms so we can provide the appropriately skilled, work-ready students they need.

“The electric vehicle sector is a rapidly growing one that represents a fantastic opportunity for both our students and local businesses.”

Despite having more electric vehicles than any other district in North Yorkshire, the Stray Ferret recently reported how Harrogate is one of the ‘worst prepared areas in the UK’ for transitioning to electric vehicles.

It was estimated that the borough had just one charging point for every 134 electric or hybrid cars.

However, APS Business Development Manager, John Dyson, defended the situation.

He said:

“It is ironic that Harrogate has been criticised so strongly for a lack of action over installing electric vehicle chargers when there actually is so much going on behind the scenes.

“Recent announcements by Transdev, that all Harrogate buses are to be electrified, and Harrogate Borough Council, which is to install 34 charge points in local car parks, gives a taste of just what is on its way.”

The level 3 award in the Installation and Commissioning of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment will start in September at Harrogate College.

Linley & Simpson fundraise for children’s hospice

In training (from left) Callum Collbeck, Pawel Ziemak, Freddie Purdy, Adam Hughes and Josh Boocock

Linley & Simpson will start a year of fund-raising challenges in support of Martin’s House Children’s Hospice.

The estate agent, which has branches in Ripon and Wetherby, is marking its 25^th anniversary by aiming to raise £25,000 for Martin House, based at Boston Spa.

The team has previously managed to raise £100,000 in support of the charity.

As part of the fundraise, they will abseil 50ft down the Cow and Calf rocks at Ilkley Moor. The following week, 40 colleagues will also face a 12k course of mud, ice and obstacles.

Emily Wilkinson, Wetherby Branch Manager at Linley & Simpson, said:

“The work of Martin House has touched the lives of our people in many ways, and we are pleased to be able to ‘give back’ through this initial set of events as well as a host of others that are in the pipeline.”

The challenge begins on June 16, with more information available on the website. 

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