Free events revealed for Harrogate’s first self care week

Details have been revealed for the first Harrogate self care week this month.

The free events, which will be held from January 22 to 27, include activities ranging from yoga and acupuncture to sound baths and making face masks.

There will be a mixture of workshops and classes, along with a themed market to help visitors work on their ‘body, soul and mind’, according to organisers.

Some of the sessions will be held in a pop-up self care unit on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre. However, others will be held in different venues across the town centre.

Harrogate Business Improvement District announced the initiative last month.

The Turkish Baths will host the launch event on January 22, with a session in the facilities from 6.30pm until 9pm. This is already fully booked.

Also on the Monday, an hour-long acupressure and acupuncture talk and demonstration with Patti Hemmings will be held in the shopping centre unit from 12.30pm, as well as a mosaic making session at Artizan from 5-7pm.

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Kicking things off on the Tuesday, a slow yoga flow for beginners with Michelle Foxall will be held in the shopping centre at 5-6pm. Then, Chantelle Coles will host an intriguing sound bath session, a meditative experience involving bathing in sound waves, in the vacant space between 6-7pm.

Mat pilates with Emma Ryder is the opening event on the Wednesday at 12.30pm. 

Then, staff members at Lush will host a face mask making session in their Cambridge Street store from 5pm. Anyone looking to learn more about Thai Chi can join a beginner class with Alison Newband from 6-7pm. Meanwhile, Ebru Evrim is putting together a yoga and reformer Pilates session at their studio on James Street from 6pm to round off Wednesday’s events.

To open Thursday, a two-hour interactive workshop on doshas will be held from 5-7pm with Green Ayurveda Spa. This will be followed by a circuit session with F45 at its studio in Albert Street from 6.15pm, lasting for around 45 minutes.

On Friday from 12.30pm, Tomm Melody will teach visitors more about ageing and strength.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Since we launched the Harrogate Self Care Week in mid-December, we’ve had so much interest and positive responses.

“A huge thanks to the many BID members and local providers who are supporting this campaign, which we hope will drive footfall and spend into the town centre in what can often be a quieter month.”

For more information on self-care week and to book places, visit the Harrogate BID website here.

Thomas the Baker set to open new store in Boroughbridge

Thomas the Baker plans to open a store on Boroughbridge High Street, where the Cooplands bakery used to be.

Cooplands closed its Boroughbridge store last April following “an in-depth review of the business”, having opened it nearly three years ago in February 2021. The Scarborough-based chain’s closest store is now on Beulah Street, Harrogate.

Beulah Street Cooplands in Harrogate.

Thomas the Baker has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for a replacement shopfront including new non-illuminated fascia and projecting sign.

People can comment on the application concerning the new store at 33 High Street until this Sunday, January 7. The store would add to the current number of bakeries in the market tow, which include Gilchrist’s and Havenhands.

The family-owned bakery chain headquartered in Helmsley was established in 1981. The company has 30 shops across Yorkshire and the North-East, including: Ripon, Knaresborough, Thirsk, Acomb, Easingwold, Haxby, Kirbymoorside, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, Selby and four in York.

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Business Breakfast: HMRC unlilkey to receive money from Masham brewery administration

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

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Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Unsecured creditors and HMRC are still expected to receive no money from the administration of Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery.

Both the brewery and its retail arm, BSB Retail, entered administration last year.

At the time, Teneo Financial Advisory, which was appointed to oversee the process in May, said it did not expect to have funds available to pay HMRC and unsecured creditors.

In an administrators update published on December 31, it said it still anticipates no money will be available.

The report details that the companies owed £1.3 million to HMRC and £1.5 million to unsecured creditors.

However, it added:

“On present information, it is unlikely that sufficient funds will be realised to enable a distribution to be made to unsecured creditors.”

Black Sheep was sold to London Investment firm Breal Capital for £5 million on May 26.

The deal was a part of a pre-packaged sale and the appointment of administrators, which the company said was “essentially to give protection to the companies and prevent any person taking action against it”.

Yorkshire Water sites win biosecurity accreditation

Yorkshire Water has won a bronze accreditation for its biosecurity.

The company has been recognised for three of its sites for combating the spread of invasive non-native species.

Tophill Low Nature Reserve, Swinsty Reservoir and Fewston Reservoir were each awarded AQUA accreditation in December.

The AQUA biosecurity accreditation scheme, run by the Bristol Zoological Society, work with waterway users to help them combat the threat of invasive non-native species such as fish, invertebrate and plant species

Steph Bradbeer, senior ecologist for Yorkshire Water, said: 

“We are delighted to have received Bronze AQUA accreditation, reflecting all the great work done on these sites by Yorkshire Water staff and volunteers. It’s a fantastic achievement but the work doesn’t stop here, we’ll be working to achieve silver and hopefully gold.

“Yorkshire Water is committed to preventing the spread of invasive non-native species and protecting the environment. As we celebrate the achievement of these Bronze AQUA awards, we look forward to working towards further sites being accredited and educating the public on understanding their role in preventing the spread of invasive non-native species.”

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Killinghall man overcomes balloon phobia to launch new venture

A man has overcome his phobia of balloons bursting to launch his own balloon modelling venture. 

James Massey has had ligyrophobia, an irrational fear of loud noises that can cause anxiety and panic, all his life. 

He was around a year old when a party popper went off in his great-grandfather’s face, causing him to yell out in shock. Although his great-grandfather was uninjured, the incident scared James so much it triggered a fear of balloons, party poppers and fireworks.

James, 25, who lives in Killinghall, said:

“My anxiety had a big impact on my childhood. I remember hiding under the table at my sister’s birthday party and eventually I started avoiding parties altogether. On Bonfire Night I always stayed inside because I was afraid to go out. And when I was a teenager, I used to be on edge when I was out with my friends. It was the anticipation of what might happen.” 

Globophobia is a fear of balloons bursting, although people can also be triggered by the texture and smell. Having unsuccessfully tried cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), James went for hypnotherapy sessions which went some way to helping him manage his phobia.

He also decided to try to view balloons in a less threatening way, and became drawn to YouTube tutorials on balloon modelling. Soon he found he was more focused on the design and construction of the models than he was on the fear the balloons might burst. 

“I started to think they look nice, rather than seeing them as a threat and worrying all the time that they were going to pop. Then a few months ago I made a balloon column that I was really proud of and I thought I could give it away for free to someone who would enjoy it. So I posted it on Facebook Marketplace and it got snapped up straight away. I put another three on and they’d gone within a few minutes. And then I had people messaging me asking if I would make them one and they would pay me for it. It felt amazing.”

Since then, James has set up a Facebook page under the name The Balloon Stop and has made columns and arches for parties and other celebrations, charging a modest amount mainly to cover the cost of materials. He’s constantly learning new designs and is hoping to grow the venture further next year.  

“It’s been a massive turnaround from not even being able to blow up a balloon. The fear is still there but I can control it now. Balloon modelling is fun and I love the creativity. I find it relaxing now, I’m thinking about the design and the colours. I see beauty in it.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate district care firm wins £28m domiciliary care contract

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A care firm that operates across the Harrogate district has won a seven-year contract worth £28 million to provide domiciliary care on behalf of Sheffield City Council

Springfield Homecare provides care to people who want to keep living in their own homes.

It is part of Springfield Healthcare Group, which operates across Yorkshire and the rest of northern England.

Besides its domiciliary care business, it operates seven care homes including Harcourt Gardens in Harrogate.

Graeme Lee, the group founder and chief executive, said he was delighted with the award of such a major contract. Mr Lee, who lives in Harrogate, said:

“We want Springfield to be the best regional provider of care in Yorkshire and the north-east.”

North Yorkshire Council this month approved Springfield Healthcare’s planning application to convert the grade two listed Grove House into a luxury care home.

Harrogate business support groups to resume in January

New support groups for businesses in the Harrogate district are set to start in January.

The York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub will be hosting peer-to-peer support groups aimed at helping firms grow.

The programme, which is facilitated by Next Step, runs weekly for six weeks and comprises three cohorts, based in either Harrogate or Ripon.

In addition, there is one hour of one to one discussion in advance of the course to assess the business’s needs and two hours of one to one bespoke support.

For more information on the support groups and to apply, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

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Business Breakfast: New Harrogate College campus to include facilities to boost technical skills

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A new campus building at Harrogate College is set to include a mock hospital ward and children’s nursery to offer more technical skills to students.

Work on the £20 million building on Hornbeam Park is set to start in 2024.

Principal Danny Wild said the new campus would also include a range of digital technology facilities, which will enable the college to offer technical training expertise.

Mr Wild met with North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, and assistant director for education and skills, Amanda Newbold, to explain more about the project this week.

He said:

“The new building will be very much about meeting the skills needs of North Yorkshire, especially in areas where we know businesses are currently struggling with gaps – such as health and social care, construction, digital, hospitality and sustainable technologies like retrofitting.

“We will be focused on working with North Yorkshire Council, and continuing our strong collaborative work with other local colleges and businesses, to develop these in-demand skills. Our new campus will put us in a great place to do so, and to deliver on those new technical qualifications – principally T Levels – that are becoming increasingly popular as other qualifications are phased out.”

Harrogate company makes £10,000 donation to White Rose Forest

A Harrogate company has donated £10,000 to the White Rose Forest.

Belzona, which is located on Claro Road, made the donation as part of its charitable initiatives.

Staff at Belzona making the donation to the White Rose Forest.

Staff at Belzona making the donation to the White Rose Forest.

The firm has worked closely with the community forest, volunteering to collect acorns and grow trees which will be planted in the local area.

Staff at Belzona were able to fundraise £5,000 for the White Rose Forest through a range of events, including climbing the Yorkshire Three Peaks, participating in The Great North Run, and hosting a Virtual Race Night. 

The company’s directors pledged to match the raised amount. As a result, their contribution of an additional £5,000 brought the total donation amount to £10,000. 

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Stray Ferret Business Awards: Are you the best employer in the district?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Best Employer Award, which is sponsored by Jones Myers.

Best Employers embrace a culture of high performance, stress company values and have systems in place to inspire their workforce to do their best.

This award is designed to showcase your business values and culture which have lead to creating an environment where employees feel respected, safe and supported as well as highlighting the employee successes as a result of company ethos.

Those looking to enter or nominate need to provide details of company values and cuture, including how these have supported employee success.

Does your business deserve to win the Best Employer Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 19. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Business Breakfast: MP visits Harrogate company in support of IT campaign

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

Andrew Jones MP has visited a Harrogate IT company in support of a digital waste campaign.

Mr Jones visited Techbuyers’ headquarters on Hornbeam Park, where he signed the IT Repairs and Reuse Declaration.

The campaign urges the UK government to enhance legislation concerning the extension of IT product lifespans.

The Techbuyer team offered a tour of their facilities with a particular focus on their e-waste and repairs departments, highlighting the work they do to extend the lifespan of technology and divert IT hardware from landfill.

Astrid Wynne, head of sustainability and public sector at Techbuyer, said:

“There is a lot of waste associated with the delivery of our digital services. The best way to avoid this is to think about electronic equipment as a long-term investment – something to take care of and repair when necessary.

“In order to this, we need to change the way the market works. Legislation is an essential part of this.”

Harrogate company reports improved revenues in interim results

A Harrogate rental company has reported improved revenues in its interim results.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP posted £190.9m for the six months ended September 30, up from £186.5m in the same period last year.

The company described the results for the first half of the financial year as “solid”.

Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of VP, said:

“We have delivered a solid performance with continuing sector leading returns in the period reflecting the strength of our diverse business offering. We are particularly pleased to have maintained net margin and a strong return on average capital employed, demonstrating high quality of earnings in difficult market conditions.

“Having multiple sector exposure diversifies our revenue streams and has contributed to the robust performance in the period, with infrastructure demand remaining supportive, and whilst there are immediate challenges within general construction, I am confident that the actions taken will be of benefit in the medium term. The group continues to produce strong operating cash flows and maintains a solid financial base, having refinanced our RCF in November on similar terms for a further three years, and we are well positioned for growth.”

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Business Breakfast: Growth hub hosts business support event at Ripon Cathedral

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub hosted an event for businesses involved in its peer to peer support group this week.

Held at Ripon Cathedral, business owners heard from speakers Jack Sutcliffe, chief executive of Power Sheds, and military veteran, Goose Cryer MC.

The event was held as part of the culmination of a six-week programme which aimed to increase business growth, productivity and sustainability and safeguard jobs

Richard Hughes, owner of Manchega Tapas restaurant in Ripon, said:

“All participants were ultimately given the gift of belief in their ability and potential.

“This course can truly revolutionise collaborative working and drive business and economic development locally.”

Further peer to peer support groups are set to be held by the growth hub in January and February. Businesses can sign up here.

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Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall included in restaurant guide

Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall has been included in the Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants for 2024.

The fine dining restaurant near Ripon has been ranked at 75th in the guide.

Harden’s is a renowned guide in the culinary industry and compiled the list annually.

Chef Patron, Shaun Rankin, said:

“It’s truly an honour for Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall to be acknowledged in the Harden’s Top 100.

“This is the restaurant’s first feature in the list and is a source of great pride for both the team and I, particularly as the list is based on user-sourced ratings and reviews. It only further encourages us to continue to develop our offering of exceptional culinary experiences for our guests.”

 

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Business Breakfast: Council hires marketing firm to promote numeracy project

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

North Yorkshire Council has hired a marketing firm to help promote an adult numeracy project across the county.

Leeds-based The Marketing Optimist has been appointed to help promote the MultiplyNYorks scheme, which is aimed at people aged over 19 who do not have a GCSE in maths at grade C.

The digital marketing agency is supporting the council with marketing strategy, social media marketing, SEO, website design and copy on the programme.

Richard Michie, CEO of The Marketing Optimist, said: 

“This project is one of our biggest to date, and we are thrilled to be chosen as the marketing partner for such an important initiative.

“This project requires a thorough, collaborative approach to deliver an extensive multi-channel marketing strategy, as there are over 20 delivery partners across York and North Yorkshire.”

Homebuilder donates wildlife-friendly gifts to Boroughbridge

Homebuilder Barratt Developments Yorkshire West has donated a selection of RSPB wildlife-friendly items to Boroughbridge Allotment Society.

Situated opposite the new Harclay Park and Manor Chase development in Boroughbridge, the society received a selection of bird houses, bee biomes, insect and hedgehog houses to boost their ongoing ecological efforts to protect wildlife.

Boroughbridge Allotment Society was founded in December 2009 to create a space for local people to watch nature thrive.

Geoff Hustwit, secretary at the society, said:

“This donation will help us create valuable habitats for beneficial wildlife which will assist us in developing a sustainable culture on our allotments.”

Sam Wood, sales director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, said:

“We are dedicated to creating green and pleasant places to live, and to giving those living on and around our developments the tools to help nature thrive.”

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