Knaresborough Conservative Club submits plan to subdivide building

Knaresborough Conservative Club has submitted plans to subdivide its building to create a “viable and sustainable” club.

The move would see the front of the grade-II listed building on York Place separated from the rear, which includes snooker rooms and toilets.

The proposals would reduce the area for accommodation and create a further unit for community use.

Documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council said the plan is intended to “create a more viable and sustainable conservative club” and secure its long-term future.

The developer said in documents:

“This application is the first phase of a significant project, which in turn can secure the long-term viable use of a much-underutilised heritage asset in a prominent location for Knaresborough’s Conservative Club.”

Both parts of the site will remain in use for the conservative club.

Plans for the future use of the separated parts of the building will be subject to further planning applications.

The developer added:

“The adjacent properties 5 & 7 Newton House and 9 York Place have recently been purchased by a local company Lamb and Flag Enterprises who have agreed to a sale and lease back of 3 York Place to the conservative club, subject to listed building consent to divide the property. 

“This will provide the conservative club with significant funds to undertake the separation works and refurbish their retained and reduced premises.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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The Stray Ferret Business Awards: Do you know a person that deserves to win the Employee Appreciation Award?

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 Employee Appreciation Award, which is sponsored by Envirovent.

This award is designed to shine a light on those people who are truly the glue of the team.

These people are not only integral to the day to day, but they also bring a personal touch that makes the business that bit brighter.

Those looking to nominate for the Employee Appreciation Award need to provide details of the contribution and the impact this person has made as well as details of the person’s background and current position.

Do you know a person that deserves to win the Employee Appreciation 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.

Ripon businesses given new radios to tackle crime

Ripon businesses are being given new radios to help combat crime.

The number of businesses with two-way Apex radios has more than doubled in the past few weeks, from 12 to 27.

Ripon Business Improvement District has funded the radios for its members as part of an attempt to take a proactive approach to crime.

Shopkeepers can use the radios to alert a central CCTV room in Harrogate to focus CCTV cameras directly onto potential shop thieves.

North Yorkshire Police have also agreed to carry the radios, where resources allow.

The scheme also operates in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Kelly Hirst at the Black Swan is among those involved in the scheme.

Participating businesses are sent the names and photographs of suspected shoplifters four times a year.

The radios can also be used to find missing people.

A Ripon resident with dementia was found safe after the radios were used to report their disappearance.

Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, said:

“We want to make sure Ripon isn’t seen as a soft touch for shop theft.

“We want to get ahead of the curve and ensure we don’t ever have an issue.”

Ms Bathurst also suggested it could help keep women working alone or in small teams safe.

Despite these safety measures, Ripon has a low crime rate.

The data analysis website CrimeRate reports that Ripon’s crime rate is 45% lower than Yorkshire and the Humber as a whole.

It is also 28% lower than the national crime rate.

However, shoplifting is more slightly more common in Ripon than the rest of North Yorkshire.

Ripon BID is funded by city centre businesses who pay a levy on their business rates. The organisation then runs initiatives to boost the city centre for traders.

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Licence granted for bar in Knaresborough industrial estate

Councillors have granted an alcohol licence for a bar in a Knaresborough industrial estate that will be run by Harrogate Brewing Company.

But North Yorkshire Council’s statutory licensing sub committee added a condition to ban a proposed beer garden after concerns were raised about reversing HGVs at Hambleton Grove Industrial Estate.

The family-owned brewery specialises in craft ale and operates from a different industrial estate on Hookstone Chase in Harrogate where it operates a small bar, also called a taproom.

Martin Joyce from the company said it will use the industrial unit in Knaresborough for storage as well as for a second taproom so people can try beers brewed in Harrogate.

He said he wanted to create a “community environment” for Knaresborough and councillors met this afternoon in Harrogate to consider whether to grant the bar an alcohol licence.

Mr Joyce said:

“To set up a pub these days is significant whereas I can utilise the space I’ve got for storage and a taproom, That creates business sense to me and gives back to the community.”

During the meeting, councillors heard from environmental health officer John Mathews who warned there had been instances of HGVs reversing into cars at the industrial estate — close to a proposed outdoor area for drinkers.

This forced the council to issue a health and safety improvement notice to the landlord of the industrial estate in November 2022.

Since then, improvements have been made but Mr Mathews said the safety of customers visiting the bar could be put at risk by a new reversing area.

He said:

“It presents a risk for customers who are likely to be near large reversing vehicles, possibly under the influence of alcohol.”

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In response, Mr Joyce proposed alternative opening hours so that customers would only be able enter the premises at a time when HGVs are prohibited from entering the industrial estate.

Cllr Andy Paraskos, who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith for the Conservatives, raised concerns about out-of-hours deliveries from other businesses at the industrial estate impacting on the bar. 

He said: 

“Surely some of these businesses will want out of hours deliveries at some point. I’m sure there will an issue there.”

However, councillors ultimately agreed to grant the alcohol licence with a condition attached to ensure that all activity at the bar takes place inside to reduce any risk of vehicles reversing into customers.

The approved opening hours are as follows:

Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID appoints communications officer

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.

Harrogate Business Improvement District has hired a public relations and communications officer.

Ed Horner, a former journalist at The Press in York, has joined the organisation and will be tasked with working alongside alongside the BID team, board directors and BID members to deliver its term two business plan.

He will also oversee the BID’s communications, as well as offering support on projects, campaigns and events.

Town centre businesses which fund the BID voted this year to continue to support it for another five years.

Matthew Chapman, manager at Harrogate BID, said:

“We were thrilled to have a strong collection of people apply for this role and Ed’s experience in local media, appetite to deliver positive outcomes and awareness of the local area really take us to the next level as an organisation as we approach term two and our new business plan.”

Pictured above: Matthew Chapman, BID manager, Chris Ashby, street ranger, Bethany Allen, business and marketing executive and Ed Horner, PR and communications officer 

Investment management firm recognised at London awards

Redmayne Bentley has been recognised at the Investors’ Chronicle Celebration of Investment Awards.

The investment management firm, which has an office on Victoria Avenue near Harrogate Library, received the accolade for Best Wealth Manager for Tax Services at the event in London.

The awards recognise the best financial service providers, and winners are voted for by Investors’ Chronicle readers.

Nigel Bottomley, head of office of Redmayne Bentley’s Harrogate office, said: 

“The expertise we have across the firm, coupled with the effort and commitment we put into building personal client relationships, is what we believe sets us apart.

“This award comes at what is a special time for the firm, coinciding with our celebration of 148 years in the industry after first being established by John Redmayne in 1875.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate carbon accounting firm makes two new hires

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 Harrogate company that specialises in carbon accounting has announced two new appointments.

Flotilla, which is based on Station Parade, has hired Charlotte Hallowell as a carbon accountant and Jason Talman as full stack developer.

The company said it made the appointments as part of continued growth in its services.

John Rastrick, Flotilla chief executive, said: 

“Bringing Charlotte and Jason on board is critical to the delivery of our high-quality net zero solutions services. Charlotte’s analytical and business understanding skills will help clients realise the wider benefits of starting and delivering a net-zero journey.

“Jason is a determined problem solver and I am confident his arrival will allow us to further develop our technology for the benefit of our clients and for our planet.”

Henshaws to hold leadership course

Henshaws is set to host a leadership programme in February 2024.

The charity will hold the event at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate from 8am on February 2.

There will be a breakfast and networking lunch included. The course will include a presentation from business coach, Rob Northfield.

The course is aimed at anyone who wants to grow in their career or personal life. 

Tickets are £99 and all proceeds go to Henshaws.

Flora Simpson, senior fundraiser at Henshaws, said: 

“We were so over the moon with the success of Rob’s first event and are so happy to be able to bring this learning back.

“We had such a great turn out from a host of local business owners and their teams but also individuals who are aiming for self-development.”

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New travel agents to open in Harrogate

A new travel agents looks set to open in Harrogate town centre.

Althams Travel plans to open a new branch on Cambridge Street next to Claire’s and WHSmith.

The unit used to be occupied by camera shop, Jessops.

The travel agent, which currently has 32 branches across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire, was established in 1874.

Its nearest branches to Harrogate are currently Otley and Horsforth in West Yorkshire.

The company is advertising for a branch manager, assistant manager and two travel consultants for its Cambridge Street outlet.

The Stray Ferret contacted Althams Travel to ask when it expects to open its Harrogate branch, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

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Work hub removed from Harrogate rail station

An office for hire in Harrogate rail station has been removed after just seven months.

Sheffield-based Workfromhub designed the facility to create private working space for an “ever growing remote workforce”.

It opened in Harrogate train station on March 23 and joined hubs in Sheffield and Swinton in Rotherham.

The facilities include space for two people along with internet access, a second screen and desk space.

However, the hub appears to have been removed after just seven months in post.

The space occupied by the hub pictured this week.

The space occupied by the hub pictured this week.

The Stray Ferret approached Workfromhub to ask why the facility has been removed and if it will be replaced, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

The company’s website still lists the hub as one of its locations.

When it opened, Neal Byers, founder of Workfromhub, said the firm was working with Northern to make use of vacant space in train stations.

He said:

“We are working closely with Northern Rail to help transform underused spaces within stations. We can see the need for people who are on the move to have somewhere private and connected to work from.

“We feel that there are not enough remote working private spaces around to keep up with the demand of a growing remote workforce.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate Town announce hydration tie-up

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.

Harrogate Town AFC have announced a new sponsorship deal with sports drink brand Cellnutrition Sport.

The Sunderland-based company will be the official hydration partner of the club, providing its HYDRATE 78 and HYDRATE 78 Night products to the entire first-team squad for the 2023/24 season.

Both products, which are included in the company’s Cellular Fitness protocol, are designed to aid fast recovery from exertion, sustain focus, eradicate cramps, help deeper sleep, prolong stamina and enhance brain hydration.

First-team manager Simon Weaver said:

“We are thrilled to partner with Cellnutrition Sport, a company that shares our commitment to excellence. Hydration is essential for athletes of all levels, and the Cellular Fitness protocol provides the best hydration solution on the market.

“We are confident that this partnership will help our players perform at their best and recover quickly after games.”

Town trialled the Cellular Fitness protocol for a period of three months at the end of last season.

Ben Rome, first-team strength and conditioning coach said:

“We had an issue with three of our first-team athletes becoming susceptible to cramping in the latter stages of games.

“The three players started to use HYDRATE 78 before, during and after training and matches, along with taking HYDRATE 78 night on an evening before bed.

“The results we saw was an instant improvement in all player’s hydration testing scores, along with a reported improvement in both sleep quality and muscle soreness.

“The three players were able to complete all remaining fixtures without reporting any problems with muscle cramping; one player even scored a crucial equaliser in the 98th minute of a game.”

Spa declared best in region

Rudding Park in Harrogate is celebrating after being named Best Spa in the North East at the annual Good Spa Guide Awards in London.

Rudding Park was a runner-up in this category last year, and this time beat stiff competition from six other finalists across Yorkshire and the North East.

Sarah Johnson, head of Rudding Park Spa, said:

“We are thrilled to have won this award, particularly against such strong competition. We always strive to offer guests the very best experience and are looking forward to launching some new spa experience in the new year.”

Rudding Park Spa has expanded in recent years with £9.5 million of investment and now has a roof-top spa and garden, hydrotherapy pool, spa bath, oxygen pod, garden cabin sauna and cabana.

In September, the estate announced it would invest between £30 million and £40 million to build a brand-new five-star country club.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency announces two new hires

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

A Harrogate marketing agency has made two appointments to its team.

Extreme, which is based at Windsor House, has hired Lucy Willis as a social media manager and Garon Ross as a developer.

The company said it has seen a rise in enquiries as businesses seek to elevate their position and gain competitive advantage with consumers.

Garon Ross.

Garon Ross.

Mark Gledhill, director at Extreme, said: 

“2023 has been another busy year, with demand for our web development and social services particularly high, so we’re thrilled to welcome Lucy and Garon to enable us to meet that need.”

Harrogate communications company announces new partnership

A Harrogate communications company has announced a partnership to expand its reach into the UK market.

Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, has agreed a reseller deal with The Barcode Warehouse.

The agreement means the company’s push-to-talk over cellular and workforce management technologies will be made available to a wide range of sectors including education, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, retail and utilities.

Andrew McNamara, channel sales manager at Mobile Tornado, said: 

“This exciting new partnership opens up important new markets for Mobile Tornado in the UK and gives large organisations and SMEs the chance to improve safety, efficiency and productivity through our cutting-edge technologies for instant communications and workforce management.”