Harrogate-based Vida Healthcare has opened a new training centre.

The 2,500 square foot centre, which is on Starbeck High Street, will be used to help train staff at the dementia care provider.

The site will form part of the company’s Vida Healthcare Academy, which will host training and recruitment fairs.

It will offer a range of courses, from the induction programme for new starters to specialist training courses and apprenticeships.

James Rycroft, managing director at Vida Healthcare, said:  

“Our team is our greatest asset and the new centre will ensure we can provide significant professional growth and development opportunities throughout their time with us.

“This will also ensure we can continue to provide residents with the highest  quality of compassionate care.”

Harrogate estate agent sponsors local hockey club

A Harrogate estate agent has agreed to extend its sponsorship Harrogate Hockey Club.

Verity Frearson, which is based on Albert Street, has agreed the deal which will run until 2026.

Matt Stamford, director at Verity Frearson, pictured with Josh Lyon of Harrogate Hockey Club.

The agreement covers sponsorship of all home and away senior shirts and signage around the club facility, as well as weekly coverage on social media.

Matt Stamford, director at Verity Frearson, said:

“Having been main club sponsor since 2017, we know what a fantastic, inclusive, family-friendly organisation Harrogate Hockey Club are, and their core values align very well with our own.

“We look forward to continuing our positive partnership and here’s to a successful season ahead.”

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An independent shop that sells a range of beeswax products has opened in the centre of Knaresborough.

The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Company opened in Green Dragon Yard on Saturday.

It previously traded at Yorkshire Farmers’ Market in Knaresborough Market Square, which no longer exists, before trialling a premise on Waterside.

Inside the new shop.

The family-run business, which was launched in 2019, sells a variety of beeswax candles, organic body care products and diffusers.

It also offers several Yorkshire honey products, including one sourced from a Knaresborough hive located just off Waterside.

The premises on Green Dragon Yard.

In a social media post, owner Michael Landreth, said:

“It’s been a crazy few weeks and months but we have done it and ready to open our doors.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped us and supported us over the months and years and we really look forward to you all visiting our brand new home.”

The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Company is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

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A new Trespass store looks set to open in the former Barclays bank in Ripon.

The bank closed its doors on Market Place in August last year.

Barclays made decision despite the number of counter transactions at the branch increasing in the two years to March 2020.

Now, Jacob and Turner Ltd, which trades under the name Trespass, has applied to North Yorkshire Council for advertising consent at the site.

It would see two signs implemented at the former bank site.

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

The Stray Ferret approached Trespass to ask why it had chosen the site in Ripon and if it had further details on an opening date, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The outdoor clothing specialist currently has a store on Harrogate’s James Street.

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Two Knaresborough businesses have agreed to sponsor Knaresborough Celtics girls football team.

Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty and Huttons will sponsor the under 16s side this season.

It will see the businesses provide kit and training wear for the girls.

Kelly Teggin, owner of Kelly Teggin Hairdressers, said:

“Kelly Teggin hairdressing have sponsored the team for five years buying a kit every year so they can pass it down so all the age groups have a kit to play in moving forwards.

“Huttons have sponsored the training tops that the girls keep as they have their initials on and they will have them as a keep sake for all the hard work both the parents, team and coaches have put in over the last eight years.”

Pictured above (left to right) Kelly Young, Jaden Rigg, Issy Colbert, Lily Howliston , Lilly perry, Issy stobbs, Grace Denny, Amelia Trougton, Poppy Naylor, Poppy Johnson, Bella Richardson, Camilla Rishton ,Abigail Rushworth, Bella Bere, Freya Welbourne

Council awards Harrogate maintenance contract

North Yorkshire Council has awarded a contract for maintenance of public buildings in Harrogate to a Bingley company.

Europe Air Conditioning Ltd, which is based in Cottingley near Bingley, has been commissioned to cover “reactive call outs” in the area.

The contract is valued at £86,723.47, according to the council website.

It adds:

“This work forms part of legal compliance and is essential for the continuation of business and health and safety of our staff, occupants and public.”

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The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has won a national award.

The hospital, which is run by Circle Health Group, received the recognition for commitment to patient safety.

The award was given by the National Joint Registry, which monitors performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes.

The hospital was granted the NJR quality data provider certificate for standards in patient safety.

Michelle Eardley, executive director at the Duchy Hospital, said:

“Improving patient safety is of the upmost importance and is a key priority for all staff.

“We fully support the National Joint Registry’s work in facilitating improvement in clinical outcomes and governance for the benefit of joint replacement patients and we’re delighted to be awarded as an NJR quality data provider.”

Local businesses offered chance to trade at Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Destination Harrogate is offering the chance for local businesses to trade for free at this year’s Christmas Fayre.

The Jolly Big Business Boost competition offers for firm’s with “eye-catching, exciting and creative products” to be part of the event.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will run from December 1 until December 17 and is operated by Market Place Europe.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“The Jolly Big Business Boost supports our amazing local businesses to maximise this opportunity, which Christmas in Harrogate offers, and we’d encourage all interested and eligible businesses to take part in the initiative.”

Those interested in entering the competition are asked to submit a short written application with a two-minute video telling the judges about their product and themselves.

This year’s winner will be chosen by a panel of judges drawn from across the Harrogate business community and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

For more information and to apply, visit the Destination Harrogate website here.

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A Harrogate bid specialist has appointed a new managing director.

Big Bamboo BIDS has hired Ken Erksine, who has 36 years in the industry, to the post.

The company was incorporated in May 2022 and since then has won and retained work with clients in the construction, engineering, soft and hard FM and infrastructure sectors.

Mr Erksine, whose most recent role was head of bids and proposals at Careys, will be tasked with growing Big Bamboo’s business.

He said:

“Having spent 36 years working in bid and proposals in many of the UK’s leading contracting businesses, I am excited to be taking a leap into the world of consultancy.

“Having found myself in a situation where I was looking for a new opportunity, I was approached by numerous companies. Nicola, the founding director and I were introduced via a mutual connection, and it became clear very quickly that we both saw an opportunity for a consultancy that could offer something different and disrupt the marketplace.”

Homes Together sponsors Harrogate Town junior supporters club

A Harrogate housing provider is set to sponsor Harrogate Town’s junior supporters club.

Homes Together, which is based on Victoria Avenue and provides accommodation for disabled people across the district, has agreed the sponsorship deal with the club.

Harrogate Town junior supporters club with Homes Together officials.

The supporters group was founded with an aim to engage more younger fans with the football club.

Joanne Towler, commercial director at Harrogate Town, said: 

“We recently launched our very first junior supporters club, and the take up has been astounding, engaging with our younger fans in a fun and interactive way to enhance their experience with the club is key as we grow our next generation of Harrogate Town fans. 

“Homes Together are the ideal partner as we both continue our journey to serve the Harrogate Communities, and we are grateful for their valued support on our mission.”

David Ashton-Jones, managing director at Homes Together, added: 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Homes Together to support a local club that is so important to the people of Harrogate.

“Supporting the communities that our homes reside in is a top priority for us, and we’re fully on board with Harrogate Towns goal to grow the next generation of fans.”

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A Ripley butchers has won a regional business award.

Castle Meats of Ripley, which was formerly Hutchinsons Butchers, won best butcher category at the Yorkshire Retail Business Awards 2023.

The ceremony, which is part of the England Business Awards, was held at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Brian Robinson, who is now in his fourth year trading at Ripley, was voted by the public of Yorkshire and now qualifies to enter the national finals.

He said:

“It was a team effort, my wife Tracy and son Aaron work as hard at trying to give that extra bit of customer service.”

Harrogate company becomes first to join hospital charity scheme

A Harrogate company has become the first business to join a Friends of Harrogate Hospital fundraising initiative.

The scheme invites local firms to donate £1,000 and become an “enterprise friend” with the charity.

(left to right) Greg Tunesi, Friend; Rachel Tranter, EnviroVent; John Fox, Chair of the Friends and Andy Makin, Managing Director of EnviroVent.

EnviroVent, which is based at West Business Park, has become the first company to join the initiative.

Andy Makin, managing director at EnviroVent, said: 

“Hospitals are at the centre of our communities, there for when we need them most.

“For this reason, EnviroVent are delighted to support Friends of Harrogate Hospital as their first Enterprise Friend and congratulate John Fox and his fellow trustees on creating this initiative and look forward to joining other Enterprise Friends in supporting for many years to come.”

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A networking group aimed at business women in Harrogate is set to return this month.

Harrogate Ladies Who Latte was launched in February and has so far signed up 100 members.

Now, the group is set to return with a meeting at the Lilypad restaurant, King’s Road, at 9.30am on September 13.

The group is free to attend and is open to all women in employment or running their own business.

Business consultant Sarah Shaw, who founded Ladies Who Latte with Carol Beeley, said: 

“We’ve had an incredible response so far, and it’s wonderful to hear some of the fantastic outcomes from connections made in the group. 

“We can’t wait to get going again and would love to see new faces alongside our current members.”

For more information on the meeting, visit the Ladies Who Latte website here.

Rudding Park partners with Harrogate lighting company

Rudding Park has announced a partnership with a Harrogate-based lighting company ahead of the Christmas period.

The hotel and spa has partnered with Lights4fun to help enhance the estate with festive lighting and illuminations.

The company will set up a “Follow the Christmas Stars” experience, which will allow guests to discover stars adorning the trees and glistening golden rings during the night time.

Nicola Cook, head of marketing at Rudding Park, said; 

“We always strive to enhance our guest experience, so this year we are delighted to be collaborating with our friends at Lights4Fun whose talented creative team are helping illuminate a series of outdoor spaces to inspire magical and unforgettable moments.”

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Council officers have recommended councillors approve an expansion of Rudding Park Hotel and Spa to create a new golfing clubhouse, family hub, tennis courts and the reinstatement of a walled garden.

Rudding Park is a luxury tourist destination on a sprawling 300-acre estate three miles south of Harrogate.

Planning documents say that its current clubhouse was originally built as a temporary facility but has now outgrown its useful life and “considerably discredits the course”.

The new building would be spread over two storeys and also would feature swimming pools, restaurants, a gym and changing rooms.

A replacement family hub would also be built to include a creche, softplay area and swimming pool.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

A walled garden was converted into a caravan park in the 1970s but would be reinstated.

Four new tennis courts and a pavilion are also proposed as part of the plans.

According to planning documents, the improvements will result in an additional 75 full time jobs and will lead to an extra £14.3 million being spent in the local area every year.

Documents state:

“Over the last 50 years, Rudding Park has become the standard bearer for quality hospitality in Harrogate, and positions Harrogate as a UK wide and international tourist destination. The owners have made consistent and intentional decisions to design and build the highest quality amenities and experiences for Harrogate, the North and the UK. With no exception.

“The vision is to create the UK’s best independent luxury resort and, to do this, the resort requires a new club house, redeveloped family facilities and additional sports amenities.

“To remain the jewel in the crown for Harrogate tourism, Rudding Park must develop these high-quality fitness, sports, leisure and recreational spaces to complement the hotel, spa and house and the legacy of the last 50 years’ development.”

The application will be decided by councillors who sit on North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee in Northallerton on Tuesday (September 12) rather than those on the Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee.

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A Harrogate accounting and advisory firm has rebranded.

Saffery Champness, which has offices on North Park Road, will now be renamed Saffery.

The firm, which has 10 offices across the UK and Ireland, said the rebrand would help the company to grow.

Jonathan Davis, head of the Yorkshire practice at Saffery, said:

“This is a hugely exciting time for the firm and our team here in Yorkshire. Our new brand provides a platform for success and will help us to continue our trajectory of growth in the region. It follows a period of consistent growth in our client base and the development of our team.”

Growth hub to host business support session in Harrogate

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub will host a free business support session in Harrogate this week.

The session will be held at Harrogate Co-Lab on King’s Road from 10am until 4pm on Wednesday, September 6.

The event will offer one-to-one consultations for businesses, expert advice and help with resources and programmes.

John Hartley from Forsta Projects in Harrogate said: 

“The drop-in sessions, and the Co-Lab workspace, help to bring the local business community together and it provides immediate access to a range of sources of support.

“Our goal was to make new connections and we’ve achieved that – we’ve met some great people.”

For more information on how to register for the event, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

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