Business Breakfast: Harrogate restaurant confirms Leeds venue opening date

A Harrogate restaurant has confirmed an opening date for a new venue in Leeds.

Farmhouse, the breakfast and brunch destination owned by Jordan Aspinall, opened in Harrogate four-and-a-half years ago.

It has now acquired the site formerly occupied by ASK Italian on Lands Lane in Leeds.

The restaurant has now said it will open in the city on Monday, September 11.

Area manager Nicole Mangnan said previously that the two restaurants will be run on similar lines, serving customers from 8am to 5pm. 

She added:

“Harrogate has been doing well and we always wanted to open in Leeds.”

Harrogate care group wins industry award

A Harrogate care group has won an industry award after being ranked among the top 20 care providers in the UK.

St Margaret’s Homecare, which is based on Cornwall Road, was given the recognition after being ranked by homecare.co.uk.

The award is based on the home care group’s reviews from the people they care for, plus their friends and relatives.

Ross Kneller, director at St Margaret’s Homecare, said:

“We are humbled and proud to have won this award.

“It’s a testament to the dedication, care and compassion of our care professionals who go above and beyond to ensure that our clients and their families and safe and assured.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm to offer free e-commerce legal advice

Harrogate businesses that sell products and services online are being offered free legal advice.

LCF Law, which is based on Station Parade, is offering the advice as part of an online event during Leeds Digital Festival.

The event will be held on September 21 and aims to offer insights into e-commerce regulations and compliance.

James Sarjanston, head of commercial and digital at LCF Law, said:

“We will explore key topics, including consumer rights, marketing to clients, data protection and upcoming legislation, shedding light on the complexities and challenges faced by e-commerce entrepreneurs.

“Through practical guidance, we will provide invaluable knowledge on implementing effective strategies that ensure compliance, safeguard a business and help to foster long-term growth.”

For more information and to register for the event, visit the Eventbrite page here.

Northern appoints new recruitment head

Northern has appointed a new head of talent acquisition.

The rail operator, which runs services through Harrogate and Knaresborough, has appointed Matthew Moxton to the role.

Matthew Moxton, new head of talent acquisition at Northern.

Matthew Moxton, new head of talent acquisition at Northern.

Mr Moxton, who is from Boston Spa and was the company’s legal and general executive, will now be responsible for recrutiment.

Lisa Leighton, people director at Northern, said: 

“Matthew brings with him a wealth of experience from multiple sectors including engineering, construction, logistics and other support functions.

“He has an impressive track record in employee mentoring and coaching as well as developing a high-performance culture and we’re thrilled to add him to Northern’s first class HR team.”

Mr Moxton added:

“I am delighted to be joining the team at Northern. I see a wonderful opportunity to build on the great work that has already started and to enhance the talent attraction and on-boarding within the business.”

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Business Breakfast: Boroughbridge holiday park raises £32,000 for charity

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event tonight (Thursday, August 31) at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A holiday park in Boroughbridge has raised £32,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Old Hall Holiday Park has raised money for the charity for more than 13 years through a range of events including an annual hog roast, live bands, discos, children’s parties and games, raffles and Halloween parties.

In recognition of Old Hall’s fundraising efforts, Wendy Whittle, park manager, and her husband Denis were invited to the charity’s unveiling of two new state-of-the-art helicopters at Nostell Airbase near Wakefield.

Mrs Whittle said:

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is such a fantastic cause and one which everyone at the Old Hall supports. 

“We are lucky to have such a wonderful community at the park, with all our holiday home owners joining in our fundraising activities and giving generously.”

Linda Stead, Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s regional fundraising manager for the North and East, said: 

“We are extremely thankful to everyone at the Old Hall Holiday Park for their continuous and unwavering dedication over the last 13 years.

“This remarkable donation is a testament to their commitment to our mission of saving lives across Yorkshire and from the whole team at YAA I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for their invaluable support.”

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New bar set to open on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

A new bar looks set to open in a former Harrogate shop next month 

17 Miles, which will be based on Cold Bath Road, is set to open its doors in the former Scandinavian clothes shop Bias.

Harrogate man Matthew Gray, who owns the new bar, told the Stray Ferret that he decided to set up the pub as a passion project.

Mr Gray, who was granted planning permission for the conversion back in April, said he wanted to open in the Cold Bath Road area which he described as “up and coming”.

He said:

“I think the vibe around the area is increasing.

“In terms of the venue, it immediately catches the eye of passers by with its windows.”

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17 Miles, which was given the name for the door number and Mr Gray’s son, Miles, will be based at 17 Cold Bath Road.

It is set to offer punters a range beers from independent breweries to non-alcoholic options.

Inside the new 17 Miles bar on Cold Bath Road.

Inside the new 17 Miles bar on Cold Bath Road.

Mr Gray also has plans to introduce cheese and meat boards in the future, but added that he was focused on getting the bar off the ground first.

The bar is set to open from 4pm to 11pm Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 11pm on Saturday and 12pm until 9pm on Sunday.

Dogs will also be welcome.

Mr Gray said he hopes to open 17 Miles in September once he has received final approval from North Yorkshire Council.

Business Breakfast: Yorkshire Water launches recruitment campaign for river health team

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Yorkshire Water is recruiting 16 new staff for a brand new river health department.

The company has set up the team to deliver a joined-up, region-wide approach to river health across the many organisations and stakeholders in Yorkshire.

The 34-strong team will be working closely with community groups to understand what is important to them and develop a way of working together to improve river health in partnership.

The firm is set to recruit an environmental investigation lead, river health improvement manager, river health partnership and community engagement advisor.

Kevin Reardon, head of river health at Yorkshire Water, said: 

“We are committed as a business to playing our part to further improve river and coastal water quality around the region. The health of our rivers is a key national conversation, and we all have a lot to do to deliver investment in the areas that will make improvements to water quality.

“We know river and coastal water quality is a key priority for our customers and this new department illustrates our commitment to doing the right thing and working hard, alongside other stakeholders, as we begin our largest programme of environmental investment since privatisation.

“Yorkshire Water colleagues are passionate about the environment and we’re currently recruiting for 16 additional roles to help complete our team, which we believe will make further improvements to river health in the next two years and prepare ourselves for the next investment period 2025-2030.”

For more information on the roles available, visit the Yorkshire Water website here.

Stray Ferret to host latest Business Club event

The Stray Ferret will host its latest Business Club event tomorrow with after work drinks at the West Park Hotel.

The event will see guest speaker Craig Hines from 2 Inspire give a talk about the various models that can be applied to support flexible working and the success and pitfalls businesses face in implementing these.

There will also be a chance to meet attendees at the event with a networking session.

Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, explore potential collaborations, or simply enjoy a refreshing drink after a long day, this event is perfect for you.

The event will be held at the West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5pm and 7pm. You can purchase tickets here.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate IT company reports improved revenues

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate-based IT company has reported improved revenues in its full-year report.

Redcentric, which is based on Otley Road, generated total revenue of of £141.7m for the year ended 31 March 2023 — up from £93.3m the previous year.

The company made three acquisitions over the last financial year, which included deals for 4D Data Centres, Sungard Consultancy and Sungard Data Centre.

A further two deals were struck for Piksel and 7 Elements in the previous year.

As a result of the acquisitions, Redcentric has added more than 600 customers to its data base.

Peter Brotherton, chief executive at the company, said:

“The integration of the five acquisitions undertaken in the last two financial years is now largely complete, with the savings pertaining to the remaining energy conservation measures and closure of the Harrogate Data Centre to be realised before the end of the current financial year.

“The acquisitions have resulted in a significant increase in revenues and much improved organic growth. Improvements in profitability will follow in FY25 once the synergy and energy efficiency programmes have been completed and the much reduced electricity commodity prices take effect.”

Growth Hub to host business peer support groups

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub is set to launch a peer support group for businesses next month.

The organisation will host three sessions in September, which aim to partner business leaders with each other to offer structured and collaborative support.

The initiative will include a peer-to-peer support programme hosted by Pro-Development on September 22 and RTC North will host a forum on September 27 in Harrogate.

Meanwhile, a women peer-to-peer group hosted by Yorkshire in Business will also be held on September 27.

Jenn Crowther, chief executive of Yorkshire in Business, said: 

“Think of it as having your own professionally facilitated informal board. 

“Women Connect is designed for businesswomen invested in developing their business and helping others to do the same.”

For more information on the events, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website here.

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Business Breakfast: Starbeck pub awarded beer accreditation

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Starbeck pub has been awarded an accreditation for the quality of its beers.

The Office Ale House, which opened in April on High Street, has received Cask Marque accreditation.

Cask Marque, which was founded in 1998, is backed by major brewers and pub companies and audits the quality of ale.

Kevin Jones, who owns the Office Ale House, was awarded the accreditation this past week.

He said:

“This award is a great endorsement for us. A lot of our customers visit the pub especially for the cask ale and it is really gratifying to know that we are getting the formula just right.

“We did have some problems with our cooling system that unfortunately was never installed properly and during the heatwave this led to a drop in quality, but with the help of the right people and guidance from Cask Marque, we are now serving the perfect pint again. We achieved 5s across the board.”

Northern appoints new managing director

Train operator Northern has appointed a new managing director.

The company, which runs trains through Harrogate and Knaresborough, has hired Tricia Williams to the role.

Tricia Williams, managing director at Northern.

Tricia Williams, managing director at Northern.

Ms Williams, who is currently Northern’s chief operating officer, will take over from Nick Donovan when he steps down from his role in spring 2024.

She said:

“After three great years as chief operating officer, it’s an absolute honour to be taking on the managing director role.

“Nick has set the standard – not only for driving this business forward but the standard for truly supportive and inclusive leadership.

“We know we still have big challenges ahead of us. Nick will leave us in a strong position, and the team and I are ready to continue the great work he has started.”

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Claire Baxter gallery wins Knaresborough Feva window contest

The winners of this year’s Knaresborough Chamber Feva Window Competition have been announced.

Claire Baxter Artist and Gallery was awarded first prize for its display, which included handmade crayons.

Judges described the display as an “outstanding effort”.

Clare Baxter’s creative winning effort.

Meanwhile, Painting Pots was awarded second place and River and Rose came in third place for its intricate viaduct themed floral display.

Winners of the competition were decided by a panel of judges following a public vote.

Many businesses in Knaresborough were decked in Feva pink for the 10-day arts festival, which ended on Sunday.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate law firm appoints new commercial property solicitor

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate law firm has appointed a new solicitor as part of its commercial property team.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, has hired Janice Colley to the department.

She will be tasked with offering advice on commercial property matters and acquisitions and disposals, including specific expertise in licensed premises, especially pubs and hotels.

Claire Baker-Kemp, the senior associate at McCormicks who heads the department, said: 

“Having both worked with and instructed Janice in the past, I know she brings unrivalled levels of experience and competence which will undoubtedly be an enormous benefit both to our clients and as we build the team here.”

Harrogate business installs community defibrillator 

A Harrogate environmental company has installed a defibrillator outside its offices for public use.

Adler and Allan, which is based on Victoria Avenue, put up the device so it can be used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest.

Adler and Allan office on Victoria Avenue, with the defibrillator pictured on the right.

Adler and Allan office on Victoria Avenue, with the defibrillator pictured on the right.

The company said it invested in the defibrillator in order to support staff and the local community.

Henrik Pedersen, chief executive officer at Adler and Allan, said: 

“Keeping our staff safe is of the utmost importance to us at Adler and Allan.

“That’s why we have invested in 20 automated external defibrillators for key depots and offices across the group. Being a responsible business and supporting our local community is key for us, so making this device accessible to everyone in Harrogate was a logical decision.”

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Harrogate aesthetics clinic announces closure

A Harrogate aesthetics clinic has announced it will close.

Renee Grace Aesthetics, which is based on King’s Road, said covid and the current economic climate made it a particularly stressful time to run a business.

The clinic offers surgical treatments, such as laser hair removal, anti-wrinkle injections and lip enhancement.

In a post on its social media, the firm said:

“I have had to make a very difficult decision and I know many of you will be disappointed.

“Renee Grace Aesthetics in Harrogate is closing. Laser treatments have already stopped and I have my few last injectable clients this week.”

The post adds that a clinic will run at an “alternative venue” once or twice a month.

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