Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.
The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate care company has launched new day centres to help combat isolation and improve health and wellbeing.
Continued Care, which has offices in both Harrogate and Ripon, will run the centres from July 3 and offer a free taster session on first visit.
The sessions, which cost £80, will offer people a chance to socialise and make friends, learn new skills, take part in exercise and activities, and even have their hair cut. Two meals will also be provided.
Iona Novak, Continued Care’s social day club manager and wellbeing facilitator, said:
“Since the covid pandemic, we’ve seen an unmet need in the community for things like mobile hairdressers and chiropodists but also for somewhere that people can engage with others and take part in stimulating activities.
“Alongside that, there is a need among carers, who are often family members, for some respite, and they would be most welcome to attend as well.”
The day centres are open to all adults, regardless of whether they currently access care services. People can self-refer or be referred by a family member or healthcare professional.
The centres run every week from 10am to 3pm as follows: Mondays, Westcliffe Hall, Harrogate; Tuesdays, Ripon Community Hall; Wednesdays, Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough.
For more information, visit the Continued Care website here.
Harrogate beauty brand takes on Yorkshire Three Peaks
Staff at a Harrogate-based beauty brand have raised £2,900 for charity after completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
Cloud Nine, which is based at Hornbeam Park, raised the money for The Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides free hair wigs to children undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Cloud Nine team at the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Eight people took on the 25-mile hike on behalf of the company, with a further three offering welcome support to the group on the day.
Hamish Rae, e-marketplace coordinator at Cloud Nine, said:
“The team had an amazing day – it was a challenge both physically and mentally but knowing the amazing work done by The Little Princess Trust made it all worth it.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate entrepreneur wins Pride award
- Cost of living crisis prompts Boroughbridge café to close
Business Breakfast: Ripon firms share concerns with MP at first networking event
Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.
The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Ripon business organisation held its first networking event this past week as traders shared their concerns with the town’s MP Julian Smith.
Ripon Business Improvement District hosted the session at the Town Hall which was chaired by Stuart Gill of the Newby Hall Estate.
It included a question and answer session with Mr Smith as well as discussion over anti-social behaviour in the city, business rates and banking facilities.
Lilia Bathurst, manager at Ripon BID, said:
“Ripon BID would like to thank all those who attended, Stuart Gill for chairing the meeting and Janet Moore from Wakeman’s House Café who provided the excellent buffet lunch and looks forward to being able to host another networking event soon.”
Knaresborough firm wins award for fourth time
A Knaresborough car finance firm has won an award for the fourth time in a row.
Oracle Car FInance, which is based on Manse Lane, won the best specialist finance provider at the Credit Strategy Car Finance Awards 2023.
Staff from Oracle Car Finance at the ceremony.
Held at Lancashire Cricket Club, the event aims to recognise dealers, brokers and independent lenders in the car industry.
Oracle picked up the award after winning it in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
A spokesperson for the firm said:
“The win is a huge testament to the hard work and dedication that everyone at Oracle Finance put into ensuring that we remain the ‘gold standard for car finance’ – not our words, the words of a number of our lenders on our expansive panel.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate entrepreneur wins Pride award
- Cost of living crisis prompts Boroughbridge café to close
Staff at troubled Ilke Homes told they will be paid this month
Staff at Ilke Homes have been told they will be paid in full this month as the company continues to find a buyer.
The modular housing manufacturer based at Flaxby, alongside the A1(M), filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last week.
The company said the move was due to financial difficulties caused by “volatile macro-economic conditions and issues with the planning system”.
Staff were told to stay at home on June 9 while the company tried to resolve the situation.
The lack of apparent progress in the 18 days since has heightened concerns but in an email, seen by the Stray Ferret, staff have now been told they will be “paid as normal” this week and that payslips will be available on Wednesday.
The email, sent by chief executive Giles Carter, added the company continued to “pursue all angles to secure a long-term future for the business”.
Last week, the Stray Ferret reported that the company had been offered to potential buyers for bids over £1, and some major housebuilders have been approached.
At the time, any bids for the business were to be submitted before the end of the week, when the firm’s existing backers would decide the firm’s future.
The Stray Ferret asked Ilke Homes today whether any bids for the company had been lodged since it filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
A spokesperson said:
“Talks with potential investors remain ongoing.”
Read more:
- Flaxby firm Ilke Homes files administration notice
- Knaresborough housebuilder up for sale as operations paused
- Staff sent home as Knaresborough housebuilder seeks urgent investment
lke Homes said previously it needed additional funding to fulfil a £1 billion order book and to protect jobs, adding that new investment was needed to build its pipeline of 4,200 new homes.
The company specialises in modular housing built in its Flaxby factory and then put together on site in a process that saves time and costs, reduces carbon emissions, and is not weather-dependent.
Earlier this month, the company told most of the nearly 1,000 employees at its 250,000 sq ft factory not to come into work until further notice.
Ilke Homes was established in 2017 and opened its Flaxby factory the following year. Since then, it has built up a client base that includes major institutional investors, housing associations, developers and local councils.
Business Breakfast: Harrogate entrepreneur wins Pride awardStaff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.
The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate entrepreneur has won an award at the 2023 Attitude Pride Awards in London.
The event, which was held at the Langham Hotel, honours those who support the LGBTQ+ community across 11 categories.
Luke Christian, who founded fashion brand Deaf Identity in 2019, picked up the community hero award for his efforts in promoting equality and breaking down barriers for the deaf and LGBTQ+ communities.
Mr Christian, who is deaf and a former Comic Relief designer, said:
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the community hero award at the 2023 Attitude Pride Awards. This honour serves as both a monument to my work and the fortitude and resiliency of the deaf and LGBTQ+ communities.
“I dedicate this honour to everyone who has ever felt silenced or marginalised, and I intend to keep changing lives for the better. Standing side by side with other community heroes and trailblazers was an absolute honour.”
Lancashire financial firm acquires Harrogate company
A Harrogate financial firm has been acquired by a Lancashire company.
Chorley-based Perspective Financial Group has taken on clients from Brigham Wealth Management as part of an acquisition of four firms.
The company has also acquired Brighter Financial Services Ltd in Halifax, Airedale Personal Financial Solutions Ltd in Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire and Granite Coast Ltd in Cambridge.
Brigham, which is based on Hornbeam Park, will retain its current offices.
David Brigham, of Brigham Wealth Management, said:
“Perspective fully shares the ethos, ethics and client focused approach of Brigham Wealth Management and we are sure this move will be of benefit to all our clients and contacts going forward.”
Read more:
- Harrogate High School ‘requires improvement’, says Ofsted
- Cost of living crisis prompts Boroughbridge café to close
Business Breakfast: Swinton Estate launches wild swimming lake
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
The Swinton Estate in Masham has launched a wild swimming lake for guests and visitors.
The lake has been introduced as part of the summer “wild swimming” season and includes a ladder platform to access the water.
It is open to both guests at the Swinton Hotel and day visitors.
Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, owner of the Swinton Estate, said:
“We are excited to launch our 2023 wild swimming season on our private lake.
“Swimming in open water is an amazing way to connect with nature, and we are delighted to offer this activity to our guests in such a beautiful location.”
The private lake is located in the heart of the 200-acre estate.
Wild swimming season at the estate runs from May to September and the lake is free to hotel guests.
Day visitors can purchase a Parklands & Gardens Pass for just £10 per day, or £60 for a whole year.
For more information, visit the Swinton Estate website here.
Harrogate training company expands into North East
A Harrogate-based training company has appointed a new regional manager as part of an expansion of its programme.
Quarterdeck, which was founded in 2007, provides training schemes for companies in Harrogate and Leeds in areas such as leadership.
The firm has now announced it will now offer courses and programmes in Newcastle.
It has also appointed Gavin Hutchinson as regional director to oversee the operations in the North East.
He said:
“I am really excited to lead Quarterdeck’s expansion into Newcastle and bring our transformative leadership seminars to professionals in the region.
“Our seminars go beyond theory, offering practical guidance and empowering individuals to become impactful leaders in their respective roles.
“I look forward to partnering with local businesses and helping them unlock their leadership potential.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate beauty brand appoints chief executive
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate woman launches padel sports clothing range
The Harrogate district business making a ‘once in a generation’ move
Relocating businesses is a common sight with some upscaling and others downsizing.
But, for one Harrogate district firm, moving the company which has been based in the same place for half a century to the other side of the A1(M) is a once in a generation decision.
Northern Energy has operated from its headquarters in Hampsthwaite for 70 years.
It was founded by Ralph Robinson in 1932 when it supplied milk and coal before moving to its current base in the 1950s where the company stared to distribute agricultural and commercial oil.
These days, the firm has ambitions to shift into the renewable gas trade.
However, to do that it needed a bigger base.
‘Once in a generational spend’
James Illingworth, Ralph’s great-grandson and director of sales at Northern Energy, said they identified Marton-cum-Grafton as its new home some three years ago.
For him, he describes the project to relocate as a decision made only once in a generation.
He said:
“This is a once in a generational spend, if you want to put it that way.
“We have been at our current site for 70 years. This is gearing up for the next 50 years really. I’m fourth generation.
“We want to keep it as a family business and it’s one of those big spends that we’ve got to make for the future.”
Work being carried out on the new Northern Energy site.
The new headquarters will be based off Limebar Lane on the A168 and is 15 miles from the current home.
The company bought the land from WA Pick and Sons farm and started work on phase one at the start of June.
As part of the plans, 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, LPG and oil storage tanks and a new car park will be built.
Mr Illingworth said much of the driving force behind moving the family-firm was the need for space in order to grow the company in the coming years.
“The site that we are currently at [in Hampsthwaite], we have been there since the 50s. We have basically run out of space and it is not fit for purpose anymore.
“The gas storage is what we really need to take our business to the next level and we can’t put it there. That was the main driver for moving sites.”
Read more:
- Northern Energy begins work on new Harrogate district headquarters
- Council approves Northern Energy plan to move from Hampsthwaite
The new site will be accessed via the A168, which runs parallel to the A1(M) near Boroughbridge.
Part of the reason for choosing the Limebar Lane site was to take advantage of the motorway system, says Mr Illingworth.
“The great thing about this new location is the access to the motorway, which will give us connectivity down to the refinery a lot better.
“It will reduce our journey times, which will mean we will get an extra shift in and extra load in from the refinery per day.
“It might not seem a lot, but we lose a lot of time going through Harrogate every day on Wetherby Road and Skipton Road. That time that we save will be really important from a logistics point of view.”
Completion of the first phase, which includes the 400,000 litres of gas storage and loading bays, is earmarked for completion in March 2024.
From there, the company hopes to construct the staff offices and begin trading more in renewable gas.
For Mr Illingworth, the site is the next step for Northern Energy in its evolution as a company.
Business Breakfast: Harrogate woman launches padel sports clothing range“The site generally is more suited to the size of our business and for future growth.”
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate’s growing reputation as the “padel capital of the North” has been boosted with the launch of a new clothing and apparel company devoted to the sport.
Padel Boyz, which sells T-shirts, hoodies, shorts, skirts, socks and sweatbands for men and women, is the brainchild of former PE teacher Sonja Bancroft.
Ms Bancroft, a former Rossett School pupil who later taught at Boroughbridge High School and Boston Spa Academy, said:
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Padel Boyz to the market, and I feel like there has never been a better time to be promoting padel tennis in the UK.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to develop a range of sportswear that reflects the passion and energy of this dynamic game, and we’re confident that our customers will be delighted by the quality and fit of our range.”
We started Padel Boyz to get away from traditional tennis wear – we wanted a cooler, younger look. We’ve started simple, but we plan to add more colours and more lines, such as jumpers, later in the year.”
Padel is a sport similar to tennis but played with a solid, stringless racquet, in an enclosed court like squash. It was invented in Mexico in the 1960s, and is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
It is gaining increasing numbers of fans in our area as more opportunities to play are created. Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, on Hookstone Wood Road, launched its first outdoor padel court in 2019, and then Surge followed in 2022 with six Adidas-branded indoor padel courts at its centre on Hornbeam Park.
Last summer, Ripon Tennis Centre opened two new outdoor padel courts, and just last month, Harrogate Spa Tennis Club opened two new outdoor courts at its home off Claro Road and has seen players book sessions from across Yorkshire.
Sonja said:
“Padel is growing in popularity in this country so fast, now seems like the perfect time to launch a brand like this.
“My aim is to create a successful, growing business, but we’ve only just launched and we’re still small, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Harrogate company achieves industry recognition
A Harrogate company has been awarded an industry recognised certificate for environmental performance.
Net zero consultancy Flotilla, based on Station Parade, achieved B Corp status, which is certified by not-for-profit organisation B Lab.
It recognises companies which meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
(Left to right) Flotilla team Mark Woodward, Grant Walker, Caroline Linford, Dan Cox, Sara Snow, Sally Wood, Helen Fox, Anthony Bagshaw, Jess Morris, Francesca Woodward, John Rastrick and Joe Hobbs.
In order to achieve the status, Flotilla went through a rigorous assessment process which examined the impact of company decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, the communities the business serves and the environment.
John Rastrick, chief executive of Flotilla, said:
“Receiving B Corp certification is an outstanding achievement for everyone here at Flotilla.
“Not only does it honour our commitment to a better future, but it provides a framework for continuous future improvement.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate beauty brand appoints chief executive
- Co-op submits plans for new store in Boroughbridge
Northern Energy begins work on new Harrogate district headquarters
Northern Energy has started construction on new headquarters in the Harrogate district.
The company is currently based in Hampsthwaite, where it has operated for more than half a century.
The firm distributes domestic, commercial and agricultural oil and liquified petroleum gas across the north of England.
However, Northern Energy is set to relocate operations to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.
The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, liquified petroleum gas and oil storage tanks and a new car park.
James Illingworth, director of sales at Northern Energy, told the Stray Ferret:
“The site that we are currently at [in Hampsthwaite], we have been there since the 1950s. We have basically run out of space and it is not fit for purpose anymore.
“The gas storage is what we really need to take our business to the next level and we can’t put it there. That was the main driver for moving sites.”
The move to build the new base comes after Harrogate Borough Council gave planning permission for the site in February 2021.
The company said the new headquarters will provide better access to the motorway and reduce journey times for distribution.
Work being carried out on the new Northern Energy site.
Construction at the site is being carried out by Harrogate company HACS and is being built in two phases.
The first phase, which includes the gas storage site, is expected to be complete by March 2024.
Look for a more in-depth article on Northern Energy’s move to Marton-cum-Grafton on the Stray Ferret this weekend.
Read more:
- Harrogate Spring Water still ‘exploring options’ over expansion plans
- Historic Harrogate house fails to sell at auction
Business Breakfast: Harrogate beauty brand appoints chief executive
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate beauty brand Cloud Nine has appointed a new chief executive.
Danny Emmett joins the company from AO, where he was chief executive for four and a half years.
It means current directors and founders, Martin and Gavin Rae, will become non-executive chairman and non-executive director.
The move comes as Cloud Nine is eying further growth as part of its strategy to double in size and expand into new territories by 2027.
Mr Emmett said:
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead Cloud Nine, an ambitious brand with fantastic products, a unique culture and sustainability at its heart.
“I am looking forward to working with Martin and Gavin and the rest of the senior leadership team, as well as the wider team – all of whom have done a fantastic job of getting the company to where it is today.”
Harrogate clinic to host open evening
A Harrogate clinic is set to hold a beauty evening later this month.
The Harrogate Clinic, which is based on Prospect Crescent, will host the event from 5.30pm until 7pm on June 20.
It will include a chance to explore treatments such as anti-ageing skincare, facial rejuvenation, skin boosters for menopause, hair rejuvenation and women health packages.
For more information on the event and to register attendance, contact Dr Farzana on info@theharrogateclinic.com or call 01423 637172.
Read more:
- Boroughbridge butchers announces closure amid running cost concern
- Co-op submits plans for new store in Boroughbridge
Business Breakfast: Ripon meat retailer appoints new chief executive
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Farmison & Co has appointed a new chief executive.
The online butcher, which was recently bought out by a consortium led by former Asda CEO Andy Clark, has recruited Andy Adcock to take up the position.
Mr Adcock is a former managing director at M&S and has spent 20 years in the food trade.
Mr Clark, executive chairman at Farmison, said:
“I’d like to welcome Andy to the Farmison team – I’ve every confidence he’ll bring even more momentum as we build a sustainable future for our business.”
The appointment comes as the meat retailer has also announced a partnership with delivery service Gopuff.
It means products including bacon, sausages chicken and steaks, will be available for 15 minute delivery in Gopuff’s London delivery area.
New partner at Harrogate’s solicitors
Harrogate solicitors Raworths has announced it has appointed a new partner.
Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor will join the firm’s trusts, wills and estates team as part of a strategic growth plan at the company.
Rachel Mainwaring-Taylor. Picture: Raworths
Rachel joins the firm from London-based Farrer & Co, where she advised individuals, families and trustees on issues including succession, wealth structuring and governance.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner and head of private client services at Raworths, said;
“We are absolutely delighted to have attracted someone of Rachel’s calibre, contributing further to the strategic growth of our specialist teams across the firm.
“As families become more international, Rachel’s cross-border experience will be a particularly valuable addition to the support which we already offer to our clients.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate directors shortlisted for industry awards
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate brewery to host 10th anniversary beer festival
- Business Breakfast: Home care company opens Harrogate office