It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate building consultants has made a donation to a local mental health charity.
DSSR Building Consultants, which is based at Windsor House, made the £600 donation to Mind in Harrogate.
Representative from the consultancy firm presented the cheque to the charity this past week.
A spokesperson for DSSR Building Consultants said:
“DSSR Building Consultants are dedicated to promoting, improving and supporting the mental health of our staff. In conjunction with this commitment to our colleagues, we are delighted to be able to help and support our local charities and community.
“Even though 1 in 4 people have mental health problems, most of us don’t get the help we need. Mind in Harrogate District offers a number of support services to anyone struggling with their mental health.”
Plant nursery launches step challenge
A Harrogate district plant nursery has launched a 15 million steps challenge in aid of charity.
Johnsons of Whixley launched the campaign as part of Move More Month in April to raise vital funds for horticultural mental health charity, Perennial.

Staff at Johnsons of Whixley taking part in the April step challenge.
Perennial supports people in the horticultural industry, including those who work at Johnsons, with health and wellbeing advice, housing and financial support and debt advice.
Speaking of the challenge, Eleanor Richardson, marketing and office manager and qualified mental health first aider at Johnsons of Whixley, said:
“At Johnsons, we believe that taking care of our employees’ mental health is just as important as their physical health, so that’s why this challenge is such an important one for us.
“Not only will we be supporting Perennial, which has helped a number of our team members in the past, but we will be getting together as a team and building bonds across departments, getting some exercise and supporting one another towards a shared goal.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm
Harrogate bar offers free coronation cocktail to anyone called Charles, Camilla or King
Cosy Club in Harrogate is to offer a free cocktail to anyone named Charles, Camilla or with the surname King over the coronation weekend.
The bar, which is on Cambridge Street, is to release two limited cocktails for the celebrations which start on Friday, May 5, and run until Monday, May 8.
The drinks will be called Victoria Sponge and Coronation Cup.
Those who can provide ID to show they are called Charles, Camilla or have the surname King will receive one of the limited edition cocktails free of charge.
Enya Gill, head of brand at Cosy Club, said:
“Three cheers for King Charles III! We’re famed for our opulent surroundings and grand décor so I can think no better place to celebrate this historic event.
“We’re all looking forward to a long weekend full of fun, fabulous food and a drinks and cocktail selection even Buckingham Palace would be hard pushed to beat.”

Cosy Club in Harrogate.
The Victoria Sponge is a teacup cocktail with Hendrick’s gin, Pimm’s strawberry, vanilla and lemon served with a mini Victoria sponge on the side.
The Coronation Cup is a teacup cocktail with Hendrick’s gin, elderflower, lemon, coconut and orange served with a mini cucumber sandwich on the side.
The drinks will be on general sale for £6.95 each.
Read more:
- Knaresborough to host free big screen broadcast of coronation
- Coronation events: where to celebrate across the Harrogate district
Business Breakfast: Law firm relocates offices in Harrogate
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A family law firm has relocated to new offices in Harrogate.
Barnes Clark Family Law has moved its staff to Windsor House on Cornwall Road.
The company joins more than 110 other businesses at the office building.
Sally Clark, director of Barnes Clark Family Law, said:
“Our new offices reflect our commitment to providing our clients with the best possible legal services in a comfortable setting. We are excited about the opportunities this move presents and look forward to continuing to serve our clients from our new location.”
Karen Winspear, property manager at Boultbee Brooks which manages the building, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Barnes Clark Family Law and their 11-strong team to Windsor House.
“The business has some exciting plans to grow this year and we are well positioned to provide them with the right environment to do that.”
New recruits join Harrogate law firm
A Harrogate law firm has hired three new recruits and qualified two solicitors as part of ongoing growth at the company.
Raworths, which is based on Station Parade, has made the appointments in its private client and commercial teams.
Katie Johnston has joined the trusts, wills and estates team as solicitor, while Lucy Allen also joins as a paralegal.

(Back, from left) Tracy McKenna and Charlotte Newman. (Front: L-R) Katie Jaros, Lucy Allen, Katie Johnston. Credit Rachel Creer.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Newman also joins the team as a newly qualified solicitor, having completed her training contract at Raworths.
Alongside the hires, Katie Jaros has joined the commercial team as a solicitor and Tracy McKenna has qualified as a solicitor.
Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner and head of private client services and trust, wills and estates at Raworths, said:
“Our approach goes beyond offering excellent technical legal skills; we actively look to recruit lawyers who can show emotional intelligence too, with the ability to build trusted long-term relationships with clients across all generations.
“Our team is often providing legal advice on very personal family issues, whether that’s helping young adults understand the responsibilities that come with inheriting family wealth or guiding older generations to decide how and when to hand over the reins.
“Communication and sensitivity are at the heart of this, and we’re thrilled to welcome Katie, Lucy, who will join Charlotte as valued members of our team and who all share this ethos and will enable us to continue to grow our client portfolio.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm
Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company secures Leeds Bradford Airport contract
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate mobile company has secured a contract for communications at Leeds Bradford Ariport.
Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, announced the agreement which will see the firm provide push-to-talk over cellular equipment for the airport’s workforce.
The company said the move would help LBA to “improve safety, efficiency and productivity in complex daily operations”.
Luke Wilkinson, global head of sales at Mobile Tornado, said:
“This agreement with one of the UK’s busiest regional airports represents another big vote of confidence in our push-to-talk over cellular platform as an improved radio system for critical communications.”
Damian Ives, chief operating officer at LBA, said:
“Mobile Tornado’s world-leading technologies will help us to manage operations and achieve our ambitions.
“As a regional airport, we plan our development with the local economy, environment and stakeholders in mind and we are delighted to be working with Mobile Tornado, a local company with world-leading technology.”
Bettys and Taylors partners with Woodland Trust
Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate has announced a partnership with the Woodland Trust.
The move will see the company form a tree planting partnership at the trust’s Snaizeholme project in the Yorkshire Dales.
The scheme will see up to 50,000 trees planted as part of the company’s five-year project.
Alice Tollan, sustainable development specialist at Taylors, said:
“As a family business that relies on agriculture for much of our produce, we have a long commitment to protecting our environment.
“Our Trees for Life campaign was launched in 1990 and since then we’ve supported the planting of over seven million trees in both the UK and in tea and coffee growing regions around the world.
“We’re proud to have worked with the Woodland Trust for many years on tree planting initiatives across the UK and we’re pleased to partner together on this latest unique project.”
Pip Greensmith, head of partnerships for the Woodland Trust, added:
“Snaizeholme offers a chance for us to boost biodiversity at a time when the natural world is in crisis.
“Tree planting and habitat restoration will boost the water quality of the river and beck, safeguarding habitats for species such as otter, as well as attracting birds such as herons, grey wagtails, kingfishers and dippers.
“It’s great to see Bettys & Taylors Group invest in nature-based solutions here in the UK.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm
Business Breakfast: Knaresborough housebuilder partners with housing association
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Knaresborough housebuilder partners with housing association
A Knaresborough house builder has partnered with a national housing association to build 449 homes.
Ilke Homes has announced the partnership with The Riverside Group, which currently oversees more than 75,000 homes across England and Scotland.
The company is working with the housing association to finalise plans for the homes at a 21-acre site in Kent.
The homes will be a mix of houses and apartments and will be manufactured at Ilke Homes’ factory in Knaresborough.
Subject to planning approval from Thanet District Council, the company hopes to start work at the site in 2024.
Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said:
“ilke Homes continues to partner with some of the country’s most well-known housing associations, largely in part to our ability to deliver high quality, energy-efficient homes quickly. The Riverside Group, as part of its adopted ESG strategies, has acknowledged the increasing importance of sustainability and our partnership will help future-proof their investment from rapidly changing building regulations and government guidelines.
“We look forward to working with both local planning officials and other stakeholders to progress the proposals through planning to deliver a truly sustainable and well-designed community that will be providing much-needed, high-quality housing for the area.”
Harrogate business group appoints acting chief executive
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has appointed an acting chief executive.
Martin Mann, who was vice president of the organisation, has been confirmed to take on the role.
The move comes as current chief executive, David Simister, is seriously ill in hospital..
Mr Mann confirmed on LinkedIn that his new role would not affect is IT support business
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm
Business Breakfast: Harrogate mobile company partners with United States firm
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate mobile applications company has announced a partnership with an American telecommunications company.
Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, has partnered with Stolz Telecom, which provides telecommunication services to public safety and enterprise sectors in the United States.
The partnership will see the American company act a reseller for Mobile Tornado’s push-to-talk over cellular and workforce management technologies in the US.
Luke Wilkinson, of Mobile Tornado, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Stolz Telecom, a highly respected company in its field. This partnership will open up new growth opportunities for Mobile Tornado in the United States.”
Robert Stolz, president of Stolz Telecom, said:
“Our vision is to create safer, more proactive organisations by redefining the boundaries of critical communications.
“We are excited to be able to offer Mobile Tornado’s world-leading solutions to our customers, the people who keep our communities safe.”
Directors group celebrates 120th anniversary
Business leaders across Yorkshire are celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Institute of Directors.
The group was formed in 1903 and granted a Royal Charter in 1906 ‘to represent the interests of members and of the business community to government and in the public arena.

Jon Geldart, director general at Institute for Directors.
To mark its 120th anniversary, IoD members are gathering at their prestigious London headquarters – 116 Pall Mall – on 13 June to celebrate with networking, exhibitions, speeches and a tour of our iconic building.
IoD Director General Jon Geldart said:
“We are very proud of our heritage as the voice for business and directors across the home nations.
“The IoD is also a movement for good, shaping regional and national agendas and influencing policy makers and government.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
Business Breakfast: Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate wins King’s Award
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate has won a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The awards programme is presented by His Majesty King Charles III recognises outstanding UK business.
It has four categories including International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.
Garry Nield, international director for Taylors, said:
“We are honoured to have been recognised with this prestigious Award, especially in the year of His Majesty The King’s Coronation.
“Over the last six years the International Team at Taylors has worked extremely hard and showed unwavering commitment to share our Yorkshire passion for top quality tea and coffee with the world, building genuine, lasting relationships along the way.
“We have overcome challenges such as successfully delivering the adaptation of our packaging in advance of Brexit, not to mention the difficulties presented by the covid-19 pandemic.”
Harrogate BID showcases pop-up garden
Harrogate Business Improvement District showcased a pop-up garden at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show this past week.
The garden was on show for the full four days and was made in partnership with Harrogate International Partnerships.

Harrogate BID Manager, Matthew Chapman with BID Project Manager, Jo Caswell at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show with other representatives.
The arrival of a pop-up garden at the Spring Flower Show, marks Harrogate BID’s launch of this year’s Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration, a two-week long campaign which will run from July 12 to August 4.
Harrogate BID Manager, Matthew Chapman said:
“After winning gold in last year’s Yorkshire in Bloom, and now being named as a finalist in this year’s 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals, we are on a roll in helping the town regain its floral crown and are ready to rise to the challenge!
“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and over the years has won many accolades. Our floral campaign, delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, is designed to celebrate our floral heritage and international relations.
“This year’s Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration theme will focus on the international connections our great town has around the world, told through a series of unique displays.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
Business Breakfast: Harrogate environmental firm agrees Ministry of Defence contract
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate environmental firm has agreed a contract to deliver services to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Adler and Allan, which is based on Station Parade, confirmed the contract with VINCI Facilities to carry out maintenance work across the Ministry of Defence’s fuel infrastructure in the south east.
The work comes as part of the Future Defence Infrastructure contract with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which oversees the MoD’s estate.
Charles Price, fuel infrastructure director at Adler and Allan, said:
“We look forward to a successful working relationship with VINCI Facilities over the coming years. Adler and Allan is committed to ensuring day-to-day delivery of great customer service and performance across the remit of our work at the 58 MoD sites under VINCI Facilities FDIS Built Estate Contract in the South East.
“Our experience working with MOD facilities across the design, build, installation and ongoing maintenance of fuel infrastructure, and our continued account management and sustainability credentials, positions Adler and Allan as a key supply chain partner for FDIS primes.”
Truth Legal launches new website
A Harrogate law firm has launched a new website.
Truth Legal, which is based on Victoria Avenue, set up the site to make the firm’s services “easily accessible”.
The Harrogate firm specialises in personal injury, immigration, clinical negligence and employment law.
However, the new site also includes information on the company’s professional negligence and business services.
Louis MacWilliam, director at Truth Legal, said in a post on the firm’s site:
“It has been carefully designed to make our wide range of services and free legal resources easily accessible to all.
“And with its open, clean, and vibrant style, we believe it perfectly reflects our values of truth, morality, and the determined pursuit of justice.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
Business Breakfast: Harrogate branding agency acquires East Anglian company
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A Harrogate-based branding agency has acquired an East Anglian company for an undisclosed sum.
Impression Studio, which is based on Albert Street, has made the acquisition of Norwich-based digital marketing firm FLOCC.
The addition of FLOCC will see another two members of staff join the business and add a base in East Anglia.
The company now has 15 staff across two brands, Impression and Next Chapter.
Charlie Hartley, founder and managing director of Impression Studio, said:
“I’m delighted to have added FLOCC to our business. It was clear from initial discussions that the values, expertise, client base and culture of FLOCC aligned so closely with our own, and the skills and capabilities of the existing FLOCC team will add significant value to our offering, and vice versa.
“As a growing and ambitious agency, this acquisition enables us to operate more cohesively in East Anglia, expand the group’s overall service offering, continue to recruit outstanding talent, and inject new life into our service delivery and client services.”
Daniel Swepson, head of marketing at Next Chapter, added:
“We’re really excited to welcome FLOCC’s team and clients to the business and have already identified a wide range of opportunities following the expansion of our service offering and capabilities, which will no doubt be of benefit to Impression, Next Chapter and FLOCC clients alike.”
Harrogate estate agents appoints new head of lettings
A Harrogate estate agency has hired a new head of lettings.
Myrings Estate Agents, which is based on Princes Square, has appointed Georgie Spence to the position.
Ms Spence joins the firm with 10 years experience in the field.
In a Facebook post, Myrings added:
“Georgie joins the team with 10 years of lettings experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge to support and drive the team.
“She is passionate about delivering outstanding customer service and happy to assist Landlords and Tenants throughout their journey with us.”
Read More:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesswoman wins lifetime achievement award
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate property specialists move to new office
Knaresborough Pure Gym confirms May opening date
Pure Gym has confirmed it will open in Knaresborough on May 19.
The gym, on the site of the former Lidl supermarket on York Road in Knaresborough, is already inviting locals to sign up for membership.
Pure Gym first revealed it was planning to take on the Knaresborough site last March. In November, it said it planned to be open by March this year but this has been pushed back by two months.
The new gym is set to offer 220 pieces of fitness equipment, certified personal trainers, cardio and weights area and a fitness studio.
The site is set to create nine new jobs and provide free car parking.
A spokesperson for Pure Gym, said:
“We are delighted to be bringing the UK’s favourite gym to Knaresborough.
“Our newest gym will offer members high-quality, low-cost fitness facilities and provide them with access to state-of-the-art equipment to use to achieve their fitness goals whenever they choose.
“We look forward to welcoming new members to PureGym Knaresborough – look out for our opening offer.”
Read more:
- Temporary £300,000 gym at Ripon’s Jack Laugher centre to open next month
- Harrogate man wins landmark disabled settlement against major gym chain
The York Road site was previously a Lidl supermarket until 2018. During covid, it was used as a vaccination site by Homecare Pharmacy Services until it moved to larger premises on nearby Chain Lane in September.
The Pure Gym in Knaresborough will open at midday on May 19.