Business Breakfast: Harrogate bus company offers local firms ‘flagship’ sponsorship

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 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.

Bus operator Transdev is offering companies in the Harrogate district the chance to advertise on its flagship routes.

The company, which runs the 36 route from Harrogate to Leeds, trialed a sponsorship campaign with John Lewis to promote its new store on Victoria Gate in Leeds city centre.

The move saw messaging on two buses on its flagship route in north and west Yorkshire.

The company is now offering the same opportunity to lcal firms in the Harrogate district.

Matt Burley, commercial manager at Transdev, said: 

“John Lewis instantly saw the unique advantage in linking their brand with ours, and now their name can be seen across miles of town and country, inviting potential customers to hop on a bus and be chauffeur driven to the door of their store.

“We believe bus sponsorship is a formula for business success for firms throughout Yorkshire.”

Harrogate company hired to manage Bristol Airport advertising

Bristol Airport has hired a Harrogate company to manage and sell its advertising assets.

Eye Airports, which is based on East Parade, has been hired by the airport on a five-year contract.

The company will be tasked with managing all advertising and promotional opportunities, working closely with the airport’s commercial team to deliver innovative campaigns to customers.

Rachel Davies, managing director at Eye Airports, said:

“We enjoy an excellent working relationship with Bristol Airport, so we are naturally delighted to secure a new five-year contract. As the terminal developments take shape, we are looking forward to delivering some exciting new initiatives using the latest digital technology, both inside and outside the terminal.”

Rupert Lawrie, commercial director at Bristol Airport, said:

“We are delighted to appoint advertising specialist Eye Airports to manage and sell our advertising assets. The award of this new contract follows a competitive tender process and we look forward to working with Eye Airports over the coming five years and seeing the creative advertising campaigns across the airport.”

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Harrogate Mojo bid to open until 6.30am approved

Mojo in Harrogate has had its bid to stay open until 6.30am approved by councillors.

Voodoo Doll Limited, which trades as Mojo, has submitted the licensing request to Harrogate Borough Council for the Parliament Street bar In January.

It includes amending the permitted sale of alcohol from 11am until 4am to 11am to 6am each day of the week.

The proposal would also see the permitted hours for regulated live music, which is currently 11am until 4.30am, changed to 11am to 6am the following morning Monday to Sunday.

The opening hours would be 11am until 6.30am.

A council licensing committee approved the proposal this morning.

Martin Greenhow, managing director of Mojo, told councillors that part of the reason for extending the hours was so the business can recover from the covid pandemic.

He said:

“One of the reasons that we’re here asking for these extra hours is that the business has found challenges since we have returned.

“We have accrued an awful lot of debt in just getting through lockdowns.”

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The chain already has three bars in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool which are open until 6am.

The committee also heard that Mojo has never had enforcement action taken against it or had a licence revoked.

However, David Birtles, a resident who lives at Harrogate House on Parliament Street, objected to the extension.

He said:

“I do not want to be picking my way with my four-year-old grandson through urine, vomit and broken glass as left on our entrance doorway to the street on a regular basis.”

Officials from Mojo said the concerns over anti-social behaviour and late night disturbance were addressed as part of the licence conditions.

The licence will be reviewed in 12 months time.

The move to extend the hours at Mojo comes three months after nearby Viper Rooms, which had opening hours until 4.30am, closed last month.

Best Bar, which is also on Parliament Street, applied to extend its opening hours to 6.30am on Fridays and Saturdays last month.

Business Breakfast: Future of farming to be focus of Harrogate event

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 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 future of farming is set to be debated at an event in Harrogate.

Future Farmers of Yorkshire are set to hold a debate at the Pavilions of Harrogate on Monday, March 8.

The event will focus on whether the industry can carry on farming as it has done for decades.

Among the panelist for the event will be Nikki Yoxall, a grazier from Aberdeenshire, who has an interest in collaborating with other landowners to help regenerate land.

She said:

“All farmers work to annual cycles, and being so connected with the seasons is one of the perks of the job. However, if we continue to do the same things at the same time as we have always done, in a climate that’s changing and in the face of market volatility, it stands to reason that we will come unstuck. 

“As our climate, society and ecosystems become more dysfunctional and unpredictable, we will have to look to shifting our collective mindset to one where we embrace regeneration, restoration and our capacity to adapt.”

Ms Yoxall will be joined on the Spring Debate panel by Alastair Trickett, who runs a mixed arable and sheep farm near Leeds .

Farmers Doug Dear and Bradley Sykes are also on the panel which will be chaired by Farmers Weekly Editor, Andrew Meredith.

For more information on the event, visit the Future Farmers Eventbrite page here.

Women’s business group to host networking event in Harrogate

A women’s business group is set to host another networking event in Harrogate.

Ladies Who Latte (LWL) is free to attend and is open to all women who are in employment, own a business or are starting a business.

Following a well attended meeting last month, the group is set to host another event at the Lilypad restaurant on Kings Road on March 8.

Sarah Shaw, a European strategy consultant who co-founded the group, said:

“Everyone enjoyed the relaxed, friendly atmosphere and no pressure to sell yourself or your business. 

“It was great to meet so many women from a range of fantastic businesses, and it’s fitting that our next meeting coincides with International Women’s Day.”

Meetings are held between 9.30am and 11.30am on the second Wednesday of every month at Lilypad Restaurant on Kings Road. 

It is a drop-in event with no pre-registration and those who attend can then join a closed Facebook community for further promotion and networking opportunities.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate plant nursery staff take on leadership scheme

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 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.

A Harrogate district plant nursery has trained up 12 potential new managers as part of a company training programme.

Johnsons of Whixley, which is based in Kirk Hammerton, has partnered with BHP Consulting to enrol some of its team onto the leadership scheme.

The programme, designed specifically to meet the commercial nursery’s needs, is part of Johnsons’ long-term commitment to providing opportunities for growth and progression within the horticulture industry.

The company also runs a rising stars programme, which looks to train workers to take on senior roles at the company in the future.

Luke Richardson, sales director at Johnsons of Whixley, said: 

“As the business continues to grow and transitions to the third generation of family ownership, we believe that investing in and developing our management team is more important than ever, and we are committed to providing long-term opportunities for people in the horticulture industry.

“As a company, we have worked closely with BHP board advisor and training provider, Mark Roberts, for four years. Mark is well-versed in our entire operation and perfectly positioned to deliver the training.”

Mark Roberts, training provider and board advisor at BHP Consulting, added: 

“We developed the programme to specifically help support the managers in their current roles. It included practical hints and tips that can be used in their daily business activities, we also had the opportunity to discuss some of the current challenges and develop some new ideas and potential solutions.

“Throughout the sessions, there has been a very high level of engagement from all participants, and it shows the business has a management team in place to support its future growth.”

Harrogate College hosts passive house course

Construction businesses are invited to find out how to create energy efficient buildings as part of a free course at Harrogate College.

Called Passive House for Construction Professionals and Management, the scheme is fully funded by government and lasts for four weeks as part of a one-day a week programme.

It aims to teach professionals about passive houses, which are built to rigorous energy efficient design standards to help them maintain an almost constant temperature.

The course will be run by Leeds-based passive house specialists Pure Haus.

Kevin Pratt, director of Pure Haus, said: 

“Building energy efficient homes and retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient is the future.

“I’m so pleased that Harrogate College has embraced the future of the construction industry and this course is a really exciting project for us to be involved in.

“We’re looking forward to installing a ‘mini pure haus’ at the college, too; it will be a real eye-opener for students and help educate them about how we need to build homes to play our part in tackling climate change.”

Danny Wild, Harrogate College principal, said: 

“Creating more energy efficient buildings, and improving the efficiency of the ones we already have, is an important part of the fight against climate change.

“We are delighted to be partnering with local businesses and community groups to raise awareness of, and offer training in, skills like passive house building and retrofitting.

“It is such practices that we all need to adopt, as organisations and individuals, if we are to make real change, reduce our collective carbon footprint and, of course, save money.”

The course starts on Tuesday, March 7. For more information on the scheme and how to apply, visit the Harrogate College website here.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider extends Leigh Leopards sponsorship

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The third in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is a lunch event on March 30 from 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.

A Harrogate district care company has extended its sponsorship of rugby league side Leigh Leopards.

Homes Together Ltd, which is based on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate, will continue to sponsor the Super League club into the new season.

It will see the care provider be the main shirt sponsor for the next two years.

The renewed deal will see Homes Together sponsor the men’s team, women’s team, youth team, and the learning disabilities team.

Speaking about the sponsorship decision, David Ashton-Jones, managing director at Homes Together Ltd, said:

“Our partnership and relationship with Leigh Leopards has been a huge success and opened up so many opportunities for our staff and service users. The club have been big supporters of the work we’re trying to do in bringing new experiences to our service users and show that sport can and should be enjoyed by all.

“We quickly saw that there were other ways for us to grow our partnership and give our support to members of the club. We look forward to seeing what the new season will bring for us all.”

Mike Latham, chairman of Leigh Leopards, said:

“Having Homes Together as main shirt sponsor to the first team is wonderful and we very much value their tremendous support and involvement. This support has now been extended further and demonstrates their commitment and also their faith and belief in us as a club.

“As a supporter for over 50 years, the club historian and now the proud chairman I know how much the club means to the local community and we are determined to ensure we continue to strive for excellence in all we set out to achieve, while remaining accessible, friendly and inclusive.

“I see all those qualities in our highly valued partners Homes Together who strive to create better lives for people and continually strive for excellence in a caring and professional manner. Hearing of their business ethos, their values and their ambitions is inspiring, and to have the company aligned to ours as main sponsor makes me very proud.”

Harrogate chamber meeting to focus on connectivity

The spotlight will be on connectivity in business at the next meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Held on March 13 at the Kings Suite at Harrogate Convention Centre, will hear from speakers about initiatives on broadband connectivity and the public highway – both topics important to businesses.

Speakers at the monthly business event will be Alastair Taylor, CEO of NYnet; Dr Kim Johnston, regional partnership director, consumer at City Fibre and Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport.

David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: 

“The thread for our March meeting is the highway, be it super or public, with each of the speakers giving an overview as to current developments in the Harrogate District.

“Connectivity and superfast broadband speeds are what businesses expect as the norm these days, and anything less could impact on them being able to function properly, and even lose them work.

“We expect Cllr Duncan to give an update on the Harrogate Station Gateway Project – three years after it was first put before the business community.”

Members and first time visitors wishing to attend the March meeting are asked to register their attendance in advance via the Chamber’s new website here.

A networking session will start from 5.30pm and speakers will begin at 6.15pm.

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A Quarter of a Century: 25 Years of Myrings

This story is sponsored by Myrings Estate Agents 

This year marks a special anniversary for Myrings: 25 years in the property business!

Where have all those years gone? It’s hard to say, but as a company our plans, hopes and ambitions remain focused on the immediate future and the year ahead.

We are delighted to report (especially at the start of a new year) that Myrings has never been stronger. We are recognised as a leading player in several important and growing areas, including both the rental and the ‘Land & New Homes’ sectors.

Throughout 2023, we are expecting the Harrogate market to make a significant return in both residential sales and lettings after an inevitable blow during covid. Nevertheless, we will continue to invest heavily in our clients, infrastructure and working practices – ultimately offering all associates of Myrings an even better service.

Recently, we have integrated our sales and rental departments in order to optimise efficiency and create a seamless synergy between services. In addition, we understand the importance of an aesthetic and technical workspace, and, thus, redecorated and re-equipped our Harrogate offices – including updated state-of-the-art IT systems.

The universal birth of social media has coincided with our years in business and has inhabited itself as a fundamental part of our marketing strategies. Rising to the ever-changing developments of the online world, we adapted our marketing to the necessary and hugely advantageous nature of social media – and it’s only going from strength-to-strength. Interacting with the local community has become a vital cog in our marketing functions, and we have been lucky enough to sponsor the likes of Harrogate Town FC, Ripon Tennis Club, St Michael’s Hospice, Martin House, Henshaws and more.

Employee development remains one of our core values. Over the years, we have continually trained our staff and two new apprentices, supported them in their studies for professional qualifications and recruited several property professionals to strengthen our teams further.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate healthcare company creates 20 jobs

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club!

The second in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is an After Work Drinks event on February 23 from 5.30pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district, get your tickets now by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate-based digital health company, Inhealthcare, has created 20 jobs which will help the NHS and private sector with patient monitoring services.

Inhealthcare supports more than 50 NHS trusts in England and provides services to five health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland.

Services provided by Inhealthcare, which is based at Cardale Park, include the management of ‘virtual wards’. Patients get to remain at home whilst they or a carer monitor vital signs and input data on an app, SMS, automated phone call or online portal.

The 20 jobs at the company include app developer roles, automation testers, technical authors and product specialists, as well as account managers, deployment and training managers, and training and support executives.

This takes the number of employees to 44.

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Harrogate car dealership wins award for customer satisfaction

 Harrogate care dealership, Stratstone MINI has received Reputation’s 800 award for high customer-satisfaction.

The dealership, which is on Wetherby Road, is one of seven Stratstone garages to win this award in 2023.

Reputation, which gives out the award, assess the customer-satisfaction of companies in various industries, including the automotive industry, finance, healthcare, home services, hospitality and real estate.

Businesses are scored, and those that are honoured with the 800 award will have achieved a score above that number.

Kim Costello, chief customer officer at Stratstone, said:

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our associates in North Yorkshire.

“Across Stratstone, our aim is to be the gold-standard for customer-centric business, putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to earning this award year after year.”​​​​​​

New monthly market coming to Ripley

A new monthly food, drink and craft market is set to be held in Ripley.

Real Food Markets, which runs events in Ilkely, will host the new venture on the last Sunday of each month from April until November.

An additional Christmas market will be held on December 10.

The markets will take place in Ripley Castle courtyard. Entry is free and also includes access to the grounds of the castle and the castle gardens on market days. Entry to the castle is still subject to a charge.

Ripley Castle grounds, where the market will be held.

Ripley Castle courtyard, where the market will be held.

Rebecca Riordan, from Ripley Castle Estate, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Real Markets to Ripley Castle this year. We are looking forward to the castle courtyard being full of amazing local talent and produce. 

“We are pleased to confirm on Real Market days access to the castle’s gardens and grounds will be free of charge. 

“Well behaved dogs on leads will also be welcomed into the courtyard, if you wish to enjoy a castle guided tour a small supplement will be charged. We have chosen to work with Real Markets because of the lovely atmosphere of their markets, and the high quality of the stallholders.”

Lucy Allen, director of Real Markets, added: 

“Real Markets’ remit has always been to work hard on behalf of our stallholders and the community and bring people together over great produce and fabulous products in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

“We’re very proud of the range and quality of the stallholders at our markets and these two new venues will be wonderful opportunities for small traders to meet new customers.

“We’re happy to hear from producers who would like to work with us and also charities and community groups local to Ripley or Grassington who would like a free space at our markets to promote their work.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate independents collaborate

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club!

The second in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is an After Work Drinks event on February 23 from 5.30pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district, get your tickets now by clicking or tapping here.

Three independent businesses in Harrogate , Husk beer emporium, Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social, have decided to collaborate to help each other out.

Customers at Husk beer emporium can get food delivered from Thug Sandwich Co or Pizza Social to enjoy in Husk’s James Street store.

The scheme is expected to be particularly popular on Wednesday’s quiz nights, where teams will be able to get pizzas delivered to eat while they compete in the quiz.

Husk’s location on James Street, just round the corner from Thug Sandwich Co, led to the two independents getting in touch and deciding to work together.

The three businesses discussed the idea over social media before putting the plan into action.

Danny James, co-owner and manager of Husk, said:

“With the Increasing energy bills, looming rising prices across the board etc we’ve recently teamed up with Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social…

This supports all 3 indies by increasing traffic to our bar whilst providing Thug and Pizza Social more remote seating at our place and hopefully more orders for their very awesome food offerings!”

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Harrogate BID reaches final of national In Bloom competition

Harrogate BID has reached the finals of the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK competition.

The business organisation has been selected for its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration, and will compete in the BIDS, Town Centres & City Centres category. Harrogate BID was named regional winner in the category last year.

Installation part of the floral summer of celebration

The summer of celebration featured a floral trail, an indoor exhibition, and a shop window competition. This was in addition to the 200 barrier baskets, shop doorway planters and hanging baskets around the town centre.

Harrogate BID Manager, Matthew Chapman, said:

“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and over the years has won many accolades – regional, national and international. Our floral campaign, delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, was designed to celebrate our floral heritage.

It was brilliant to partner with a number of different businesses and organisations, including Blamey’s Florist, Harrogate Theatre, The Turkish Baths, Harrogate Library, Harrogate in Bloom and Harrogate Spring Flower Show, all of whom contributed to its success.”

The winners of the In Bloom awards will be announced at a ceremony in October.

County council to set up new estates company

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to establish a new property company to look after its estate.

Under plans outlined in a report due before the council’s executive, the new firm would be established with £200,000 working capital backed by a loan.

It would also see the authority’s current estates company, Align Property Partners Limited, operate on a commercial basis.

The new firm would be wholly owned by the council and would transfer to North Yorkshire Council from April 1.

As part of the plan, the company would adhere to “teckal” exemptions – meaning the council could directly award it contracts without open procurement.

Vicki Dixon, assistant director for strategic resources, said in a report that the current firm, Align Property, was “well-placed” to operate commercially.

She said:

“A substantial market exists for the services provided by Align, with the company well placed to capitalise on its existing reputation in the commercial space.

“The growth is being driven by non-NYCC externally generated income and indicates that Company trading aspirations have outgrown the initial Teckal-based operating model.”

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Ms Dixon added that the new company’s function would be to “continue providing high quality property, highways and estates services to the council and associated bodies, while being Teckal compliant”.

Senior councillors will discuss the plans at a meeting on Tuesday, February 21.

The move comes as the new North Yorkshire Council is set to take control over a host of district-council run companies.

Brimhams Active, the arms-length leisure firm, and Bracewell Homes – both of which are owned by Harrogate Borough Council – will transfer over to the new authority on April 1.

The county council has previously been criticised for the performance of its own companies after its Brierley Group of firms reported losses in recent years.