New managers take over historic Knaresborough hotel

New managers have taken over at a historic Knaresborough hotel.

Newton House Hotel, York Place, was acquired by Lamb and Flag Enterprise Ltd after former owner Denise Carter retired.

Ms Carter bought the 12-bedroom building in 2011. She went on to win plenty of awards, including top spot on the Channel 4 TV show Four in a Bed in 2016.

Now, Raphael and Cici Carreira have taken over management of the property following the Lamb and Flag acquisition.

The Brazilian-born couple intend to bring a new approach to the B&B, while retaining the high-quality service and locally sourced food for its award-winning English breakfasts.

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Lamb and Flag Enterprises has retained the existing hotel staff team and will continue to operate the business as is, while plans for refurbishment in 2023 are prepared to expand the services offered within the property.

Richard Venable, Lamb and Flag Enterprises director, said: 

“It is business as usual at the moment until we line up our plans for the longer term.

“We are confident that our guests will continue to enjoy the same warm welcome they have become accustomed to at Newton House, with Raphael, Cici and their friendly and efficient team.”

Newton House Hotel is a converted 300-year-old Georgian townhouse rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle.

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Does your business deserve the Business Growth award?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Business Growth Award, which is sponsored by Raworths.

This award is designed to recognise those businesses that have seen significant growth in the last three years.

Business growth could be measured either financially, by employee numbers of market share increase.

Companies looking to enter for the Business Growth Award need to provide evidence of the growth, background information as to the reason for growth and plans for the future.

Does your business deserve to win the Business Growth Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Does your business deserve the Inclusivity award?

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

First up is the Inclusivity Award, which is sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors.

This award is designed to give vital recognition to a company that has demonstrated working practices with a proactive approach to inclusivity.

These businesses have made employees and customers feel welcome, safe and free to be themselves, regardless of nationalities, gender, race or sexual orientations.

Companies looking to enter for the Inclusivity Award need to provide details of its policy for inclusivity and, if applicable, provide and example where it has given significant support to an employee or customer.

By giving vital recognition to those who have inclusivity at the heart of their business, we hope others will follow their example.

Does your business deserve to win the Inclusivity Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Coneythorpe pub owner criticises lengthy roadworks as pub set to close

The owner of a Coneythorpe pub has criticised a set of month long roadworks as the “final kick we didn’t need”.

The Tiger Inn will close for five weeks in the new year while utility company Power On installs power cables for a new development park comprising industrial and commercial units in the area.

The scheme is expected to last six months and involve five weeks of road closures, starting on January 9, in Flaxby and Coneythorpe.

It is the latest disruption to hit the pub, which has already struggled through covid and a fire in November 2020.

Barbara Gill, who owns the Tiger Inn, said the pub was already dealing with the cost of living crisis – which has seen its energy bills increase to more than £4,000.

She said:

“These road works are the final kick we didn’t need.”

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Ms. Gill told The Stray Ferret that pubs have had to learn how to cope with these national crises such as the pandemic and the now cost-of-living crisis.

She said:

“They’ve had to adapt rapidly.”

Ms Gill added that staff at The Tiger inn will receive full pay to support them while the pub is closed.

However, businesses in the area including the Tiger Inn have not been compensated for the road works.

‘Extensive consultation’

Power On said in a statement it had conducted “extensive consultation” to minimise disruption.

Work will start on York Road in Flaxby and continue onto Shortsill Lane and Moor Lane. It will take place from January 9 to 28 before recommencing on February 22 until March 14.

The company said in a statement that it was “committed to delivering essential works whilst ensuring minimal disruption to local residence and the community”. It added:

“We have been able to avoid further closures by allowing traffic to flow subject to reduced weight limits.  Alternative transport for schools will be provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

“We have been working with the local parish council who have assisted in coordinating the works.  Road closure signs will include alternate routes to any local businesses affected with advanced warning signs posted in late December.

“The works are to be completed during the winter months, to minimise impact.  At the request of the Tiger Inn and the parish council, it was agreed that work will be suspended during potentially busier periods such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and Easter weekend.”

Ms. Gill is hopeful the pub will be able to get back on its feet with the support of their loyal customers around Mother’s Day.

She added:

“We need people to support us when we reopen.”

The Tiger Inn is planning to reopen on February 10.

Harrogate M&S manager calls for longer Christmas fayre to bolster town centre

Retailers and a business group have said the Harrogate Christmas Fayre had a significant impact on town centre footfall.

The fayre, which ended on Sunday after 10 days, included about 50 stalls on Cambridge Street and Market Place.

It was operated by Market Place Europe in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District.

It was part of a wider Christmas offering that also included an ice skating rink, an après ski bar and a 32-metre ferris wheel.

Although the market stalls have been disbanded, the other attractions will continue into January.

Mark Robson, store manager at Harrogate Marks and Spencer, called for the market to be held for longer next year.

He said:

“I am super positive about the impact of the market, we saw a very clear impact on improved footfall into store and spending.

“All of the comments I heard from customers and my store colleagues were about how good it was.

“My view is that we should aim to do the same again in future years, and ideally for a longer period of time. We should also have confidence to go bolder with future marketing if the event.”

The Christmas Fayre wheel in Harrogate town centre.

The ferris wheel in Harrogate town centre.

Simon Midgley, owner of Starling Bar and Kitchen on Oxford Street, said the market helped to “bolster” business.

He said:

“I think the Christmas market was much better than previous years coupled with the other attractions of the big wheel, ice rink, etc. It made it more of a reason to come into Harrogate from out of town.

“Starling has been nice and busy since reopening four weeks ago and I do believe our business has been bolstered by some trade from those visiting the Christmas market. Bookings in the run up to Christmas look strong for us.”

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Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate Business Improvement District, which was also a partner in the Christmas activities, said: 

“Harrogate’s great all year round offering, plus this year’s fabulous Christmas attractions, has seen town phenomenally busy — and not just at weekends.

“The BID team has been receiving really positive comments, with the general consensus that footfall and spend has been very much up. The manager of one national retailer told me her takings were more than 50% up compared to this time last year, which is fantastic to hear.

“The Christmas fayre has definitely helped with the pull factor, and having it in town for ten days has helped attract shoppers during the earlier part of the week. So too did the BID-funded Candy Cane Express.”

Meet Harrogate’s unlikely TikTok star

If you were asked to guess which Harrogate business was leading the way on TikTok, a traditional gentleman’s outfitters owned by a man approaching 60 might not be the first place that came to mind.

But Rhodes Wood, a cornerstone of town centre shopping for three generations, has become a TikTok sensation since venturing on to the social media platform about five months ago. One video of owner Jeremy Beaumont showing how to tie a tie has had 10.8 million views.

The stats aren’t just impressive — they have translated into an uplift in sales from around the world, prompted two TV appearances and encouraged some Harrogate shoppers who might have felt a little intimidated by entering such a high end shop to give it a go.

Mr Beaumont’s son Charles, who was 19 at the time, persuaded him to give it a go and since then their short videos combining practical advice with fun have proved a worldwide hit.

The video on how to tie a Windsor knot attracted one million views within a day and has now been watched 10.8 million times.

Mr Beaumont shows his shop’s TikTok account.

One video shows Mr Beaumont, a former martial arts practitioner with remarkable flexibility for a man of 59, perform a spinning back kick.

He baulks at the suggestion he is some kind of TikTok expert or social media influencer. He admits he hasn’t a clue about the intricacies of TikTok and seems slightly baffled by his success:

“My son said ‘try it for a month and see how it goes. Our first sale was a meaningful sale and it’s just taken off.”

Rhodes Wood, on Parliament Street, sells classic menswear and vintage luggage and Mr Beaumont’s specialism in these niche fields gives him an edge over many retailers.

Nevertheless, he feels other businesses ought to consider TikTok instead of writing it off it as a fad among young people without money. Like other social media, it is evolving beyond that. He said:

“I think it’s about finding a balance and not being too salesy. If you can show a human face and a courteous manner that helps too,.

“It’s encouraging people who have walked past the shop for 10 or 15 years but never been in to cross the threshold because they realise we don’t bite.

“One man who walked past for years came in because his daughter showed him a video of me on TikTok. Two guys from Teesside came in because they’d seen me on it.”

Mr Beaumont admits engaging with people who comment on his posts is time consuming. He often wakes in the night and chats with people in America or Australia.

But the effort is worth it. He plans to set up online sales on his shop’s website — something he has not found cost effective in the past — and direct TikTok followers to it.

But social media fame sits uncomfortably:

“In truth I’m a shy person. It’s different in here because it’s my own domain.”

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Harrogate nightclub Viper Rooms closes suddenly

Harrogate’s only nightclub the Viper Rooms has announced its sudden closure tonight.

The Viper Room’s owner, Paul Kinsey, said the landlord had taken possession of the venue after they failed to negotiate a new lease.

Around 30 staff work at the venue and have lost their jobs, while all Christmas parties booked will be unable to go ahead.

The following announcement was posted on social media this evening:

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the immediate closure of the Viper Rooms after 15 years.

“Having tried for nearly 3 years to negotiate a new lease with our landlord in good faith and after spending £350,000 refurbishing the club in 2019 they have taken possession of the site.

“We would like to thank all of our loyal team members and entertainers who have entertained the town since 2007.”

The post went onto say that Mr Kinsey would release a “new venue announcement soon”.

This is a breaking news story.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate branding agency appoints technical director

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Today is the final Business Breakfast of 2022. It will return in the New Year.

A Harrogate branding agency has appointed a new technical director.

Dan Martin has joined Impression Studio, which is based on Albert Street, after spending two years at creative agency Jaywing.

Mr Martin has 20 years of experience in a range of industries including electronics, HR, education, and a variety of web agencies.

On joining Impression, he said:

“I’m just so excited to have this opportunity. 

“I know I have skills and experience that will benefit Impression but it’s also a chance for me to take the next step in my career and test myself at a new level. 

“I was happy in my previous role and could have stayed there forever, but this was just too good to miss and I’m really looking forward to seeing where we go together.”

Mr Martin will be tasked with overseeing all technical aspects of the work produced. At a strategic level he will be setting the direction of the agency in terms of the technologies used and the approach taken.

Charlie Hartley, managing director of Impression, said:

“Dan brings a wealth of experience delivering complex technical solutions for Enterprise level brands looking to innovate digitally.

“He’ll be implementing Headless CMS & React development solutions to position the agency as one of the leading web development agencies in the north of England.”

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Boroughbridge company appoints new director

Boroughbridge-based firm Reed Boardall has appointed a new director.

Norman Hartley, who has been with the firm for 16 years, has been promoted to transport operations director.

Previously head of transport operations, Norman joined the business in 2006 and has progressed through various positions including operations shift manager and planning manager.

In his new role, Norman will be responsible for reviewing and developing processes to drive efficiency and achieve organisational growth.

Marcus Boardall, chief executive, said: 

“Norman is a confident leader who has constantly demonstrated his ability to manage, motivate and develop teams to deliver operational excellence.

“He’s a fantastic example of one of our many long-serving colleagues who, through hard work and talent, has built a career with us. This latest promotion is well-deserved recognition of his commitment to the company and we believe he will make a valuable contribution in his new role.”

Business Breakfast: Harrogate firm acquires Ripon advertising company

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

A Harrogate advertising company has acquired Adverta Transport Advertising as part of an expansion at the firm.

CP Media, which has offices on East Parade, will add 23 more staff to its team following the acquisition.

Adverta, which is based in Ripon, is one of the UK’s largest bus and tram advertising specialists and represents around 30 bus companies.

Mike Brennan, chief executive of CP Media, said: 

“The bus and tram advertising sector is one that we know well. I was heavily involved in transport advertising for many years alongside my business partner Andrew Walker. This means that Adverta is a perfect fit for our ambitious growth strategy.

“We are really looking forward to working with the Adverta team and growing the business in the same way that we have grown the main CP Media business and subsequently Eye Airports following our 2019 acquisition.”

Lisa Ratcliffe, managing director of Adverta, said: 

“I am proud of Adverta and very happy that it will be joining the CP Media group.

“CP Media has a great track record of diversification, acquisition and growth and I know that this move will help Adverta to grow significantly.”

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Knaresborough opticians win social media award

A Knaresborough opticians has won an award recognising its social media practice.

Yorkshire Eyewear, which has a branch on High Street in the town, picked up the award at the Opticians Awards in London.

The awards aim to recognise best practice in the industry.

A total of 32 categories were up for nomination, including technology, lens, frame, and contact lens award.

In a tweet, Yorkshire Eyewear said it was delighted to win the best social media practice award.

It said:

“Congratulations to all the other finalists. We are all winners.”

Business Breakfast: Experienced solicitor returns to Harrogate law firm

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

A Harrogate law firm has welcomed back an experienced conveyancing solicitor to the company.

Liz Webster has returned to LCF Law, where she last worked in 2012.

She said:

“Having started out as a legal executive more than 24 years ago, I worked at firms in Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford before qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 and then becoming a partner at the Wakefield-based firm where I started out.

“I have taken two career breaks to travel and worked for LCF Residential in between but having settled back in Yorkshire, I was keen to return to the firm permanently. The ethos at LCF Residential is unparalleled and the team are first-rate.”

Julie Davis, a director at LCF Residential, said:

“We are thrilled to have Liz back. Despite the ever-changing political landscape, the housing market has remained buoyant, with lots of transactions.”

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Harrogate company reaches supply agreement with Romanian security firm

A Harrogate communications firm has reached an agreement with a Romanian security company to supply telephone and workplace technology.

Storm, which is based at Cardale Park, has announced the partnership with Civitas Group, which works with major oil, gas and petrochemicals companies in the country.

The Harrogate-based firm will supply Civitas with workforce management and communications technology, including radio phones known as Push-to-Talk over Cellular.

Luke Wilkinson, founding director of Storm, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Civitas Group, a long established and highly respected provider of security services to blue chip clients and their interests across Romania and its fast-growing economy.

“Our agreement represents a new customer and new region for Storm and is another sign of increasing market confidence in the strength and resilience of our world-leading technologies.”