business Archives - Page 63 of 87

GC Motors owner completes £250,000 property refit

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Giles Castleton, the owner of GC Motors in Harrogate, has completed the £250,000 refit of Adam House, a four-storey office block adjacent to the car dealership on Ripon Way, Harrogate.

The refurbishment is in preparation for the property being offered for re-letting.

Adam House has parking and electric car charging points as well as secure bike stores.

Mr Castleton said:

“We already own several properties on this site and when Adam House became available we were keen to add it to our portfolio. It’s a fantastic building with a great deal to offer. It’s in a great location, just a mile from Harrogate town centre, it’s very accessible by either car, bike or public transport.”

Clem McDowell, office agency director at property consultants Carter Towler, which is marketing the property, said:

“By removing the existing partitioning, upgrading all the communal facilities including toilets and kitchens, adding energy efficient lighting and air conditioning with air recirculation, this impressive, stand-alone property is now perfect for progressive businesses such as solicitors, accountants, IT and media agencies looking for additional space.”

Harrogate clinic to bring pioneering stem cell treatment to UK

A Harrogate surgery is set to bring a pioneering stem cell treatment to the UK.

Mallappa Kolar, whose family runs Kliniken plastic and cosmetic surgery clinic, is set to pioneer a new variation of the procedure which helps patients with painful osteoarthritis.

The procedure uses a HumanMed ‘Q-graft’ machine that isolates stem cells using a combination of methods to increase the purity of stem cells obtained from the fat.

The treatment itself focuses on utilising fat cells to aid regeneration within the area affected through use of targeted injections at the problem regions and joints.

Mr Kolar said his experience of seeing the effects of arthritis first hand inspired him to pursue stem cell research.

He said:

“It all started when I saw first-hand the disabling effects that arthritis has on both the physical and mental status of an individual, which I witnessed through my own parents’ suffering. This really hit home when seeing my son, their first grandchild, wanted them to join him playing and their inability to join in with him because of the pain.

“I knew then that this was an area I was deeply passionate about and wanting to work further on towards solutions that really work – so that is what I did.”

Business workshop to take place in Harrogate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Business workshop to take place in Harrogate

ActionCOACH Harrogate is hosting a free business workshop at Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen next week.

It’s been designed for business owners who want “a more manageable, more profitable business that can work without them.”

Andrew Joy will talk business people through the ActionCOACH “6 Steps” model that’s used by many successful companies around the world.

The free morning of business coaching will include marketing concepts, sales promotion and profit-building systems that can be put into practice straight away.

To register visit here.

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Nidderdale to host events on how farmers can improve their businesses

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is hosting a series of events throughout August to help local farmers respond to current challenges.

This includes farmers who have taken on regenerative farming practices, or who have diversified into new enterprises, including artisan cheese production and the development of a Yorkshire barn wedding venue.

Speakers include a regenerative farming consultant, a Nuffield scholar veterinarian, and representatives from the Pasture Fed Livestock Association.

The events are hosted in locations across Nidderdale, including Middlesmoor, Grewelthorpe and Blubberhouses. For more information visit here.

Matthew Trevelyan, farming in protected landscapes officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“We want to help farmers respond to current challenges. It is likely that ‘business as usual’ won’t work for many of the AONB’s farmers in the future, especially as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is withdrawn.”

Harrogate legal firm makes double senior appointment

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Harrogate-based Berwins Solicitors has confirmed two new appointments to its senior team.

Natasha Guest and Oliver King have both been promoted to associate director.

The promotions come as the company looks to invest in the development and progression of staff within the firm.

Paul Berwin, managing director of Berwins, said:

“Outstanding people sit at the heart of every successful business and the ability to recognise and reward that excellence is key.

“These promotions recognise exactly that, and we are thrilled to see these two talented solicitors progress in their careers at Berwins.”

Natasha, who has 15 years experience as a litigation lawyer, said:

“This is an exciting time for the firm, with developments to both grow the business and further improve the way we deliver legal service for clients bearing fruit.

“I’m thrilled, through promotion to Associate Director, to be playing an active part in that.”

Harrogate company takes on 10-year business park lease

A Harrogate timber firm has taken up a 10-year lease on a local business park.

Ainscough Properties Ltd has announced that PM Dickson Timber will take over unit 8 on Follifoot Ridge Business Park.

The local timber business will relocate to the 10,304 sq ft unit, which was previously occupied by JCT-600 and used for vehicle preparation and storage.

New therapy and coaching centre opens in Harrogate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A new therapy and coaching centre has opened in Harrogate.

The Harlow, which is based at Cardale Park, aims to help businesses, individuals and families through tough times with a team of therapists and coaches.

The centre was set up by Gordon Bethell, who is chairman of Leeds-based marketing agency CreativeRace.

Mr Bethell said he set up the centre after becoming interested in psychology during his career in marketing.

He said:

“For many years I kept my own personal journey discreet as I didn’t want clients and colleagues to know I needed support.

“My whole experience gave me profound insight about my past and how it informed my behaviours. I recognised that therapy can be daunting and confusing for many and there is a critical need for quality triage or assessment so that clients are matched with the best approach.”

The Harlow will be running a series of workshops over the next few months that are for both practitioners and clients.

Topics include parenting, transitioning from primary to secondary school and guiding adults through career choices. For more information, visit The Harlow website.

Harrogate town centre businesses support fundraiser

Businesses in Harrogate town centre have backed a marathon challenge aimed at raising money for children from Wharfedale, Nidderdale and beyond.

Simon Thomas, 62, who is a trustee of The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, will embark upon a mammoth 26-mile walk this Sunday (July 17).

The walk will begin at 7am at the war memorial on Parliament Street and go around the A61 around Harrogate town centre 13 times to clock up the marathon distance.

Thirty Harrogate town centre businesses have backed the challenge including Three’s A Crowd, Bambinos, Trotters Bar and Mountain Express.

Ahead of the challenge, Mr Thomas said:

“Over the last decade the trust has helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories.

“The trust’s 100% donations policy ensures every penny raised directly benefits children and their families and we are indebted to all the Harrogate businesses who are supporting this fundraising challenge.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit Mr Thomas’ page or visit one of the participating businesses.

Harrogate IT firm makes £10m acquisition

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Redcentric makes another acquisition

IT service provider Redcentric has completed the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of 4D Data Centres for £10m.

4D Data Centres is a data centre operator and cloud services provider. It operates centres in Surrey, Gatwick, London and Kent.

Redcentric’s headquarters are at Central House on Otley Road and has made a number of acquisitions over the past 12 months.

In June, the company acquired three data centres as well as network services from Sungard Availability Services (UK) Ltd, which went into administration.

In March it acquired security testing firm 7 Elements for around £4.5m. Last October, it bought York IT company Piksel IS for £9.5m.

Free business advice at Harrogate drop-in

A business support drop-in session will be held at Harrogate Co-Lab next Wednesday, July 13.

Hosted by Harrogate Borough Council’s business services department, the free event will have experts from the growth manager service, Ad-Venture and York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub.

Each will be available to answer questions about starting and growing a business, as well as free support and grants available for businesses in the Harrogate district.

The event runs from 9am to 5pm at the Co-Lab base on Kings Road, Harrogate.

For more information, email business@harrogate.gov.uk.

Hot Seat: A bold new approach at Black Sheep

Masham is the small town in the Harrogate district with a big reputation for beauty and beer.

Set in sumptuous Wensleydale, it is home to two major breweries — Theakston and Black Sheep.

The breweries, which boost the town’s economy and provide jobs, have been around so long it’s hard to imagine Masham without them. But the future at Black Sheep looked far from rosy a few years ago.

The company, which was founded by Paul Theakston in 1991 when he became the black sheep of the family by setting up a rival to the brewery created by his family in 1827, was running at a loss.

The chairman asked Charlene Lyons, who had set up her own consultancy at the age of 29 in 2007, if she would consider becoming chief executive.

Ms Lyons knew what she was getting into: her consultancy had been brought in to help Black Sheep in 2016 and she had joined the board in 2018. She says:

“It was a business that had not had much external objectivity. It had been making a loss for four or five years.”

Charlene Lyons

For Newcastle-born Ms Lyons, it was an appealing new challenge.

The daughter of a market trader, she grew up fiercely determined to be a successful businesswoman. She cut her teeth as a fashion buyer for Marks & Spencer in London and her career was flying but her dad’s sudden death when she was just 23 had a profound effect.

Gradually her mindset changed and by the time the top job at Black Sheep became available the prospect of working in the Dales appealed more than corporate city life.

Ms Lyons, who sleeps for just three or four hours a night, now enjoys the scenic commute to work from Leeds at 5.45am. She says:

“It’s the most beautiful drive to an incredible part of the world, for a business that is deep rooted in the most amazing heritage and culture.”

Future planning

There was plenty to occupy her mind on those early morning drives when she started the job. Weeks after becoming chief executive, covid struck.

Black Sheep was quick to respond, staging regular coronavirus planning meetings from January 2020, when much of the world was laughing it off.

As the situation worsened, the company instigated a raft of measures, such as improving its online shop, securing third party packaging to reduce its reliance on one supplier and alerting supermarkets to the availability of its products. Online sales increased from about £100,000 to £800,000 during the first covid year.

Black Sheep also offered a ‘brew to you’ delivery service, which involved delivering beer to the end of people’s drives and provided a local food delivery service in Masham. A future strategy team was set up to plan for life after covid. Ms Lyons said:

“So many businesses didn’t have the bandwidth to think about the future during covid.”

Ms Lyons’ bold and forward thinking approach helped the company recover at a time when covid had a devastating impact on the hospitality trade. Besides furlough, Black Sheep received no business rate freeze or grants despite the catastrophic impact of pub closures.

The latest annual accounts, for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, revealed the company made a profit of £1m but an operating loss of £1.1m due to exceptional items, such as redundancy payments.

Considering the circumstances, this was an impressive set of results. The accounts also reveal how much covid changed the business model. They state: “Our off trade business grew its turnover from £6,864,988 to £9,547,261, our on trade turnover was decimated, reducing from £9,838,810 to £2,245,457.”

The current strategy focuses on providing a direct route to market, rather than relying on third parties, and ‘owning Yorkshire’, which means getting its products in every pub, bar and other retail outlet selling beer in the county.

The brewery in Masham.

Black Sheep exports to 12 countries but overseas trade is a very small part of its business.

Its fresh approach to marketing is epitomised in its recent drink cask beer campaign, featuring comedian Maisie Adam, which aims to break down what Ms Lyons calls the “ridiculous stereotype” that only men aged over 55 drink cask beer.

Ms Lyons is rather tired of another cliché: that being a female chief executive in the world of beer is frowned upon.

“It’s not been an issue at all. The perception is more in the eye of the beholder. People always ask ‘what’s it like to be a CEO in a make dominated brewery?’ But in my experience everybody is taken at face value. It doesn’t occupy even a tiny bit of my thinking.”

Outside work she enjoys travel, food and wine. Being the mother of three sporty children, she also spends a lot of time driving them around.

Masham may seem a long way from corporate life but managing a team of 146 staff in such difficult time is no easy task, particularly when you throw in challenges like the cost of living crisis and rampant inflation.

But Ms Lyons looks back on the last two-and-a-half years at the helm with satisfaction.

“We’ve done an exceptional job. Many businesses have just folded.

“Hospitality has been one of the most affected sectors and we had no government support except furlough.

“You have two choices with challenges: slump your shoulders and let things overtake you or rally the troops and do something about it.”

Harrogate creative agency reports increase in turnover

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Impression Studio in Harrogate has reported a 30% growth in turnover in the last financial year.

The company, which is based on Albert Street and is a creative digital agency, saw its turnover in 2021/22 increase to £750,000.

The firm works with clients including Power Sheds, Hippo Digital, Infinity Works and KAL Fitness.

Charlie Hartley, founder and managing director of Impression Studio, has also announced plans to develop the business further with an increased focus on brand strategy.

Mr Hartley said:

“The new focus and direction for the business is already helping brands to build emotional connections with customers by creating compelling digital-first brands and digital experiences that both excite and deliver results.”

Chamber meeting to focus on financial support

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its next meeting on Monday.

The meeting will focus on what practical and financial support is available to businesses in the district.

It will be held at Harrogate College on July 11.

Three expert speakers including Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, Steve Bolton, a leader consultant for Harrogate Borough Council, and Amrit Choda, an Aspire2Lead job coach.

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

“For Harrogate businesses seeking information about what financial grants, practical support and staff training they can access, then our July meeting is a must attend event.

“And I’m delighted to say this meeting is open to non-members too. The aim of our meetings is to educate and inform, and this is what July’s speakers will do.”

For more information on the meeting, visit the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce website.

Ripon business gets Dragons’ Den star endorsement

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Ripon business has been endorsed by retail entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis.

The GreenHouse, which is based on North Street, opened three months ago and offers an array of home and garden supplies.

Owner Rebecca Crallan messaged Mr Paphitis on Twitter as part of his Small Business Sunday campaign, which picks six weekly winners to be endorsed on his social media.

The winners also get a chance to network with other small businesses and include a profile on the Small Business Sunday website.

Mr Paphitis picked The GreenHouse and, as a result, shared the Ripon business with his 490,000 Twitter followers and 34,000 Instagram followers.

Ms Crallan said:

“The GreenHouse has only been open three months but I’ve been warmly welcomed by the community in Ripon, both shoppers and fellow retailers alike.

“It is great to have support from Theo because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

Harrogate jewellers wins shop frontage grant

A Harrogate business has been awarded a £750 grant to improve its shop frontage.

Fattorini’s on Parliament Street, which reopened under new management in March, has been granted the money by Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Harrogate BID Matthew Chapman, left, and Fattorini’s director Wayne Beales outside the Parliament Street jewellers.

The grant was part of £10,000 awarded to BID levy payers to help improve the frontages of their businesses.

Other businesses awarded grants include The Den, Cold Bath Brewing, Drum and Monkey and the new Coach & Horses.

The jewellery business used its £750 to refurbish the Victorian canopy and install a new facia board and signage.

Wayne Beales, Fattorini’s director, said:

“Being a BID levy payer, I’m delighted that our application for a grant was approved.

“The painted canopy and new signage has really helped us shout about our revival. It has certainly made us stand out from other businesses on Parliament.

“I would also recommend all levy paying retailers to take advantage of the next round of BID improvement grants, so Harrogate town centre can really shine.”

Sir Patrick Stewart films Yorkshire Tea advert in Harrogate

Sir Patrick Stewart features in a new Yorkshire Tea advertisement filmed in Harrogate.

The iconic actor, who is known for films and television series such as X-Men and Star Trek, is the latest star to appear in the brand’s “Where Everything’s Done Proper’ TV adverts.

In the one-minute advertisement, he can be seen paying tribute to a colleague on her last day of work.

You can watch it here.

The advert was first broadcast on television yesterday and was filmed in Harrogate with employees from across the business.

Yorkshire Tea is part of the Bettys and Taylors Group, whose brands also include Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate.

Sir Patrick said:

“”No matter where I am in the world, I always make sure I have some Yorkshire Tea with me for a proper brew.

“My career has taken me from the West End to Broadway, from Hollywood to the far ends of the galaxy, but now I’ve returned to where it all began. Yorkshire.”

Lucy Hoyle, senior brand manager at Yorkshire Tea said:

“We’re chuffed to bits with this new advert and hope everyone loves it as much as we do. Sir Patrick is an absolute legend when it comes to delivering a heart-felt performance.

“If anyone is a master of the art of ‘doing things properly’ – something that is central to everything we do here at Yorkshire Tea – it’s Sir Patrick and we’re thrilled he is part of the Yorkshire Tea team.”

Yorkshire Tea’s advert series has featured a number of famous names, including Sheffield’s Sean Bean and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Carter Jonas makes new senior appointment in Harrogate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Carter Jonas has made a new senior appointment to its team who will be based in Harrogate.

Nicky Partridge is set to become the new Head of Yorkshire New Homes at the estate agents and property consultants.

She will help the northern sales team, aiding the consultancy to further extend its presence in the new homes sector, as well as reflecting the national levelling-up initiative.

Ms Partridge said:

“There has never been a greater need for new homes in the UK, with Michael Gove having recently announced the potential shortage year on year, so the time is now to answer the call for more stock.

“The new homes market is extremely buoyant. Enticements are rife, with green mortgages available for buyers who are drawn in by newer more energy efficient homes from quality developments. Through my 17 years’ experience of pricing, marketing and selling homes, I’ve found proven strategies for both consumers and developers, ensuring best prices are found for all home units.”

New Florist in Knaresborough

A new florist has opened up in Knaresborough this past week.

River & Rose is located on Market Place and specialises in bespoke designs for weddings, funerals and events.

The new florist opened on Friday and celebrated by hiding five bunches of flowers around the town.