A Harrogate-based employment law firm has expanded its offices to London.

Boardside in London is close to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England. The location will mean it is easily accessible for clients in the city.

The company now has branches in three different regions, with its headquarters in Harrogate.

The firm wrote in its newsletter:

“Almost five years after launching our niche employment law practice in Yorkshire, we are delighted to announce that we now have a presence in the capital.

“We believe that by having offices in the two biggest legal centres (Leeds and London) in the country, it will be easier for us to meet clients from across the UK.”

Boardside is run by owners Richard Port and Nadine Martson.

Support for Ripon businesses

Ripon’s Business Improvement District has appointed the Place Support Partnership to help firm in Ripon save on running costs.

PSP will visit BID businesses to support and advise them on reducing costs associated with utility and trading bills.

Lilla Bathurst, manager of the BID, said:

“The Place Support Partnership offers various services and acts as a savings scheme to support businesses.

“During the consultation process, businesses identified that they would like 10% of their levy to go on business support.”

Ripon BID says it has also worked to make businesses aware of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

OHLG grants totally £141,342 were distributed to hospitality businesses in Ripon which were negatively affected by the pandemic.

Harrogate BID provided a business grant of up to £750 last month, for qualifying businesses to improve paintwork, signage and accessibility.

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HGTE collaborates with BrewBar for Harrogate Homeless Project

Sara Shaw, owner of HGTE clothing, is collaborating with BrewBar cafe in Harrogate to help the homeless.

A portion of the profits raised from the sale of the clothing will go to the Harrogate Homeless Project.  The company has already raised over £14,000 for the charity since Christmas 2016.

Ms Shaw explained that the idea of HGTE is to not just to raise funds, but also to raise awareness about homelessness in Harrogate.

“The aim is to support a vital local charity with a quality product that is ethical.

“BrewBar is situated right in the heart of Harrogate, and Simon has such a loyal customer base due to his teams brilliant customer service – I couldn’t say no.”

Simon Somerville-Frost, owner of Brewbar, added:

“In our collaboration we provide a space for Sara’s vision to take place. To see the benefits of these contributions to the community is truly humbling, and we look to continue to give back to the community.”

HGTE started as a one-off, with Ms Shaw printing 25 sweatshirts with the logo. However, it continues to grow, with pieces being posted internationally.

From law graduate to part-owner of Harrogate Family Law: Laura Mounsey 

Laura Mounsey who only became a qualified solicitor at Harrogate Family Law in 2019 has now become a partial owner of the firm.

Andrew Meehan, managing director of HFL, said:

“I am delighted to announce that Laura Mounsey is now a part owner and director of Harrogate Family Law. Laura joined HFL in 2015 and will be a key part in taking the firm from strength to strength as it continues to grow.”

Ms Mounsey was awarded the Cohen and Career Guarantee Scholarship at BPP Law school and was recognised with a ‘Safe Pair of Hands’ award for her ability to help people.

Ms Mounsey wrote a series of columns for the Stray Ferret in 2020:

• Laura’s Law: Is your ex weaponising your children?
• Laura’s Law: Leaving an abusive relationship
• Laura’s Law: How to prepare yourself for getting divorced

Provenance Inns wins ‘Best Food Offer’ at Publican Awards 2022

Provenance Inns and Hotels has won a national award for ‘Best Food Offer,’ after being recognised for its consistent, high-quality dishes.

The North Yorkshire based company was up against competitors such as well-known Farmhouse Inns which owns 70 sites across the UK.

Group executive chef, Jason Wardill, said:

“To beat off every other pub company in the UK is testament to our fresh food, and our hard-working chefs who deliver the menu to the same standard every day across all seven sites.”

The company continues to expand across North Yorkshire, having acquired The Coach and Horses in Harrogate last year which it hopes to refurbish.

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Harrogate marketing agency Big Bamboo has announced three new clients in the United States.

The clients, which are based in New York, Texas and Ohio, operate within the insurance, professional services and industrial packaging sectors.

Nicola Stamford, founding director of Big Bamboo Agency, said it was “a huge milestone for us”.

She said:

“We are thrilled to be working with these new businesses, all of which are leading players in their respective industries and have their own set of needs and marketing challenges.”

Events company helps raise £57,000 for Children’s Air Ambulance

Impulse Decisions staff helped to raise £57,000 for the Children’s Air Ambulance.

Harrogate events company Impulse Decisions has raised more than £57,000 for Children’s Air Ambulance.

Children’s Air Ambulance is a national service which transfers critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care.

Impulse Decisions has worked with the charity before and hopes to double its funding this year.

Tom Hesketh, director of hospitality sales at Impulse Decisions, said:

“This has been a great partnership and shows the benefits of our silent auctions, and just how much money they can raise, at no cost to the charity.

“After the last two years it is even more important to continue to support charities like this and in total, we helped charities nationwide raise over £1 million last year.”

Read more:

• New co-working space opens in Harrogate
• Pateley Bridge artist one of five finalists for top award

Harrogate Borough Council‘s co-working space, Co-Lab, has opened.

Co-Lab consists of new offices, a meeting room and communal space. It’s based on level 3 of Harrogate Convention Centre on King’s Road.

The authority secured £540,000 of funding from the Leeds City Business Rates Pool to fund the project.

It aims to connect digital, tech and creative businesses in the Harrogate district.

Alistair Forbes, Harrogate Borough Council’s in-house growth manager who will support businesses at Co-Lab said:

“Co-Lab will be focussed on digital and tech businesses, but we are inviting anyone interested in collaborating with the business community to talk to us.

“From designers to hardware specialists, technologists, marketers and developers, our aim is that everyone works together to help our community become more successful.”

Ripon butcher wins contract with Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason

Ripon-based online butcher, Farmison & Co has won a contract to supply London stores Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.

Farmison’s new Saucepan Ready range was curated by the company’s Michelin-starred executive chef, Jeff Baker, who has cooked for the Queen and Barack Obama.

The deal comes after Inverleith LLP, an Edinburgh-based specialist consumer brand investor, acquired a majority stake in the business, so it could press ahead with expansion plans.

Business founder and chief executive, John Pallagi, said:

“It’s a real feather in our cap to get Saucepan Ready listed with these two such iconic British retailers – it’s also recognition of the superb quality of the heritage breed meat our farmers supply.”

As well as the Saucepan Ready dishes, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason are stocking Farmison & Co’s beef dripping and chicken schmaltz.

Battery storage facility planned for Burton Leonard

Plans have been submitted to build a battery energy storage system near Burton Leonard.

The application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by Harmony Energy Limited. The company also hopes to build a solar farm nearby.

The battery energy facility will store electricity so it can support the National Grid and provide electricity during high demand.

It would be built next to the Wormald Green Northern PowerGrid substation, off Station Lane, Wormald Green.

The storage facility would be built in the field marked in red.

A Harrogate marketing agency is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.

Extreme was set up by Antony Prince and Mark Gledhill in 2002, predominantly focused on brochure websites and small search engine optimisations projects.

The multi-award-winning team has been in Harrogate’s Windsor House since 2014 and has worked with a range of B2B and B2C local, national and international brands including Severfield plc, Nisa, Lovat Parks, Black Sheep Brewery, Glorious! and Kura Organics.

Antony Prince, managing director, said: 

“20 years in a fast-paced and sometimes fickle industry is something we’re very proud of. We’ve built a fantastic reputation for our creative and technical capabilities and we’ve worked with some amazing brands.”

Theakstons unveils new packaging for festival

Masham-based T&R Theakston is set to launch a limited edition packaging for its Old Peculier beer, ahead of this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

The brewery has repackaged the front of its bottles of Old Peculier to include a bloody thumbprint and the festival logo. Fans of the beer can see the special branding in all shops, and bars and restaurants stocking bottles of Old Peculier.

Simon Theakston, managing director at the brewery, and the packaging for the Old Peculiar.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said: 

“We have worked closely with Harrogate International Festivals on the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for almost two decades now, and are so proud of what it has become.

“With household names such as Mark Billingham, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin regularly attending and participating in the festival, and with stories of book deals being signed over a pint of Old Peculier, it truly is the meeting place for anyone who is anyone in the crime writing world. We’re very pleased to relaunch our limited-edition Old Peculier packaging in anticipation of what we’re sure will be another hugely successful festival.”

Read more:

• Three new restaurants and bars opening in Harrogate in next few days
• New Harrogate bar for craft beer lovers could be coming soon

Allertons hair salon will open its fourth location, Allertons Harrogate, tomorrow.

The salon is located on Montpellier Street and will offer haircuts, colouring, treatments and styling.

Beauty treatments including massage and manicures will be available from the summer.

The company has two other locations in Leeds and one in Nottingham.

Founder Nicholas Nicola said:

“We think it will be well received. We aren’t led by fashion but what the clients want from root tints to bright blue. Harrogate already has so many lovely salons and hopefully we can bring something different.”

You can book online now by visiting this website or by calling us on 01423 608868.

Knaresborough-based maternity brand to launch next month

The Mum Collective is a Knaresborough-based maternity and nursing clothing brand that promises to offer “something different”.

Based in Knaresborough and set up by Sophie Baldwin, the online brand is launching with an essentials collection comprising of a t-shirt, sweater and hoodie. Each item has hidden zips for feeding.

Ms Baldwin said:

“When I fell pregnant one thing I found is that there wasn’t a great deal of clothes I actually wanted to wear that I would feel good in, that would also see me through my entire pregnancy as I was growing, and then through to my breastfeeding journey as well.”

“It was created with a mum and mum-to-be’s entire journey in mind.”

The new essentials range

Harrogate Business Improvement District has opened its 2022 Town Centre Improvements grant scheme.

Qualifying businesses will be able to claim match-funded grants of up to £750 for making a variety of upgrades, including paintwork, signage and accessibility, which are designed to make Harrogate town centre safe, clean and welcoming.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Harrogate BID is keen to support levy-paying businesses in making improvements to their street frontages, the accessibility of their premises and the gateways to the town centre, by providing financial support through match funding.

“We know that businesses in the town centre are facing unprecedented pressures, and we want to ensure that Harrogate remains a desirable place to do business by helping them deliver an aesthetic ‘Welcome to Harrogate’.

“These grants, which help support one of the key objectives in our business plan, namely Safe, Clean and Welcoming, can be used for a variety of different projects.

“As long as the work enhances a façade, or makes it more accessible for disabled customers, we will consider it. As there is a limited budget for the 2022 Town Centre Improvements grant scheme, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.”

Businesses should submit their request for grant support to Harrogate BID via email to: info@harrogatebid.co.uk including a brief description of the proposed work.

Grantley Hall restaurant launches new menu

The Orchard restaurant at Grantley Hall near Ripon has launched its new spring/summer menu.

It offers light, alfresco lunches in the sunshine and cocktails that overlook the manicured grounds of Grantley.

“The Orchard’s spring and summer menu compliments the change of the seasons by offering light and refreshing options, such as an array of succulent seafood dishes, with everything from king prawns and Whitby lobster to chargrilled swordfish – all cooked to perfection by our talented chefs.”

Harrogate-based hair and beauty brand Cloud Nine has appointed a new brand and marketing manager.

Laura Proctor has taken up the role, which comes as part of an expansion of the workforce at the company.

Cloud Nine recently appointed a new HR business partner, Beth Daley.

Speaking on her new role, Ms Proctor said:

“Cloud Nine is a brand I am extremely passionate about and I’m thrilled to be joining the team – this is an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to support the brand on its growth journey.”

Harrogate agencies post record quarter

Paul Snape (centre) with (L to R) Caroline Joynson, Susan Reid, Sarah Hone, Richard Lee and Helen Brady.

Media and profile agencies Appeal and GBM posted a record quarter with £175,000 in sales – an increase of 54%.

The Harrogate-based companies, which are sister organisations, have also appointed two new senior consultants to deliver a raft of new projects for a range of firms, from regional software and technology businesses to professional services organisation.

Paul Snape, founder, said:“In 2020, we launched new services, leveraging our media coverage to generate inbound sales leads online for growing SMEs, and that has helped us expand the US work as more and more firms strive to get a foothold in the North American market.”

Ripon’s newest business is another First for Rebecca

Rebecca Crallan will open the doors to The GreenHouse – Ripon’s newest business –  at 10am tomorrow..

Ms Crallan, who earned a Double First in biology at Cambridge University, before obtaining her PhD at York, is leaving the world of academia and research work behind her for a brand-new career in retail.

Rebecca Crallan with her environmentally-friendly Miniml refillables range of cleaning products

Latterly based in London, where she worked for four years at Cancer Research UK, she has returned to her native Ripon, to put her scientific know-how into creating the eco and environmentally-friendly indie business.

The Stray Ferret visited 11, North Street yesterday for a sneak peek of the products on offer, and to hear why Ms Crallan decided to launch her venture in the city where she was born and bred.

She said:

“I came up with the idea while working at home during the covid lockdown.

“We’re all aware of reports on how we are damaging our planet, polluting the earth, oceans and air with plastics and gases and causing climate change.

“But those reports all call for action: If we act now we can change the outcome.”

Blankets made from redundant yarns, reduce the amount of material going as waste to landfill

She added:

“My mission is to make it easier for people to choose the greener option. From household chores to home styling and everyday needs to luxury treats.”

The products on sale have been carefully selected and locally sourced to minimise the impact on the environment.

Items on sale have been chosen with eco and environmental considerations top of mind

In addition to a refillables range of eco-friendly cleaning products, Yorkshire-made blankets created from recycled or redundant yarns are on offer.

There are also home and garden goods, locally-produced  artisan-made wrapping papers and cards.  .

Read more:

• Yorkshire Agricultural Society appoints new chief executive
• Ripon online butcher acquired

In setting up the business, Ms Crallan was able to call on the retail expertise of her partner Patricio Maglio.

His day job is at ASDA head office in Leeds and on some nights he is on ceremonial duty, setting the watch on Ripon Market Square, as one of the city’s four hornblowers.

Opening hours for the GreenHouse are between 10am and 4pm from Wednesday to Saturday. .

The shop also sells takeaway coffee, served in biodegradable cups.

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.

Knaresborough medical manufacturer appoints new chief executive

Neo G, which makes medical-grade orthopaedic supports, has appointed a new chief executive.

Dan Jones (pictured above) will take over the role from founder Paul Starkey, who will become the company’s chairman.

Mr Jones was previously its commercial director and has helped Neo G to become a leading UK manufacturer in the UK of orthopaedic supports, holding contracts with Boots, Tesco, Walgreens and CVS.

The company is based at Knaresborough Technology Centre on Manse Lane.

Mr Starkey said:

“Dan has demonstrated his commitment to Neo G and our Medical Grade strategy. Over the last seven years, he has helped define and establish the company as the number one brand in the UK, and the fastest growing brand in the US.

“I am very proud of the way he has grown in the company and adopted the Neo G mantra as his own. I know he will take Neo G to new heights, and I will do everything I can as the chairman to support all of his and the teams’ efforts.”

Knaresborough digital agency appoints new co-director

Sophie Sanders

Eden Agency appoints co-director

Knaresborough-based Eden Agency has appointed Sophie Sanders as its new co-director.

The 29-year-old has worked at the agency since 2014 and was previously head of client services.

The agency is an ISO 27001-certified digital agency that specialises in UX design, web and mobile development.

Talking about her appointment, Ms Sanders said:

“I’m proud, as a woman in tech, to be given the opportunity to run a digital agency with Andy and I can’t wait to help deliver results to our clients and to help our team grow.”

Managing director Andy Litherland said:

“I have been very fortunate to work with Sophie over the last eight years. Her enthusiasm and passion for Eden Agency is infectious and I’m looking forward to seeing her drive the company forward in the future.”

Crimple adds afternoon tea to the menu

Crimple has launched an afternoon tea offering in time for Mother’s Day this month,

The new addition has been curated by executive chef Tim Kitchen and includes Vichyssoise soup, truffled cream cheese, chive and cucumber sandwiches, blackberry, tarragon and honey pavlovas, and of course scones.

Mr Kitchen said:

“Sticking to the Crimple brand ethos, my mission is to use local wherever possible and this menu reflects that.”

The restaurant and garden centre opened in November after a £6 million refurbishment.