Free business workshops for Harrogate’s budding entrepreneurs

Budding entrepreneurs in the Harrogate district can take part in a free seven-week project to help them hone their business skills and win a £2,500 prize.

The Strive project is being run by social enterprise Enterprise Cube, which will have a team of experienced business people on hand to guide 30 local people through a series of workshops, individual advice sessions and start-up challenges.

It is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and is free to anyone in the Harrogate district who has a business idea or a fledgling business.

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During the seven weeks, the group will learn about creating a brand, taking payments, building an online presence, and tackling all the legal and tax issues involved in starting a business. £2,500 will be handed out in prizes at the end of the seven weeks.

Strive was first run in 2012 and has supported over 5,000 people in the UK.

Laura Mumford, director of Strive, said:

“We’re really excited to be bringing Strive to Harrogate. My roots are here, and I love that we’ve got such a strong independent business scene in the area – so it’s great to be able to support it.”

You can find out more and apply at: www.homeofstrive.com/harrogate.

Gino D’Acampo restaurant in Harrogate set to close

An Italian restaurant owned by Gino D’Acampo will close this month after more than four years in Harrogate.

Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant on Parliament Street is one of five of the celebrity chef’s restaurants to close.

After opening the business in 2017 Mr D’Acampo claimed it was the only “proper Italian” in Harrogate.

His comments sparked a furious backlash at the time from a number of Harrogate’s Italian restaurant owners.

The closures follow the news from the start of the year that his My Pasta Bar chain entered liquidation amid problems with coronavirus.

Piccolino will take on the former Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant in Harrogate, which will reopen after a rebrand on Monday, January 24.

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A spokesperson for Piccolino, which is part of the Individual Restaurants group along with Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant, said:

“This former Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant will become part of the Piccolino family of restaurants on January 24.

“We are thrilled to announce that we will soon be opening a brand new Piccolino restaurant in Harrogate.

“We can’t wait to welcome you through our doors of Harrogate’s brand new Piccolino.”

First look at Harrogate cafe helping disabled people into jobs

A new ethical cafe in Harrogate, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, has opened.

Artizan International quietly opened its South-American themed cafe in the former Game unit on Cambridge Road at the start of the week — and it’s already drawing a crowd.

Demand is so high that the cafe is looking to accelerate the renovation of the first floor to make way for more seating.

The charity opened a shop around the corner on Oxford Street in 2020, which helps visually impaired people overseas earn a living by selling their craft work.

However, Artizan International founder Susie Hart discovered there were “countless” young people with other disabilities in North Yorkshire. As a result, she set the cafe on a different path by giving them the opportunity to find employment.

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The cafe serves a speciality Peruvian hot chocolate. All of its coffee, tea and sugar are from Fairtrade sources. It also stocks a range of soups, panninis and cakes.

It is open from 10am until 5pm Mondays to Saturdays. The cafe is closed for art workshops for children on Sundays.

Liz Cluderay, UK programmes officer at Artizan International, told the Stray Ferret:

“The long term aim of the project is very much about reaching local businesses. We want them to see young adults with learning disabilities and just how capable they are.

“Work like this is particularly important because of coronavirus. In the first lockdown they were sent home and, for the most part, their work opportunities have not returned.

“But people shouldn’t come here because they feel sorry for the people who work here. We want customers to come here simply because it’s a brilliant cafe with amazing coffee and food.”

More pictures from inside the cafe

There is plenty of food and drink on offer.

The cafe has been decorated beautifully.

Matthew is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Giggling Squid sets Harrogate opening date

A Thai restaurant chain known for fresh dishes and bright interiors has revealed the month when it plans to make its Harrogate debut.

Giggling Squid is currently renovating the former Las Iguanas unit on John Street in anticipation of a March opening date.

The restaurant started in the basement of a fisherman’s cottage in Brighton but has since developed into a business with more than 40 restaurants.

When it opens there will be the opportunity to eat indoors, outdoors as part of the alfresco experience or take the food home with click and collect or delivery.

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Andy Laurillard, Giggling Squid co-founder, said:

“Thai mealtimes are energetic, informal, adventurous and where food is celebrated. It’s relaxed and there’s no standing on ceremony.

“We simply want people to have a great time over something tasty. Every Giggling Squid has its own personal touch to it, and this restaurant is no different.”

Giggling Squid Harrogate will be open Monday to Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10.30pm and Sunday from 12pm to 9.30pm.

A few restaurants already specialise in Thai food in Harrogate, including Sukhothai, Tah Chang and takeaway service Nakhon.

Street entertainer and litter ranger among plans to boost Harrogate footfall

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to outline its plans for 2022, which will include street entertainment and pop-up markets.

Officials from the BID will hold their annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel today to outline plans for the year ahead.

The plans will include a “HastobeHarrogate” promotional campaign, as well as a street ranger whose remit will be to keep the town centre clean and tidy.

The BID is also planning street entertainment which will include home-grown theatrical talent, who will be performing in the town centre over a series of weekends throughout the year.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“The good news is that we are going to do more to make Harrogate even more appealing, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to ‘pop into town’ time and time again.

“This month our street ranger, whose main remit is to keep the town centre looking spick and span, will make his official debut. So, look out for him and his branded electric vehicle complete with jet washer.

“Our street cleansing crew will be back in March for the first of four major cleaning and weeding sessions, and ensuring Harrogate looks fresh and clean in time for the Easter holiday.

“Our barrier baskets and planters will again be giving Harrogate a vibrant burst of colour and clearly demonstrating why it is renowned as a floral town.”

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Proposals outlined by the organisation will coincide with the queen’s platinum jubilee, which will take place over four days in early June.

Officials at the BID said its plans for the year are designed to make the most of the event and entice ore people into the town centre.

Ms Ferguson said this would include a partnership with LoyalFree to create a series of ‘shop local’ campaigns, aimed at promoting Harrogate as Yorkshire’s number destination to “shop, eat and drink”.

She added that the BID also intended to look into “hosting a series of pop-up markets” off the back of the Christmas Fayre.

Ripon city centre pub closes for ‘forseeable future’

A pub in the centre of Ripon has closed for the foreseeable future.

The Lamb and Flag, on High Skellgate, looks quiet and dark today with the pub garden fenced off.

It is unclear why the pub has closed but the owners, who took over a little more than a year ago, revealed the news in a statement on their Facebook page. It said:

“This decision has not come lightly but unfortunately the Lamb and Flag will be closed for the foreseeable.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support but at this time we will be closing.

“We will update everyone if there are any changes.”

The Stray Ferret asked the pub’s owners why they decided to close and whether it would reopen. However, we had not received a reply by the time of publication.

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Harrogate Discount Store to close this month

A discount shop which has operated in Harrogate for the last two years is set to close its doors at the end of the month.

The Harrogate Discount Store took on prime retail space on James Street on a temporary basis after Next moved to the Victoria Shopping Centre.

It will close on Tuesday, January 25 but the owners hope to find smaller premises elsewhere in the town centre.

The company moved in when the landlord wanted a business to fill the space while seeking planning permission for a renovation.

Harrogate Borough Council approved the renovation works, which include refurbishment of the shop front and the addition of separate access for the upper floors of the building, in December.

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In the planning documents, the landlord said the proposal would improve the chances of attracting a “quality long-term tenant”.

Gavin Broadbent, who runs the Harrogate Discount Store with another employee on behalf of the owners, told the Stray Ferret:

“As far as I am aware, the landlord just needs the place back. We were only meant to be here for three months but that was two years ago.

“We have been on a rolling deal and have done quite well out of the place. We have been really busy so we are going to try and find somewhere a bit smaller in a couple of months.

“It has been great. We have really built it up to be quite well liked. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea being on a posh street in the middle of Harrogate but people like a bargain.”

Harrogate’s Crimple appoints executive chef

Harrogate’s newly-renovated Crimple has appointed a new executive chef.

Tim Kitchen started his first head chef role in 2013 at D&D in Leeds and has worked in various venues across Yorkshire since.

Mr Kitchen has moved to Harrogate from Skipton’s Keelham Farm Shop — a success story Crimple is keen to replicate.

This new chef joins shortly after Crimple, previously known as Crimple Hall, completed a £6 million investment. It now has a 20,000 square foot food hall, 150-seat restaurant and private events space plus a garden centre and gift hall,

The food hall has an in-house bakery, 12-metre butcher’s counter and chef-cooked ready meals. All the food and produce is locally sourced and fresh.

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Graham Watson, the owner of Crimple, said:

‘”We are incredibly excited to bring Tim aboard the Crimple team. We’re passionate about supporting local and can’t wait for Tim to weave his creativity and passion into our menus.

“With late night dining launching imminently and a big focus on private events in 2022, there’s lots to do but with Tim at the helm we know the food will triumph.”

Mr Kitchen added:

“I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my culinary journey.

“With all the buzz around the re-launch of Crimple I can’t wait to get started.

“I am truly excited about the opportunity to meet customers and help make their dining experience unforgettable.”

Harrogate jeweller Fattorini bids farewell after 190 years

A well-known Harrogate jewellers which has been in the same family for 190 years is set to close it doors for the final time today.

The Stray Ferret revealed in November that A.Fattorini The Jewellers, on Parliament Street, was due to close when the current manager Anthony Tindall retires.

Today, after a busy few months at the shop with the combination of a closing down sale and Christmas, Mr Tindall will bid a fond farewell to his customers and staff.

While most of the stock has found new homes, the few remaining pieces will go to an auction house.

Anthony and his great-great grandfather Antonio Fattorini.

It was not an easy decision for Mr Tindall, whose great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831, but his children were not keen to take it on.

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He told the Stray Ferret today:

“I am very proud of the legacy and the whole family are proud of it. Of course it is sad that it will not continue in my family.

“These are sad decisions but you need to do it. I need to retire otherwise I will still be doing this well into my 80s and the world isn’t ready for that.

“Customers like the bargains but they do say they are sorry to see us go. People will remember us for the happy and important things in life, engagements and weddings.

“It has touched many lives, I know lots of the customers but plenty come in and say you won’t know me but buying jewellery from Fattorini is part of their family tradition.”

It is unclear what will happen to the iconic building where Fattorini has been based since 1884 when it closes.

However, Mr Tindall hopes that a new family will take on the business.

‘It’s no longer all about the traditional turkey at Christmas’, says butcher

While huge turkeys have traditionally been the main centrepiece of the family Christmas dinner, many are now opting for smaller, more convenient versions.

And some are even ditching the turkey altogether.

I spoke to Rachael Hirst at Wetherby-based butchers Sykes House Farm, which supplies meat and poultry to restaurants, cafes and homes across the Harrogate district, about what it’s like to operate during the hectic run-up to Christmas.

This year has been particularly busy for the team, with the business now offering both trade and e-commerce following a boom in online trading as a result of the pandemic.

Founder Martin Smith, with daughter Rachael Hirst and son Robert

Rachael, who runs the third generation family business with her brother Robert Smith, said:

“It has been really hard work this year, as we have got trade and e-commerce, together with a lack of staff.”

The team also has to adapt to the changing needs of customers at Christmas time.

Rachael said:

“Our turkeys are herb-fed poultry and we have loads of different sizes lots to choose from.

“A lot of people are choosing not to get whole birds this year, as people are finding the bones a bit of a faff.

“People’s needs and trends keep changing and we therefore don’t always know what to buy.

“We have to buy it in July in order to raise those birds to have in December. So it’s a bit of a punt every year.”

In November Sykes House Farm, which supplies to the likes of William & Victoria, Betty’s, Three’s a Crowd and Gianni’s Brio, in Harrogate, had already sold 50% of its turkey stock of 300. This was despite them only going on sale at the end of October.

Rachael said:

“Everyone was ringing up non-stop thinking there is going to be a turkey shortage.”

However, she added that many people this year had moved on to ribs of beef and stuffed pork.

She said:

“The tradition of turkey has gone away a bit. The turkey famers do all wonder why turkey is just for Christmas. Eating turkey at Christmas has come from America.

“We do individual portions, like the little turkey parcels, which are like what is sold in restaurants. They are wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cranberry and sage. So if you only have four people coming, you could get four of those rather than having to buy a big turkey, which is what quite a few people have done this year.

“People’s shopping habits have totally changed. However, beef is always really popular at Christmas. We sell more at Christmas than any other time of the year.”

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Rachael puts the change in shopping habits down to people cooking more in lockdown and therefore wanting more variety in their dishes.

She said:

“A lot of chefs were born at home due to lockdown, so I just think people have got more inventive. As a result we have found that people who come in the shop are asking for totally different things.

“For example ox cheeks have become a thing. All the offal – pigs cheeks things like that – are very popular on menus now.”

When it comes to Christmas people are still ordering turkeys alongside beef and pork, however many are now opting for an easier option to save time in the kitchen.

Rachael said:

“People have been ordering the most of stuffed lattice turkey breasts for sure.

“They still want the turkey, but without the hassle of the bird in the oven. And it visually looks really nice because of the lattice on top.

“They don’t have to do stuffing as well, because it’s inside it. It’s a shortcut but it still gives you the Christmas dinner and it’s easy to carve.

“Everybody also loves pigs in blankets and people seem to order more and more every year. We sell them on trays of 20, which is quite a large number, and if you’re a family of six we would expect you to just have a tray – but people ask for two.”

Another alternative that is popular, according to Rachael, is a turkey ballotine, a boneless turkey breast, which has a partridge or pheasant inside it and then a duck or pigeon inside that.

She said:

“It’s a gamey three bird roast. They are really popular. People don’t want the faff of doing those at home. It’s quite time consuming making them. It takes 20 minutes per one. We do everything onsite. All the prep.”

Turkey ballotine