Businesses around Harrogate have united to bring a daily offer to shoppers throughout advent and boost town centre trade.
Each day, a new offer or competition will be posted on social media as part of a project organised by Suzanne Vaughan – better known as the director of Enchantica’s.
While she will spend much of the run-up to Christmas dressed as Chief Elf Tinsel at the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience, she will also share the daily offers to support local businesses.
She said:
“We love delivering Christmas magic for families to enjoy but we knew we could do more for the businesses and organisations in our town and that is how the Harrogate (Social Media) Advent Calendar was born.
“Every day in December you will see Father Christmas opening up the advent door and sprinkling festive fun and magic onto a different business or event in Harrogate.
“Each day will see the reveal of a wonderful range of gifts, special offers and prizes for people to enjoy and together, working with all of the businesses and organisations involved, we have all helped each other to share all of the Christmas magic that we all have to offer.
“By working together we can all help each other and together celebrate the wonderful community of businesses and organisations that Harrogate is home to.”
The advent calendar has launched today with a top prize of a £200 Radley handbag from Hoopers on James Street, as well as discounts on fashion and beauty products. Visitors to the shop today also have the chance to win a family pass to Enchantica’s Father Christmas Experience and a family ticket to the pantomime at Harrogate Theatre.
To see each day’s offers as the advent calendar doors are opened, follow Enchantica’s on Instagram or Facebook.
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The Christmas Experience is held every weekend and during the school holidays until Christmas at the Cedar Court Hotel and is supported by Harrogate BID, as part of its efforts to bring people into town to use local businesses.
Simon Cotton, MD of HRH Group, which runs the Yorkshire Hotel and White Hart Hotel, in the town centre, said the advent calendar was a great way to support local businesses at a vital time of year in retail. He added:
Harrogate business chief: government’s economic credentials ‘in tatters’“This is a fantastic opportunity for Harrogate and shows just what we can achieve when the community pulls together.
“Christmas is such an important time for everyone in the town and we are happy to support anything that attracts people into the town.”
The chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has said the government’s economic credentials are in tatters after today’s emergency statement.
David Simister cautiously welcomed last month’s mini-budget for containing measures to stimulate growth.
He said at the time scrapping the rise in national insurance and reversing the increase in corporation tax was “good news for businesses large and small”.
But Mr Simister was less complimentary about today’s statement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, which reversed almost all tax cuts besides national insurance.
Mr Simister said:
“This is a massive U-turn, and the government’s economic credentials are in tatters.
“In the Kwarteng mini-budget there were some real positives for business, cutting corporation tax, reducing national insurance, and reforming off-payroll (IR35) rules. Only the NI reduction has stayed.
“If Mrs Truss goes, and I really can’t see her staying the course, I wonder if there will be a third mini budget in as many months?”
The chamber, which was founded in 1896, supports local businesses and lobbies on their behalf.
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Harrogate businesses breathe ‘sigh of relief’ after energy bill cut
Businesses in the Harrogate district will breathe “a temporary sigh of relief” after the government announced a cap on energy bills, a local business group has said.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the intervention by ministers to tackle the sky high cost of gas and electricity was welcome.
The scheme will see the government fix wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses for six months from October 1.
It means bills are expected to be cut for firms by half their predicted level this winter.
Mr Simister said he hoped the move would prevent businesses from closing down.
He said:
“Today’s announcement by the government is extremely welcome, and there will be many businesses breathing a temporary sigh of relief.
“Over the last few weeks we have seen businesses pull the shutters down because of rising energy costs, and I hope today’s intervention will prevent many more from doing likewise.
“At the end of the week, the Chancellor will be unveiling a mini budget which I am hopeful will further take into account the needs of businesses.
“However, one thing we do have to bear in mind is that this money is being borrowed and therefore will have to be paid back at a later date.”
Rising energy bills has already forced some businesses in the district to close.
They included Ainsty Farm Shop, which closed last weekend after its owners were told their annual energy bill was set to jump from £20,000 to £90,000 a year.
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Meanwhile, ministers announced that the cut in energy bills would also apply to hospitals, charities and schools.
A spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:
“As with every other area of society, hospitals are not immune to rising energy costs, and as part of our annual budget planning we do our utmost to take into consideration any potential rises.
“Additional support provided by government during the current energy crisis will help alleviate some pressures that we face so that we can continue to provide the best possible health care for our community.
“We cannot simply rely on cost capping energy bills and our trust is committed to reducing costs, becoming more energy efficient and lessening our environmental impact by becoming a greener, more environmentally friendly organisation.
“A number of major projects have been undertaken as part of our £14 million Salix investment. This work includes insulating our roofing and replacing glazing across the Harrogate District Hospital site to help reduce our energy consumption.”
Kwasi Kwarteng, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
Wheelchair user praises Harrogate restaurant for buying ramp“We have stepped in to stop businesses collapsing, protect jobs, and limit inflation.
“And with our plans to boost home-grown energy supply, we will bring security to the sector, growth to the economy and secure a better deal for consumers.”
A wheelchair user has praised the owner of Harrogate restaurant Oliveta who personally went out and bought a ramp so she could dine inside.
Now, Nichola Emmerson is calling for other businesses in the town to follow suit in a bid to make eating out more accessible.
Ms Emmerson, who is a campaigner and advocate for disabled access, said she believed any public service should be available to everyone.
She said:
“I’m finding in Harrogate that as much as I love the town, there are an awful lot of businesses that aren’t accessible. I think there are a lot that could be.
“I feel a bit let down by society. I want it to change. The legislation in this country is not good enough for access and there are ways and means of getting around it. So companies get away with not providing access.”
Ms Emmerson, who lives in Harrogate, said she enjoyed going to restaurants, but often ended up being limited to chains, which usually provided access.
A few weeks ago, she spotted Oliveta, on Station Parade, which she saw had steps but decided to call the restaurant to see if there was another entrance.
She said:
“The owner was extremely polite and whilst informing me that he didn’t have wheelchair access, it was something he was working on.
“In the meantime, he suggested that he would put a table and some chairs outside. A great idea I thought, so the following evening, the sun was shining and I met my friend at Oliveta’s. We had a wonderful evening and the food was sublime.”
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Since that evening, Ms Emmerson spent time working with the owner, Kole Lleshi, in an effort to get a ramp, doorbell and signage installed to make it wheelchair accessible.
She said:
“To my absolute delight, Kole has now got a ramp, which he funded himself, following an attempt to get help from the local council and failing.
“I am now able to access the restaurant, which has the most wonderful interior and the icing on the cake is knowing there is also a fully accessible disabled toilet. These adjustments make such a different the lives of disabled people.”
Kole Lleshi, who opened the Mediterranean restaurant with his wife Bukurie, in December 2021, said he had tried to seek support from Harrogate Borough Council, but did not get a response.
He said:
“Nichola will be my customer now forever, so I checked the legislation and it said we could use a safety ramp.
“I found a ramp in Doncaster on a website. So I went with my wife, we bought it. I called Nichola and told her to come back and we tried and it’s working. She came in and that night she was supposed to stay only one hour and stayed for three.”
Ms Emmerson explained that there was a huge potential spending power from the country’s disabled people, known as “the purple pound”. This is thought to contribute around £249 billion annually to the economy.
She said:
“Our money is as valuable as anyone else’s. If we can’t get into services to use it, then it’s not good for the economy.”
“The fact that this has happened is very close to my heart. When I went into the restaurant I just felt free. It has also got a disabled toilet. Quite a lot are full of changing tables and they are an after thought, but this is a nice environment.
“I now want other disabled people to come here to enjoy the food and use the facilities and I want other businesses to follow suit.
“Of course Harrogate is hilly and full of old buildings, but I’m finding that retailers are either not bothered about trying to make what in most cases could be a simple change to their premises. Or they are unaware of the the purple pound and the pieces of equipment that are available.”
The disabled toilet at Oliveta.
Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.
A spokesman for the charity said for some businesses it was impossible to adapt the premises and make them fully accessible. However, he said there were ways of making them more welcoming for disabled people.
He said:
“For someone to buy their own ramp, that’s absolutely fantastic. Now wheelchair users can go and have a meal there.
“If anybody wants advice on this issue, please contact Disability Action Yorkshire. We can work with businesses to help them operate in a disability-friendly way.”
A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council commented:
Harrogate College to host week of networking events for businesses“Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses should ensure they do not discriminate against individuals with a disability. Further guidance, including all statutory requirements for businesses, can be found on the government’s website.
“Any eligible individuals who may need financial support to help adapt their home in order to meet the needs of any disabled children or adults living there can apply for a disabled facilities grant (DFG). Further information is available via our website.”
Harrogate College is to host a week of sector-specific networking events for businesses next month.
The events will be held between Monday 14 and Friday 18 February. They are free and open to anyone who books a place via the college’s Employers’ Network page.
The sessions will cover energy and construction, health and social care, hospitality and retail, digital, education and training and business and finance.
They have been set up to facilitate talks between employers working in similar fields.
The college will use feedback from participating businesses to tailor its curriculum — and, if required, start new courses — to ensure it is delivering the skills that are most in demand by local firma.
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Harrogate College’s partnerships and development manager, Holly Hansen-Maughan, urged businesses to sign up.
Holly Hansen-Maughan
Ms Hansen-Maughan said:
“Launching the employers’ network sparked such a positive discussion between all kinds of businesses, and this is a great chance to build on that.
“These sessions will allow people to mingle with others in their own industries, find out more about each other and potentially mutually beneficial opportunities, and explore those kinds of discussions further.
“You do not have to be a current network member to take part – you just have to book a place through our website.
“The network is growing and thriving and we look forward to welcoming new businesses along in February to find out more about it, and the benefits it brings.”
For full details, and links to book a place, visit the Harrogate College website.
It has undoubtedly been a tough year for businesses across the Harrogate district as the effects of the pandemic have continued to be felt.
There have been a number of closures over the year. However, 2021 has also seen some businesses buck the trend, with new shops opening in the district.
Here is a look back at some of the notable business closures and launches in the last year.
Debenhams, Harrogate
For generations, the Debenhams building on Parliament Street has been one of the major retail landmarks in Harrogate.
But sadly at the start of 2021, as the country was in the grip of a third lockdown, the retail giant announced the town’s branch would not be reopening.
The site had been a retail unit on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.
The building has stood empty ever since its closure.
However, in December the Stray Ferret revealed that developers have submitted plans to demolish it and build 50 apartments on the site, along with two commercial units.
Aldi, Knaresborough
Knaresborough Aldi
A new Aldi supermarket opened its doors to customers in Knaresborough on January 28.
The 8,000 square metre site was built on Swallowtail Way, near the Manse Farm housing development on York Road, after plans were approved in May 2020.
Solita Food Hall, Harrogate
Solita Food Hall
Harrogate’s first food hall opened its doors in May with an aim to serve up a range of different cuisines under one roof.
Solita Food Hall, on Parliament Street, was located in the former Jamie’s Italian building and was set over two floors, including a rooftop terrace.
Under the Shoot the Bull brand, it housed Rupert’s Coffee House, Rotisserie & Grill, Solita Wagyu Burger, Slice Me Nicely Pizza, Cure & Pour Wines and Solita Fish Bar.
However, it wasn’t around for long, closing after just six months in November.
Tomahawk Steakhouse, which had been planning to move into the empty Bistrot Pierre restaurant on Cheltenham Parade, is now planning to move into the large building.
Cut by Farmison & Co, Ripon
Farmison & Co’s boutique butcher shop, Cut
Cut, online butcher Farmison & Co’s first physical shop, opened at the company’s Bondgate Green head office in Ripon in July.
The boutique butcher’s is aimed at showcasing “the crown jewels” of Yorkshire heritage breed meat and allows customers to select from the online range and collect within an hour of placing an order.
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Fi:k, Harrogate and Knaresborough
Vicky Somerville and Luke Morland of Fi:k outside the new café in Harrogate
A Swedish-inspired coffee shop opened its doors in Harrogate in August with ambitious £780,000 plans to roll out the concept across Yorkshire.
Fi:k has renovated 1 Montpellier Gardens, which used to be the home of furniture business Covet.
In December it opened a café on Knaresborough Market Place.
Hotel Chocolat
Queues at the launch of the new Hotel Chocolat store
Queues formed on James Street for the opening of the new, relocated Hotel Chocolat store. Around 30 people waited for the store to open on October 22, with staff serving hot chocolate to them whilst they waited.
The new store is almost opposite the old one, but is larger with a café that can seat 30 people at the back of the shop. The chocolate chain has seen rapid growth in recent years and the new store has had up to 15 staff in the run up to Christmas — double the number of the previous store.
Crimple, Harrogate
Crimple Food Hall
Harrogate’s huge new £6m food hall in Pannal, which overlooks the Crimple Valley, opened its doors in November.
The 48,000 sq ft building, which is simply called Crimple, includes a butchery counter, an in-house bakery and patisserie, a floristry and a 160-seat restaurant.
Crimple has been owned by Graham Watson since 2013. With a personal investment of £4m for the construction, plus £2m for the fit-out, the business-owner created the town’s latest foodie destination in a bid to showcase all the amazing produce the district has to offer.
Previous visitors to Crimple Valley will remember the former antiques centre at the site. This has been completely knocked down and the food hall and restaurant has been built in its place. The garden centre remains and the existing restaurant and terrace has become an events space.
Fattorini, Harrogate
Harrogate’s oldest independent shop, A. Fattorini the Jeweller announced it will close after 190 years of trading
Thought to be the oldest independent jeweller in Harrogate, A. Fattorini, has been located on Parliament Street since 1884.
The announced closure of the Harrogate institution was marked by a closing down sale, which saw people queuing down the street.
It is set to close on January 8, 2022.
63rd+1st, Harrogate
The Manhattan-style cocktail bar at 63rd+1st
Harrogate’s answer to a Manhattan cocktail bar opened its doors in November, with the launch of 63rd+1st.
Decked out in trendy dark blue and gold, and featuring lots of greenery, the restaurant, lounge and bar on Albert Street is aimed at customers who might just want a nibble and a drink after work or a meal out with friends.
The venue was developed by Hostmore PLC, which also includes TGI Fridays as part of its portfolio.
Harrogate’s branch was the third to open in the UK, behind Surrey in May and Glasgow in September.
53 Bo Grove, Harrogate
Kyrensa Bentley when she opened a pancake shack (left) with a general view of 53 Bo Grove
Bohemian Harrogate cafe, antiques and garden centre 53 Bo Grove, on Grove Road, just off Kings Road, closed in December, after more than two years of business.
The business became a vital hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by staying open at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.
Owner Kyrensa Bentley attempted to improve business by opening a pancake shack and a farm shop on site.
Ms Bentley, who opened the business in September 2019, told the Stray Ferret she made the decision to close after struggling on a number of fronts, including the difficult location and the impact of the pandemic.
She will continue to operate Bo Grove at Oxford Street, which opened in November 2020.
Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free buses every Sunday in January and February to give businesses in Harrogate town centre a much-needed boost.
Free buses will be available on the electric services only – on the 2, 3 and 6.
The Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) has once again sponsored scheme, called the Sunday Freeway, after partnering with the Harrogate Bus Company in 2020 and 2019.
Tomorrow also marks the final day of Harrogate BID’s free parking initiative on Mondays to Thursdays after 3pm at the Victoria multi-storey car park.
With coronavirus cases on the rise and further restrictions on the agenda, this free service is expected to entice more visitors into Harrogate.
Back in 2019 the free Sunday buses generated a 90% rise in the number of customers travelling compared with the same period the year before.
Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair and business owner, said:
“This is the third time we have partnered with our local bus operator, and on both previous occasions it helped to increase the number of passengers.
“This year, we have chosen January and February, which can be quiet months for the retail and hospitality sectors.
“Harrogate town centre is well worth a visit at any time of the year, and we hope the added incentive of free bus travel will make it even more appealing.”
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The Harrogate Bus Company CEO Alex Hornby said:
‘Good riddance’ to Knaresborough high street cones, say traders“We’re delighted that Harrogate BID are able to again work in partnership with us to support our ‘Sunday Freeway’ on our Harrogate electrics buses.
“Free Sunday travel on our pioneering Harrogate electrics buses will make it easier to support our local economy and help keep our town’s traders in business into 2022.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for Harrogate’s businesses, with previous lockdowns and now the prospect of further restrictions.
“More than ever, it’s now up to us all to support them in the vital first few months of the New Year by taking advantage of free travel on Harrogate electrics buses.”
Knaresborough traders have said they are overjoyed by the news that the town’s social distancing cones are due to be removed this evening.
Harrogate’s social distancing planters were taken away this morning and parking bays were restored.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council‘s executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret the cones would be removed by the end of today.
The cones were put up to give shoppers more space to spread out but the loss of prime parking spaces on High Street has upset some traders.
Carol Scanlan, the owner of Carol’s Bonnie Dogs on the high street, said:
“They should have been removed yesterday. Lockdown has finished, according to the government so why are they still there? I want them gone. It’s frustrating when my customers have nowhere else to park, we’ve had enough now.”
Martin Sturdy, the owner of card and gift shop ZigZag said:
“They have served their purpose now. People haven’t really been using the extra space recently. The high street has suffered because people can’t park up so they end up missing shops. Good riddance to them, I shall welcome their removal.”
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The planters in Harrogate town centre were removed from about 9am this morning, prompting questions about where they will end up.
People have called on social media for the flowers not to go to waste and suggested they were planted elsewhere, such as in Valley Gardens, or given to local community groups.
Andrew Hart, a businessman from Bilton, suggested they could be donated to Starbeck in Bloom or other similar groups.
The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council what had happened to the planters but has yet to receive a reply.