Starbeck cafe reopens for first time since pandemic began

The Living Room cafe in Starbeck recently reopened for the first time since the covid pandemic began almost two years ago.

The family-friendly café is run by Sarah Khanye and is situated inside the Life Destiny Church at 93b High Street.

It opens from Tuesday to Friday from 9am until 3pm and hosts a variety of events that aim to bring the community together with drinks, food and snacks available.

Events include a mum’s coffee morning on Mondays, a meeting for crafters on Wednesdays and a get-together for parents and carers of disabled children on Thursdays.

The Living Room Café also plans to host a Clothes Swap event on March 11 at 6.30pm.

Visit their Facebook page to find out more.

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Cafe M closes in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre

Cafe M, opposite Harrogate train station, has closed due to circumstances “beyond our control”.

The cafe has been a part of Harrogate town centre for many years but the unit has already been stripped out and all that remains is the sign.

It is not yet known what will take over the unit but, according to a recent Cafe M Facebook post, the business “will be back soon”. The post says:

“Due to circumstances beyond our control Cafe M is having to relocate. We will be back soon. We will keep this page updated as to our new whereabouts. Thank you to each and everyone of you for your custom and support during the pandemic. We will be back.”

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The Stray Ferret approached the Victoria Shopping Centre for details on what will happen to the vacant unit. Centre manager James White said he had nothing to report at this time.

Cafe M was owned by Milligan’s, a bakery business based in Gateshead.

Louise Milligan, former director of Milligan’s, said the business went into liquidation at the beginning of the pandemic and its assets were sold to another company.

Pret A Manger set to arrive in Harrogate

The Harrogate district’s first Pret A Manger looks set to open.

The Stray Ferret understands the sandwich shop franchise will open on Harrogate’s James Street in the unit currently occupied by Messums Yorkshire, a gallery curated by artist Johnny Messum.

It is not yet known precisely when Pret will open but it is believed to be some time in March.

Besides sandwiches, Pret is also known for coffee so its arrival will add to the wide range of options available for caffeine fans.

The landlord of the unit was not available for comment but a well placed source told the Stray Ferret that Pret would be arriving soon.

Photograph: @messumsyorkshire, Instagram

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In the last six months, James Street has seen numerous retail units open and close; Hotel Chocolat opened a cafe in October; this was followed by a new yoga studio Ebru Evrim arriving in the former Laura Ashley building. Harrogate Discount Store is due to close this week.

Pret currently has over 450 cafes in England, with 310 of those in London. Currently, the closest to Harrogate is in Leeds.

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.

Harrogate vegan cafe opening delayed due to covid

A Harrogate vegan cafe has had to delay its opening due to covid uncertainty.

Vertigo, which describes itself as a “plant-based eatery”, was set to open its fourth venue for chain on Station Parade. But its opening date was unclear, with the company saying it would be “very soon”.

The cafe is set to be based in the former Stevie’s Bar unit under the Everyman Cinema on Station Parade. However, it seems there has been no further work done since the initial advertisement was placed in the windows in July.

In a statement the eatery said:

“Due to ongoing uncertainty with covid we can’t fully comment on when the site will be opening sadly. We’re trying our best to get a timeframe.”

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When open, the new venue will have 55 seats and be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It is also believed that it will be the only dedicated vegan restaurant in Harrogate, with other restaurants including vegan options on their menus.

200 people sign petition to save Harrogate M&S cafe

More than 200 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of the cafe in Marks & Spencer‘s store on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

The company wants to increase the size of its food hall at Oatlands by more than 70% and extend into the neighbouring Sofa.com retail unit.

But the plans would also see the closure of the cafe, which is a popular meeting point.

The petition, sent to the Stray Ferret by one of the signatories, says:

“There is such strong feeling about the cafe. Your customers really appreciate the service and feeling of community there. The staff are also so kind and friendly.

“The customers see it as a wonderful meeting place, a resource which is convenient for shopping and a place for parents and children to meet up before and after school.

“The elderly and lonely also find friendship in the cafe. Plus the food and drink is excellent! I really hope you will read all the comments and reconsider closing the cafe.”

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The petition has also been sent to Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

If M&S’ plans are approved by Harrogate Borough Council, the expanded store will include an in-store bakery, wine shop, fill your own section to reduce waste and new decor throughout.

The retailer said in a statement:

“Our expansion plans at M&S Harrogate Oatlands are designed to deliver a bigger, better and fresher new-look food hall for shoppers and mark a significant investment in the local area.

“Whilst these plans involve closing the in-store café, they will allow us to transform the store to deliver the very best of M&S for our customers in Harrogate, with a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.”

Harrogate’s quirky 53 Bo Grove closes

A bohemian Harrogate cafe, antiques and garden centre has closed after more than two years of business.

53 Bo Grove, on Grove Road, just off Kings Road, caught the eye of passers-by with its front yard filled with antiques and salvaged items.

The business became a vital hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by remaining open to sell food at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.

Over the last year, the Stray Ferret has reported owner Kyrensa Bentley’s attempts to improve business by opening a pancake shack and a farm shop on site.

Bo Grove at Oxford Street.

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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:

“I am sad to have to close but it was a difficult location.

“I struggled with Harrogate Borough Council, coronavirus has also had an impact and we were short on staff in the kitchen.

“However, I now have a business on Oxford Street, which I can completely focus on. I have also had the chance to go back to my roots more and get some great antique finds for that shop.”

Ms Bentley opened Bo Grove at Oxford Street in November 2020. It currently sells an eclectic mix of interiors, antiques and furniture and she plans to open a cafe on the site soon.

Petition mooted over Marks & Spencer plans to close Harrogate Oatlands cafe

Marks & Spencer has submitted plans to expand its Simply Food store on Leeds Road, Harrogate and close the cafe.

M&S was granted planning permission to demolish a car showroom and build the store at Oatlands Retail Park in 2012.

It now plans to expand into the adjoining sofa.com unit.

The company actually had permission to occupy the sofa.com site in 2012 but did not want as much space then and chose to sub-divide the unit instead.

A planning document sent to Harrogate Borough Council by commercial real estate agents Avison Young (UK) on behalf of M&S reveals the retailer now plans to expand and ‘remove’ the cafe. It says:

“The current works to reverse the unit’s sub-division reflect changes in consumer demand for food products in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and a wider business strategy by M&S to invest in and expand its food retail offer.”

A Stray Ferret reader got in touch to say the potential loss of the cafe had not gone down well with customers and some were considering a petition calling on the company to reconsider.

An M&S spokesperson said:

“Our expansion plans at M&S Harrogate Oatlands are designed to deliver a bigger, better and fresher new-look food hall for shoppers and mark a significant investment in the local area.

“Whilst these plans involve closing the in-store café, they will allow us to transform the store to deliver the very best of M&S for our customers in Harrogate, with a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.”

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Disabled people to help run new Harrogate cafe

A new cafe will open in Harrogate next month to help people with disabilities learn skills and get into the job market.

Artizan International will open the South-American themed cafe in the former Game unit on Cambridge Road, just around the corner from its shop on Oxford Street.

The charity has taken on a large space set over three floors. The ground floor will be the main cafe and craft area, the first floor will have more cafe seating and the second floor will be for offices and storage.

With such a big space, the cafe will be run by four to six staff and volunteers who are there to support up to four adults with disabilities.

When it opens the cafe will serve its speciality of Peruvian hot chocolate. All of its coffee, tea and sugar will come from Fairtrade sources. It will also stock a range of soups, paninis and cakes.

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Susie Hart, who founded Artizan International, told the Stray Ferret why she wanted to invest in the cafe:

“We are going to be training young adults. The idea is they get training here and get to a level of proficiency where we could then help them find work in other cafes in town.

“At the minute everybody in the hospitality industry is desperate for workers. Meanwhile there are loads of young people with disabilities who would love to have a job in a local business.

“It really could be a win-win for those who want the work and those who need the workers, it is a really exciting time for the charity.”

Ms Hart was originally planning to replicate the success of cafes she ran in Tanzania which were staffed by deaf people.

She worked with North Yorkshire County Council and found that local deaf people were managing to find work.

However, she found out that there were “countless” young people with other disabilities on the council’s records looking for practical training, work experience and employment.

Artizan International is looking for more volunteers to join the team and help run the cafe, which will be open Monday to Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

Are you interested? Send an email to Sarah Davis by clicking or tapping here. Alternatively call 01423 561556 more more information.

Harrogate College students devise menu for Harrogate Arms reopening

Hospitality students from Harrogate College are helping to devise a menu for the the cafe due to open at the former Harrogate Arms pub.

The horticultural charity RHS Harlow Carr, which owns the former inn, plans to open the cafe in summer 2023.

The students have been asked to use their culinary and creative skills to come up with a concept for the long-closed venue and a sustainable menu.

Fresh produce grown at the RHS gardens will feature prominently in the dishes.

The students, who are being led by seven Level 2 professional cookery students, recently visited the site to be briefed on their task.

Harrogate College cookery students

Harrogate College students being briefed on their ‘design a menu’ challenge at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.

The initiative represents the start of a closer partnership between the college and Harlow Carr.

Jason Parry, the college’s cultural, contemporary and heritage studies programme manager, said:

“It ticks so many boxes for us in terms of the college’s values and aspirations — sustainability, ‘food to fork’, carbon reduction and seasonality — along with menu and service design, work experience and responding to a client brief.

“The project will be followed up throughout the year with Harlow Carr, who will do a progress check with the students in January.

“Ultimately it will end up with the students giving a Dragon’s Den style pitch to Harlow Carr staff, with small groups presenting their ideas around the menu, and the service, and showing how they have worked to meet the client’s brief.”

The college recently launched a sustainability pledge which sets out its commitment to becoming net zero carbon by 2030.

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