New Wave Arcade in Ripon will close for good in July.

The venue on Westgate offers the chance to play games from the glory days of arcade gaming, including Street Fighter 2, Ridge Racer and Gunblade.

It was something a bit different for families in Ripon, as the Stray Ferret found out when we visited in March.

However, owner Rory Lofthouse said he has decided to close the business to concentrate on his wife’s health and his digital marketing company.

Mr Lofthouse said:

“It’s been well received in Ripon so it’s a shame I’m having to close it.

“I didn’t do it to make thousands of pounds, it was so there is something in Ripon for different generations to enjoy together. A lot of dads bring their kids to show them what they played when they younger.”

New Wave Arcade opened just a few weeks before the first covid lockdown and has had a stop-start existence.

Mr Lofthouse said things could have been different with the business if the pandemic didn’t happen when it did.

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Gamers who enjoyed visiting paid tributes on Facebook:

“Such a shame, the arcade was a great asset to Ripon.”

Another person said:

“We will definitely make sure we come down again before you close your doors. You’ll be sadly missed.”

New Wave Arcade’s last day will be on Saturday, July 23.

Mr Lofthouse is also selling off some of his machines. If you’re interested you can contact him rory@newwavearcade.co.uk

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.

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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Questions still surround the closure of a Ripon care home more than two months after the care group which runs the home announced the decision.

Skell Lodge, which is owned by the Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG), operates from a listed Victorian building on South Crescent.

MMCG told the Stray Ferret in October that the building would “shortly no longer meet appropriate building regulations” so it would need to move residents out before the end of the year.

The Stray Ferret has asked MMCG a number of times what the problem with the building is and whether it would it possible to remedy the problem. We did not receive an answer.

A spokesperson for the care group has, however, since said:

“We can confirm that all residents have found alternative accommodation.

“We have worked hard with the team at Skell Lodge, and our partners locally to ensure residents and their families have been supported and have received the help needed during this difficult period of adjustment.

“It is expected that all residents will be settled into their new homes in time for Christmas.”

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We have spoken to two staff members and the family of a former resident. They all raised concerns about how staff and residents have been treated. They also said they were not aware of any problems with the building.

A spokesperson from the CQC said:

“We are aware that the provider Skell Lodge in Ripon has taken the decision to close the service at the end of this year.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and liaising with North Yorkshire County Council to ensure that people are moved safely to alternative services that are appropriate to their needs.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire County Council said:

“The future of the residents and the staff is our paramount concern.

“We continue to work with the care provider and the CQC and with residents and their families to try to ensure the smoothest possible transition for people.”

A cafe in Harrogate has been forced to close its doors temporarily due a shortage of staff.

Staff at Caffé Nero, on the corner of Cambridge Street and Station Parade, posted a notice in the door this morning to explain why it would not be opening.

This closure highlights the ongoing recruitment crisis in the hospitality sector, which has forced many restaurants and cafes to reduce services.

The Stray Ferret asked the head office of Caffé Nero when the site would reopen. A spokesperson said it would be open “as soon as possible.”

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Meanwhile the notice in the door points customers to the second Caffé Nero site in town, which is a short walk away on Cambridge Crescent.

A spokesperson for Caffé Nero said:

“The store you’re referring to is only temporarily closed due to staff availability and will reopen as soon as possible.

“The larger store two minutes away at Cambridge Crescent is open as usual and trading normally.”

Slug and Lettuce has closed its Harrogate branch permanently.

The chain pub, famous for its cocktails and food menu, has occupied the Montpellier Building on Montpellier Parade for nearly 30 years.

However, it will not reopen with other pubs and restaurants next week on May 17 under the latest easing of lockdown restrictions.

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Today there is no movement at the Harrogate pub and all traces of it have been wiped off the internet.

Slug and Lettuce no longer includes the branch on its list and the pub has deleted its Harrogate Facebook page.

The Stonegate Group, which also owns Yates and Walkabout, revealed the closure. A spokesperson said:

“We can confirm the closure of Slug and Lettuce in Harrogate and the building has been returned to the landlord.”

The six-month experimental closure of Beech Grove in Harrogate to through traffic could be extended to 18 months.

North Yorkshire County Council said when the experimental order came into force last month it would be a trial for six months.

But the council’s highways boss confirmed today it has the power to extend the trial from six months to 18 months, meaning it would end in August 2022 rather than August 2021.

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Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, told the Stray Ferret:

“The experimental traffic regulation order enables us to keep the closure in place for 18 months.

“We are assessing the impact all of the time. If it proves to be highly unpopular then it could still end after six months.

“However, just based on the communication I have received, there has been a big response but I would say that it is mainly positive.

“Those who have complained often say that it is just moving traffic elsewhere in the town.

“But those who are positive say they enjoying how it helps them to walk and cycle more.”

When the order began, some motorists avoided the newly-installed planters by driving on the Stray.

The tyre tracks on the Stray prompted the council to erect a road sign to act as a road block and warning to drivers.

Smarties Day Nursery and Pre-School in Ripley is to close next month after operating for more than 30 years.

The nursery currently looks after children aged up to four and also works alongside Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School to offer a before and after-school club.

The nursery, next to Ripley Store, opened in 1987 and can cater for up to 52 children. It has been under the current management since 2004.

The building itself is part of the Ripley estate and is owned by Sir Thomas and Lady Emma Ingilby.

The nursery has said it is having to close after the owners decided not to renew the lease and use the building for another purpose instead.

Ripley school is in the early stages of planning to provide alternative provision. It has asked parents for their opinions, and hopes to have something in place after the Easter holidays.

Bettys is to close all six of its branches at 5pm tonight because of concerns about the rising number of covid infections.

The closure will also affect its order and collect service as well as takeaways and will be in force until further notice.

Bettys online shop will remain open.

The cafe’s tea rooms were forced to close at the beginning of the third lockdown but management today announced the new measures.

Simon Eyles, Bettys managing director, said:

“Given the severity of the coronavirus pandemic that we are currently witnessing, Bettys has decided to close its Yorkshire branches completely. This means our café tea rooms and now our shops too will be shut until further notice.

“For us all at Bettys, our colleagues, customers and communities are our main priority. We will continue to do what we feel is right to keep people safe and to shoulder our social responsibility as a business.”

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Shoppers in Harrogate have spoken of their disappointment that Debenhams is to close after the company announced it was entering administration.

A failed deal with another major retailer means the company is set to enter liquidation.

The Harrogate store reopened yesterday offering shoppers their usual products at discounted prices.

But staff face uncertain futures as they await news of a confirmed closure date.  The demise of Debenhams came a day after Ripon’s only department store Wrens, announced it would not be opening again after lockdown.  

Shopper Rose Dykes was among those sad to see Debenhams go. She said:

“Debenhams has been here for a long, long time.

“I think it will be really missed in Harrogate.”

Rose says the store will be ‘missed’ in Harrogate.

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