The owner of Harrogate firm Weetons has applied to replace signage at Crimple in Pannal.

The Stray Ferret reported in December that the owner of Weetons had bought the garden centre, food hall and gift shop on Leeds Road.

It’s not known how much the TGH Property Group, which is owned by Tim Whitworth, has paid to acquire Crimple.

TGH, which is based at Bramham, near Wetherby, also owns Weetons, whose flagship Harrogate food hall on West Park opened 20 years ago.

An example of the signage submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

Now, TIM Group Holdings, of which Mr Whitworth is a managing partner, has applied to North Yorkshire Council to replace the signage on the site.

The plan includes various signage to the front of the main building and an additional two totem signs behind the entrance walls showing Weetons branding.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the signage plans at a later date.

Read More:

• Crimple applies to serve alcohol and play music until 2am
• Harrogate’s Crimple bought by Weetons food hall owner

The Stray Ferret understands that the owner of Harrogate firm Weetons has bought Crimple, the garden centre, food hall and gift shop in Pannal.

Crimple underwent a £6 million refurbishment and rebranding in 2021. 

It’s not known how much the TGH Property Group, which is owned by Tim Whitworth, has paid to acquire Crimple.

Weetons on West Park

TGH, which is based at Bramham, near Wetherby, also owns Weetons, whose flagship Harrogate food hall on West Park opened 20 years ago.

Last year it also began operating in Leeds.

We will bring further details of this story when available.

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Councillors have approved a variation of Crimple’s alcohol licence so the venue can serve alcohol and offer live music until 2am on weekends.

The garden centre on Leeds Road near Pannal had a multi-million-pound makeover in 2021 and now offers a food hall, restaurant, and space for weddings and other events.

North Yorkshire Council’s sub-licensing committee met in Harrogate this morning to consider the application.

Licensee Tori Watson told councillors that varying the licence from its current cut off of 11.30pm would allow the business to provide an extended bar service at weddings and for bands and DJs to play later into the night.

Mrs Watson said:

“We hold a lot of events and it’s becoming more and more popular as our reputation has grown.

“It won’t be for every Friday and Saturday, it’s just we get enquiries for weddings and they say can we have bar open until 1.30am or 2am. It allows us to say, ‘yes we can’.

“We’re not trying to open some late night venue with partying.”

Licensee Tori Watson

Councillors heard there has been one noise complaint at the venue in the last nine years which came in 2021 but was found to be unsubstantiated.

However, the application has received several objections on noise grounds, including one from Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council on behalf of residents living at the nearby All Saints Court in Pannal.

Parish councillor Howard West said:

“The problem is people who live in All Saints Court. They are not a complaining bunch of people but if there’s a nuisance sound after 11.30pm they would have no idea who to communicate to at that time of day.”

However, the Conservative chair of the committee, Cllr Tim Grogan, queried why none of the residents had gone to the premises to complain in person. He said:

“If I’d have been living there and was discomfitted by the noise I’d be knocking on the door to say ‘turn this down’, but I can’t speak for other people.”

Mr West also read out a statement on behalf of Dunkeswick wedding venue Wharfedale Grange, which said it was forced by the council to spend £750,000 on sound proofing in order to offer live music.

It said it was “extremely disappointing” that Crimple’s application could be considered without similar noise mitigation requests.

The committee of three councillors ultimately voted to approve the licence. They imposed conditions preventing customers from using the rear terrace after 10pm, ensuring loud speakers are not used outside, and requiring all windows and doors to be closed when entertainment is taking place.

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Crimple has applied to extend the hours in which it can serve alcohol and play music from 11.30pm until 2am.

Owner Graham Watson has said the move would enable the venue near Harrogate to cater for weddings and other celebrations better.

But the application to extend the premises licence has prompted concerns about late night noise.

North Yorkshire Council’s statutory sub-licensing committee will decide whether to accept the application at a meeting on Thursday next week.

Documents submitted to the council by Mr Watson and designated premises supervisor Tori Watson said:

“We would like to apply to extend our existing premises licence until 2am.

“Whilst this will not be used in full at each event or frequently, we are now catering for weddings and other parties/celebrations and have started to be asked if we can extend our licence.

“It would give us some confidence to be able to tell our clients at the point of booking that we are able to offer a later bar service and the ability to play music/have a band later than 11.30pm.”

Noise concerns

The application has attracted several objections on the council website.

Peter Wrigley, from All Saints Court Residents Association, which represents seven nearby houses, said “there is little to buffer the noise”, adding:

“We have noted an annoying level of sound coming from Crimple Hall in the late evening under its present licence.”

He adds a silent disco rule, using bluetooth headphones, after 10pm “might be a helpful condition”.

Cllr John Mann, a Conservative who represents Oatlands, and Pannal on North Yorkshire Council and Howard West, chairman of Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council, have also objected on the grounds of the sound causing public nuisance.

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Gemma Demaline, an environmental health officer at the council, said:

“I have concerns regarding the proposals up to the times applied for as there are noise sensitive premises in proximity that could be disturbed by live and/or recorded music being played outside.”

Ms Demaline recommends various conditions, including not letting customers use the external rear terrace of the premises for eating or drinking between 10pm and 10am.

Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in last year’s BBC TV’s Masterchef  competition. Every Saturday Yemi will be writing on the Stray Ferret about her love of the district’s food  – please get in touch with her if you want her to review a restaurant, visit your farm, taste the produce you sell or even share a recipe.  

Living in Harrogate means I am surrounded by amazing shops selling the wonderful produces of Yorkshire; but quite often I find myself falling into the habit of going to the same places which means I end up missing out on what might be available in other places or the experience of new sights and surprises.

The last time I went into Crimple in Harrogate was years before their renovation. Every week, I drive past it on my work commute and make a mental note to check it out.

It was a lovely surprise when I eventually went into the food hall a few weeks ago to discover an array of local Yorkshire produces from chutneys, cured meats and bakes to fresh meat.

I only went in to have a quick look but came out with fresh sourdough bread, Portobello mushrooms, eggs, and smoked salmon for brunch. I also found a gem in a balsamic reduction glaze and fresh beetroots that I needed for my next food event, and a tiny gadget that would be great for dipping strawberries into chocolate sauce.

As I continued my wander around the food hall, I spotted a cut of pork that had the kidney attached which really fascinated me. The butcher wasn’t at the kiosk, but my curiosity made me hang around until he came out from the back room.

I told him I had never seen a cut of meat that intentionally had offal attached and he explained that this was an historic way of cutting pork chops and that only a few chops would benefit from having a cross section of the kidney attached.

He said he was on a mission to bring back old butcher traditions; that is noble from a sustainability point of view and considering the ‘nose to tail’ revolution that many chefs are championing.

I grew up in Nigeria on ‘nose to tail’ eating and we never wasted any parts of an animal with the skin of larger animals used by local artisans to make leather products.

Anyone who knows me well would correctly guess that I walked out of Crimple with some Pork and Kidney chops. I figured it would go well with a honey mustard sauce served with creamy mashed potatoes and some purple broccoli.

I ended up serving it with a gravy alongside potatoes finished with a chilli and herby mustard seed coating which went down a treat. See below.

On my way out I wandered into the garden section, but I didn’t get to really explore it because my arms were filled with my food hall shopping, and I was in a bit of rush. I am going back to the garden centre, with plans to sample food from their bar and kitchen.

If you haven’t visited Crimple, it is worth a visit -there’s so much to love.

I would love to hear about your visit and any exciting food, produce or interesting garden gnomes that you find, so drop me a comment.

Yemi: Out and About

I am in Pateley Bridge today, (Saturday 13 May) to sample Chocolate at Cocoa Joe’s and Kendall’s pies from 12 noon. You can read about it next Saturday on The Stray Ferret.

Next on my list is The Café at the Himalayan Garden, Grewelthorpe which I will visit on Saturday 27 of May from 12.30pm.

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This week’s photograph was taken by John Brown, capturing the frost one early morning while walking at the Crimple Valley.

John Brown

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

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.

The Harrogate district’s new shopping and dining venue, has agreed to host the cancelled Harrogate Christmas Market.

The Christmas Market Weekend, which will take place on November 27 and 28, will feature over 20 food and craft stalls, children’s activities, a festive animal farm, face painting, treasure trails, wreath making demos and live music.

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of Harrogate Christmas Market, which was refused a licence on Montpellier Hill by Harrogate Borough Council this year, said:

“I’ve been working closely with Crimple and I am so pleased they have offered a home to many of the stallholders who should have been at the cancelled Harrogate Christmas Market this year.

“It’s been a tough few years for many independent traders so this is great news and in true community spirit. Crimple provides an attractive under-cover heated location for a Christmas Market, right next door to their popular garden centre and their new food hall.”

Harrogate Christmas Market was traditionally held on Montpellier Hill in November and attracted about 80,000 visitors. Since its cancellation the council has announced plans to stage Christmas markets in town and in Valley Gardens.

Read more:

• Valley Gardens Christmas market confirmed for December
• Ferris wheel, carousel and road train part of huge Harrogate Christmas offering

Crimple has undergone a £4 million refurbishment and now has one of Yorkshire’s largest food halls, 160-seat restaurant, bistro and event space, which is due to open this month, employing over 60 staff.

The food hall features more than 50 specialist producers, as well as a 12-metre-long butcher’s counter, a juice bar, bakery, patisserie, deli and cheese counter, fresh fruit and veg, milk float, food to go, in-store produced ready meals, pizzas, fresh fish, a horticulture shop, and a grain store.

Keren Shaw, operations director at Crimple, said:

“Our vision for Crimple is a place which brings people together through a dynamic shopping, dining and lifestyle experience.

“Our Christmas Market Weekend is a fantastic example of this, whether it’s supporting local suppliers, musicians or indeed being able to offer a home to the local stallholders from the much-loved Harrogate Christmas Market.”

Richard Van Opstal, owner of Harrogate-based Woodcutter Creations, said he was “saddened and frustrated” when the Harrogate Christmas Market was cancelled. He added:

“It is great news that Crimple will be working with the original Harrogate Christmas Market organisers and hosting many of us at Crimple’s Christmas Market Weekend.”

The market will take place at Crimple on Leeds Road, from 8am to 7pm on the Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on the Sunday.

Nine flood alerts and warnings are in force this morning across the Harrogate district as persistent rain causes river levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Notorious flooding location Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough mill farm were put on the more severe ‘warning’ level during the night.

The warning says “flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today” as Nidd river levels are expected to continue to rise. It adds:

“Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough caravan park. Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.”

Roecliffe caravan park, near Boroughbridge, is identified as the most vulnerable location in an overnight warning for the River Ure, which says:

“Flooding of property/roads and farmland is expected imminently. Please put your flood plan into action, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and stay away from fast moving water.”

Ure near Ripon

An alert was put in place for the lower Ure, just east of Ripon city centre, overnight. An update just before 4am this morning says:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today,”

An alert was also activated overnight for the River Crimple, near Follifoot, and its tributaries including Horn Beck, Clark Beck, Hookstone Beck, Rud Beck, Toad Hole Beck and Park Beck.

It warns flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible.

Nidd risk

There is widespread risk along the River Nidd.

Alerts were issued yesterday afternoon for the river just above and below Pateley Bridge. Last night a warning was put in place for around Hunsingsore and Cattal.

Alerts for the lower and middle catchment areas of the Nidd also remain in force.

More heavy rain is expected today and tomorrow morning.

If you are affected by flooding, contact us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk