The manager of Clarks shoes in Harrogate has said a serious sexual assault in an alleyway behind the store would ‘never have happened’ if gates had gone up earlier to block it off.

The alleyway behind James Street and Market Place was the scene of a serious sexual assault last week.  

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Clarks manager Emily Woodcock said that for the past three years nearby businesses had been asking the former North Yorkshire County Council highways department to take action and give permission to put gates up but had got nowhere.

This week gates are being fitted at either end of the narrow alley where the stores have their waste bins. But the gates have not been installed as a result of the recent attack but because the area has long been a hotspot for serious anti-social behaviour and store managers have been calling for them for years.

The police cordon on Petergate last week.

Ms Woodcock said she told colleagues that one day they were going to find someone dead from an overdose in the alley:

“It ranged from minor crimes, people setting fire to bins or kids climbing on the back of buildings,  to the more serious end of drug use with needles everywhere. There was rough sleeping and people going to the toilet in the back area.

“During the winter none of us would go and put the bins out in the dark, it wasn’t safe.”

Clarks, she said, offered to help pay for gates but the council wasn’t interested. The store had to relocate its fire exit to block up an alcove at the back of its unit that attracted drug users. Suggestions of putting up lighting didn’t get heard either.

Ms Woodcock then contacted Harrogate BID which managed to get approval for the gates and has paid for them.

The gate has been erected in an alley off Petergate (pictured here).

Ms Woodcock said the BID has done a good job but gates were too late to prevent this attack:

“All managers got involved and spoke to their head offices and got permission, the landlords were on board but there was a delay getting the gates up because of a shortage of materials. It was meant to go up back in May but the date kept moving.

“When I saw the Stray Ferret story I said to staff  ‘that gate should have gone up years ago’. The fight has been going on for too long and then this poor woman gets attacked and the gate goes up a two days after. It’s just so unfortunate.  It should have been the council paying for it.”

Nobody has been arrested in relation to last week’s incident, which North Yorkshire Police described as a “serious sexual assault”.

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Exercise groups have criticised Harrogate Borough Council‘s decision to seal off a popular part of Valley Gardens.

The path in front of the Sun Pavilion is widely used by people taking part in fitness classes, including yoga and tai chi.

But gates have been put up forbidding access.

Michael Constantine, head of operations at Harrogate Convention Centre, said:

 “The Sun Pavilion is a privately run venue, we have sadly had to take the decision to close off the gates due to recent vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

“In addition, some of the fitness groups have also caused damage with their equipment meaning the council tax payer has had to fund preventable repairs”.

Exercise groups have reacted angrily to the loss of the facility — and the suggestion they cause damage.

Bridget Tayan, speaking on behalf of Red Orchid Tai Chi group, which uses Valley Gardens regularly, said:

“Ou tai chi group have been practising up there for over 10 years and have never caused damage or inconvenienced anyone.

“Indeed we are often asked questions about the Sun Pavilion by passing tourists.

“I also pointed out that most of our group are in their 60s and 70s and not likely to vandalise anything. I have not had a reply.”

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Ms Tayan said several other fitness groups, including yoga organisations and army-style fitness sessions, along with personal trainers and individuals who liked to keep fit. also used the area when it rained and were “equally dismayed”.

She added:

“I know that many of the Valley Garden regulars are concerned about the gates being locked as it has always been a right of way, apart from when there are functions, which is fair enough.

“Visitors like to stand on the terrace to take photos and it is one of the few places you can shelter if it is raining hard.”

Ms Tayan also suggested the size of the gates was unlikely to deter vandals.

‘Our council tax pays for this’

Comments on Friends of Valley Garden’s Facebook group were overwhelmingly critical of the move.

One said:

“I am a member of a fitness group who use Valley Gardens. We would never cause damage to the gardens and appreciate the beautiful gardens we can look at while at our classes.”

Another said:

“Another example of the short-sightedness of Harrogate council. I’ve exercised here for years, many others do so too. I have never, ever witnessed any damage of any kind. Our council should be facilitating and encouraging outdoor fitness.”