No.8: Businesses opened and closed in 2022

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the business which have opened and closed this past year.

It has been a year of change on the business scene across the Harrogate district.

Some long-standing brands closed their doors for the final time, while many new businesses arrived, and others changed hands.

Among the most high-profile arrivals was Leon, which opened its first Harrogate district branch in June. After disputes over signage in the run-up to opening, the chain restaurant hit the headlines again when, the day before it opened, its offer of free food in exchange for feedback from customers added to the queues of traffic on Wetherby Road.

Other hospitality brands arriving in Harrogate for the first time included Cosy Club, Giggling Squid and Pret. Meanwhile, the independent scene was also enhanced with the likes of the Sunshine Bakery in Boroughbridge and Husk Beer Emporium’s move to a bar in Harrogate.

Manager Erin Seelig at Cortado on Leeds Road.

Leeds Road in Harrogate proved a top spot for coffee shops, with Cortado and Folk both arriving this year, while Kings Road remained a popular place for independents as Lilypad and Pink Door opened.

There were also numerous arrivals in retail, largely from national chains: Jules B and Oliver Bonas both opened in central Harrogate, while Hotel Chocolat expanded to a larger premises.

Lidl was the major new name when it came to supermarkets, with its new Harrogate store opening in October to add to its existing Knaresborough branch. Tesco also opened its Killinghall convenience store, while Sainsbury’s Local began trading on Cambridge Street in Harrogate.

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There were a few close calls too: vegan restaurant Vertigo announced last year it would open in the bottom of the Everyman cinema building, but after months without any progress, confirmed in March it had gone out of business.

Tomahawk Steakhouse, meanwhile, said it planned to open in the former Solita Food Hall on Station Parade, but in its last update this autumn said it was still awaiting access to the venue:

“At the moment Tomahawk are tied up with legalities that have unfortunately been completely out of our control.

“We were all prepared and ready to go, but with liquidators from the previous owners comes a lot of red tape. We have had to sit on the sidelines whilst it gets thrashed out between the relevant parties.

“It is a shame because we would love to get going with everything and get open, but it’s completely out of our hands.”

A number of businesses reopened under new ownership this year, including some with new names. Among them was one of Harrogate’s oldest brands, Fattorini, which changed hands at the beginning of the year.

HG1 grill restaurant

Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant in Harrogate became Piccolino, another brand in the same group, while the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opened for the first time since the end of 2020, unveiling newly refurbished premises.

Elsewhere, Jespers Bar and Kitchen opened in the former Hustle and Co premises on Station Parade, and HG1 Grill and World Bar took over the former Bistrot Pierre site on Cheltenham Parade, which had been occupied by Samsons for just a few months at the beginning of the year.

Ruebery Flowers in Knaresborough became River and Rose under new owner Kirsty Wilson, while The Old Deanery in Ripon reopened following a refurbishment by Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who took over following its closure in late 2020.

The former Millstones restaurant on the A59 near Menwith Hill became the Outside Inn, while the Old Spring Well was relaunched as the Curious Cow.

Expansion

There were also successes for many established businesses across the district.

The Secret Bakery expanded from its Harrogate outlet to a second branch in Knaresborough, while bookshop Imagined Things moved to new premises on Montpellier Hill.

Prologue, Starling and Cold Bath Brewing Company in Harrogate all expanded their operations, as did Ripon’s Caffe Nero.

And it wasn’t just in retail and hospitality where new businesses arrived: Ebru Evrim opened its yoga studio on Harrogate’s James Street, while new gyms Coach and Lift added to the fitness scene in Harrogate.

This year has also seen some losses across the district, including long-standing businesses.

Catch – which had taken over and rebranded the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant on Cheltenam Parade – ceased trading in October.

Ripon’s Bambudda closed in July, following the closure of the Black a Moor Inn at Bridge Hewick in March.

Other hospitality businesses lost this year included Gron and Cafe M. Among the shops lost were the Refilling Station, Orvis and Sofa Workshop. Cocktail bar 63rd+1st was lost less than a year after opening on Harrogate’s Albert Street.

There was sadness among many young families as Brimham Rocks Activity Farm announced it would no longer be welcoming visitors to its barns and fields from September, though it continued to offer a mobile petting farm, reindeer hire and other activities elsewhere. Dozens of parents expressed their sadness on social media after the news was announced.

Finally, some prominent premises that used to be home to big brands still stood empty in 2022.

The former Debenhams building, which closed its doors for the last time in January 2021, had been earmarked for demolition, but plans to replace it with “high quality” apartments were withdrawn in May this year.

And the former Slug and Lettuce premises on Montpellier Hill has stood empty all year after closing in spring 2021. Plans were submitted in September this year to convert it into retail premises and apartments.

It is no doubt a challenging time in retail and hospitality, and 2023 will certainly bring more changes.

Having already reported on plans lodged to deliver new bars, restaurants and shops, the Stray Ferret will bring you all the news about new arrivals and departures throughout the year.

Grön Kafe closes its Harrogate branch after two years

Scandinavian-inspired eatery Grön Kafe has announced that it has made the “difficult decision” to close its Harrogate branch after two years.

Launched by Masterchef finalist Matt Healy in December 2020, the café on Royal Parade has been shut for a number of weeks.

A sign on the door said it was closed due to electrical issues.

However, today the café announced on social media it would not be reopening.

The post says:

“Multiple factors outside of our control have made it increasingly more difficult to deliver the level of food and service that we expect from Grön and so sadly we are saying goodbye to this location for the foreseeable future.

“We have loved being a part of the wonderful community in Harrogate and it is with a heavy heart that we make this announcement. We wanted to say a huge thank you to our lovely friends and customers in Harrogate and we are sad to be saying goodbye.”

It goes on to remind customers that Grön can still be found at its flagship location in Oakwood, Leeds, as well as at Green Room in Leeds city centre.

Grön Kafe took over the site of Quantro restaurant on Royal Parade on December 4, 2020.

The café served up pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes.

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It launched as the nation came out of full lockdown and the Harrogate district moved into tier two restrictions.

Mr Healey had opened a pop-up at the Cold Bath Clubhouse in June earlier that year.

Following the success of that trial, Grön Kafe then opened its own dedicated site on Royal Parade.

Stray Foodie: In search of the perfect loaf….

Stray Foodie Lockdown Recipes are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

“I’d love to see how you make the recipes your own – let me know by using #StrayFoodie or tagging @thestrayferret in your social media posts.”

 

Having for years made my own bread domestically, I recently decided that it was taking up too much of my time that could be used more productively elsewhere.  I bought a bread machine, on the recommendation of so many of my friends but found having to poke the paddle out of the centre of the finished loaf exceeding naff and the appearance not good!

With the excitement of our hospitality industry opening up again, Harrogate has been amazing with venue’s like The Fat Badger, The Yorkshire Hotel, William & Vics and many more offering such imaginative and creative outside venue’s in which to consume well established great food and drink.

I came across Tilly Peppers up Cold Bath Road now run by a lady called Jessica and received such a warm and vibrant welcome.  A young creative menu serving imaginative Breakfast and Lunches.  Such as her Cowboy Beans with Pulled Pork and for Lunch her Falafel with Spinach and Mango Chutney.  Her lovely homemade breads are available to take away or eat in.  These breads are different flavours with imaginative fillings.  Quite delicious!

Homemade bread from Tilly Peppers

Across the road is Manna Bakery.   A very efficient looking and commercial shop where I bought a Sourdough Loaf that was perfect in every way, available alongside Croissants and happy looking Preserves.   Who needs a bread machine?

Sourdough from Manna Bakery

At the bottom of Cold Bath Road is Gron, a Scandinavian Café and takeaway, the name meaning quite literally Green.  It is now coming into its’ own unique style as the rules relax further. This is well worth a visit to experience a Beetroot, Avocado and Pickled Cabbage ‘Poke’ Bowl – eat out with a difference!  Or perhaps a Gron Breakfast Bagel with a Vegan Sausage Pate, Avocado, Mozzarella, Spinach and a Cashew Mayo.

These delightful young Cafés seem to be a new way of eating with good fresh ingredients and different breads, which is exciting and hope will soon give Harrogate a whole new culinary reputation.

Gron Kafe, Royal Parade

 

 

 

 

Masterchef finalist to open new cafe in Harrogate

A Masterchef finalist will open a new cafe in Harrogate this weekend after a successful trial in the town earlier this year.

Matt Healy’s third Scandinavian-inspired Gron Kafe will take over the site of the Quantro restaurant on Royal Parade when it opens on Saturday.

The cafe will serve up pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes. They could be for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon pick-me-up.

It is good timing for the cafe as the nation comes out of lockdown and the Harrogate district moves into tier two restrictions.

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Matt had opened a pop-up at the Cold Bath Clubhouse earlier this year, where Paradise Tap and Taco have recently taken over.

With the success of that trial, Gron Kafe has been able to move into its own dedicated site on Royal Parade.

When the cafe opens on Saturday it will serve pancakes, smoothie bowls, vegan mac and cheese, healthy smoothies, coffee, alcohol and more.

Chef Matt Healy, who rose to fame in 2016 as a Masterchef finalist, said:

“There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re after a post-workout refuel, grabbing snacks for the school run, or you’re craving pancakes and strong coffee after a few too many tipples last night.

“We couldn’t miss an opportunity to snap up an amazing spot in the heart of Harrogate.

“It’s been a lot of work transforming it into our new home but we’re looking forward to being a part of the thriving food and drink scene here.”

The new venture follows in the footsteps of Grön in Leeds and York, which have given the team the confidence to expand into Harrogate.