A59 re-opens at Kex GillKex Gill repair bill revealedUpdate issued on revamped Harrogate office block — and road closureHarrogate office block reveals opening date after £10 million refurbishmentRefurbished Harrogate office block to re-open after nearly six yearsNorthern Energy begins work on new Harrogate district headquarters

Northern Energy has started construction on new headquarters in the Harrogate district.

The company is currently based in Hampsthwaite, where it has operated for more than half a century.

The firm distributes domestic, commercial and agricultural oil and liquified petroleum gas across the north of England.

However, Northern Energy is set to relocate operations to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.

The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, liquified petroleum gas and oil storage tanks and a new car park.

James Illingworth, director of sales at Northern Energy, told the Stray Ferret:

“The site that we are currently at [in Hampsthwaite], we have been there since the 1950s. We have basically run out of space and it is not fit for purpose anymore.

“The gas storage is what we really need to take our business to the next level and we can’t put it there. That was the main driver for moving sites.”

The move to build the new base comes after Harrogate Borough Council gave planning permission for the site in February 2021.

The company said the new headquarters will provide better access to the motorway and reduce journey times for distribution.

Work being carried out on the new Northern Energy site.

Work being carried out on the new Northern Energy site.

Construction at the site is being carried out by Harrogate company HACS and is being built in two phases.

The first phase, which includes the gas storage site, is expected to be complete by March 2024.

Look for a more in-depth article on Northern Energy’s move to Marton-cum-Grafton on the Stray Ferret this weekend.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon company invests £500,000 in new manufacturing machinery

The Stray Ferret Business Awards will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will be a celebratory night with prize draw and afterparty.

Richard Flinton, the chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council is the guest speaker. Early bird ticket prices are available until February 9 and available to buy here. Bring your team, network and have fun. 

A Ripon company has invested £500,000 in new machinery to improve its manufacturing base.

Econ Engineering invested money into new Bystronic Xpert Pro press brakes, which are used for bending sheet metal.

The two new acquisitions, one of which is a 2500KN 3.1m machine, the other a 3200KN 4.3m machine, means the firm will be able to press materials up to a length of 7.4 metres.

This latest investment comes on the back of the family-owned and run business – which makes more than eight out of 10 winter maintenance vehicles on the UK’s roads – purchasing a £250,000 welding robot and the opening of a £7m engineering facility in Sowerby, Thirsk, which has now become home to Econ’s 1,000-strong gritter hire fleet.

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s managing director, said: 

“The purchase of these two new press brakes is a further demonstration of our commitment to investing in new technology within our manufacturing process.

“The opening of Sowerby has given us more space within our Ripon headquarters to accommodate the press brakes and the laser cutter, which help to boost efficiency and reduce waste.

“One of our strengths is being able to adapt our products to a customer’s individual specification, and this technical advancement will enhance our ability to craft each vehicle to meet their exacting needs.”

Harrogate developer starts work on £4.5m business park

Artist’s impression of the Marrtree Business Park, Clifton Moor, York.

Artist’s impression of the Marrtree Business Park, Clifton Moor, York.

A Harrogate developer has started work on a £4.5 million new business park in York.

The 2.4 acre park will be built on the site of the former B&M store at Clifton Moor in the city.

Marrtree Investments is constructing the scheme, which will create a 27,000 sq ft of modern business space across four units ranging from 4,000 sq ft to 8,000 sq ft, as well as a Starbucks drive-through café.

William Marshall, director of Marrtree Investments, said: 

“We are really pleased to be bringing more of the high-quality modern business space, for which Marrtree has become well known, to York.

“Since the pandemic, well-thought-out, ergonomic workplaces, where people actively want to come to work each day, have become more important than ever and that’s what we aim to deliver with all our business parks and the kind of space that is in short supply for York employers.”

The new units are due to be completed in the autumn.

Harrogate-based HACS construction group has been appointed as main contractor for the construction of the business park.

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Business Breakfast: More than half of units let at Ripon Business Park

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

More than half the units under construction on a Ripon business park are now pre-let ahead of the project being completed.

Canalside Business Park, which was previously used by Econ Engineering to store its 900-strong gritter hire fleet, is looking to help redress the shortage of small-scale industrial units in the district.

Owned by Canalside Developments and being constructed by HACS, it is a 25,000 sq ft development located opposite Ripon racecourse, off Navigation Way opposite Travis Perkins, and is scheduled for completion in spring next year.

Jonathan Lupton, Canalside Developments director, said: 

“Canalside Business Park will help meet the growing demand for industrial units for start-ups and growing business in our district.

“We are delighted by the fact that 65% of the units are now pre-let. Built to a modern specification, they will provide much-needed industrial space for micro businesses and SMEs.”

BID puts focus on Ripon Christmas windows

Ripon Business Improvement District is inviting businesses to enter their Christmas window competition, which has adopted a theme of peace and sanctuary.

The BID hopes as many businesses as possible get involved and make Ripon’s Christmas windows a magical spectacle.

A judging panel, consisting of the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon Councillor Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke, the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd. John Dobson and The Stray Ferret, will be judging all the windows during the week beginning November 21.

The winning window will receive £200 in advertising from one of the BID’s media partners.

Locals and visitors will be invited to vote via social media and will have the chance to win a Ripon Hamper Company hamper.

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The BID will be running its Christmas marketing campaign using the #christmasinripon and will include video footage of the windows and festivities.

The Visit Ripon website will have a dedicated Christmas page highlighting the businesses Christmas windows, offers and events.

Businesses are asked to confirm whether they wish to enter by November 14 via info@riponbid.co.uk and be ready for judging by the panel during the week beginning November 21.

The Ripon Christmas brochure, whose production is being supported by the BID, will be available to businesses and the public both in print and online at the beginning of November and Seasonal music in Market Square will complement the BID’s ‘Free After Three’ car parking on Friday November 25, and on December 2, 9 and 16.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate developer completes £5.5m business park

A Harrogate-based developer has completed a £5.5 million new business park in Thrisk.

Marrtree Investments, which has offices at Cardale Park, unveiled the new park at Sowerby Gateway close to the A1(M) and A19.

The first phase was completed in February, and includes tenants such as Screwfix and Toolstation.

Now the second phase has finished with help from Harrogate construction group HACS with 10,000 sq ft of the new development already pre-let to wholesaler PJH Bathroom.

William Marshall, Marrtree Investments director, said:

“Following the success of the first phase of the development, we’re thrilled the entire scheme is now complete.

“The fact that we’ve already pre-let a third of this final phase is proof of the continued high demand for the kind of modern, high-quality employment space with which Marrtree has become synonymous over the years. 

“We have had a huge amount of interest in the remaining units and we’re confident further tenants will come forward over the next few months to fill them.”

Harrogate BID hopeful of success at national awards

Harrogate Business Improvement District is hoping for success at the National BID Awards in London next week.

The business organisation has entered two categories – place-management and special recognition. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 3.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman and Harrogate BID’s Marketing and Business Executive, Bethany Allen.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman and Harrogate BID’s Marketing and Business Executive, Bethany Allen.

Officials hope the BID’s Harrogate floral summer of celebration campaign will come up roses in the special recognition category, whilst its street ranger Chris Ashby – who helped save the life of a young man in Library Gardens — will secure the place-management title.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said: 

“Since joining us back in January, our street ranger Chris has been a real asset. His work in helping to keep the town looking pristine is appreciated by businesses across the town centre. And this summer, whilst on his rounds, his swift actions and level headiness helped save the life of a young man.

“We are also hopeful the success already achieved by our Harrogate floral summer of celebration campaign, which was delivered by BID project manager Jo Caswell, will be replicated in the special recognition category.”

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district update

The main routes into Harrogate, such as Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road, appear to be flowing normally in the approach to rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers heading towards Wetherby should be aware of temporary traffic lights still in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near Spofforth.

The lights are in place while Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work and are now due to last until October 18.

Elsewhere in Harrogate, long-term work on Crescent Road means motorists are unable to turn left at the Parliament Street junction. Traffic coming the opposite way on Ripon Road is unable to turn right.

Montpellier Road remains closed until tomorrow as Northern Gas Networks carries out maintenance work.

Stop go boards are due to be in place on John Street today and tomorrow.

Roadworks on the Boroughbridge Road at Scriven are likely to cause delays for motorists travelling between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

Looking ahead, work is scheduled to begin on Monday to reconstruct the B6265 at Red Brae Bank, Bewerley, near Pateley Bridge, which suffered a landslip during storms in  February 2020.

The scheme requires the road to be closed from October 17 to December 9. A diversion will be in place via Pateley Bridge; the B6451 Dacre; Menwith Hill Road; Duck Street and Greenhow Hill village. Temporary traffic lights will be in place during the remainder of the work.

Trains and buses

Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.

The Harrogate Bus Company is not currently reporting any cancellations but you can get updates here.

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