Despite multiple weather warnings and a rather inconvenient March snowfall, the first Stray Ferret Business Awards was a roaring success.

With nearly 400 guests, a crowd of paparazzi and a lot of laughter, last night’s event was a fitting celebration of business across the Harrogate district.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards showcased a variety of talent from across the area, and 11 finalists were crowned the winners of their categories.

The Harrogate district boasts a high calibre of business, which was reflected in the submissions, but the winners’ entries particularly impressed the judges.

The Winners

Dynamic Leader – sponsored by Succession Wealth

Winner: Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Ian Baker is the founder and managing director of The Soundproofing Store.

Ian has led the company to become the largest online retailer of soundproofing equipment and solutions in the UK.

Ian’s employees say “his style of leadership is instrumental in the success of the business and solutions offered to customers”.

The judges agreed that Ian’s innovative, open and creative approach to leadership merited first place.

Highly Commended: Suzanna Prout, Xenonex

Suzanna Prout is the founder and managing director of  Xenonex, which offers leadership coaching and development programmes.

During covid, Suzanna shifted the business to be entirely online, which included online training and bespoke portals where users could access resources and track progress.

Suzanna also led the business to win the CorporateLiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award for Management Training Specialist of the Year – UK.

The judges felt Suzanna demonstrated incredible resilience and established necessary flexibility during challenging times.

Best Independent Retailer – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate, offering clients bespoke expertise and advice on holiday destinations.

As chaos ensued during covid, TravelGate was inundated with policies to follow and holidays to amend. However, the agency remained open throughout several lockdowns to provide support for clients, both locally and abroad.

The judges believed TravelGate’s relentless resilience and ability to adapt to such hardship made it deserving of the award.

Highly Commended: Whittams Hire

Whittams Hire offers luxury motorhome hire to the people of North Yorkshire and beyond.

Since launching in 2018, the company now boasts nine motorhomes and has even opened a coffee shop alongside the office space.

The judges felt the company keeps customer service at its core, – evidenced with a 100% 5-star Google review record – which merited a highly commended.

Highly Commended: Watermark Gallery

Watermark Gallery is a Harrogate art gallery selling original, contemporary and modern British art.

During the pandemic, the gallery offered customers the opportunity to watch live artist exhibitions through the gallery window – growing a large customer base.

In 2020, the gallery also adapted its space into becoming a workshop space to teach and learn.

The judges felt Watermark Gallery’s business growth and dynamic approach to retail was deserving of a highly commended placing.

Digital Innovation – sponsored by ASE Computer Services Ltd

Winner: Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

The company used its Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) software to establish a virtual specification configurator for Volvo.

The immersive software permitted customers to explore the features of the car, including testing the sound system, in aid of the Volvo C40 Recharge launch.

Strive Group’s cutting-edge innovation dazzled the judges.

Employee Development – sponsored by Jones Myers Family Law Solicitors

Winner: Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Grantley Hall offers staff an on-site training facility, as well as live-in accommodation, free meals and wellbeing support.

Staff can access additional training services from senior staff members, including Michelin-starred chef, Shaun Rankin.

Grantley Hall stood out to the judges with its five-star staff development programme.

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – sponsored by Next Chapter

Winner: Ogden of Harrogate

Historic jeweller Ogden of Harrogate impressed the judges with its virtual advent calendar.

The campaign enabled the jeweller to bring its annual Christmas catalogue online.

Each day, an animated image featuring the corresponding door was emailed to subscribers, showcasing a piece of jewellery.

The judges were impressed by Ogden’s strategy to marry the digital and traditional retail, delivering impressive results in sales.

Sustainable Business – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: EnviroVent (Large Business)

EnviroVent is a designer and manufacturer of sustainable ventilation systems in Harrogate.

The company has recently moved from two separate sites into one zero-carbon building that uses low carbon heating and energy sources.

EnviroVent also aims to plant 5,000 trees a year in partnership with MoreTrees.

The judges were impressed by EniroVent’s clear objectives to becoming entirely net-zero carbon.

Winner: Resurrected Bites (Small Business)

Resurrected Bites is a food waste organisation, with pay-as-you-feel cafés and community groceries in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The business collects short shelf life and excess food from local producers to distribute via the cafés.

Any food not fit for human consumption is passed onto livestock and peelings are gifted to allotments to make compost.

The judges felt that Resurrected Bites is solving an important issue by aiming to fill bellies instead of bins.

Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants

Winner: Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

Laura Mounsey qualified as a solicitor with Harrogate Family Law four years ago and is already a director of the firm. An equity stake in a legal firm usually takes at least 10 years to achieve.

Laura is the chair of the advisory board to the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), as well as the youngest ever president of the Harrogate & District Law Society.

Laura’s clients describe her as “extraordinarily approachable and knowledgeable”.

Laura’s incredibly impressive career stood out to the judges. They agreed she would continue to rise throughout her career.

Highly Commended: Tiffany Snowden, Willow Heritage

Tiffany Snowden is the lead heritage consultant and director of Harrogate environmental consultancy Blue Willow Heritage.

Tiffany is just one of 500 women in the UK to be granted membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CifA), the highest level of accreditation that the most senior archaeology body in the UK offers.

Tiffany was also invited to join the Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings (ASCHB), the UK’s premier body for the study of architectural preservation.

In just two years, Tiffany has led Blue Willow Heritage to become one of the top small heritage consultancies in Britain.

Tiffany dazzled the judges with her career to date and they believe she is certainly one to watch.

Highly Commended: James Owen Thomas, JOT’s Gallery

James Owen Thomas is an environmental artist and owner of JOT’s Gallery.

James was diagnosed with autism aged three and has since used this, as well as his love for the environment, as a means of inspiration for his art.

James is an ambassador the Tree Council, supporting its Force For Nature campaign.

James’s artwork has helped raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society, Autism Trust, Disability Action Yorkshire, National Autistic Society and many more.

The judges believed James is a star in the making.

Business Growth – sponsored by Raworths Solicitors

Winner: The Soundproofing Store

The Soundproofing Store has seen consistent growth over the last eight years.

The company has recently established a commercial client sector, which resulted in significant growth in revenue and network.

The Soundproofing Store also created the only soundproofing floor mat without the need for an over boarding layer. Sales of the mat amassed to over 11,000.

The judges noted that The Soundproofing Store’s product and service innovation has led it to such significant growth.

Highly Commended: Bamber & Brown

Bamber & Brown is a hotspot for takeaway coffee that trades out of a converted horse box.

Since 2021, the company has seen significant financial growth, developed horse shelter into a pizza van and has recently acquired a premises license, which will be used to create a prosecco bar.

The judges loved Bamber & Brown’s story and were impressed by its exponential growth in just 18 months.

Highly Commended: TMR Foods

TMR Foods supplies premium quality fish and seafood across Yorkshire.

During covid, the new business began doing private deliveries, which resulted in a loyal customer base.

TMR has since added two more vans onto the roads, established a base in Ripon to work from, and is now developing pre-packed ranges to supply to retailers.

TMR Foods’ resilience throughout covid and subsequent growth stood out to the judges.

Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bigbamboo

Winner: Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to keep Harrogate town centre clean.

As the town’s street ranger, Chris Ashby has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, and disposed of 57 used needles.

His actions in July 2022 hit the headlines, when he rescued a man who was trying to take his own life in the early hours of the morning.

The judges were very impressed by Chris’s commitment to maintaining the town’s beauty, but felt his actions in helping save a man’s life meant he was undoubtedly the Stray Ferret’s Unsung Hero.

Highly commended: Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the content creator and social media manager.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Sally Haslewood, founder of Mumbler, said:

“To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman.”

The judges felt Kayti’s work is exactly why the Unsung Hero award was established – she is a vital cog in the functioning of Mumbler.

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors

Winner: Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space is a Harrogate café and workshop staffed entirely by adults with learning difficulties.

The café provides them with work experience and employment opportunities.

The staff learn vital skills such as food preparation, customer service, handling money, food hygiene and more.

The judges felt Artizan Café and Creative Space allows differently-abled people to fulfil a dream of paid employment.

Highly Commended: Horticap

Horticap is a Harrogate charity that has provided training in outdoor skills to adults with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years.

Horticap students can learn about garden maintenance, social skills, craft work and hospitality.

Horticap aims to immerse its students into society and provide them with skills that can be replicated at home and towards new career paths.

The judges commended both Horticap’s long-standing service and the significant impact the charity makes on the students’ lives.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended yesterday’s event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

The departure of New Look from the town centre this week has led to concerns over what the Harrogate district offers to people on low incomes.

Its closure, which reportedly came despite the company’s wish to stay in Harrogate, follows the departure of M&Co in Ripon when that company went into administration.

While many large brands remain, alongside new and long-standing independent businesses, the budget end of the market is less well-served.

Other than Primark, affordable fashion – especially for men – is hard to find anywhere in the Harrogate district, especially following the departure of the likes of H&M in recent years.

The issue is recognised by local organisations working with people on low incomes, including Harrogate and District Community Action.

Its information and communications officer Angela Jones said:

“Local charities in Harrogate district recognise the challenges of finding affordable food and clothing in the current economic climate and are very active in supporting people facing food and clothing poverty.

“HADCA signposts people to organisations who can help, including through our Where To Turn directory. Local charity shops also play a vital role, recycling unwanted clothing at a lower cost, whilst fundraising for their causes.”

Mike Procter, co-ordinator of Harrogate Clothes Bank

Among the organisations supporting people who can’t afford to buy new clothes is Harrogate Clothes Bank.

Based on Hornbeam Park, the charity takes donations from individuals and passes them on to people who need them.

Its operations director, Mike Procter, said:

“We try to provide dignity to people who struggle to afford clothes. We try to create shopping experience.

“Everything we provide is free of charge. Customers can self-refer or be referred by a support organisation – no proof of referral or proof of low-income is required. We operate on a basis of trust.

“We have noticed a significant increase in customer numbers in last 12 months.”

The clothes bank was founded in 2016 by St Mark’s Church and is run by volunteers, including people of all faiths and none.

Last year, it saw 550 customers taking 8,000 items. It shared some of its clothes with other organisations, including Harrogate Homeless Project and the women’s refuge charity IDAS.

It also gave 700kg of clothing to a Ukrainian church via Harrogate’s Calvary Chapel, and 1,000kg to other clothes banks in West Yorkshire. A further 900kg of clothes were sold at a nominal price for reuse, recycling and repurposing.

The clothes bank is holding a fundraising end-of-season sale tomorrow, Saturday, March 4, from 10.30am to noon, with high-quality winter clothes for men, women, and children of all ages.

Read more:

• New Look in Harrogate to close
• M&Co store in Ripon set to close

Meanwhile, Harrogate Business Improvement District said it is working to ensure the town centre continues to deliver shops and services that meet the needs of all residents, as well as visitors.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“The future of high streets is evolving into ‘mixed use’, so that whilst we absolutely champion national chains and independents, the direction is moving towards town centre living on second and third floors. Mixing with retail and hospitality and leisure and professional services will become the norm

“Latest data shows that 47 per cent more people are buying ‘own brands’ in supermarkets due to inflation, and the increase in the cost of living will affect where people buy their clothes.

“We continue to lobby the government to look to reform the way in which business rates are collected and collated, as well as encouraging landlords to make Harrogate a more appealing – and affordable – place to do business.”

Mr Chapman said the BID’s primary aim was to keep the town safe, clean and welcoming, as well as organising events designed to increase footfall.

While New Look may have left this week, the BID is working on a fashion show, to take place in May, promoting local fashion shops, hairdressers and jewellers. He added:

“It is always a shame when we see a well-known name leave the town, but Harrogate still has plenty to offer in terms of retail fashion outlets.”

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club!

The second in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is an After Work Drinks event on February 23 from 5.30pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district, get your tickets now by clicking or tapping here.

Three independent businesses in Harrogate , Husk beer emporium, Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social, have decided to collaborate to help each other out.

Customers at Husk beer emporium can get food delivered from Thug Sandwich Co or Pizza Social to enjoy in Husk’s James Street store.

The scheme is expected to be particularly popular on Wednesday’s quiz nights, where teams will be able to get pizzas delivered to eat while they compete in the quiz.

Husk’s location on James Street, just round the corner from Thug Sandwich Co, led to the two independents getting in touch and deciding to work together.

The three businesses discussed the idea over social media before putting the plan into action.

Danny James, co-owner and manager of Husk, said:

“With the Increasing energy bills, looming rising prices across the board etc we’ve recently teamed up with Thug Sandwich Co and Pizza Social…

This supports all 3 indies by increasing traffic to our bar whilst providing Thug and Pizza Social more remote seating at our place and hopefully more orders for their very awesome food offerings!”

Read more: 

• Stray Ferret Business Awards: Sustainable Business
• Business Breakfast: Award for Harrogate carer

Harrogate BID reaches final of national In Bloom competition

Harrogate BID has reached the finals of the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK competition.

The business organisation has been selected for its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration, and will compete in the BIDS, Town Centres & City Centres category. Harrogate BID was named regional winner in the category last year.

Installation part of the floral summer of celebration

The summer of celebration featured a floral trail, an indoor exhibition, and a shop window competition. This was in addition to the 200 barrier baskets, shop doorway planters and hanging baskets around the town centre.

Harrogate BID Manager, Matthew Chapman, said:

“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and over the years has won many accolades – regional, national and international. Our floral campaign, delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, was designed to celebrate our floral heritage.

It was brilliant to partner with a number of different businesses and organisations, including Blamey’s Florist, Harrogate Theatre, The Turkish Baths, Harrogate Library, Harrogate in Bloom and Harrogate Spring Flower Show, all of whom contributed to its success.”

The winners of the In Bloom awards will be announced at a ceremony in October.

The Unsung Hero Award is sponsored by The Big Bamboo Agency.

The Harrogate marketing and PR firm provides creative solutions to its clients.

The company’s expertise is delivering specialist strategies, brand development and website and social media management.

The Unsung Hero Award is designed to shine a light on individuals who are not only integral to the day to day, but are prepared to go the extra mile without prompt or payment.

The Finalists

Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the Content Creator and Social Media Manager.

Sally Haslewood, Founder of Mumbler, said,

“Kayti immediately got stuck in and wrote countless blogs for me, all focused on her life as a young mum in Harrogate.

“Kayti is a joy to work with. To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman”.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Kayti Mewis said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award – let alone shortlisted!  Harrogate Mumbler is such an important resource for parents and carers in the area.

“Harrogate is a great place for families to live, and having a job which involves shouting about how great it is, is brilliant!”

Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to deep cleaning Harrogate town centre.

As the town’s Street Ranger Chris Ashby has delivered staggering results from his work and faced situations no one wants to face.

He has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, disposed of 57 used needles and painted numerous bits of street furniture.

His actions in July last year hit the headlines when he rescued a person he found hanging from a tree in the town centre.

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“We nominated Chris as, not only is the work he delivers top notch and making an evidential difference on a daily basis, but he is also somewhat of a Harrogate Ambassador. Chris reacts to the day job instantly, is offering regular and positive good mornings, hellos, helping with directions, alongside supporting some of the most vulnerable.

“As a sole person covering a huge area, Chris’s work has now become the norm. We have nominated him because, if there wasn’t a Chris, Harrogate would be very different place”.

Jago Wallace, Himalayan Garden

Jago Wallace’s “quiet determination” and passion for gardening has found him shortlisted for Unsung Hero.

Jago, a gardener at Ripon’s Himalayan Garden, began his horticulture career aged 17 and, six years later, has full responsibility for the gardens Plant Nursery. He also oversees the gardens National Collection of Rhododendrons. His duties involve knowledgeable plant care, training others, writing reports, keeping plant records and hosting talks and tours of the collection.

Jago always acts as a media spokesperson for the garden and is continuously developing new ideas for activities and features within the business.

Jago’s colleagues describe him as “a humble, gentle soul, who always surprises with his humour, willingness and knowledge”.

Jago said:

“It’s lovely to have been picked as a finalist for this award. Working at such an amazing garden with rare and incredibly interesting plants, the conservation we do helps these plants that are in danger in the wild from habitat loss, is hugely rewarding work.

“Being able to do this where I grew up and live makes what I do feel even more magical.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

A “technical error” that left drivers unable to take advantage of planned free parking has been corrected for the coming weekend.

Harrogate BID had organised the offer to run in the Victoria Car Park, from 10am to 6pm, every Saturday until February 18.

However, shoppers who had parked after 10am last Saturday were shocked to find they had to pay for their parking on departure.

Harrogate BID has apologised for the error and said it has offered refunds to people who were charged.

BID manager Matthew Chapman added:

“We would like to apologise to those who came into town last Saturday to take advantage of BID-funded free parking in Victoria Car Park and were asked to pay.

“This was an oversight by our Harrogate Borough colleagues who had not set the payment metres for a new month, and we have offered refunds to those who inadvertently had to pay.

“I’d like to reassure those coming into Harrogate either this Saturday and the following Saturday, February 11 and February 18, that they can park for free between 10am and 6pm in Victoria Car Park.”

One resident, who asked not to be named, said signage for the free parking had been in place when she arrived around 10.30am on Saturday.

However, by the time she left at 2pm, the signage had been removed.

She said a parking attendant told her the offer had been “pulled”, and she saw several “angry” people complaining.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“Unfortunately, due to a technical error, free parking wasn’t available in Victoria car park in Harrogate on Saturday, February 4 as planned.

“We can confirm free parking will be available at Victoria car park on the next two Saturdays, thanks to Harrogate BID.”

Read more:

• Harrogate offers free Saturday parking to boost sales post Christmas
• New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

A Harrogate public relations firm has secured three international clients amid a growth in its business.

Cause UK, which is based on Victoria Avenue, helped French-based company Famileo, Pakistan charity CARE Foundation and lobby group Free Tibet with its communications over the past 12 months.

The agency, which represents a number of clients in the Harrogate district and beyond, specialises in generating regional and national media profile for clients.

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, managing director of Cause UK, said: 

“It’s testament to the impact and reputation of our work that our agency was approached by a number of global organisations in the past year or so.”

Harrogate BID to host networking walk

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to hold a networking walk as part of its next BID club meeting.

Starting at the Harrogate war memorial in the town centre at 5pm on Thursday (February 9), the walk will be led by Harry Satloka from Free Walking Tour Harrogate.

The BID club offer members a regular opportunity to hear from different speakers, find out key information about town centre events and initiatives, and to meet with fellow BID members, directors and the BID team.

The walk will end at the Disappearing Chin, on Beulah Street, for drinks and nibbles.

Bethany Allen, Harrogate BID marketing and business executive, said

“Harry will be taking us on our own private tour, where I’m sure even those who live here will learn something new about our wonderful town.”

BID members wishing to take part should register here.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Ripon engineering firm partners with The British Heart Foundation
• Business Breakfast: New café opens on Harrogate’s Cardale Park

Businesses around Harrogate town centre could get money towards a spruce-up thanks to money from Harrogate Business Improvement District.

The organisation is offering match-funded grants of up to £750 for members looking to upgrade their frontages, as it aims to make the town centre welcoming and attractive.

Businesses could use the money to update paintwork and signage, or to improve their accessibility, as part of the 2023 scheme.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Harrogate BID is delighted to continue its support to members’ paying businesses, helping them make improvements to their street frontages and the accessibility of their premises, thanks to these match-funded grants.

“We are constantly aspiring to make Harrogate a desirable place to do business, as well as an attractive place to visit. Our match-funded improvement grant supports our efforts to make Harrogate ‘safe, clean and welcoming’, as outlined in our business plan.

“As long as the work enhances a façade, or makes it more accessible for disabled customers, we will consider it. As there is a limited budget for the 2023 town centre improvements grant scheme, they will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.”

Last year, jewellery business Fattorinis received £750 towards the refurbishment of its Victorian canopy on Parliament Street, with the addition of a new facia board and signage.

The changes helped to raise the profile of the business after it changed hands last year. Others to benefit from the grant scheme included The Den, Cold Bath Brewing, Drum and Monkey, and the Coach and Horses.

Any business interested in applying for a grant should submit a request to Harrogate BID with a description of the work to be carried out or the equipment needed, along with quotations and an expected completion date.

Read more:

• New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID
• Business rates to reduce for majority of Harrogate firms, says BID

Firms in Harrogate town centre will be balloted in June over whether to continue to fund a business improvement district.

A total of 462 businesses in Harrogate town centre currently pay a levy of 1.5% on top of their rateable value to fund Harrogate Business Improvement District.

It is one of more than 350 BIDs in the country, set up to increase footfall by providing additional services to those run by councils.

Harrogate BID was set up in 2018 when businesses voted by 108 to 23 in favour of the initiative.

Businesses will vote again in June on whether to continue supporting it. The ballot will open on June 1 and close on June 28. The result will be announced the following day.

Ripon has a BID but Knaresborough rejected one.

Read more:

• New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID
• Ripon BID announces Christmas windows competition winners

BID chief executive Matthew Chapman outlined the organisation’s achievements at this week’s annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel and made the case for the continuation of the organisation.

Mr Chapman said businesses could step into the void created by the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1. He said:

“It’s a key time with Harrogate Borough Council going. The town will lose a voice for a time and we believe we can step in and be that voice.

“BIDs in their second terms often go on to bigger and better things.”

Sara Ferguson speaking at the annual general meeting.

The BID spent £608,844 last year to record a deficit of £13,737. Mr Chapman said the deficit would be wiped out when levy bill reminders and court summons prompted some late payments.

The BID funded initiatives such as free car parking, free buses into town, street cleaning, street entertainers, floral displays, Christmas lights, Harrogate lego trail and the platinum jubilee celebrations on the Stray.

Dan Siddle, general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow recently replaced Sara Ferguson and Richard Wheeldon as chair and vice-chair respectively.

Streets included within the Harrogate BID boundary:

Albert Street, Beulah Street, Bower Road, Cambridge Crescent, Cambridge Road, Cheltenham Crescent, Cheltenham Mount, Cheltenham Parade, Cold Bath Road, Commercial Street, Crescent Road, Crown Place, Dragon Parade, Dragon Road, East Parade, East Park Road, Haywra Crescent, Haywra Street, James Street, John Street, Kings Road, Market Place, Montpellier Gardens, Montpellier Parade, Montpellier Road, Montpellier Street, Mount Parade, North Park Road, Oxford Street, Park Parade, Park View, Parliament Street, Princes Square, Princes Street, Prospect Crescent, Prospect Place, Queensway, Raglan Street, Ripon Road, Royal Parade, Springfield Avenue, Station Avenue, Station Bridge, Station Parade, Station Square, Studley Road, Swan Road, The Ginnel, Tower Street, Union Street, Victoria Avenue, Victoria Shopping Centre, West Park, York Place

Harrogate BID will welcome a new chair and deputy chair at its annual general meeting this afternoon (January 19). 

Dan Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow are replacing Sara Ferguson and Richard Wheeldon, who have led the business improvement district for almost three years. 

The pair will remain on the board, which is strengthened by a number of new directors who attended their first BID board meeting last week. 

They are Mike Patterson from Berwins Solicitors, Lyndsay Snodgrass from Verity Frearson estate agent, Ruth Burke-Kennedy from Bettys and Taylors, town centre commercial property owner Russell Davidson, and Mark Robson from the Harrogate town centre Marks & Spencer. 

Hotelier Dan, who joined the BID board in March 2021, said:

“I want to thank both Sara and Richard for the tremendous contributions they have made to Harrogate BID. Richard has been a part of the BID since the idea was first mooted back in 2017, and his knowledge is invaluable. 

“Whilst he’s standing down due to his retirement from Berwins, I’m delighted he’s agreed to remain on the board as a co-opted member. 

“Sara has been a superb Chair, and has done a wonderful job in steering the BID through some extremely challenging times, not least being the Covid pandemic. Under her stewardship, Harrogate BID has gone from strength to strength, and is making a real positive impact within the town centre. 

“I’m really passionate about Harrogate BID and the work it’s doing, and I’m looking forward to taking on the role of Chair, and building on Sara’s successes. I’m also delighted that Andrea, a longstanding BID member, is to be the new Deputy Chair.” 

Andrea, a BID board member since July 2019, said:

“I too want to place on the record our thanks to both Sara and Richard for their leadership over the last few years.

“2023 is an important year for Harrogate BID. We are in the process of creating a new business plan and are asking our members to help shape this.

“We have a great board, which has been further strengthened by the addition of four new members and one returning member, representing different town centre sectors.

“Harrogate BID was created to benefit the town centre, which it does on an almost daily basis, from deep-cleaning the streets and providing weekend entertainers, to funding improvement grants, powering the Christmas lights and boosting Harrogate’s floral offering.

“I’m looking forward to taking up my new role on the BID board, and helping Harrogate continue to be a great place to shop, eat, drink and do business.”

Harrogate BID’s annual general meeting will be held at 5.30pm on Thursday, January 19, at the Crown Hotel. All BID members are invited to attend. 

Further information about Harrogate BID can be found on its website here.

Read more:

• Council defends bid to create doomed investment zones in Harrogate district
• Business rates to reduce for majority of Harrogate firms, says BID
• Harrogate BID manager to remain in post

A Harrogate-based law firm has made a new appointment to its senior team.

Jones Myers has appointed senior family law specialist Neil Dring to lead its office on Victoria Avenue.

Mr Dring joins the firm’s financial remedies department, which is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional proceedings and cases involving complex corporate and offshore trust structures.

He said:

“Jones Myers’ standing as an award-winning leader in its field which attracts the best family lawyers is acknowledged on a regional and national level. Its esteemed Children’s Department is also renowned internationally.

“The firm’s ethos of seeking non-confrontational solutions to relationship breakdowns resonates with my approach and values, and I am looking forward to playing a key role in the practice’s continued expansion.”

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers managing partner who heads the financial remedies department, said: 

“Neil is a highly respected and well-known family lawyer whose breadth and depth of experience highly complements our expertise and approach in delivering bespoke solutions for our clients.

“We warmly welcome him to the team as we continue to go from strength to strength in Yorkshire and beyond.”

Harrogate BID to host counter-terrorism workshops

Harrogate BID is set to host counter-terrorism workshops for its members this month.

The workshop will deal with ‘Document Awareness’ and is aimed at those in HR or those responsible for recruitment in their organisations, helping recruiters identify false documentation.

This initiative coincides with an announcement that new counter-terrorism legislation will be introduced for UK venues as a reaction to the 2017 attack at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert.

Bethany Allen, Business and Marketing Executive at Harrogate BID, said: 

“At the same time as Martyn’s Law shores up the UK’s venues against attacks, the BID is partnering with Counter Terrorism Policing North East to help Harrogate’s business stay prepared.

“It essential that criminals seeking unlawful access into an organisation be caught in the recruitment stage, which is exactly what our workshop should help business accomplish.

“The practical workshop is approximately two hours long, and provides detailed training in how to identify document fraud, looking at passports and driving licences, comparing features of real and false documents.”

The workshop will take place on Thursday January 12, between 1.30 and 3.30pm at The Crown Hotel, Crown Place, Harrogate, HG1 2RZ.

BID Members wishing to attend this session should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk.

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