Masham is the small town in the Harrogate district with a big reputation for beauty and beer.
Set in sumptuous Wensleydale, it is home to two major breweries — Theakston and Black Sheep.
The breweries, which boost the town’s economy and provide jobs, have been around so long it’s hard to imagine Masham without them. But the future at Black Sheep looked far from rosy a few years ago.
The company, which was founded by Paul Theakston in 1991 when he became the black sheep of the family by setting up a rival to the brewery created by his family in 1827, was running at a loss.
The chairman asked Charlene Lyons, who had set up her own consultancy at the age of 29 in 2007, if she would consider becoming chief executive.
Ms Lyons knew what she was getting into: her consultancy had been brought in to help Black Sheep in 2016 and she had joined the board in 2018. She says:
“It was a business that had not had much external objectivity. It had been making a loss for four or five years.”
Charlene Lyons
For Newcastle-born Ms Lyons, it was an appealing new challenge.
The daughter of a market trader, she grew up fiercely determined to be a successful businesswoman. She cut her teeth as a fashion buyer for Marks & Spencer in London and her career was flying but her dad’s sudden death when she was just 23 had a profound effect.
Gradually her mindset changed and by the time the top job at Black Sheep became available the prospect of working in the Dales appealed more than corporate city life.
Ms Lyons, who sleeps for just three or four hours a night, now enjoys the scenic commute to work from Leeds at 5.45am. She says:
“It’s the most beautiful drive to an incredible part of the world, for a business that is deep rooted in the most amazing heritage and culture.”
Future planning
There was plenty to occupy her mind on those early morning drives when she started the job. Weeks after becoming chief executive, covid struck.
Black Sheep was quick to respond, staging regular coronavirus planning meetings from January 2020, when much of the world was laughing it off.
As the situation worsened, the company instigated a raft of measures, such as improving its online shop, securing third party packaging to reduce its reliance on one supplier and alerting supermarkets to the availability of its products. Online sales increased from about £100,000 to £800,000 during the first covid year.
Black Sheep also offered a ‘brew to you’ delivery service, which involved delivering beer to the end of people’s drives and provided a local food delivery service in Masham. A future strategy team was set up to plan for life after covid. Ms Lyons said:
“So many businesses didn’t have the bandwidth to think about the future during covid.”
Ms Lyons’ bold and forward thinking approach helped the company recover at a time when covid had a devastating impact on the hospitality trade. Besides furlough, Black Sheep received no business rate freeze or grants despite the catastrophic impact of pub closures.
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The latest annual accounts, for the financial year ending March 31, 2021, revealed the company made a profit of £1m but an operating loss of £1.1m due to exceptional items, such as redundancy payments.
Considering the circumstances, this was an impressive set of results. The accounts also reveal how much covid changed the business model. They state: “Our off trade business grew its turnover from £6,864,988 to £9,547,261, our on trade turnover was decimated, reducing from £9,838,810 to £2,245,457.”
The current strategy focuses on providing a direct route to market, rather than relying on third parties, and ‘owning Yorkshire’, which means getting its products in every pub, bar and other retail outlet selling beer in the county.
The brewery in Masham.
Black Sheep exports to 12 countries but overseas trade is a very small part of its business.
Its fresh approach to marketing is epitomised in its recent drink cask beer campaign, featuring comedian Maisie Adam, which aims to break down what Ms Lyons calls the “ridiculous stereotype” that only men aged over 55 drink cask beer.
Ms Lyons is rather tired of another cliché: that being a female chief executive in the world of beer is frowned upon.
“It’s not been an issue at all. The perception is more in the eye of the beholder. People always ask ‘what’s it like to be a CEO in a make dominated brewery?’ But in my experience everybody is taken at face value. It doesn’t occupy even a tiny bit of my thinking.”
Outside work she enjoys travel, food and wine. Being the mother of three sporty children, she also spends a lot of time driving them around.
Masham may seem a long way from corporate life but managing a team of 146 staff in such difficult time is no easy task, particularly when you throw in challenges like the cost of living crisis and rampant inflation.
But Ms Lyons looks back on the last two-and-a-half years at the helm with satisfaction.
“We’ve done an exceptional job. Many businesses have just folded.
“Hospitality has been one of the most affected sectors and we had no government support except furlough.
“You have two choices with challenges: slump your shoulders and let things overtake you or rally the troops and do something about it.”
Nidderdale tractor run to take place tomorrow
More than 50 vintage and modern tractors are set to take to the streets of Nidderdale tomorrow.
The first Nidderdale Charity Tractor Road Run will start in Kirkby Malzeard at 10.30am and wind its way towards Middleham before heading back.
Masham, Grewelthorpe and Jerveulx will be among the places passed.
Ryan Atkinson, who is managing director of R&J Yorkshire’s Finest Farmers & Butchers in Kirkby Malzeard, is co-organising the event with Simon Dickinson.
The two men are both members of West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.
Mr Atkinson said:
“Both of us have a love of vintage tractors. We just wanted to put on an event and raise money for charity.”
About 50 tractors have signed up so far. Entries are welcome on the day for a cost of £15, of which £10 goes to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
People will gather for breakfast at R&J butchers from 8.30am before departing at 10.30am.
Families are welcome to watch the tractors set off and cheer them on around the route.
Tomorrow’s route
The 40-mile parade on public and private roads will take place over two legs, which are expected to last two hours each, with a stop at Brymor Ice Cream at Jervaulx in between.
R&J Butchers is providing hot dogs and drinks at the finish back in Kirkby Malzeard at about 4pm.
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Police anti-social driving clampdown makes 10 arrests in Harrogate district
A police operation to clampdown on anti-social driving made 10 arrests and seized 12 vehicles in the Harrogate district in two years, new figures show.
North Yorkshire Police launched Operation Chrome back in June 2020 in an effort to tackle noisy cars and anti-social driving of “high-powered vehicles”.
Figures obtained by the Stray Ferret via a Freedom of Information request show that in the Harrogate district the force made 10 arrests and seized 12 vehicles as part of the operation up to June 7, 2022.
Officers also made eight charges as a result of the clampdown on drivers.
Superintendent Steve Thomas, the county commander at North Yorkshire Police, said Operation Chrome was an ongoing operation.
He said:
“Operation Chrome is a rolling programme of operations using a range of tactics to disrupt anti-social behaviour in and around the Harrogate area, with a particular focus during the summer months.
“This initial period of activity has been successful and we will continue to do all we can to deal with these issues.”
Tackling ‘irresponsible’ drivers
The force launched the operation in the summer of 2020 and pledged to focus on “the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers which is not only unsafe but also highly disruptive”.
Harrogate often attracts drivers, sometimes in modified vehicles, racing around the main roads, particularly during summer.
As part of the operation, police increase patrols in hotpots and roll out more speed cameras across town, vehicle stops and detailed CCTV reviews.
The clampdown has seen cars seized by officers, including a Ferrari sports car which was towed away outside Harrogate Convention Centre in August 2021.
Read more:
- Police have ‘public duty’ to tackle noisy cars, says commissioner
- Police pledge to crack down on fast and noisy cars in Harrogate
Harrogate district woman found guilty of harassing neighbours
A Harrogate district woman has been found guilty of harassing her neighbours for almost a year.
Summer Sugar, 50, was found guilty of harassment by anti-social behaviour, including consistent noise nuisance, intense loud banging on walls for prolonged periods and playing loud music.
Sugar, of Masham, was also guilty of taking photos of her neighbours while they did work on their house and were in the garden, as well as making malicious complaints to Yorkshire Water about them blocking her drain, which turned out to be false.
The prosecution said the behaviour, which lasted from September 15, 2019 until August 25, 2020, caused the family next door “a severe amount of distress”.
Sugar was found guilty at North Yorkshire Magistrates Court, sitting in York, on Tuesday.
She was remanded on unconditional bail until July 26 when she will appear before York magistrates again.
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- Woman charged with attempted murder in Harrogate
- Concerns raised over ‘success’ of rural bus pilot scheme in Ripon and Masham
Harrogate family firm sold to international company
A family firm formed in Harrogate 20 years ago, which now employs 45 staff, has been sold to a large international company.
Keith Swales founded civil engineering business S&B Utilities in 2002. Based at Kestia House in Lingerfield, near Scotton.
The firm has been acquired by Hargreaves Industrial Services, which is a subsidiary of international land, property and infrastructure development company Hargreaves Services.
The sum has not been disclosed.
Managing director Mr Swales, who is 77, and finance director Karen Cocker will exit the business. All other staff will be retained.
Kestia House
S&B Utilities, which constructs water projects and other civil engineering schemes, is a framework contractor with Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water. It also works on military bases.
Locally, its projects have included undertaking structural concrete work for the Esplanade tower block in Harrogate and for the Tower Street car park.
Mr Swales, a civil engineer who worked for Yorkshire Water before setting up the company, said negotiations had taken eight months to complete. He added:
“We’ve been a family orientated business from day one and we believe the move to Hargreaves will enhance that.”
He thanked past and present employees for their help over the last 20 years.
Darren Swales, Will Griffin and Lee Swales will continue as directors of S&B Utilities and will be joined on the board by Sean Hager and John Samuel, who are directors of Hargreaves Industrial Services.
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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup
Some roadworks remain in place across the Harrogate district this morning with reports of queuing at Bond End in Knaresborough.
Elsewhere, traffic is moving as normal ahead of the rush hour.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.
Roads
Drivers should be aware of the normal rush hour traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Skipton Road and Knaresborough Road this morning.
There are reports of traffic queueing at Bond End in Knaresborough as three way traffic lights are in place as North Yorkshire County Council carries out repair works.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, a closure will also be in place from today on Crag Lane in North Rigton to allow BT to replace a pole. This will be in place until Friday.
Meanwhile, Briscoe Ridge Lane will be closed from Friday until Sunday to allow for pothole maintenance.
Motorists should also be aware of road closures for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life this weekend.
Oatlands Drive and Stray Rein will be closed on Sunday. July 10, for the race.
Trains and buses
Train services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 36 bus from Leeds to Harrogate at 9.55am this morning and on the Harrogate to Leeds 9am service.
There is also cancellations on the 1A, 1C, 1B and the 7.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
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- Praise for A1 junction 47 upgrade – but overspend remains unknown
- Fresh concerns over Knaresborough’s ‘most dangerous junction’
Companies ‘unlikely’ to receive pay-out from Bleikers Smoke House, say administrators
Administrators dealing with the collapse of a food company founded in the Harrogate district have said it is “unlikely” its 108 unsecured creditors will receive any of the money they are owed.
Bleikers Smoke House Ltd fell into administration in April, when it was also revealed that the company was being investigated for possible food fraud.
Now, administrator FRP Advisory Ltd has revealed a growth in the price of raw materials and difficulty in finding temporary staff at Christmas put “pressure” on the company. The latest report said:
“In late March 2022, the company’s biggest customer (approx 50% of sales) notified the company of concerns regarding the provenance of goods supplied and withdrew its products from sale in its stores, ceasing all orders.
“Despite an ongoing dialogue and a number of audits being undertaken by the customer and its agents, no resolution could be reached.
“A confidential settlement was subsequently reached with the customer on April 26, 2022, which ended the relationship.
“The sudden loss of this customer’s business, combined with the already weakened financial position meant the company was no longer viable.”
The latest update reveals a sale of the company, founded in 1993 at Glasshouses Mill, was attempted in April but a buyer was not found. After the company entered administration, there were two parties interested in buying it, but they pulled out when news of the Food Standards Agency’s investigation emerged.
However, a sale to Sixto Strategic Sourcing LLC for a total price of £300,000 has since been agreed, and could see production restarted from Bleikers’ most recent home at Leeming Bar.
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- Food fraud investigation into Bleiker’s Smokehouse
- Harrogate shop closes as sofa company enters administration
As well as negotiating the sale, administrators reported they had secured the return of the company’s trademark and branding rights from a company owned by the children of Bleikers’ directors, Charles and Annabel Andrew.
The rights had been transferred within the last 12 months but were returned in order to facilitate a sale of the business, the report said.
Of the company’s 86 members of staff, just three have been retained on a self-employed basis to assist with specialist knowledge. A food hygiene specialist has been appointed to liaise with the environmental health office.
Administrators said the prospect of any of the company’s 108 outstanding creditors receiving any payment is “unlikely”.
Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it continues to investigate Bleikers Smoke House over allegations of food fraud.
Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundupTraffic is moving normally in the Harrogate district this morning, but there remains some roadworks in place.
Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel update.
Roads
As usual, drivers should be aware of the normal rush hour traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Skipton Road and Knaresborough Road.
Meanwhile, road closures are due to come into force near North Rigton this week.
According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, a closure will also be in place from tomorrow on Crag Lane to allow BT to replace a pole. This will be in place until Friday..
Meanwhile, Briscoe Ridge Lane will be closed from Friday until Sunday to allow for pothole maintenance.
Trains and buses
Train services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 36 bus from Leeds to Harrogate at 8.55am this morning.
You can find out more on the disruption to services here.
Read more:
- Praise for A1 junction 47 upgrade – but overspend remains unknown
- Fresh concerns over Knaresborough’s ‘most dangerous junction’
Work to fell 500 Nidd Gorge trees to start next week
Work to chop down 500 trees in the Nidd Gorge has been delayed until next week.
The Woodlands Trust, which is a conservation charity that owns Nidd Gorge, says the trees are infected and need to be felled.
They have a disease called phytophthora ramorum, which is having a devastating impact on native trees.
Government body Forestry England has given the trust permission to fell the trees before the disease spreads further.
Work, which will be accompanied by footpath closures, was due to begin yesterday.
A map showing the first planned footpath closure.
But it is now expected to start on Monday next week and will take between four to six weeks, the trust has said.
As part of the tree felling, a footpath between Bilton Beck footbridge and Milers Fork will be closed.
Paul Bunton, community engagement officer at the trust, said previously:
“It is devastating news for our site team and visitors that we are having to reluctantly fell these diseased trees at Nidd Gorge to protect others. Phytophthora ramorum, while of no risk to the public, is one of the biggest threats to our native tree species at the site.
“Nidd Gorge is and will remain a really popular and cherished woodland close to Harrogate and Knaresborough and we ask the public to bear with us while we carry out the work.”
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- ‘Eyesore’ Knaresborough green reignites concerns about state of district
- Secure woodland for dogs to play off-lead opens in Knaresborough
Man dies after three-car crash at Scotton
A man in his 80s has died after a three-car collision on Ripley Road at Scotton.
A Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza were involved in the crash, which happened at about 6.15pm on Sunday.
Police, fire crews and and an air ambulance were summoned to help.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the driver and passenger of the Focus, who were a man and woman in their 50s, were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The man in his 80s, who has not been named, was driving the Fiesta.
A police statement added:
“North Yorkshire Police’s major collision investigation team has launched an investigation.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet come forward, or anyone with dashcam footage, is asked to email marie.williams@northyorkshire.police.uk
“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Marie Williams.
Please quote reference 12220115083.”
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