Success of Harrogate pop-up shop continues

More small independent businesses will be given a chance to run their own town centre shop due to the continued success of the Harrogate Pop-Up.

As pop-ups continue to surge in popularity, spaces for the rest of the year are already filling fast at the store on Cambridge Street.

And a number are set to move in this spring, including a flower shop, a screen printing business and a fashion a beauty boutique.

Kiera McLaughlin, who is involved with organising the pop-up shop, said she was delighted to see so many businesses return to the space.

She said:

“It’s great to see so many local businesses take a chance on our pop-up and see success so great that they want to return.

“Our spring calendar has been immensely popular and we cannot wait to see these businesses open the doors once again. We
hope to welcome even more new faces throughout 2022.”

Freddie’s Flowers are the first to run their pop-up, from now until March 6.

Forme Prints will take over the space from March 14 – 20. Owner Nathan Dalla Riva will be offering a range of his own designed printed t-shirts, jumpers and bags.

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For one week from March 21 to 27, Tag Queen Cosmetics and House of Zana will take over the space. There will be a range of make-up and ladies clothing on offer.

Returning host Martha and Bea, which sells a range of ladies clothing and accessories, will be back in the pop-up shop from March 28 until April 3. Owner Jane has become a familiar face to those visiting the shop.

Speaking about her last pop-up, she said:

“I had a wonderful week and had some really lovely feedback from customers.”

The Dogs Bakery will then follow with a two-week stint, offering a range of dog treats in store.

And finally women’s clothing and accessories business Patricia Eve Ltd will host its first pop-up for two weeks from April 18 until May 1.

Barker Proudlove and Victoria Shopping Centre came up with the idea to rent out the outlet opposite Cafe Nero back in August.

Businesses can rent the space for between one and six weeks and the £400 weekly cost includes rent, business rates, water, electricity and furniture.

The Harrogate Pop Up will soon be launching its calendar for summer reservations. To find out more, visit the website.

Plan to convert Harrogate town centre building into 11 flats and shops

Plans have been lodged to create 11 new apartments on Parliament Terrace in Harrogate town centre.

ATC Properties Ltd has submitted the plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert Parliament House into one-bedroom apartments and two ground floor commercial units.

The building is currently occupied by a gym and Harrogate Wines, which is in the two-storey unit next to it.

The developer plans to convert the first floor retail space and first and second floor gym to form 11 one-bedroom apartments.

It would also see the existing shop units on Montpellier Walk reconfigured to provide enlarged trading space and new frontages.

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As part of the plan, the flats would come with double bedroom ensuite and open plan kitchen, dining and living room.

The apartments would be aimed at young professionals, post-graduates and key workers, according to the proposal.

The developer said in its plans:

“The proposed apartments have been designed specifically for young professionals and key workers seeking to access the property market and will therefore provide affordable, inclusive and accessible accommodation.”

It added that the reconfiguration of the ground floor commercial units and new accommodation would help “refurbish a prominent building of poor architectural quality”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Street entertainer and litter ranger among plans to boost Harrogate footfall

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to outline its plans for 2022, which will include street entertainment and pop-up markets.

Officials from the BID will hold their annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel today to outline plans for the year ahead.

The plans will include a “HastobeHarrogate” promotional campaign, as well as a street ranger whose remit will be to keep the town centre clean and tidy.

The BID is also planning street entertainment which will include home-grown theatrical talent, who will be performing in the town centre over a series of weekends throughout the year.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“The good news is that we are going to do more to make Harrogate even more appealing, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to ‘pop into town’ time and time again.

“This month our street ranger, whose main remit is to keep the town centre looking spick and span, will make his official debut. So, look out for him and his branded electric vehicle complete with jet washer.

“Our street cleansing crew will be back in March for the first of four major cleaning and weeding sessions, and ensuring Harrogate looks fresh and clean in time for the Easter holiday.

“Our barrier baskets and planters will again be giving Harrogate a vibrant burst of colour and clearly demonstrating why it is renowned as a floral town.”

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Proposals outlined by the organisation will coincide with the queen’s platinum jubilee, which will take place over four days in early June.

Officials at the BID said its plans for the year are designed to make the most of the event and entice ore people into the town centre.

Ms Ferguson said this would include a partnership with LoyalFree to create a series of ‘shop local’ campaigns, aimed at promoting Harrogate as Yorkshire’s number destination to “shop, eat and drink”.

She added that the BID also intended to look into “hosting a series of pop-up markets” off the back of the Christmas Fayre.

Stray Views: Beech Grove LTN ‘a brilliant update’ to Harrogate

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Beech Grove a ‘brilliant update’ to the area

The low traffic area on Beech Grove has been a brilliant update to the area. I can walk and cycle down the road safely with my children aged 3,5,8 without having to resort to riding on the pavement. 

Walking into town is more pleasant, the air is cleaner and sound pollution is less on that route. It is basically the only concession to active travel in the Harrogate central area – but at least it gives a vision of what a difference changes can make.

Imran Shaikh, Harrogate

Visions to improve Harrogate

I read the article the other day by Malcolm Neesam about the numerous planning travesties, and with money being no object approach to how things could be improved in mainly the town centre, and something occurred to me.

Though we largely have less and less power over planning travesties any more, and council tax being a finite resource that every council tax payer has something to say about. There is a realm whereas I think it would be possible to make his dream, as well as numerous others a reality. The example that I would like to give is with the Copthall Tower. 

Indeed, let’s demolish it, along with the railway station, and give the town back a portal to be proud of. Of course, in reality, or at least in our lifetime, this wouldn’t happen, both because it’s just too good an idea, and it cost a shedload of money. 

But in the augmented reality computer generated world, this would be able to be made possible. Now this is just one example, and the possibilities are near enough endless, you could even have a comedic augmented town centre, whereas most of the shops are boarded up save for the odd fried chicken takeaway and massage parlour. 

So this is the idea, to set up a computer generated forum of augmented reality, whereas the travesties of local planning are replaced by its members wildest, most beautiful money no object creations, or not for that matter.

Miles Dixon, Harrogate

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Beech Grove and other traffic schemes ‘never have desired effect’

Councillor Don Mackenzie’s support for highways department in this [Beech Grove], and in fact it seems everything they propose, never seems to bring the desired effect.

The M&S traffic scheme is perhaps the worst example of incompetence by his department and to say they are working to reduce traffic congestion needs to be demonstrated by results of which there are none.

They have been advised on how to improve matters but don’t react. Driving round town shows anyone what needs doing but Zilch’.

Jon Holder, Harrogate

My own Beech Grove survey

The Stray Ferret has reported that I counted how many people cycled on Beech Grove in an hour when I conducted my survey in September, and that my figures were (several times) higher than the averages quoted by the County Council.

In case any readers wonder whether I exaggerated the numbers I want to make it clear that I was accompanied throughout by your reporter, Thomas Barrett, who interviewed me and also made a mark in his notebook each time someone cycled by. We both counted 21 cyclists over the course of the hour. Nor, by the way, did I include my own bike.

Malcolm Margolis BEM, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Police appeal after mass brawl in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information following reports of a group of men fighting on Harrogate’s Bower Street last night.

Police were alerted to the incident at about 9pm. It is not known what caused the disturbance, or how many people were involved.

A police statement today said:

“Although no reports of any injuries were received, officers need to speak to those involved.”

It added that any witnesses, or people with information, could call the police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Ambler collar number 216.

Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The reference number is 12210259739.

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Plans submitted to demolish former Harrogate Debenhams

Developers have submitted plans to demolish the former Debenhams building on Harrogate’s Parliament Street.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient plans to build 50 apartments on the site along with two commercial units.

The site had been a retail unit on Parliament Street for over a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

However, the building has stood empty since Debenhams closed for good in January this year.

According to documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, a five-storey building would be built in its place.

It would include two commercial units on the ground floor and a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. The apartments would surround a central courtyard which would include plants and seating for residents.

A CGI of the former Debenhams building from the Ginnel.

A computer generated image of how the former Debenhams building would look from the Ginnel.

Meanwhile, the basement level of the building will include a 15-space car park with access from Union Street. A cycle store with space for 50 bicycles would also be built.

The developer said in a planning statement that there was “no market” for the building to be reoccupied as a department store.

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It added that there was no scope to convert the building into smaller units “due to its internal layout and the age of the building”.

In documents submitted to the council, Stirling Prescient said:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy. 

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

Stuart Holland, chair of Harrogate Civic Society, a group that comments on significant planning applications in the town, told the Stray Ferret previously that members had met with the developer for a presentation on their plans.

He said due to the historical significance of the building, demolition will only be acceptable to the civic society if what replaces it is “of the highest quality”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Public inquiry threat revealed for James Street pedestrianisation plans

The threat of a public inquiry has been revealed as a reason why plans for a full-time pedestrianisation of one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets have been dropped from the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council received strong support when it consulted on the idea of removing traffic from James Street.

But it now wants to see only Princes Square to Station Parade pedestrianised, with loading vehicles still allowed to use the street at limited times. This partial pedestrianisation was the least supported option.

Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services at the council, said this option was being pursued because the authority believes it could face objections which would trigger a public inquiry if a full-time pedestrianisation is progressed.

He said: 

“A traffic regulation order is required to pedestrianise a street.

“In certain circumstances, including where vehicles are excluded at all times, if an order is made and objections are raised that cannot be resolved, a public inquiry could result.

“If that were to happen, it could delay the scheme.”

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Mr Battersby also said a full-time pedestrianisation “remains possible” in the future after the completion of the gateway project, which requires government cash to be spent by March 2023.

He added the council’s preferred option of part-time restrictions would still retain many of the changes to the look of James Street that would be included under a full-time pedestrianisation.

He said: 

“The selected option provides the opportunity to pedestrianise the street at most times of the day, except for a period to allow deliveries, with access controlled through rising bollards.

“This creates the ability to pedestrianise the street at any time of day in future subject to the outcome of a legal order.

“We believe this strikes an appropriate balance between the wishes of respondents and risks to delivery of the scheme.”

Contentious plans

The detailed plans were first revealed in February when residents and businesses were also consulted with.

It is only now – eight months on – that the council has spoken of the potential threat of a public inquiry.

This could be in part due to negative feedback from some business owners and residents, however, the council’s own consultation results show a full-time pedestrianisation would be well supported.

Of the 1,101 respondents to the consultation, 45% were in favour of this option, while 32% said no changes should be made to the layout of James Street.

Meanwhile, just 17% supported a part-time pedestrianisation – the option that the council is now pushing ahead with.

Although James Street has proved to be one of the most contentious parts of the gateway project, it is only a small part of the overall plans.

There are also proposals to reduce Station Parade to a single lane of traffic to create room for a cycle lane, as well improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass.

The latest consultation on the entire project is currently underway and residents and businesses have until November 12 to have their say before more detailed proposals are drawn up and a final decision is made.

If approved, it is anticipated that construction will start in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months.

For more information and to have your say, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.

New Skipton Building Society branch in Harrogate approved

Skipton Building Society has been given approval to open a new branch on Cambridge Street in Harrogate town centre.

The company, which currently has a branch on Princes Street, will refurbish the central unit of the former Topshop outlet in the town centre.

The units at 33-37 Cambridge Street, which were also occupied by Miss Selfridges, are to be split into three.

Skipton Building Society plans to lease the central unit and refurbish it to include open plan public space, office spaces, toilets and staff space.

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It has also proposed to fit five air conditioning units to the back of the building facing Petergate.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed to the Stray Ferret the proposal will see its current branch relocated.

In documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department, which have the scheme the go-ahead, the company said the proposal will ensure the “continued life of the building”.

It added:

“It will also ensure the property does not become unused or rundown which is important for its position.”

In July, the council approved plans for Sainsbury’s to occupy the largest unit on the street.

First business set to operate from Harrogate pop-up shop

A Harrogate town centre pop-up shop aimed at showcasing small businesses is set to host its first business from today.

L&N Candles was set up by Bilton-pair Laura Berryman and Natalie White back in 2018 as a side hobby.

It will become the first small business to take advantage of the shop, which has been offered to rent by property consultants Barker Proudlove and Victoria Shopping Centre.

Laura and Natalie started selling candles, bath bombs and wax melts online and while it did well during the covid lockdown, the pair opted to bid for the shop.

Laura said:

“We did well during the pandemic, but we wanted to meet our customers and try to build that base.

“We picked some dates but didn’t realise we would be the first.”

Laura, who works full-time at Covance, and Natalie, a healthcare assistant, hope the week-long stay in the shop on the town’s Cambridge Street will pay off.

Online-only until now, the outlet will be the first time the business partners have operated out of a shop. Long-term, the hope is for L&N Candles to have its own base in the town centre.

Showcasing independent business

Barker Proudlove and Victoria Shopping Centre came up with the idea to rent out the outlet opposite Cafe Nero back in August.

Businesses can rent the space for between one and six weeks and the £400 weekly cost includes rent, business rates, water, electricity and furniture.

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James White, centre manager at The Victoria Centre, said previously:

“The pop-up shop provides an opportunity for small businesses to showcase their brands, ideas and test the market place on Cambridge Street.

“It offers a short-term commitment which makes trying new business ideas more attractive.”

The two organisations hope the space will attract a stream of independent businesses.

Harrogate town centre offices to be converted into apartments

A plan to convert an office block in Harrogate town centre into new apartments has been given the go-ahead.

Harrogate Borough Council approved proposals to transform the building on Cambridge Road into eight apartments.

Developers Lake House Investments, which is based near Brighouse, submitted the plans for the three-storey building.

The plans would see the first and second floors converted for residential use. The ground floor is currently occupied by bakers Greggs and a YMCA charity shop.

In its proposals, Lake House said the site had “excellent transport links” and was just a few minutes walk from the train station.

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As a result, the developer said no parking would be necessary.

It said in its planning documents:

“Given the sustainable town centre location close to a range of services and amenities, no off street parking is considered necessary as any impact to any pre- existing problems of access, road safety or traffic flow would be minimal.

“Visitor parking will be provided by local pay and display on street spaces.”

A similar application to convert the offices to apartments was approved by the council in 2019.