Harrogate Archives - Page 198 of 782

Council-owned Brimhams Active to spend £8,000 on staff awards party

Council leisure company Brimhams Active is to spend at least £8,000 of public money on a staff awards ceremony this weekend.

Brimhams operates all leisure provision in the Harrogate district on behalf of North Yorkshire Council, including leisure centres in Harrogate, Ripon Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge, as well as Starbeck Baths.

A source alerted the Stray Ferret to Sunday’s event at the Pavilions of Harrogate. They added:

“I would think as a North Yorkshire Council-owned company, the council taxpayers’ money they have left at the end of a financial year would go back to the council rather than finding an excuse to spend it, particularly given the increases we’ve all had on our council tax bills this week.”

The new Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre

The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Council for further details of the event, including the cost.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, initially said costs had been “kept to a minimum by suppliers sponsoring the awards” but did not disclose a figure.

He added:

“Our annual people awards event is a fabulous opportunity to recognise and celebrate effort and achievement.

“The event itself helps our people who work day-to-day across different facilities to come together and connect. It plays a huge part in boosting morale, which in turn helps enhance workforce productivity.

“Up to 200 members of our team will attend the awards event at the Pavilions of Harrogate.”

When pressed for a figure, Mr Tweedie said:

“The venue hire and food is charged at £40 per person and we have 200 people attending. We are very careful in how we manage our budget. We believe this is a sound, proportionate investment in our people that helps to optimise people recruitment, retention and productivity for a business with a circa £8 million turnover.

“This investment serves to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding team and individual efforts that have delivered remarkable results, including overachieving in relation to footfall and budget and achievement of national accreditations (Quest and Water Wellbeing) within 2.5 years of the company’s inception.”

He added “the decorations are provided by staff” and the photographer and DJ were “providing their services in kind”.

Brimhams to be abolished

Brimhams Active, which was set-up up by the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council, is due to be abolished after executive councillors decided to bring leisure provision back in-house in January.

The council’s current portfolio, which includes 19 leisure centres, 16 swimming pools, three wellbeing hubs, a nursery and Harrogate’s Turkish Baths, is run by five different operators.

But despite councillors stating the existing Brimhams model is “particularly advanced”, the leisure shake-up will see all these services moved to a single in-house operation.

The local authority believes the new structure will see a greater focus on health and wellbeing, provide more opportunities for people to participate and will focus on addressing inequalities.

It hopes the transition will be complete by 2028.

Boroughbridge takeaway opens Harrogate branch

A Boroughbridge takeaway has opened a second branch in Harrogate.

Bozza Fodder, which was first established in the kitchen of the Fox and Hounds pub in 2019, began serving food at The Manhattan on Beech Avenue last Thursday.

Owner Mark Davies, who moved from Teeside to Boroughbridge, said he hopes to bring a taste of the northeast to north Yorkshire and introduce Harrogate residents to a “proper Teeside parmo”.

Mr Davies said he launched Bozza Fodder, which currently offers takeaway, eat-in and delivery services, after realising Boroughbridge “did not have a food delivery service of its own”.

He said after struggling to find IT work locally, he turned to the kitchen to develop his skills.

Mr Davies and his partner Rachael have since offered the town traditional takeaway-style food, including pizzas, burgers and wraps, which he said is “nearly all made in-house”.

Now embarking on a new venture in Harrogate, Mr Davies said:

“I play a lot of pool and started playing at the Manhattan club in Harrogate.

“When I told the owner about my venture in Boroughbridge, he too had an unused kitchen which we thought could be used to benefit us both.”

Bozza Fodder’s chicken parmo.

Bozza Fodder Harrogate also offers both eat-in and takeaway food, as well as delivery services around the centre of the town and as far as Jennyfields and Starbeck.

Chicken parmos, pizzas, gyros, toasted sandwiches and desserts are all available at the new Harrogate site.

Mr Davies said people can expect “the same great service we provide in Boroughbridge but with a few twists to the menu”, adding:

“It’s very exciting times and I’m looking forward to seeing new faces and getting good feedback. Harrogate is a big place, but we have equally big ambitions!

“My mum passed away not long after I started the business, and she always wanted me to do well.

“I’ve put my heart into it for her and I hope she’d be proud how far we have come.”

Both Bozza Fodder branches are open Monday to Friday, from 4pm to 10pm, and 1pm to 10pm on Saturdays.

French brasserie Côte to close Harrogate restaurant

French brasserie Côte is set to close its Harrogate branch in the first week of April.

The restaurant is part of a chain specialising in all-day French bistro cuisine. The company has more than 80 restaurants in the United Kingdom and 2,500 employees.

Côte, which has operated on Albert Street for several years in the former Beales Department Stores unit, will close on April 6. It will result in approximately 20 job losses although staff have been offered placements at other Côte restaurants.

Neighbouring Côte restaurants, including one in York, will remain open.

A Côte spokesperson said:

“The restaurant will close on April 6. Just the Harrogate store is closing, we have reached the end of the tenancy contract and have not found anywhere else to relocate.

“We are trying to find a new location but it will take time, it is unpredictable and we are asking loyal customers to subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep them posted about a new location. We have no further updates at this time.”

Today’s email newsletter read:

“We regret to inform you that our Harrogate restaurant will be closing on the 6th of April. Whilst the site is a permanent closure, we love the city and we have been working hard to find a new location; however, this process takes time, and we want it to be in the right place for our future growth.

“We haven’t been able to find the right spot yet, but we hope to have more news on that in the coming months. We would love for you to remain on our mailing list so we can let you know when we’ve found the perfect place”

Flying debris from Harrogate Tesco site smashes resident’s window

Flying debris from work on the new Tesco site in Harrogate has smashed the window of a nearby resident’s home.

Work has begun to build a new Tesco supermarket on the former gasworks site at the junction of Skipton Road and Ripon Road in the New Park area.

Contractors have been carrying out work this week between the site and houses on Electric Avenue to grind down the stumps of trees felled as part of the scheme.

Tree stumps ground down at the site.

While this was taking place yesterday a piece of concrete was projected from the equipment and smashed a kitchen window on Electric Avenue.

Janette Percy, whose house was affected, was shaken by the incident, which happened yesterday between 11am- 12.15pm.

She said:

“I had just come home after being out for an hour and my kitchen window was smashed by a piece of flying concrete from the grinding work in the no man’s land between the houses and the barrier that has flown over.

“God forbid if it had hit someone or a child.”

She added it raised questions about safe working practices.

A Tesco spokesperson said:

“We’re really sorry this happened. All our colleagues and contractors follow rigorous safety processes and completed risk assessments before undertaking work on the site of our new Harrogate superstore.

“Unfortunately, even with all the appropriate safeguards in place, a nearby window was broken by debris from a sub-contractor’s tree-grinding machine.

“The contractor immediately spoke to the resident to apologise and has arranged to cover the costs of the replacement window.”

Worker on the Tesco site, Skipton Road

Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire Council, said:

“I am grateful for the swift response from Tesco as soon as they were aware of a safety concern on the site. Unfortunately, the initial response from the temporary site manager to a local resident alerting him to this issue was disappointing and I hope that there will be a learning from this incident.

“Residents want the build to be done in a safe manner, respecting the conditions set out by the planning department and disturbing the local environment as little as is reasonably possible. “

Planning permission for a store, petrol station and 209-space car park was granted last year. It is set to create more than 100 jobs.

Artist impression of how the Tesco will look on Skipton Road.

Harrogate primary school receives ‘good’ Ofsted rating

New Park Primary Academy on Skipton Road in Harrogate has received a ‘good’ Ofsted rating in a report published today.

The report describes the school as “welcoming and friendly” and says it ensure pupils “get the support they need from the moment they start”.

It described the curriculum as “ambitious”, says children feel safe and leaders are “enthusiastic about their roles”.

It adds:

“Pupils settle quickly into the life of the school. Pupil buddies help those who are new to learn the school’s routines. They enjoy making friends.

“Most pupils achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.”

New Park Primary Academy is operated by Northern Star Academies Trust.

The trust has nine schools, with five in the Harrogate area. New Park, Harrogate High, Starbeck community primary, Hookstone Chase primary and Willow Tree community primary.

New Park was rated ‘good’ at its previous inspection in 2018.

Headteacher Sasha Bune, who joined in September last year, said:

“We are really proud to maintain our ‘good’ judgement. We are happy Ofsted have recognised our ambitions for the school and the how hard all of the staff work.

“They looked at all areas of the school and saw our warm and nurturing feel and the high expectations the children have for themselves and how well behaved they all are.

“We have an ambitious curriculum and we are a very inclusive school with a big mix of pupils. We are very well supported by Northern Star Academies Trust and we will carry on being ambitious and keep on learning.”

GALLERY: A night of celebration at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024

Last Thursday, March 14, businesses across the Harrogate area came together for a night of celebration at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2024, sponsored by Prosperis.

The awards showcased the diverse range of talented individuals and businesses, and while over 360 guests attended, 14 finalists were ultimately crowned the winners of their categories.

Photographers were on hand to capture every moment of the evening – see if you can spot some familiar faces.

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Michael Law)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

(Image: Gerard Binks)

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Ripon man with incurable cancer to walk 268 miles for Harrogate charity

A Ripon man with an incurable cancer is walking the length of the Pennine Way to raise money for Harrogate cancer care centre, Active Against Cancer.

Anthony Henson, 53, aims to raise £10,000 for the charity, which helps cancer patients maintain a level of fitness as well as supporting their mental wellbeing.

Mr Henson, an architect from the outskirts of Ripon, was rushed to intensive care at St James’s Hospital in Leeds in 2022 after collapsing suddenly. He was later diagnosed with incurable pancreatic and liver cancer.

At the end of 2022, he was given a pioneering operation and treatment which has extended his life. The operation was successful, but he the had to go through eight months of radiation therapy.

The treatment began last July and involves being injected with radiation, spending 24 hours in a lead-lined room and being checked with a Geiger counter to see if he can go home. The medication is flown in from Italy with Mr Henson saying, “it’s all a bit James Bond”.

He then has to isolate at home for two weeks until the radiation has diminished enough for him not to be harmful. This is repeated every two months meaning he is in isolation for eight weeks. He had his last treatment in January and has his final blood test next week.

During this isolation he began to walk the Pennine Way, which is 431 kilometres (268 miles) virtually in his garden, as well as taking walks along the way with friends and family when not isolating. His wife Fiona Henson, a teacher at Ripon Grammar School and their two children will support him on his virtual journey.

Mr Henson said:

“At first I was drained and just was trying to do up to two miles a day, your body takes such a pummelling but I have been fortunate in that I have had no pain, I just had sickness from the treatment. I started because I couldn’t go out and it kept me fit and I wanted to give something back to the phenomenal service.

“We have had amazing support. An incurable diagnosis is horrific for any family but the staff at Action Against Cancer, Macmillan’s and St James’s have done an amazing job keeping me alive I can never thank them enough. Active Against Cancer have kept up my physical and mental well-being for the past eight months and helped me live as normal a life as possible.

“Without them I would not have been able to deal with the treatments I have received and would not be able to continue to move forward, they have been a key part in keeping me alive and positive. I am therefore aiming to raise £10,000 to help support them so that they can help provide this vital service to those with cancer.”

Mr Henson is nearing the end of his challenge and has already raised over £8,000 of his £10,000 target.

To follow his journey or donate click here.

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New auction house planned for Harrogate

A new auction house is planned for a Harrogate business park.

Plans to create the facility at Springfield Farm Business Park, near Kettlesing, have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

Springfield Farm is situated just off the A59 Skipton Road, seven miles east of Harrogate.

The plans propose converting an existing building on the business park to an auction house.

The site has been vacant since January 2023 and has been advertised for sale on Hayfield Robinson property consultants since last year.

The planning documents do not reveal which firm plans to move in, but correspondence between the council and the senior planner revealed the company set to occupy the unit “have auction houses elsewhere” and 10 jobs would be created.

If approved, the auction house will be less than five miles away from Thompson’s Auctioneers at Killinghall but Thompson’s director Kate Higgings said the proposed new venture was not part of its business.

Planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council say:

“The main proposed use of the application site is that of an auction sales rooms, with associated offices and storage space on the first floor.

“The proposed layout allows for one large auction room to be created and it is envisaged that only one auction sale would be conducted at any particular time. There would be one auction sale per week on a Saturday. The car park layout allows for a service yard for the delivery and collection of lots.

“Potential bidders will be able to attend the auction rooms in person, leave commission bids, bid via telephone or via one or more online platforms. There will be approximately 20 bidders likely to attend auctions in person and the existing car parking spaces will be sufficient for their business needs.

“It is anticipated that the auction rooms will employ around 10 full time equivalent staff including auctioneers, valuers, accountants, and administrative staff and porters.”

The council will decide whether to accept the plans.

Springfield Farm Business Park plans for a new auction house

Harrogate GP surgeries to merge

Two Harrogate GP surgeries are set to merge towards the end of this year.

East Parade Surgery and Park Parade Surgery, which are both located on the same floor of the Mowbray Square Medical Centre on Myrtle Square, announced the move today.

The practices said in a statement the surgeries already “work closely together and share several teams and services” .

It added the partners Emma Keating and Sarah Wilkinson felt a single, larger practice will allow them to “pool the skills of team members to create an organisation equipped to survive and thrive in the NHS of the future”.

The statement said:

“We believe in continuity of care and the people you already know will be part of the new surgery. There will also be the choice for you to see clinicians from across a larger team.”

The statement said the merger, which is being overseen by the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, will take place in early October, adding both sites will “work hard” to ensure a smooth transition for patients.

Patients already registered will be automatically transferred to the new surgery, which does not yet have a name.

The statement said people can contact the medical centre to express their views, as well as to submit ideas for a new surgery name.

Harrogate hospital greengrocer for sale

A Harrogate fruit and vegetable company is up for sale.

KD Fruiterers, a family-run business based outside Harrogate District Hospital, today took to social media to announce the news.

In a video shared on Facebook, owners Kris Dickinson and Cat Recchia said although they have “worked very hard to build KD”, the couple feel it’s time to “start a new chapter”.

Since launching the business in 2018 the couple have started a family, they said, and are now looking for someone to take over KD Fruiterers so they can “realign” their work-life balance.

The owners added:

“This then becomes a great opportunity for someone with the time to grow the business further.

“For anyone who may be interested in taking on a well-established business, please get in touch.”

The Stray Ferret approached KD Fruiterers about the sale. Ms Recchia said:

“It’s a really great business and we want to support whoever takes it on to continue its success.”

The owners said the company’s delivery service would also be included in the sale, but did not disclose the asking price of the business.

The video assured existing customers that the current owners will “continue to provide the same great service” until the change of ownership, and the couple urged people to “please stick with us and we will keep you informed”.

KD Fruiterers asked those looking for more information to contact Ms Recchia on 07837100009.