Business Breakfast: Harrogate legal firm makes double hire as part of expansion

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate legal firm has made two new hires in a bid to strengthen its crime and fraud team.

McCormicks Solicitors, which is based on East Parade, has appointed associate solicitor Shah Ahmed and junior criminal law executive Eve Million.

Mr Ahmed joins from a Leeds practice where he worked as solicitor specialising in crown court cases while Ms Million assists the team in all aspects of criminal work and client care.

Shah Ahmed, who has also joined McCormicks Solicitors.

Shah Ahmed, who has also joined McCormicks Solicitors.

Peter Minnikin, head of the crime and fraud team at McCormicks, said: 

“I believe there are few practices in the North Yorkshire region which can offer the breadth and depth of experience in crime, fraud and regulatory matters that our team can bring.”

Leadership programme to be held in Harrogate

Harrogate-based charity Henshaws is set to host a leadership event for local businesses.

The event, which will be held in partnership with 2inspire and Cedar Court Hotels Yorkshire, will take place at Cedar Court hotel in Harrogate on September 22 from 8am.

Businessman Rob Northfield, who has 40 years experience in business development and leadership training, will lead proceedings.

The event will be aimed at those who want to grow their career or personal ambitions.

Mr Northfield said:

“The leadership programme will help individuals reflect on their life, actions and therefore results.”

The day will include a breakfast and networking lunch. Tickets are £75 and all proceeds will go towards Henshaws.

For more information on the event and to buy a ticket, contact flora.simpson@henshaws.org.uk.

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Harrogate restaurant The Rooftop confirms closure — after just two days

The owner of Harrogate’s newest restaurant The Rooftop has said it has permanently closed — after trading for just two days.

Mason Elyas today told the Stray Ferret he had been involved in a dispute with business partners and planned to take legal action.

Mr Elyas said he had lost £20,000 on the venture but despite this he hoped to open another restaurant in Harrogate once this issue was resolved.

He said:

“Unfortunately we will not be able to reopen. I would like to thank all of the Harrogate people who joined us when we opened.

“There was a great amount of support from everyone.”

Mason Elyas

News of a Mexican tapas restaurant and late night cocktail bar generated a buzz when we reported its opening less than two weeks ago. Hundreds of comments were posted on our Facebook page.

Business was brisk on opening night on Friday, July 28 and also the following day but The Rooftop has remained shut since.

Inside the restaurant

Third restaurant to close quickly

The large upstairs premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade was home to Le Bistrot Pierre for many years.

Since its demise, three restaurant have opened and closed in little more than a year.

Samsons, which offered fine dining with seasonal Yorkshire produce, welcomed its first customers in March last year.

It closed shortly afterwards in summer for what a spokesperson described as “essential works” but failed to re-open.

HG1 Grill and World Bar lasted even less time when it opened in November last year.

HG1 grill restaurant

However, The Rooftop’s two-day tenure could well be the shortest-lived restaurant in Harrogate’s history.

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Four generations set to support Harrogate Town at Carabao Cup clash

Four generations of Harrogate Town fans from the same family are set to attend the Envirovent Stadium tomorrow night.

Town take on Carlisle United at Wetherby Road in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

In attendance will be the Deighton family, who have collectively followed Harrogate for around 40 years.

But Tuesday night’s match will be special for the Deighton’s as seven-year-old Isaac attends his first Town game.

He will be joined by his dad Tom, 27, grandad Andy, 52 and great-grandad Peter, 76. They will all sit in the Wetherby Road stand.

Phil Deighton, a season ticket holder at Town who will also be at the game, said it was important to the family to support their local team.

Mr Deighton, who is Andy’s brother, said:

“The game on Tuesday will be Issac’s first game and he is really excited.

“As a family we have been watching Harrogate Town for nearly 40 years and it’s great that Isaac will be following in the family traditions.

“Supporting our local team is very important to us.”

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Town will be hoping to make it through to the second round of the Carabao Cup against League One Carlisle.

The club go into tomorrow night’s game off the back of a 1-0 in a Yorkshire Derby against Doncaster last Saturday.

Town took four points from Carlisle last season with a 3-3 draw at the Envirovent Stadium and a 1-0 win away at Brunton Park.

Carlisle were promoted at the end of last season after defeating Stockport County on penalties in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Harrogate care home opens nine-hole putting green

A Harrogate care home has opened a nine-hole putting green within its grounds on the recommendation of a 93-year-old resident.

Alistair Scott moved into 115-bedroom Harcourt Gardens, which provides residential, dementia, respite and palliative care, in 2021 following at heart attack.

Mr Scott, a keen gardener, started helping the onsite gardener and spotted a gap in the grounds for a putting green.

Graeme Lee, chief executive of Springfield Healthcare, which owns Harcourt Gardens, said:

“I was so impressed with Alistair’s knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening that I instantly appointed him ‘head gardener’ of Harcourt Gardens.

“Alistair then made a very smart suggestion to develop a nine-hole putting green as there are many residents at the home who were keen golfers throughout their lives.

“It made sense to create a safe space where residents and their friends and family could enjoy a round of golf together.”

The opening of the putting green.

Debbie Daniels, care home manager at the site, said:

“I’ve worked in care for many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen, or even heard of a putting green being developed at a care home – it’s quite unique.

“From the minute Alistair was appointed head gardener he has taken the role very seriously directing the gardeners as to what should go where.

Graeme Lee and Alistair Scott

Mr Scott, who got a hole in one on the day of the official opening of the putting green, said:

“I didn’t play golf until later in life during my retirement – in my day it was classed as a rich man’s sport, but I’m really enjoying it now.”

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American diner in Harrogate appoints liquidators

An American-themed 1950s diner in Harrogate has appointed liquidators and applied to be wound up.

The Hub Caffe Ltd, which trades as The Fabulous 50s Diner, opened two years ago on the site of the former Cafe Rita on Bower Road.

An announcement on official public record website The Gazette said Richard Hunt of SFP Restructuring Limited in London had been appointed liquidator on July 21.

The Gazette also reported a general meeting of the company on the same date resolved to voluntarily wind-up the business.

The announcement, dated July 27, is authorised by director Wagdy Mansour.

The diner, which is still trading, has images of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley outside. Its menu includes milk shakes, ice-cream sundaes, waffles, burgers and hot dogs.

Mr Mansour and his wife Shirley ran Cafe Rita for eight years.

When the venue reopened as The Fabulous 50s Diner after covid, Mr Mansour told the Stray Ferret they had decided to go for something completely different. He said:

“We thought it was time for a change. So we thought about a theme and realised we didn’t have any American diners in Harrogate.”

The diner has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s requests for comment.

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Celebrity TV chef to speak at Harrogate literature festival

A celebrity TV chef has been announced as a speaker at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

Rosemary Shrager, whose career has spanned four decades, has featured on programmes such as ITV series Ladette to Lady and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

She has also authored several cookbooks.

Ms Shrager will feature as lunchtime speaker at this year’s festival.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: 

“We can’t wait to introduce Harrogate audiences to our exciting line-up for this year’s literature festival and we are certain that Rosemary will deliver an insightful and entertaining segment which is not to be missed.”

Rachel Tunnicliffe, senior partner at Raworths Solicitors, said: 

“We are proud to be sponsoring the festival in 2023, our eleventh year of sponsorship for this event. 

“It is a remarkable occasion with a fantastic line-up each year, a true celebration of great books and writing.”

Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival will return to the Crown Hotel in Harrogate, from Thursday, October 19 to Sunday, October 22.

For more information on the festival and to book tickets, visit the website here.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate marketing agency appoints new director

A Harrogate marketing and communications agency has appointed a new director.

The Big Bamboo, which is based at Windsor House, has hired Lynsey Holley-Matthews as its new marketing and communications director.

Ms Holley-Matthews, who has 20 years experience in the industry, will join the firm’s senior leadership team.

Nicola Stamford, the company’s owner and founding director, said: 

“I am delighted that we have attracted someone of Lynsey’s calibre to join the business.

“Her primary focus will be on ensuring we continue to look after, add value to and nurture our existing client base, whilst also supporting me with a very targeted business development approach to bringing in new clients that fit within our portfolio.”

Ms Holley-Matthews said:

“Nicola and I ‘met’ on LinkedIn. I had already accepted another role, but hearing Nicola’s passion as she talked about the agency, the team and the future aspirations for the company, I was excited about the opportunity put in front of me.”

Harrogate sweets company acquires Mr Stanley’s brand

A Harrogate sweets company has acquired a former confectionary brand which was based in the town.

Serious Sweets Company, which is based at Hornbeam Park, has taken on the Mr Stanley’s brand, which specialises in handcrafted fudge with flavours such as ‘Fudge Ahoy’ a creamy caramel & sea salted fudge and ‘Mighty Malted’.

Mr Stanley's specialises in fudge.

Mr Stanley’s specialises in fudge.

The brand was first introduced in Harrogate 15 years ago and has been owned by a London confectionery wholesaler for a number of years.

Mr Stanleys has recently secured listings with Selfridges & Co, Liberty of London as well as a number of premium independent retailers across the UK.

The Serious Sweets Company now plans to “bring it home to the foodie county of Yorkshire”. 

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Stray Views: Time to ban dogs from Valley Gardens?

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.

People who do not keep their dogs on leads despite signage are spoiling other people’s enjoyment of Valley Gardens.

The rules need to be strictly enforced or ban dogs to a separate area that is perhaps not so popular with other members of the public.

I like dogs but I believe that some people do not consider others when they just let them off the lead.

Susan Lovatt, Harrogate

‘Poor service’ at Harrogate station

I met my daughter off the London train today. She’s pregnant and has a toddler and travelled from King’s Cross. I was not allowed on the platform to help her off the train despite the fact that the train terminated there and so I wouldn’t be going anywhere. 

When I questioned the staff I was told that she should have booked assistance. All I wanted to do was help her off the train, but they were not interested. 

Very poor service and a taste of worse to come I suspect.

Julie Boothman, 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.

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Harrogate Town Council: Key questions answered

Harrogate residents will soon again be asked for their views on creating a Harrogate Town Council.

They’d be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja-vu as it will be third time documents have been dropped in letterboxes with information and questions about how it should be formed.

For some, creating another layer of local democracy so soon after the demise of Harrogate Borough Council is an unpalatable thought.

But Harrogate, along with Scarborough, are the only two areas in the county without a town or parish council and proponents say the council will give the town a voice and help hold North Yorkshire Council to account.

How much will it cost?

Perhaps the most pertinent question for residents during a cost-of-living crisis is how much the new council will cost them.

If it’s created then an annual sum, called a precept, will be added to every council tax bill to help pay for services.

The council has said that households would initially be asked to pay between £40 and £60 to allow for an annual budget in the range of £1m to £1.6m.

The areas in Harrogate which would fall under the new town council.

The areas in Harrogate which would fall under the new town council.

The budget would be spent on accommodation, employment costs, office and IT equipment, insurance, professional fees, the mayor and delivering services.

The precept would be lower than Ripon City Council, which charges £70.77 for band D properties, but higher than Knaresborough Town Council, which charges £25.27.

However, another cost that has alarmed councillors is the combined cost of the three public consultations. It was revealed at a recent meeting that the bill for these is likely to come to £140,000.

What powers will it have?

The council would be a statutory consultee on planning applications in Harrogate, which would give it a voice if it felt strongly about a particular application.

But it would not have power to make decisions as applications would still in the hands of North Yorkshire Council.

When the new unitary council was formed, it pledged to hand back some powers to parish or town councils through a project it has called double-devolution.

It could mean Harrogate Town Council is much more powerful than it would have been without this pledge.

It could bid to run services in the town such as looking after its parks or the Stray, operating car parks or managing the Royal Hall.

But this will only be decided once the council has formed and councillors have been elected.

How many councillors will there be?

There are set to be 19 councillors on the council and they will represent wards based around the former Harrogate Borough Council boundaries.

These are not used by North Yorkshire Council, which decided to use larger divisions.

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Councillors considered having two councillors per ward after it was backed in the previous consultation but the Conservatives said accountability to residents would be better served with single councillor wards.

Councillors who already sit on North Yorkshire Council are able to stand in town council elections.

In most parish councils, councillors sit as independent members, however, they can also stand for political parties.

When will elections take place?

If residents approve the proposals laid out in the next consultation, the council would likely form in April 2025 with elections taking place in May, although this has not been confirmed yet.

This is a year later than originally planned but it’s been put back in order for the third consultation to take place.

Harrogate’s Archie Gray could be in line for Leeds United debut

Harrogate’s Archie Gray could be in line for his senior Leeds United debut.

Leeds are set to take on Cardiff City in their EFL Championship opening match at Elland Road at 2.30pm today.

Gray has been involved in all of the club’s pre-season fixtures in preparation for the new season.

The 17-year-old could feature in central midfield alongside Ethan Ampadu, who he partnered with in Leeds’ final friendly against Hearts last Sunday.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the opening game, Leeds manager Daniel Farke sought to relieve pressure on the youngster amid his first team prospects.

He said:

“I don’t like to praise young lads too early. I’ve spoken about his development. 

“I’m happy with him. But before he has played the proper amount of games I’m not willing to sing the high praise of Archie Gray because I don’t think it’s healthy.”

Gray completed his GCSEs at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate last year.

He signed his first professional contract with Leeds United in March this year.

He is also great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.

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