New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow

A Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar is to open in Harrogate tomorrow.

The Rooftop is situated in the large upstairs premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade.

The short-lived HG1 Grill and World Bar opened on the site in November last year. It was previously occupied by restaurants Samsons and Le Bistrot Pierre.

The Rooftop is divided into two areas — a restaurant that can seat about 70 people and a cocktail bar that can cater for about 100 customers.

The restaurant will serve Mexican meals, including tacos and burritos, and will feature tapas options.

The restaurant area

The late night bar will have live DJs at weekends.

Owner Mason Elyas, who lives in Leeds, has been involved with several restaurants in West Yorkshire but this is his first in Harrogate. He said:

“I’ve always loved Mexican food and I thought there was an opportunity in Harrogate. It’s a beautiful place and local people seem very supportive.”

The Rooftop, which employs 16 staff, will welcome its first customers at 4pm tomorrow. It will then open from 4pm to midnight on Thursdays, from midday to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from midday to 10pm on Sundays.

It will be closed Monday to Wednesday.

Mr Elyas said he took control of the site just three weeks ago and new signs were due to be installed tonight.

Harrogate resident claims council did not properly minute planning meeting

A resident who objects to 53 homes being built on Knox Lane in Bilton has complained to the council about its minute taking at meetings which she says falls “well below” the standards expected for public bodies.

At North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee this week, Adele Lawrie-Wilson addressed councillors about the minutes produced following a meeting on May 31 regarding the controversial housing scheme by developers Jomast.

Planning committee meetings are usually streamed live on YouTube. But technical difficulties on the day meant the only way to watch proceedings was in the council chamber.

Ms Lawrie-Wilson said residents who were unable to attend could not get an accurate picture of what was discussed due to “missing information” and “inaccuracies” in the minutes, which were later published on the council’s website. 

She said:

“Given the livestream wasn’t available and no alternative recording was made, I would have expected more detailed minutes taken.

“There was no recording of what Cllr Haslam spoke about or what several residents covered in their speeches. It also omitted any content of the fairly tense debate.”

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Ms Lawrie-Wilson also said the minutes recorded the council’s planning officer Nick Turpin saying no houses were proposed in the Special Landscape Area, which is incorrect.

She added:

“I urge that the minutes are expanded to give a more accurate recording of the meeting that took place.”

Mr Turpin responded to the claims and said it is not in the council’s practice to produce verbatim minutes of meetings. 

He said:

“They accurately reflected the decision taken and reflect good practice. The published minutes meet all legal requirements and follow the council’s agreed standards.”

However, Mr Turpin conceded that his comment about the SLA was inaccurate and would be changed.

The Knox Lane plans will go before the council’s planning committee again at a later date.

Harrogate Hydro delay will see no change in £13.5m project budget, says council

A delay in opening Harrogate Hydro due to “unplanned work” will see no change in its budget, council officials have said.

The Hydro is undergoing a £13.5 million refurbishment and will welcome customers back under the new name Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.

However, North Yorkshire Council confirmed last week that the centre will not re-open until after the school summer holidays. It had been planned to open in August.

In a statement, Nic Harne, corporate director for community development at the council, said the Hydro’s reopening would be delayed until September due to “unplanned works being required”.

He added:

“Refurbishment projects often uncover historic issues that need to be resolved and this complex construction is no different.”

The Stray Ferret asked the council what the unplanned works are and whether this would cost the council any more than its budgeted £13.5 million for the project.

A spokesperson for the authority said:

“There is no one thing, it is a culmination of works discovered during the complex refit.”

They added that there would be no change to the budget for the scheme.

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The leisure centre in Jennyfields closed in April last year for what was supposed to be a nine-month refurbishment costing £11.9 million.

But January’s scheduled re-opening did not happen. In May, North Yorkshire Council said the cost of the scheme had risen to £13.5 million and customers would be welcomed back in August.

However, Mr Harne said previously the Knaresborough scheme was still due to re-open later this year.

Mr Harne said:

“The new Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre remains on-track to open in November.”

No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough on Saturday amid further strikes

Train passengers in the Harrogate district are set to face further disruption this weekend amid strike action.

Members of the RMT Union are set to strike on Saturday, July 29, over a pay dispute.

Northern, which operates trains between York and Leeds through Harrogate, has announced that the industrial action will affect services.

It means no trains will run through Harrogate or Knaresborough stations on Saturday.

The company has also urged passengers to check before they travel on Sunday (July 30) as “some services may be affected”.

The move comes as the district was hit by two days of strike action last week, when RMT members walked out on July 20 and July 22.

At the time, Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: 

“Yet again, thousands of our customers will be inconvenienced as a result of this action by the RMT union.

“We all want to see an end to this dispute and the uncertainty that on-going strike action causes to people’s confidence in the railway.”

Defending the move, Mick Lynch, general secretary of the RMT, said:

“This latest phase of action will show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.

“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government ministers.

“Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.”

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Police appeal after car window smashed in Harrogate

Police have appealed for information after a car was damaged in Hollins Road in Harrogate.

Officers said the incident happened at 2am on Tuesday (July 25) when a driver’s side rear window of a Peugeot 207 was smashed.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said two men dressed in dark clothing were seen running away from the scene towards Hampsthwaite Road.

Police added:

“Anyone with information that could assist officers with their investigation should email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Sam Clarke.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230138046 when passing on information.”

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Special touches help Vida Healthcare residents feel at home

This story is sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Anyone who has supported a loved one living with dementia knows how much time, energy and understanding is required to maintain their wellbeing and quality of life. A dementia journey can vary from person to person and symptoms can also change over time, therefore caring for someone living with dementia can be incredibly complex.

James Rycroft, Managing Director at Vida Healthcare, discusses why specialist care is crucial for people living with dementia and how care home operators can ensure they protect the health and wellbeing of their residents.

About Vida Healthcare

He said:

“Vida Healthcare was established in 2010 with the aim of transforming the care available to people living with dementia. It was clear at the time that the majority of traditional residential care homes simply didn’t have the resources or the expertise to fully support their residents as they progressed on their journey with dementia.

“We set about challenging perceptions and practices in dementia care, with an emphasis on reducing the use of medications and to instead provide bespoke environments and alternative therapies to improve wellbeing and quality of life.”

Vida Healthcare now operates three specialist dementia care homes in Harrogate, which are all rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission as of June 2023.

Vida Hall in Starbeck.

Creating the right environment

When creating a care home, there are lots of aspects to consider. The choice of textures, colours, lighting and multi-sensory equipment can all actively promote a sense of stimulation, while innovative layouts can help to reduce anxiety, frustration and stress.

Memories are extremely precious, particularly for people living with dementia. Every environment and item can be specifically designed to trigger memories and encourage residents to share stories with staff, family and friends.

Different places are important to encourage residents to keep active and improve their mental and physical wellbeing. Gardens and terraces which have been incorporated into our three homes provide safe spaces that can be freely accessed.

Daily life

Care home residents should be encouraged and supported to make their own choices about how they spend their time to maintain independence and wellbeing. We encourage our residents to pursue their own interests and hobbies, socialise with their neighbours and treat the home as their own.

Where residents feel at home.

The passion, positivity and enthusiasm of staff is a key aspect of creating the right environment. Every staff member at Vida has the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to provide the best possible care and help people lead happy and fulfilling lives. We do this through training and practice which is rooted in creative connections.

Friends and family are a big part of life at any care home and communication with families is essential. Vida developed an in house app which offers a digital platform for families to see pictures and videos of their loved ones and life inside our care homes on a daily basis.

Wellbeing & life enrichment

Mr Rycroft added:

“We know that giving people a sense of purpose and self-worth is vitally important to their wellbeing. Whilst we do have wellbeing facilities, it is en-grained in our staff that it is all of our responsibilities to help our residents live a joyful and fulfilled day.

“We are focused on maintaining the independence and dignity of our residents. That might be just helping someone make their own cup of tea, or promoting someone to do simple house tasks like washing up and setting the table. Sustaining those every day tasks that sometimes we take for granted.

“We support our residents to remain a part of the local community and encourage them to get involved in a range of activities. Regular outings to the local town, parks and gardens is a fantastic way of getting residents to socialise and keep active.”

Vida Court opened in 2021.

For many people, a key factor when it comes to choosing a care home is the food. It’s important to offer a choice of delicious meal options that take into account dietary needs and preferences. Offering flexibility is important, from serving residents at regular mealtimes to giving them the choice to eat at different times in their own room.

 

For more information, please visit www.vidahealthcare.co.uk or contact admissions@vidahealthcare.co.uk. You can view the life inside Vida by visiting us on our social media pages.

Civic society objects to Harrogate Stray common land proposal

Harrogate Civic Society has objected to plans to designate the Stray as common land.

The Open Spaces Society applied to register Harrogate’s 200-acre expanse as common land, a move which has been met with opposition by some in the town.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, and the Stray Defence Association have already objected to the proposal.

Now, the town’s civic society has become the latest to declare its opposition to the plan.

In a letter to North Yorkshire Council, Henry Pankhurst, of the Harrogate Civic Society, said registering the Stray as common land would lead to “confusion” as it is already covered by the Harrogate Stray Act 1985.

He said:

“If Stray land were to appear on the Commons Registration Act map then it would show up on local search results for property purchasers etc.

“This does not however outweigh the potential for confusion if both the Stray Act and the Commons Registration Act apply to the same land.”

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Mr Pankhurst added that the public had been consulted on changes to the Stray Act in 2016/17 and “made it clear that the act should not be changed”.

The move comes after the Open Spaces Society tabled a bid to register the Stray as common land back in January.

Founded in 1865 as the Commons Preservation Society, the OSS is Britain’s oldest national conservation body. Its past victories include the preservation of Hampstead Heath, Wimbledon Common and Epping Forest.

When the Commons Registration Act 1965 came into force, the Stray was exempted from inclusion in the common land register, but following the passing of the Commons Act 2006, the OSS has been trying to register such exempted land and wants to bring the Stray “back into the fold”.

When the application was made earlier this year, OSS case officer Hugh Craddock said:

“The decision in the 1960s to keep the Stray off the registers was understandable but misguided. 

“Only a quarter of one per cent of registered common land was exempted from registration, and exemption proved to be both misleading and unhelpful. The Stray has always been common land, and ought to be registered as common land.”

Council could sell Harrogate’s Jesmond House to raise money

North Yorkshire Council could sell its offices at Jesmond House in Harrogate to raise money.

The building on Victoria Avenue is next to the town’s Jobcentre Plus and is currently used by adult social care staff working for the council.

When the council was created on April 1, the new council took control of assets held by the seven former district councils, including those owned by Harrogate Borough Council.

The authority is facing a £30m shortfall in its first year and is targeting savings of up to £252m in its first five years.

Officers are currently undertaking a review of properties the council owns so it can save money, raise revenue and operate more efficiently.

The council’s Conservative executive member for finance, Gareth Dadd, said a number of “quick wins” are already underway to vacate spaces across North Yorkshire, including moving staff from Jesmond House to the Civic Centre on St Luke’s Avenue.

This could lead to the building being repurposed, sold or rented out to businesses.

A council spokesperson said that the Civic Centre, which opened in 2017, is not on the list of buildings that are at risk of being sold.

Gary Fielding, North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director strategic resources, said:

“We are looking at all council accommodation with a view to consolidating our use of buildings so we make the maximum use of the space we have, reduce our carbon footprint and bring down costs.

“This is in the early stages of detailed work looking at all the buildings, and staff will be consulted.”

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Company involved in £46 million Harrogate district broadband installation ceases trading

A civil engineering company involved in the installation of a £46 million all-fibre broadband network in the Harrogate district has ceased trading with the loss of 165 jobs.

Leeds-based Makehappen Group Limited, which was working for CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent fibre infrastructure provider, appointed administrators Interpath Advisory last week.

The huge installation programme covering Harrogate, Knaresborough and latterly Ripon, was announced in 2020 and has been carried out on a street by street basis.

In response to the news, a spokesperson for CityFibre, said:

“We have been made aware that Makehappen Group has entered into administration.

“We would like to assure residents that work sites have been made safe, and we will remain in close conversation with our local authority stakeholders while we review our plans.”

Neil Morley and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Makehappen Group Limited on July 18.

A statement from Interpath Advisory said:

“In recent months, Makehappen experienced significant pressure on cashflow after a number of contracts were withdrawn by their customers. 

“As a result, the company was unable to continue trading and service its liabilities as they fell due, so after considering their options, the directors sought the appointment of the administrators.

“The company ceased to trade shortly prior to the appointment of the administrators. With no prospect of trade resuming, it is with regret that the joint administrators have made all of the company’s 165 members of staff redundant.”

Meanwhile, Mr Morley, said:

“There continues to be a number of opportunities, but also challenges for businesses involved in the building of fibreoptic broadband infrastructure across the UK and unfortunately, Makehappen was the latest casualty of these challenges.

“As we commence an orderly wind-down of the business, our priority will be to provide support to all of Makehappen’s employees, including providing them with all of the information they require to make claims from the Redundancy Payments Office.”

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Harrogate district sees rise in demand for solar panels

Demand for solar panels in the Harrogate area has almost doubled in the last year as homeowners look to reduce their energy bills while helping to tackle climate change.

Rooftop solar panels that harness the power of the sun to generate renewable energy have been around for decades but with record-high energy bills they are becoming an increasingly common sight in our towns and villages.

Before installing solar panels, a developer or homeowner must first get permission from North Yorkshire Council.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service compared the number of solar-related planning applications in the first half of 2022 with 2023, in the former Harrogate district area, and found it had jumped from 27 to 57.

Experts have put the rise in popularity for solar panels down to high energy costs brought on by the war in Ukraine, which has pushed up wholesale prices.

According to the Office for National Statistics, gas and electricity prices rose by 36.2% and 17.3% in the year to June 2023. It said energy prices have been one of the largest contributors to high inflation since April 2022.

As well as reducing bills, solar panels are one way individual households can reduce carbon emissions. The Committee for Climate Change says the technology will be crucial if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero target.

The UK experienced a heatwave in June which saw 9.3% of the country’s energy generated by solar, but the figure is likely to be lower for July due to the largely wet and overcast conditions.

Tim Larner, vice chair policy advocacy at Zero Carbon Harrogate, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“Zero Carbon Harrogate is delighted to note the increase in the number of planning applications with solar panels included and we congratulate those developers who are taking a sustainable and long-term approach.

“Not only does it make financial sense to include roof-mounted solar panels in all new developments, it’s also a practical response to the climate emergency.”

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It is not only homeowners who have been installing solar panels, schools including Oatlands Junior School, Harrogate Grammar School, Coppice Valley Primary School and Rossett Acre Primary School will install hundreds on their rooftops.

There has also been small-scale solar applications from farmers, with plans approved to add solar panels on top of agricultural barns in Burnt Yates, Beckwithshaw and Felliscliffe.

Mr Larner added:

“We need to be taking every opportunity to make our homes, schools, hospitals and offices more sustainable in all aspects of their construction.”