Harrogate Archives - Page 349 of 805

Harrogate Leon site owners silent over future plans

The owners of Harrogate’s Leon site have remained tight lipped over its future amid speculation it could become a Starbucks.

The Stray Ferret revealed this month the Wetherby Road fast food venue would cease trading, with the loss of about 20 jobs, on April 2.

The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.

They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.

The Stray Ferret approached EG Group to ask for an update on the site and if any replacement had been found for Leon, but we did not receive a response.

However, a source within Leon have told the Stray Ferret that a Starbucks drive-thru is the likely option for the site.

The company considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.

Initial plans for Starbucks

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council back in 2019 proposed a drive-thru “to be operated by Starbucks Coffee Company” on the site.

However, following planning approval on appeal, EG Group announced a Leon would open at the site.

Residents near to the drive-thru raised concern that the scheme was not as advertised in the initial plan.

The Stray Ferret asked the borough council in April 2022 how the company was able to build the scheme as a Leon drive-thru when the original approval for the site showed a Starbucks coffee shop.

At the time, a borough council spokesperson said:

“Permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate for a ‘coffee shop to include a drive-thru’, not specifically for a Starbucks.

“The Inspectorate did not add any conditions to the permission they gave restricting the use of the premises solely to a coffee shop, so it can legally be used for any other use within the same use class, which includes a drive thru food and drink establishment.

“So permission is not required for any change of use. However, the building being built differs from the one given planning permission. Therefore, a planning application has been submitted for these changes and is under consideration.”

Harrogate shops to feature in BBC programme hosted by Alan Carr

Three Harrogate shops will feature in an episode of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr next week.

The ‘Chatty Man’ was seen filming the programme outside Westmorland Sheepskins, in Harrogate, last summer.

The episode will showcase the transformation of three independent stores – Westmorland Sheepskins, Daniel Footwear and another women’s clothing store.

The 8-part programme follows 10 designers competing for a commercial interior design contract.

The contestants take on a new interior design challenge up and down the country each week, ranging from shops and restaurants, to beach huts and bars.

Each unit had a unique brief and design requirements, and the designers pitched their plans to the Harrogate shop owners, who decided their favourite idea and nominated a lead designer.

The designers had a budget of £3,000 and just two days to transform the allocated space.

Pic: Daniel Footwear as seen on BBC’s Interior Design Master

Westmorland Sheepskins said:

“The cats out of the bag — you probably saw the front of our shop on this week’s episode.

“It was a new experience for us that we thoroughly enjoyed, and we cannot wait to see the final edit”.

The episode will air next Tuesday at 8pm on BBC One.

Sadly, Westmorland Sheepskins has announced the closure of its Harrogate store this week.

New tenants soon for Harrogate’s Viper Rooms and nearby bar?

Harrogate’s struggling Royal Baths could soon have two new tenants.

North Yorkshire County Council bought the site as an investment asset for £9 million in 2018 but it has not generated the returns hoped for.

When the council bought the site, the units were occupied by J D Wetherspoon, The Potting Shed bar, the Viper Rooms nightclub and Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant.

But the Potting Shed has been closed for years and the sudden demise of the Viper Rooms in December left half the units unoccupied.

Days after the Viper Rooms closed, the council said the site had attracted “significant interest from potential tenants”. But three months on it remains empty.

In an update today, Gary Fielding, the county council’s corporate director for strategic resources, said:

“A unit which did house the Viper Rooms is continuing to attract significant interest, and an agent has been appointed to co-ordinate discussions with potential tenants.

“A lease has been signed for the final unit and a dialogue with the tenant is continuing to establish when the new venture will be launched.”

The new North Yorkshire Council will assume control of the Grade II listed Royal Baths on April 1 when the county council, along with seven district councils including Harrogate Borough Council, ceases to exist.

Spectacular display of Northern Lights over Harrogate

Harrogate’s skies were transformed into a dazzling display of colour last night due to the Northern Lights.

The Met Office said yesterday the arrival of fast solar winds could mean the aurora borealis would be visible in Scotland and possibly northern England.

Sally Margerison, a keen observer of the astral phenomenon, was once again on hand to capture it beautifully from her house in Harlow Hill.

Ms Margerison follows the Aurora Alerts twitter site, which predicts the lights could be seen again tonight over the Harrogate district. She said:

“If the aurora ovation is KP 5 or above it’s likely to be visible in northern England.

“The KP was 6 last night so I am lucky to have a good view of the northern horizon from my loft window and can easily see it if there’s clear skies.

“It’s predicted to be a high KP tonight as well.”

Plan to convert former Cold Bath Road shop into bar and cafe

A plan has been submitted to convert a former clothes shop in Harrogate into a bar and cafe.

The proposal, which has been tabled by 17 Miles Ltd, would see the former store at 17 Cold Bath Road converted.

The building, next door to Lunns Blinds and Curtains, was previously occupied by Scandinavian clothes shop Bias, which has since moved to Montpellier Parade.

Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council propose opening times from 4pm to 11pm Wednesday and Thursday and 12pm to 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Further details, including the name, have yet to be revealed.

Cold Bath Road already has a selection of pubs and bars, including the Fat Badger, District Bar and The Last Post.

A decision on the proposal will be made at a later date.

Harrogate Town post £1.2 million loss

Harrogate Town posted a £1.2 million loss in their second season in the English Football League.

Newly-published accounts for the year ending June 30, 2022 also reveal the club’s dependency on chairman Irving Weaver, who owns 75% of the club’s share capital, increased.

The club owed Mr Weaver £4.4 million, compared with £3.7 million the previous year.

This year’s figures follow a £1 million loss the previous year.

The accounts say:

“The company will have sufficient funds, through funding from its controlling shareholder R I Weaver, to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

“Those forecasts are dependent on R I Weaver not seeking repayment of the amounts currently owed to him.

“R I Weaver has indicated his intention to continue to make available such funds as are needed by the company, and he does not intend to seek repayment of the amounts due for the period covered by the forecasts.”

The accounts also show the number of staff increased from 35 to 55 in what was the club’s first season in the EFL with fans allowed back in the ground after covid.

The Wetherby Road club’s land and buildings are valued at £4.3 million as opposed to £3.91 million a year earlier.

Town’s fortunes on the pitch have improved lately, with an upturn in results easing them away from the relegation zone.

The club said in a statement:

“We have spent the last 18 months investing in the club for the long-term future including the re-structuring and strengthening of the team, developing the stadium and facilities to a standard fit for the EFL and to give our supporters a better match day experience, plus, the launch of our academy.

“We have exciting plans for the future with the growth of our player development centres, our Women and girls teams as well as many more initiatives to benefit supporters as we continue to grow as a club. We would take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders for their continued support”

Woman denies being in charge of dangerous dog in Harrogate

A woman has denied being in control of a dangerous dog which is alleged to have attacked a 15-year-old boy in Harrogate.

Deborah Patterson, 60, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury in the small park at the junction of Skipton Road and Ripon Road on August 1 last year.

The court heard claims the boxer dog bit the teenager on the leg while he was sitting on a bench.

Ms Patterson, of Southville Terrace in Harrogate, was also charged with being the owner of a boxer dog on August 9 on Ripon Road, which is also alleged to have been dangerously out of control.

She denied both charges.

A trial date was set for May 18 at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

13 local primary schools to give concert at Harrogate’s Royal Hall

Four hundred children from 13 local primary schools will be taking centre stage at Harrogate’s Royal Hall in just over a week for the bi-annual Kids Aloud concert.

The Last Dragon, which is organised by Harrogate Brigantes Rotary, is a musical extravaganza featuring pupils from the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas.

The young performers have written a lot of the music themselves, with help from storyteller Guy Wilson and composer Roland Fudge.

Hundreds of pupils take part. Pic: Charlotte Gale

The children have also illustrated a book to accompany the show, which is available from local independent bookshops, Imagined Things in Harrogate and The Little Bookshop in Ripon.

Some 200 children will be involved each night on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

Guy said:

“This is the eighth Kids Aloud concert Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has put on and the first that is entirely original.

“It gives our children a memorable chance to celebrate post-covid freedom with a lung-bursting performance at a full Royal Hall. We’re grateful to all the local businesses who’ve sponsored us and to Arts Council England who’ve given us a Youth Music grant.”

Guy paid particular tribute to This will be the last Kids Aloud for Harrogate primary schools music teacher Carmel Wake.

“As usual, Carmel has brought all her musical and organisational skills to the show. She has sourced and adapted music, conducted performances and coordinated the work of the schools.”

Carmel Wake conducting the choirs in rehearsal. Pic: Guy Wilson

The Last Dragon is a tale of good and evil, courage and victory set in the imaginary country of Rubovernia. It tells how two children, helped by the very last dragon in the country are able to fight off the evil that threatens it.

Any money that’s left at the end will help to fund the next Kids Aloud or go towards local good causes Brigantes Rotary supports.

Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for under 17s and can be purchased from Harrogate Theatre box office or online here.

Westmorland Sheepskins set to close Harrogate store

Westmorland Sheepskins on Montpellier Parade is due to close its Harrogate store.

The shop which opened in 2018, specialises in sheepskin, leather, and wool products.

The date of the shop’s closure is uncertain, but the company believe it will be “around June” this year.

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In a statement, Westmorland Sheepskins told the Stray Ferret:

“We have invested a lot into our website and our bricks and mortar store.

“But, we haven’t been able to renegotiate a flexible extension with our landlord post-covid”.

The Montpellier Parade unit has recently been listed to let on Rightmove for £2,500pcm and is over 1,200 sq. ft.

The company said:

“We have loved being part of the Harrogate community.

“We are now actively seeking other opportunities, collaborations and journeys to go on with the brand”.

Customers will still be able to shop all the products on Westmorland Sheepskin’s online store.

The company has “no doubt” the brand will “pop up” again in the area soon.

New office hire hub to open at Harrogate station today

An office for hire will open at Harrogate train station today.

Sheffield-based Workfromhub has designed the facility to create private working space for an “ever growing remote workforce”.

The start-up company has already introduced hubs in Sheffield and Swinton in Rotherham.

The hub will be available for a flat fee of £11.99 per hour.

Neal Byers, founder of Workfromhub, said:

“We are working closely with Northern Rail to help transform underused spaces within stations. We can see the need for people who are on the move to have somewhere private and connected to work from.

“We feel that there are not enough remote working private spaces around to keep up with the demand of a growing remote workforce.”

People can access the hub by downloading the Workfromhub app and booking a time or filling in a form on the company’s website.

Those who book will receive a code to enter the facility for their allocated time.

The facilities include space for two people along with internet access, a second screen and desk space.

For more information on the hub, visit the Workfromhub website.