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Rollout of 100 electric charging points in Harrogate district begins

Rugby legend Martin Offiah visited Harrogate today for an event to mark the rollout of 100 electric vehicle charging points.

Mr Offiah, who once raced down the wing at Wembley for England, touched down at the slightly humbler surroundings of Park View car park on East Parade in his role as a brand ambassador for Connected Kerb, a company that provides the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging points.

Harrogate Borough Council signed a contract with Connected Kerb for the installation of charging points in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham.

Mr Offiah joined Harrogate district mayor, councillor Victoria Oldham, as she cut a ribbon to signify Park View car park’s six electric charging bays were now ready for use.

Charging bays are also active in Harrogate at West Park multi-storey car park and the council’s civic centre and also at Chapel Street car park in Knaresborough and Market Place in Masham.

The charging points in Park View car park.

All the other bays, listed below, should be live by April. They are available to anyone who downloads the Connected Kerb app and has a Type 2 EV charging cable.

Mr Offiah, who has a statue outside Wembley Stadium and has been a Connected Kerb ambassador since 2018, said his message to people in the district was to “look for reasons to get an electric vehicle rather than reasons not to get one”.

The project has been funded by the council with additional support from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles.

The deployment is part of the council’s efforts to increase the proportion of cleaner ultra-low emission vehicles in the district.

Councillor Phil Ireland, the council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, who was at today’s launch, said:

“The Harrogate district has seen a rapid uptake in the purchase of electric vehicles, and if we are to achieve our ambition of net zero by 2038 it is important we support those residents to charge electric cars, while also encouraging more cycling and walking.

“These new charging points will support the uptake in electric vehicles for both our residents and our visitor economy, across the district.”

Chris Pateman-Jones, chief executive of Connected Kerb, said:

“Providing long-lasting, affordable and accessible charging points in northern towns and cities is essential to ensuring that nobody is left behind in the electric vehicle transition.

“By supporting EV drivers in Harrogate who have no access to off-street parking, we can make charging their vehicle more convenient while boosting local air quality and meeting climate goals.”

Where are the new charging points?

Harrogate

Victoria multi-storey car park – 12 Bays

Hornbeam Park – 12 Bays

Odeon – 12 Bays

West Park – 8 Bays

Park View – 6 Bays

Dragon Road – 10 Bays

Knaresborough

Conyngham Hall – 12 Bays

Chapel Street – 10 Bays

Leisure Centre (new) – 5 Bays

Ripon (new)

Cathedral Car Park – 6 Bays

Blossomgate Car Park – 4 Bays

Ripon (existing)

Leisure Centre – 5 Bays

Phoenix Business Park – 4 Bays

Boroughbridge (Phase 2)

Back Lane Car Park – Up to 6 bays

Pateley Bridge

Southlands Car Park – 4 Bays

Masham

Market Place – 4 Bays

Harrogate man beats 10,000 runners to win Brighton half marathon

A Harrogate man who only took up running three years ago beat nearly 10,000 runners to win the Brighton half marathon on Sunday.

Cal Mills, 22, completed the 13.1-mile course in one hour, six minutes and 37 seconds, which was faster than the world record time until 1965, when Britain’s Ron Hill ran one hour, five minutes and 44 seconds.

Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo’s current world record is 57 minutes and 31 seconds and Mo Farah’s British record for the distance is 59 minutes and 32 seconds.

What’s even more remarkable is that former Harrogate Grammar School student Cal only started running at the age of 19 and is virtually unknown in the sport.

He won his first event, the Guy Fawkes 10k organised by Nidd Valley Road Runners, in 2021 and followed that up by winning the Harrogate 10k last year.

Leading the field in last year’s Harrogate 10k.

After finishing 10th in this year’s Manchester half marathon, he turned up in Brighton hoping for a decent time and ended up smoking everyone, being cheered to victory by thousands of people on his way to the finish line. He said:

“It’s absolutely mad. It was the craziest atmosphere I have ever run in. I have never felt like that before when I crossed the line.”

Cal, who is in his final year studying history at the University of Leeds and runs for Leeds City Athletic Club, wasn’t into running at school and only got into the sport seriously during lockdown.

In the space of three years he has gone from Stray jogger to elite distance runner. The Brighton half marathon, which was being held for the 33rd time, is a major event on the British road running circuit.

Celebrating in Brighton on Sunday

Cal’s next event will be the London marathon in April and despite his achievements he isn’t putting any pressure on himself.

“It’s been a surreal journey. Nobody knew my name at Brighton. If I had started when I was younger, who knows where I could have taken it.

“But I just want to enjoy it. If I end up being a high standard club runner that’s fine by me.”

Police seek man after designer scarf stolen in Harrogate

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a scarf was stolen from a Harrogate restaurant.

It happened on Cold Bath Road at 6.50pm on Wednesday February 14 — Valentine’s Day.

A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“CCTV captured a couple in the restaurant finding a scarf under their table. A man picks up the scarf, folds it and places it in his pocket.

“The scarf was an Alexander McQueen scarf in pink, red and gold, with flowers on it.

“Officers want to speak to a man pictured on CCTV in the restaurant, as he may have important information that could assist the investigation.”

Anyone with information can email paul.southgate@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC1471 Southgate.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230028534.

Police reassure Harrogate councillors over knife crime concerns

North Yorkshire Police has sought to reassure people that Harrogate does not have a worse problem with knife crime than other places.

Councillors questioned police about the issue last night after 17-year-old Seb Mitchell lost his life on Claro Road following an incident on February 19.

Rich Ogden, chief inspector at the force, told Harrogate Borough Council‘s overview and scrutiny commission the county was one of the safest in England. However, he added that the force continued to work with young people to educate them not to carry knives.

The meeting heard 98 knives have been dropped off at an amnesty bin in Dragon Road car park at Asda in Harrogate since it was installed in January.

When asked by Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the committee, whether Harrogate had a problem with knife crime, Ch Insp Ogden said:

“We are living in one of the safest counties in England and we must not forget that.

“Any incident involving a knife can end in tragedy.”

He added:

“I don’t see that Harrogate has a problem more than anywhere else.

“But it would be wrong of me to say that knives are prevalent on the streets. We’ve got to encourage people not to use knives and carry knives at any point. Particularly those who take knives out for their own protection.”

Ch Insp Ogden added that a large amount of the knives that have been dropped off in the amnesty bin were household kitchen knives and that the facility helped the public to dispose of them safely.

Superintendent Teresa Lam told the committee:

“Even though we are considered the safest force area, we continually liaise with our counterparts across the country including London so that we are continually understanding what the trends and patterns are.”

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was initially charged with attempted murder on February 20. He is due to appear in court on March 14. Ch Insp Ogden told the meeting it was now a murder investigation.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate bookshop honoured in national awards

Imagined Things bookshop in Harrogate has been announced as a regional finalist in the British Book Awards.

It is one of eight finalists in the independent bookshop category for the north of England.

If Imagined Things wins the regional finals, it will have the chance to go on and contend for the national prize for best independent bookshop.

Georgia Eckert, the shop’s owner, considers the new store location on Montpellier Hill an important reason behind reaching the finals.

After five years in Westminster Arcade, Imagined Things decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support the move to the new location, raising over £18,000.

The fortunes of Imagined Things were also improved following a viral tweet posted on the bookshop’s Twitter account in June 2019.

The tweet reported a taking of £12.34 for the day, following which Georgia received a huge wave of support for the shop which boosted its profile in Harrogate.

Commenting on reaching the regional finals, Georgia said:

“Being a finalist really means a lot to myself and the Imagined Things Team. Bookselling is such a rewarding career, but being a shop on the Highstreet is not without its challenges. To get recognition for what we’ve achieved last year in moving the shop and doing what we love is a wonderful boost.”

Econ Engineering opens museum

Econ Engineering has opened a museum at the company’s headquarters in Ripon.

The museum’s collection consists of historic vehicles and farming implements from the last 60 years.

The exhibit looks into the agricultural past of the company, which is known for manufacturing gritters.

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s Managing Director, son of founder Bill Lupton, said:

“Like my father, I have a passion for farming, and finding and restoring implements designed and made by him has become a passion, not only for me, but also for members of the wider Econ team.

“We were both of Young Famers’ Clubs, and it’s somewhat fitting that the first visitors to our new museum, celebrating our history, are members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers.”

Pictured inside Econ Engineering’s museum: Jonathan Lupton with members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers

Artefacts from the museum will be exhibited at various shows this year, including Masham Steam Rally, Hunton Steam Rally and Tractor Fest at Newby Hall.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems call for government to step in on energy bills

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called for the government to cancel plans for a hike in the average household energy bill from April.

The call comes as the energy price cap is set to reduce from £4,279 to £3,280, but bills are still expected to rise by £500 to an average of £3,000 a year.

The government’s own energy price guarantee is expected to be less generous and a £400 winter discount is set to end.

Local Lib Dems have called on ministers to step in and offer a new support package for businesses, leisure centres, schools and hospitals across Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“The Conservatives’ plan to hike energy bills in April will come as a hammer blow to families in Harrogate and Knaresborough already struggling with soaring mortgages and rents, shopping bills and tax rises.

“With no plan to deal with this cost of living crisis for people or businesses, this chaotic, out-of-touch Government is instead making it much worse because they just don’t get it.

“People need real support and that’s what the Liberal Democrats are calling for. Sadly, to add insult to injury Rishi Sunak is happy for energy bosses to rake in millions of pounds in bonanza bonuses, while families struggle to put food on the table or heat their homes.”

The Lib Dems claim its plans would mean that in Harrogate and Knaresborough the average household would be £522.94 better off and would be funded by raising the rate of the windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas firms from 35% to 40%.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the BBC this month that he believed the government did not have the “headroom to make a major new initiative to help people”.

Speaking after the latest setting of the energy price cap, Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said:

“Although wholesale prices have fallen, the price cap has not yet fallen below the planned level of the energy price guarantee.

“This means, that on current policy, bills will rise again in April. I know that, for many households this news will be deeply concerning.”

The Stray Ferret approached Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, for comment.

Harrogate, Leeds and Sheffield tipped for best economic growth in Yorkshire

Harrogate, Leeds and Sheffield have been named as the three places forecast to experience the region’s highest economic growth over the next two years.

The EY Regional Economic Forecast, compiled by accounting firm Ernst & Young, says Leeds’ economy is expected to grow by 2.1% per year on average over the course of 2024 to 2026.

Harrogate and Sheffield are predicted to have the joint-second fastest-growing economies across Yorkshire and the Humber over the same period, with both projected to see annual average growth of 1.9%. Hull fares worst, with forecasted growth of 1.2%.

The region’s overall forecasted average annual growth of 1.7% is the joint lowest in the UK — and well below London’s predicted 2.6%.

Stephen Church, Ernst & Young’s north market leader, said:

“The north is home to many of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative businesses and, while the next 12 months will be economically challenging, there are areas across the region where we can expect to see encouraging growth over the next few years.”

But Mr Church added “too many places are still expected to trail behind” and that regions “need their own clear strategies for growth, which reflect each region’s own strengths and unique attributes”.

By 2026, Harrogate’s local economy is expected to be £0.2 billion larger than in 2022. The real estate activities and professional, scientific and technical sectors are expected to record the biggest absolute increases in growth over this period.

As well as expecting some of the fastest economic growth in the region from 2024 to 2026, Harrogate and Sheffield are also forecast to see their employment growth match the national growth rate over the same period, with annual average growth of 1.3% in both places.

The regional average is 1.1%.

Ernst & Young, one of the big four accounting firms, uses economic data to model future performance for the forecast.

Nidderdale Chamber of Trade to fold after more than 50 years

Nidderdale Chamber of Trade will cease to exist at the end of next month after at least half a century of promoting businesses in and around Pateley Bridge.

Membership has dwindled since covid and there has been a lack of interest in taking up leadership roles.

Consequently the current directors have announced they will not be seeking re-election and are urging the 40 or so remaining members to take advantage of an introductory offer to join Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Ledbetter, chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and owner of Sypeland Outdoors, said the chance to join the Harrogate district group meant a “negative had turned into a positive” because it would give Nidderdale businesses a wider reach. He said:

“Things have changed in the last few years since covid. Like any voluntary organisation, it’s very difficult to get new volunteers and some have fallen by the wayside. Moving forward, we feel this is the best thing to do for Nidderdale.

“We will now be part of a bigger platform. A lot of businesses in Harrogate have heard of Pateley but don’t know about the opportunities. This will enable us to tell them.”

Mr Ledbetter said the chamber would leave a legacy of success, which included organising events such as late night Christmas shopping and a 1940s weekend and success in competitions such as the Great British High Street and Britain in Bloom.

The Harrogate district chamber is offering Nidderdale chamber members, which include hotels, shops, distilleries and galleries, discounted membership as a time-limited introductory offer.

Chief executive David Simister said:

“This a great opportunity for existing Nidderdale Chamber of Trade members to join a district-wide business organisation, one with a strong voice for business.”

Sue Kramer, president of the Harrogate district chamber, said:

“A few years ago, we changed our name from Harrogate Chamber of Trade to Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, as we are keen to give a strong local business voice not just in Harrogate, but further afield too.

“Whilst our monthly meetings are held in Harrogate, the range of topics helping to educate and support businesses, and of course the networking opportunities are relevant to all district businesses.”

City Plumbing opens Harrogate branch

A major national plumbing and heating company opened its first branch in the Harrogate district today.

City Plumbing, which is open to trade and the public, is based in one of five units at the former Joe Manby building at Hookstone Park, Harrogate.

Councillor Victoria Oldham, mayor of the district, cut a ribbon to formally open the branch for business this morning.

The mayor cuts the ribbon.

City Plumbing, which is part of the Highbourne Group, employs about 4,500 staff at some 360 branches in the UK and Ireland. The Harrogate site currently has five staff.

Besides selling plumbing and heating products, the new branch also has kitchen and bathroom tops and a range of renewable heating products, including air source heat pumps and solar panels.

Free food and drinks are available to customers visiting today.

Kasia Demko, City Plumbing’s regional manager who lives in Harrogate, said until today the company’s nearest sites were in Leeds and York, adding:

“We have always wanted to be in Harrogate — we have been looking for the right spot in town. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers.”

Branch manager Stuart Johnson, who has a background in the plumbing and electrical sector locally, said the company was particularly keen to promote its energy-efficiency products because that was a growing market.

Staff at today’s opening

Jackie Wilson, property manager at Hornbeam Park Developments, which owns the former Joe Manby site, said:

“We are delighted to see City Plumbing up and running as the anchor tenant at this development. There has been a lot of interest, with two of the remaining four units taken already. I am sure that City Plumbing’s presence will serve as a catalyst to attract tenants for the remaining two units.“

Rudding Park unveils golf and country club renovation plan

Rudding Park Hotel and Spa in Harrogate has unveiled plans to renovate its golf and country club and restore its walled garden.

The hotel has drawn up the plans with planning consultants, Carter Jonas, as part of a refurbishment of its estate.

They include proposals to replace the current golf club, upgrade its family hub and the creation of outdoor tennis courts and a pavilion.

It would also see the county’s first five-star country club created.

The plans also seek to restore the estate’s walled garden.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

Designs for the renovation were unveiled at a consultation event at Rudding Park on Friday (February 23).

Sarah Cox, partner at Carter Jonas, said:

“We are keen to show that you have owners here who are keen to invest in the site.”

She added that the move to restore the site would also see 10,000 trees planted and three wetland areas created.

The consultants estimate that the proposals could generate an economic benefit of £14 million a year to Harrogate and create 75 new jobs.

In its proposals, Rudding Park said:

“Over the last 50 years, Rudding Park has become the standard bearer for quality hospitality in Harrogate, and positions Harrogate as a UK wide and international tourist destination.

“To build on that legacy the business must evolve.”

An outline planning application will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council later this month.

You can find out more information on the plans at Rudding Park here.

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