Teen denies stealing bikes from Harrogate school

A teenager is set to stand trial after being charged with stealing multiple bikes in Harrogate, including from St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before youth court held at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday on a string of charges.

He denied stealing two bikes from a secure bicycle unit at St Aidan’s on Oatlands Drive on October 8.

He also pleaded not guilty to stealing a bike from The Matrix on Hornbeam Park on October 4 and another bike from Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre on October 16.

The teenager denied a charge that he dishonestly undertook or assisted in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods in relation to the bike stolen from The Matrix.

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A trial date for the charges was set for January 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, the teenager also denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards another boy in McDonalds, Boroughbridge Road, in York on November 3.

He is set to stand trial on January 30, 2023, in relation to the charge.

However, the teenager admitted to failing to comply with a youth rehabilitation order imposed by the court on September 5 in relation to a separate charge.

The teenager had failed to attend statutory appointments, returned home late for curfew twice and on two occasions failed to connect a GPS enabled device to electricity supply as required by the court.

The court adjourned the matter until December 9 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Man denies wounding with intent on Harrogate’s Bower Street

A Harrogate man has denied wounding another man with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on the town’s Bower Street last month.

William Boam, 23, who lives on the street, appeared before York Crown Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It follows an incident on Bower Street on the night of October 14.

Boam, who appeared via video link from HMP Hull, also denied a charge of common assault against another man on the same night.

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He pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a knife on Bower Street.

A trial date was set at York Crown Court for April 11, 2023.

Recorder Tahir Kahn remanded Boam in custody until the date of the trial.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate Christmas window competition set to return

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Christmas shop window competition for businesses in Harrogate is to return this year.

Organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harrogate, the contest is set to include awards for large retailer, medium retailer and small retailer.

The competition, which is returning for its third year, promotes town centre shopping and broadcasts the ‘shop local’ message in the run up to Christmas.

The competition is limited to 50 entrants within the BID Levy area. Before dressing their windows, participants are asked to take into account the following criteria:

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said: 

“We are delighted to announce the return of the Harrogate Shop Window Competition, once again in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harrogate.

“The town was beautifully presented last Christmas, with scores of retailers getting in the festive spirit and entering the competition. With the return of the competition, as well as our dazzling Christmas lights, Harrogate will very soon be looking at its absolute best.”

The competing retailers must have their windows completed by 8am on Tuesday, November 29 in time for shortlisting, with judging taking place on Thursday, December 1, between 3.30pm and 8pm.

The awards will be presented at prize giving ceremony being held on Tuesday, December 6, at the West Park Hotel.

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Ripon BID helps local businesses make savings

Businesses in Ripon have made nearly £30,000 worth of savings following the introduction of a support scheme nine months ago.

Ripon Business Improvement District launched the savings scheme with Place Support Partnership in an effort to help local firms.

To date, Ripon BID says they have identified £29,829 of savings against the project with several businesses taking on their advice and contracting services or renegotiating with their suppliers.

Helen Thornton, director of Ripon Museum Trust said 

“Ripon Museum Trust has just fixed its utility contracts in the most challenging of circumstances with the help of Rishi Sood from Place Support Partnership provided by the Ripon Business Improvement District. Rishi came to see us and gave us very level-headed and honest advice. 

“All the usual norms of the market for buying gas and electricity have basically flown out of the window recently and none of us in the trust are remotely qualified to understand the market – except we all knew it was going to be a pretty terrifying price.”

A final round of visits from PSP will be announced in the New Year, but businesses are urged to register their interest now via info@riponbid.co.uk.

Thieves smash their way into Harrogate shop

Two thieves have smashed their way into an independent Harrogate shop and stolen cigars and whiskey.

The men, believed to be in their early 20s, used a stone to break a glass panel on the door of James Barber Tobacconist.

It is one of two shops on Cold Bath Road targeted by criminals already this month. In a separate incident last week, a man vandalised the Christmas lights outside hair salon Dangerfield & Keane.

Mr Barber has published CCTV footage of the break-in on his Instagram page in the hope it might lead to an arrest.

 

The incident happened in the early hours of November 1 and Mr Barber has decided to release the film now because the police investigation has yet to find the perpetrators.

The thieves also smashed a cabinet to get hold of the goods. One left when the alarm sounded.

Mr Barber estimated the crime had cost him £1,000 in repairs and loss of goods.

James Barber Tobacconist

His Instagram post said:

“Until now these two are still out and about maybe looking for another opportunity to violate another business owner.

“Since it has been more than 10 days, we felt the need to warn all local businesses like us to be vigilant as we believe this can happen anytime. If anyone recognises these two please report it directly to the Harrogate police. Crime No.NYP-01112022-0012.”

Paris fashion comes to Harrogate with Aurélie pop-up

This story is sponsored by Aurélie 

Having lived in Paris in her 20s, Lucy Robinson always dreamed of owning her own clothing boutique.

Her wish came true when she launched her fashion brand Aurélie after her travel PR business was hit by the pandemic.

Now, the Harrogate business owner is bringing her online Parisian-style clothing collection to the high street with her first ever pop-up in her hometown.

The event will take place at handmade British ethical Jewellers India Mahon, in Montpellier Street, on Friday 18 and Saturday, November 19 from 10am to 6pm.

During the pop-up, Aurélie will be showcasing the brand’s Autumn/Winter collection, which includes a selection of tailored coats and jackets, cosy knitwear, jeans, shirts and blouses, plus Aurelie’s first ever party wear collection.

Lucy, who worked for a leading luxury fashion PR agency when she lived in Paris, launched Aurélie in January 2021.

She said:

“When the pandemic hit my travel PR business, I had a lightbulb moment and realised I wanted to go back to my fashion roots.

“I spent a lot of time in Paris and worked with some major luxury fashion brands, so I knew where to get hold of beautiful French clothing.

“I used savings to buy stock and off we went. I started off in the spare bedroom at home and I now have an office and showroom at Windsor House with a small team working for me.”

Harrogate business owner, Lucy Robinson, is behind fashion business Aurélie.

Lucy, who attended Harrogate Ladies College, is keen to showcase her clothing to fashion-lovers in the town following its growing success nationally.

Currently customers can make an appointment to visit Windsor House to view the collection, however the pop-up will allow customers to experience Aurélie on the high street.

There will be the chance to try on and purchase pieces from the sustainable brand, which aims to create timeless looks, featuring contemporary shapes that can be seamlessly styled with existing wardrobe items.

Lucy, who takes pride in curating an edited collection of beautiful, timeless clothing for Aurélie, will be on hand throughout the pop-up to offer personal styling sessions.

She said:

“People will be able to see the full collection, which also includes our first partywear collection. I will be there to offer advice and there will also be fizz available!”

For more information or to book a personal shopping appointment at Windsor House: Email: lucy@aurelie.co.uk or find Aurélie on Facebook and Instagram: @aurelie.co.uk 

Man suffers serious head injuries on Harrogate’s Bower Street

A 32-year-old Harrogate man has been arrested following a reported assault on Bower Street.

Police were called by the ambulance service at 6.20pm on Saturday after the victim, a man in his fifties, was found with serious head injuries in the street.

The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent. He has since been released on conditional police bail to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.

It was revealed last month that railings are to be installed on Bower Street in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Bower Street

North Yorkshire Police is urging anyone who witnessed the incident but has not yet spoken to police to get in touch on 101. The incident number is 12220201215

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

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Three arrested after dozens of bags of cocaine found in Harrogate

Two men and a woman have been arrested after police stopped two cars and found dozens of bags of cocaine in the Harrogate area.

North Yorkshire Police said today two different vehicles were searched.

As well as suspected cocaine, a lock knife was also found in one of the cars and the driver was banned from driving.

A man in his 20s has been charged with possessing a blade and driving while disqualified. He was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class-A drugs.

A woman, also in her 20s was also arrested on suspicion of class-A drug offences.

A second man in the other vehicle, who is in his 20s, was also arrested on suspicion of possessing class-A drugs.

All were bailed following the drug arrests on Thursday to allow the substances to be inspected by a laboratory as part of police investigations.

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Morning ‘traffic chaos’ on A61 between Ripon and Harrogate

Motorists have endured a morning of misery between Ripon and Harrogate this morning due to lengthy delays on the A61.

Roadworks at Bishop Monkton combined with a broken down bus in Killinghall caused a double delay for people using the main route.

Linda Birnie called the Stray Ferret to say it took her an hour and 10 minutes to get from her home in Ripon to Ripley. She said:

“The traffic this morning was absolutely appalling. I would have gone through Knaresborough if I’d known.”

Ms Birnie set off at 8am and shortly afterwards hit a two-mile queue caused by lights near the garden centre at Bishop Monkton.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s live roadworks map, there are two-way signals there until Friday due to work being carried out by Yorkshire Water.

It always says there are separate roadworks at Wormald Green until Wednesday this week.

Ms Birnie said after getting through that queue, there was a brief period of respite before she encountered another large tailback before the Ripley roundabout due to a broken down bus in Killinghall.

She had travelled to Harrogate because she is a member of the Harrogate Borough Council-owned leisure company Brimhams Active and her yoga class had been moved because of ongoing work caused by ground stability issues at Ripon’s new leisure centre.

Other motorists got in touch to inform us of lengthy delays on the same route this morning.

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‘No plan or intention’ to sell Starbeck Baths, says council

Harrogate Borough Council has said it has “no plans” to sell Starbeck Baths after the Hydro is refurbished and the new Knaresborough Leisure Centre is built.

The council is currently carrying out an £11 million refurbishment of Harrogate Hydro and building a new £17 million leisure centre in Knaresborough.

The move has led to speculation on social media the authority will sell the Victorian baths in Starbeck after the projects are finished.

However, Cllr Stan Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport at the council, said there were no plans to offload the facility.

He said:

“I can confirm Harrogate Borough Council has no plan or intention to close or dispose of Starbeck pool, and our investment strategy building the new pool and wellness centres in Ripon and in Knaresborough and the extension and refurbishments at the Hydro is not reliant on closure of any site managed by Brimhams Active.”

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The facility is one of 10 centres run by the council-owned leisure company, Brimham’s Active.

The council has earmarked an opening date of May 2023 for the Harrogate Hydro.

It would be a month after the council is abolished and replaced by North Yorkshire Council.

Work on the Hydro, which is being led by Bristol-based Alliance Leisure, is ongoing to create a 400 square metre fitness suite, a sauna and steam suite, improved reception and café.

There will also be new diving board equipment, a new fitness suite and the changing areas will be upgraded.

Meanwhile, the new leisure centre in Knaresborough is due to open in August 2023.

Construction is continuing on the project which will see a six-lane 25-metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, spin studio, café, electric car charging points and bicycle storage created.

Business Breakfast: Spotlight on state of business at Harrogate chamber meeting

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

The current state of business will be in the spotlight at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting tonight.

Held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Harrogate, the meeting will hear from Paul Mount, Bank of England deputy agent for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Mr Mount, who lives in South Yorkshire, is one of 12 regional agents who engage with business and public sector leaders to understand the environment they face, and to explain the policy stance and work of the bank.

David Simister, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: 

“We are delighted to have Paul joining us for our November meeting, when he will give an economic update and speak about the true state of business in the UK.

“With the current state of the economy, many businesses are finding themselves under extreme pressure, and in the last week alone we have sadly learned of the closure of a number of Harrogate restaurants.

“With all the resources of the Bank of England at his fingertips, Paul will tell us exactly what the future holds in store for us.”

Doors open at 5.30pm for open networking with the meeting proper commencing at 6.15pm.

Chamber members and first time guests from the local business community are asked to register their attendance in advance on the Chamber website here.

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Masham brewery partners with Doncaster Knights

A Masham brewery has announced a partnership with Doncaster Knights RFC.

The partnership will see Theakston become the Knights’ exclusive cask partner for the next three years, with the brewery’s Old Peculier ale having been introduced to the club’s concourse bar, now renamed the Theakston bar.

The high-profile partnership will support the Knights’ ambitions of reaching the Premiership by increasing the team’s visibility throughout Yorkshire and helping to attract more punters into its bar.

The Theakston bar at Doncaster Knights.

The Theakston bar at Doncaster Knights.

It marks the latest partnership for the family-run brewery, which has long supported sport across the region, having sponsored the Voneus Village Cup, the Nidderdale Cricket League and Ripon Rugby Club.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director at Theakston Brewery, said: 

“With almost 350 years of combined history, Theakston and Doncaster Knights are two Yorkshire institutions which have not only stood the test of time but evolved in order to find continued success. 

“Given our heritage and shared love for God’s Own Country, the partnership made perfect sense.”

Elliott Horan, head of commercial and media at Doncaster Knights, added: 

“We’re proud to be Yorkshire’s highest ranked rugby union club and we wanted a partner whose values fit with our own.

“As a brewery with almost 200 years of brewing expertise, and a fantastic range of cask ale products on offer, partnering with Theakston was a no-brainer. We’re really proud to have such a strong Yorkshire brand backing us, helping us to fly the flag for the White Rose and support us as we look to secure promotion to the Premiership.”