Food waste organisation Resurrected Bites has issued a plea for help to businesses after warning it might not survive another year.

The community organisation, which saves food from landfill, has helped thousands of people struggling to get by since it started in January 2018. It operates Give As You Can cafes and shops in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Founder Michelle Hayes appealed for support at last night’s Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting. She said Resurrected Bites had generated £87,000 and spent £91,000 this year, adding:

“A huge number of people rely on us so we need to look at ways we can still be around in 12 months’ time.

“Since the jubilee, our food supplies have dropped off. We are going to have to start paying for it.”

Michelle Hayes speaking at last night’s chamber meeting.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret afterwards, Ms Hayes said Resurrected Bites currently had sufficient income to survive another six months.

She said it was becoming harder to find supplies because more people were buying reduced price items from supermarkets that might otherwise go to Resurrected Bites.

Ms Hayes also said some supermarkets’ decisions to scrap best before dates was a good move overall but it contributed to there being less food waste in the system for organisations such as Resurrected Bites. She said:

“Fundraising is more challenging because of the economic challenges people are facing.

“We’ve got six months’ income left. I don’t wan’t to go much below that.”

Read more:

• Knaresborough concert raises £800 for Resurrected Bites
• Loss of 15-day festival will have ‘limited’ economic impact on Harrogate

This story is sponsored by The Hearing Suite.

The Hearing Suite’s new clinic in Ilkley is proving to be a major success following its launch last month.

Located at No 6 The Grove, the state-of-the-art practice has a dedicated wax removal room on the ground floor, along with a full testing suite on the first floor.

Founder Emily Woodmansey set up the Ilkley site following rapid growth at the Harrogate branch on East Parade.

The business has continued to expand and now offers a team of three audiologists and an ENT consultant.

Emily Woodmansey, managing director of The Hearing Suite.

Having grown up in Ilkley, Ms Woodmansey recognised that many of the town’s residents were making the journey to Harrogate and a closer practice would be more convenient.

She said:

“Our Harrogate practice is thriving. Our ethos is firmly grounded in having a small group of very happy people, and I thought it was about time Ilkley had its own full-time, dedicated audiology practice.

“The pandemic has reminded people how precious communication is and it has been exciting to share our brand of audiology with the people of my home town.

“Since opening a few weeks ago, we have been quite overwhelmed with the number of people wanting help with their hearing. The local business community has been really welcoming too. We are just so grateful for everyone’s support.”

The Hearing Suite’s employee Olivia, a former NHS senior audiologist, has been appointed as the practice’s head of audiology.

The new branch offers the same services as Harrogate, including wax removal, hearing consultations, tinnitus management and hearing aids.

Council tax bills for a Band D property in Harrogate are set to fall by £23.47 for the next two years as part of the transition to the new North Yorkshire Council.

Harrogate Borough Council currently charges the highest council tax of the seven district councils in North Yorkshire.

An average band D property in the district is currently £1,723.27, compared with £1,586.83 in Hambleton, which has the lowest level of council tax in the county.

The seven councils will be abolished on April 1 as part of the government’s devolution agenda and North Yorkshire County Council is to meet next week to discuss ways to harmonise the level of payment across the county.

Under plans being drawn up, Band D bills in the Harrogate district would fall by £23.47 a year for two years while Hambleton’s bills would increase by £89.49.

However, the rises and falls due to harmonisation do not take into account the annual increase in council tax bills, which is set to be approved by county councillors in February. The figures also relate to just the precept for county and district authorities, and do not include money for North Yorkshire Police, the county’s fire brigade and parish or town councils.

If a Harrogate town council is formed, the precept for people living in the town council area would increase.

Decision on Tuesday

The advent of a new council covering the whole of the county in April means there is a legal requirement to ensure all council taxpayers in North Yorkshire are charged the same amount.

The proposals to phase this in over the next two years will be considered by members of North Yorkshire County Council’s decision-making executive when they meet on Tuesday next week. They are based on recommendations by a cross-party working group of councillors.

The working group, which was established by the county council’s executive in June, considered a range of proposals, including harmonising council tax bills over a period of up to eight years.

Read more:

• Harrogate council refuses to say if chief executive will get payout package
• Councillors vote to defer decision on 53 homes in Bilton

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for finance, Cllr Gareth Dadd, who is also the authority’s deputy leader, said:

“The challenge to harmonise council tax bills across the county is obviously a significant one, but it is an issue we have to address before the new North Yorkshire Council is launched in April next year.

“We are acutely aware of the financial pressures which everyone is under not just in North Yorkshire, but across the whole country, as we see inflation rising and the cost of energy soar along with the price of food and drink and other essential items.

“A great deal of work has gone into the proposed scheme to harmonise council tax bills across all seven districts, and we believe that the plan that has been drawn up to introduce the changes over the two years represents the fairest way forward for everyone involved.”

There would be huge variations in the amount of funding generated if the decision was taken to opt for moving council tax levels to the lowest amount seen in Hambleton or choosing to adopt the highest level in Harrogate.

If council tax bills were brought in line with Hambleton, there would be an annual reduction of funding in the region of £21 million, falling from the current level of £401.8 million to £380.4 million.

By comparison, an extra £11.3 million would be generated by increasing council tax bills to the level currently paid in the Harrogate district, with the average across North Yorkshire for owners of a Band D property paying £1,723.27 instead of £1,676.32.

Funding from council tax is used to finance services ranging from waste collection and recycling to highways maintenance and adult social care.

The director of Harrogate Convention Centre has said the loss of the 15-day International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival will have a “limited additional economic impact” on hotels in the town.

Festival directors Janet and Neil Smith announced last week they will stage next year’s event at Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire from July 29 to August 12.

Harrogate’s Royal Hall had hosted the festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, since 2014. It provided a major boost to the town’s hospitality sector.

The directors claimed the cost of the Royal Hall had doubled and that no compromise had been forthcoming. By contrast, Buxton Opera House had “pulled out every stop to accommodate the festival,” they claimed.

The absence of Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados for 15 days will be keenly felt by numerous Harrogate hotels, bed and breakfasts, bars and restaurants. But Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said the summer timing would reduce the impact.

Ms Lorimer also said the event had received “a discount of over 90% on venue hire”.

Read more:

• Major blow to hospitality sector as Harrogate loses 15-day festival
• Police start two-week speeding crackdown in Harrogate district

In a statement, she said:

“Over the past eight years, Harrogate Convention Centre and the Royal Hall has been proud to have supported the Gilbert and Sullivan festival to the tune of over £200k of in-kind services and support.

“We have also supported the festival with a discount of over 90% on venue hire.

“We tried to explore with the organisers how their event could change to reduce the costs to the venue however the organisers wished to retain the same event with the same levels of support despite dwindling numbers attending.

“Our feedback from the hospitality sector indicated that the timing of the festival, in the middle of the summer holidays, was at time when hotels are generally at capacity resulting in limited additional economic impact from the festival.

“We regret to see them leave but respect their commercial decision and wish the festival all the best for their future.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Aon has renewed its sponsorship of Harrogate Town for the 2022/2023 Football League season, and also remains the women’s team’s main sponsor.

The investment from the professional services firm will support Town with kit provision, additional media equipment, as well as its business strategy and player development centre.

James Fell, head of office for Aon Leeds Tingley and Harrogate, said:

“We have a long relationship with Harrogate Town Football Club, which has grown year-on-year. Last season we became the main sponsor of the women’s team and it’s great that we are continuing our partnership with the whole club and help make a positive difference in the local community.

“Colleagues in Aon’s new Harrogate office are looking forward to watching the teams this season and collaborating closely with the club on a number of initiatives.”

Pic: Gerard Binks

Joanne Towler, commercial director, Harrogate Town AFC said:

“Aon is a key partner for Harrogate Town Football Club. The partnership over the years has made a significant impact on the club, from the players’ performance on the pitch, to our football academy and most recently to our women’s team.

“Without sponsorship the club would not be where it is today, nor would we be able to support our local community and future players.”

Aon employs more than 115 insurance and risk management specialists across its Yorkshire offices, which include a branch at Harrogate’s Cardale Park.

Commercial litigation solicitor Alex Harrison joins McCormicks

Harrogate-based law firm McCormicks Solicitors has appointed commercial litigation solicitor Alex Harrison to its team.

Mr Harrison has brings experience in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including disputes in contract, debt recovery, property, IP and construction. He also has experience in professional negligence claims, harassment, defamation and insolvency (individual and corporate) matters.

A keen mountaineer, cyclist, wild swimmer and rugby player, he said:

“I was looking to join a firm with good clients and varied work and the prospects of long-term career progression and McCormicks ticked all the boxes.”

Senior partner Peter McCormick said:

“Alex has made his presence felt already thanks to his positive ‘can do’ attitude and he will be an asset to the team.”

Harrogate based ventilation manufacturer EnviroVent has relocated to a purpose-built zero carbon headquarters just outside the town.

The new 61,000 sq. ft premises on Harrogate West Business Park, near the Army Foundation College on Penny Pot Lane, is the culmination of a 10-month building project.

It brings together EnviroVent’s manufacturing facility, warehousing, head office and training suite into one purpose-built headquarters.

EnviroVent’s 260 employees have relocated from two existing premises on Hornbeam Park in Harrogate.

The new building will reduce the company’s environmental impact significantly and includes many energy efficient initiatives, including solar panels, air source heat pumps and a ventilation heat recovery system to ensure high levels of indoor air quality.

There are also electric charging points for vehicles and LED lighting units and responsive lighting.

Construction of the site

Andy Makin, managing director of EnviroVent, said:

“It is fantastic for the company to be together under one roof in our new zero carbon headquarters.  We are truly committed to good environmental practices throughout our business and these purpose-built premises allow EnviroVent to operate on an even more sustainable basis.

“With much larger premises, we have room to expand and  ambitious plans. Working alongside our parent company Soler & Palau, we fully expect to grow our brand, protecting and creating employees roles, benefitting our customers, our suppliers and the wider community.  We are very excited about the future!”

Read more:

• EnviroVent extends Harrogate Town sponsorship until 2024
• Business is booming in Knaresborough as empty shop units continue to fill

The build was carried out by Skipton-based construction company Sutcliffe Construction, working alongside developer of the new business park, Teakwood Developments. York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership also supported the project with an allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund. 

Daniel Martin, director of Teakwood Developments, said:

“It’s been a long road but so rewarding to reach the end, providing a facility that we can all be proud of. It secures the future of this fantastic business in Harrogate, providing a state of the art facility, with the all-important expansion capabilities.”

To offset any further carbon emissions, EnviroVent has also entered a partnership with MoreTrees, which will plant 5,000 trees per year on its behalf.

The photo shows (left to right) Andy Makin, managing director of EnviroVent outside the new headquarters with apprentices Dovile Stankeviciute and Stephanie Banks, Rachael Tranter, head of people and sustainability) and
Anna Campey, H&S/HR advisor.

An unusual charity dinner at Harrogate’s Rudding Park next month will see diners eat their main course blindfolded.

The event is being organised to raise money for Guide Dogs UK in Harrogate and to stimulate what dining out is like for people with a visual impairment.

Dine in the Dark will take place at the hotel on November 11.

Guide dog owner Kim Murphy said:

“Having my guide dog Jango has completely changed my life and events such as this are crucial for raising funds so that somebody else with sight loss can get a life changing guide dog like Jango.”

Nicola Ridgway, community fundraising manager for Guide Dogs UK in Harrogate, added:

“Dine in the Dark gives you the opportunity to enjoy great company and to have fun while experiencing the sensory effect of eating food with no vision.

“It will give you an insight into how visually impaired guide dog owners experience life on a daily basis.”

Tickets are £53.30 each (Inc booking fee) and are available here.

All funds raised will be donated to Guide Dogs UK.

Harrogate Poppy Appeal is urgently searching for volunteers to help out with the distribution and collection of poppies.

This year organisers from the Royal British Legion aim to deliver an appeal on a similar level to pre-covid, with a full delivery schedule and street collections.

They will be operating a poppy office and distribution centre from Harrogate fire station from October 20 for pick-up of stock and wreaths between 10am and 2pm.

About 600 boxes of poppies need delivering from there to selected retail outlets by November 1. From November 14, the boxes will need to be collected.

Read more:

• Knaresborough flowerbed marks Royal British Legion centenary
• Royal British Legion’s Nidderdale branch in danger of closure

Michael Comerford, Poppy Appeal organiser, told the Stray Ferret its number of volunteers had dwindled during covid and it was hoping to recruit about a dozen people who are able to drive around the district distributing and collecting boxes of poppies. He added:

“We are desperate for new and old volunteers to help out in distribution and collection of retail poppy boxes from October 20 and collecting back in from Monday, November 14.

“We are also looking for street collectors from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, November 12.

“We have cadets from all three services on the streets on Saturday, November 5 and 12, plus junior soldiers on the 12th.”

The Poppy Appeal will be opening Garden of Remembrance, which will allow people to place small remembrance crosses near the war memorial in central Harrogate, from 11am on Friday, October 28 and will be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day – 11/11/22 – with the sounding of the last post at the memorial.

To volunteer email poppyharrogate@gmail.com or call 07935 596762.

This story is sponsored by Revo Kitchens.

A new German kitchen superstore aimed at making stylish designs an affordable luxury has opened its doors in Harrogate.

Revo Kitchens is a new showroom concept created by the family behind Inter Ceramica, which they launched in Harrogate more than 30 years ago.

It is based in a 10,000 sq ft unit at Hornbeam Park and offers Germany’s number one kitchen brand ‘Nolte Kuchen’, alongside an expert design service and superior customer support.

Adam Challis, owner of Revo Kitchens, said:

“Essentially we splintered off from Inter Ceramica and Revo is it’s own lone-standing concept that is born out of our experience from doing kitchens at Inter Ceramica. We felt it was ready to stand on its own two feet as a really strong offering.”

Family business

Mr Challis is the eldest of three children, along with brother Ed and sister Amy, who work in the business. His entrepreneurial father set-up Inter Ceramica in 1990 and over the years the “Harrogate born and bred” family have all played a part in helping to run the company.

He said:

“My dad is an inspiration. He genuinely leads from the front, never stops and always keeps everyone happy. He is non-stop, but in a very good way. He got this place launched and got us to where we are.

“It is a proper family business, but the Revo side of things is on the next sort of professional level from that. We want it to come across as a really slick operation – because that’s what it is.”

Mr Challis also runs a company called Robica Project Interiors, which is aimed at developers and features tiles and bathrooms from Interceramica and kitchens from Revo.

He said:

“Another exciting pathway from the Revo side is this is only one third of the total showroom space. So we have got a whole other concept to follow for the remaining two thirds.

“It’s being kept secret for now, but it will be extremely unique and we will be the only people doing it. We will be launching it in the New Year and will hopefully be somewhere the people from Harrogate and further afield can come and visit as a bit of a destination.”

The perfect blend

Revo Kitchens is aimed at being a blend of the family company-based caring approach, featuring in-depth knowledge and product quality, alongside the benefits offered by bigger corporate brands. This includes finance options, a delivery team with a large fleet of vehicles and an installation service.

Mr Challis said:

“So it is hopefully ticking every box. I don’t think there is too much more we could have done.”

The German kitchens range from £3,000 upwards and finance is available from £29 per month.

Mr Challis added:

“Some people want to spend £30,000 to £40,000 on a kitchen. Whilst we do offer this, I’d say we lean a lot more towards the affordable side of things. I think that’s what is needed. All the products are amazing quality whatever the budget.

“The idea behind it is, it all arrives pre-built. It is as simple as fitting a kitchen can get. We do genuinely get retail customers who fit the kitchens themselves.”

Latest trends

Mr Challis said colourful kitchens were currently on-trend, with customers wanting a combination of unique colours and natural finishes.

He said:

“We do a lot of the real metal, concrete and wooden doors. Texture is really popular. It’s also fairly even between modern and traditional. Usually it is way more modern, but currently it’s a blend of the two.”

As part of the launch, Revo ran a competition to win a dream kitchen, worth up to £10,000, which was run via social media, in-store and in partnership with the Stray Ferret.

The winner, who entered via the Stray Ferret, was announced as Angela Ratcliffe, who lives near Wetherby. Her name was drawn from more than 1,000 entries.

She said:

“I still can’t quite believe it. We are really looking forward to working with Revo on planning our new kitchen. A kitchen refurb has been on the to-do list for a long time and is well overdue. This win will make it a reality. We can’t wait to get this project going.”

Excited to finally get the family-friendly showroom up and running after lots of planning and hard work, Mr Challis said:

“It means a huge deal to us to open. It’s what we have been picturing. I think it will do really well and I think the next phase of the plan is even bigger and better and we can’t wait to launch that. We are really excited and really proud.”

Opening offers

Revo Kitchens is currently running the following opening offers:

• For kitchens priced over £12,000, including VAT, customers can choose from a free upgrade from laminate to quartz worktops, a free Quooker tap, a free Bosch wine cooler or a £1,000 discount off tiles at Inter Ceramica.
• For kitchens priced over £6,000, including VAT, customers can choose from  a £500 discount off tiles at Inter Ceramica or free 40mm Nolte bespoke laminate worktops.

Train operator Northern has announced a flash sale of £1.50 return tickets from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds this week.

The ticket drop, which is expected to be sold out by about 5pm today, is timed to help people get to and from the Light Night Leeds, a free event showcasing art in the dark.

As part of its Go Do Your Thing after work campaign, Northern is offering more than 2,000 £1.50 advance purchase tickets.

Passengers on the Harrogate line, which also includes Knaresborough, Starbeck, Hornbeam Park, Pannal, Weeton and Cattal, are eligible for the deal.

Tickets are available for journeys into Leeds between 4pm to 6pm and departing Leeds 8pm to 10pm on Thursday’s opening night.

The promotional fares are available only through Northern’s website and app.

Light Night Leeds features are and performances by artists across the city.

Light Night Leeds

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said:

“Light Night Leeds is a highlight in the region’s cultural calendar. The £1.50 ticket drop is our way of helping our customers go do their thing after work, with fares that will get you there for less.

“Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage should book early to avoid disappointment. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Read more:

• Some Harrogate train tickets sold for £1 in Northern ‘flash sale’
• Northern’s new timetable includes early Harrogate to Leeds trains