A popular village pub near Knaresborough has been put on the market for the first time in almost three decades.

The freehold of The Malt Shovel at Brearton has been listed for sale on property website RightMove at £550,000.

Owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell have decided to sell up after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015. Ms Mitchell said:

“When Les and I moved from the Scottish Highlands with our young children, we chose The Malt Shovel because of its prime setting in a beautiful village, within the aptly named ‘golden triangle’ between Harrogate, York and North Leeds.

“We fell in love with the sizeable and atmospheric, yet always welcoming, bar and dining areas and the four-bedroom apartment upstairs was perfect for our family. In fact, Brearton and The Malt Shovel ticked all the boxes.

“That was back in 1994 and 28 years later that has not been altered. It is still a superb village to live and work in and the catchment area remains affluent, popular and aspirational.

“The current lease is coming to an end, and aged 74 and 62, we think it’s time to pass this iconic building and business on to a new enthusiastic owner who can take it forward.”

The leasehold of the pub was last sold in 2017 for £40,000.

The property is now being marketed by Christie & Co, including the four-bedroom flat, which the company said gave it “potential to become a residential dwelling” or for letting accommodation.

The particulars describe the pub as “character-filled” but “neither listed nor an asset of community value”. The turnover is listed as £467,000, with an annual rental income of £38,000 or 11% of turnover from the current tenants who plan to continue to run the pub until a sale completes.

The pub has 65 covers inside and 35 outside, with parking for 15 cars. Christie & Co said it is currently fully booked for Christmas parties and there was potential to grow trade significantly outside the current opening hours of 12-3pm and 6-9pm Wednesday to Saturday, and noon until 6pm on Sunday, during which it is “trading exceptionally”.

Read more:

• Dacre Banks pub gives warning as it faces £65,000 energy bill
• Harrogate pub Christies reopens after refurb

The company highlighted the pub’s strong rating on TripAdvisor as well as its position in “one of the most desirable villages in North Yorkshire”.

Alex Rex, senior business agent in Christie & Co’s Pubs & Restaurants team, is handling the sale. He said:

“The sale of The Malt Shovel in Brearton offers an exciting opportunity for a new owner to carry on a highly reputable hospitality business or alternatively, acquire a great piece of real estate with potential for multiple uses, in a highly desirable village.

“There is a real shortage of good quality freehold, free of tie, properties on the market in North Yorkshire currently and the business is offered for a fantastic price, so we don’t expect it to be on the market for long.”

A man has been sentenced to life in prison after brutally murdering Gracijus Balciauskas at a flat on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate last year.

Vitalijus Koreiva, 37, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this morning after being found guilty of murder by a jury in July.

Polish national Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 39, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter for his part in the crime.

Mr Balciauskas, from Lithuania, was just 41 years old when he was killed.

Wrapped in a rug

The sentencing comes as a trial in July heard that Mr Balciauskas’s body was found wrapped in a rug after a lengthy drinking binge involving the three friends turned violent on December 20, 2021.

CCTV footage was shown of the men leaving the flat to buy more alcohol on several occasions in the hours leading to the murder.

Rutowicz told the court how Koreiva, who is Lithuanian, erupted during a drunken game of chess with Mr Balciauskas at 5am, which led to Koreiva punching and then kicking him.

Read more on the trial:

• Harrogate murder trial hears that body was found in a rug
• Harrogate murder suspect claims he feared for his own life after ‘brutal’ assault
• Doubt cast on Harrogate murder suspect’s claim
• Harrogate man ‘out of his mind’ on alcohol admits attacking friend

Harrowing video footage taken on Rutowicz’s phone of a bloodied and bruised Mr Balciauskas was shown in court. The clips showed him being kicked by Koreiva whilst he was laying defenceless on the floor pleading for help.

In one of the videos, Rutowicz was heard shouting at Mr Balciauskas in Polish:

“Why the f*** did you send us there? Now you look like this.”

During the trial, Rutowicz said he had been threatened by Koreiva with his life if he called 999 after Mr Balciauskas died. He said Koreiva’s nickname in Harrogate was the “crazy Russian” and he had an unpredictable character.

Murder victim Gracijus Balciauskas pictured in Knaresborough.

However, prosecuting barrister Peter Moulson QC poured scorn on his claim and accused Rutowicz of lying.

Mr Balciauskas died of internal bleeding after being kicked in the spleen and suffering multiple injuries to the torso.

‘Drunken cover up’

Judge Rodney Jameson KC told Koreiva this morning that Mr Balciauskas’ injuries would not have been fatal “had you not tried to drunkly cover up what you had done”.

Addressing Rutowicz, Judge Jameson described his actions as “calculating” and that he wanted to “avoid responsibility”.

He said:

“You could have prevented this from happening, but instead you chose to encourage it.

“You spent many hours considering how to avoid responsibility.”

Koreiva will serve a minimum of 13 years in prison before he is considered for parole. Should he be released, he will spend the rest of his life on licence.

Historical novelist Robert Harris, SAS hero Chris Ryan and broadcaster and political commentator, Iain Dale, have added their names to the line up of speakers at this year’s Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

They are the latest headline names that have agreed to appear at the celebration of books, which is being held between October 20 and October 23, at the Harrogate’s Crown Hotel.

Other names already announced include the 8th Earl of Harewood David Lascelles, Antiques Roadshow expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan, broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor, The Great British Dig co-presenter Dr Chloë Duckworth, and broadcaster and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake.

Commencing with a literary lunch staring Countdown’s Susie Dent, this year will see 23 names appearing on the Raworths stage.

Bringing the curtain down at the end of the four-day event is Fatherland author, Robert Harris, who has had many of his novels adapted for TV or film, including Enigma, which starred Kate Winslet, and Archangel featuring Daniel Craig.

He will be talking about his latest thrilling novel, Act of Oblivion – set in 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy — with BBC Radio Four’s Mark Lawson.

Read more:

• Countdown’s Susie Dent among speakers at Harrogate literary festival
• New music festival to mark composer’s link to Nidderdale village

Iain Dale’s latest book, On This Day in History, charts the main events of the last few hundred years, with one event per page, per day.

He will be joined on stage by former LBC stablemate and festival regular, Matt Stadlen, as the pair take a journey through Britain’s political history, told in 365 events.

Former SAS corporal, Chris Ryan will talk about how his own experiences have influenced his writing.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, which produces and curates the event, said:

“The latest names added to this year’s roll call, Robert Harris, Chris Ryan and Iain Dale, are all best sellers in their own right and need no introduction, and the
quality of speakers is a testament to the ever-rising prominence of this annual literature festival.”

Further information about the festival is available here.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate law firm has acted to help facilitate a deal to acquire a minority share in Norwich City Football Club.

McCormicks Solicitors was involved in negotiations in which a group led by Mark Attanasio successfully acquired shares from a variety of holders, including long-serving club director Michael Foulger.

Mr Attanasio is an American businessman who is chairman and principal owner of Major League Baseball team the Milwaukee Brewers.

The McCormicks team, led by James Towler, a partner and head of corporate and commercial, acted on behalf of both Norwich and current joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones.

Mr Towler said: 

“It’s been a pleasure to work with the club and its majority shareholders on this transaction and I am delighted by the successful outcome.”

Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones said in a statement: 

“We’re really excited about the future. We care passionately about the football club and are confident that this will be right for all involved.

“Mark and his team come to us with amazing credentials. Their vision and way of working is very much aligned in how we work at our football club. They care about their community and supporters and that’s exactly how we work.

“Our club is being run excellently, so we don’t expect any big changes. We look forward to collaborating with Mark and his team as they learn more about our club and we gain insights from their relevant expertise.”

Harrogate running retailer to help donate socks to homelessness charity

A Harrogate running retailer has teamed up with a sock brand to donate socks to a homelessness charity

Up & Running, which is based on Station Parade, has partnered with Balega as part of the initiative.

Throughout September, for every pair of socks sold by the retailer, Balega will donate a pair to the Harrogate Homeless Project.

Talking about the campaign, co-managing director for Up & Running, George Cunningham said:

 “We are happy to once again be supporting local homeless shelters and projects, and are grateful to customers, staff and Balega for the contributions to the sock donation. 

“The issue of homelessness is heart-breaking and serious, and affects all communities. We hope that the sock donation will help in a small way to bring some comfort and dignity to those in need.”

Thomas Richards, from Harrogate Homeless Project, said:

“Good quality socks make a real difference to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable people within our community. Thank you.”

Read More: 

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate private hospital joins forces with Mumsnet
• Business Breakfast: Knaresborough firms to be quizzed on energy bills

The government is set to award North Yorkshire County Council £336,000 for bus services just five months after rejecting a multi-million pound funding bid.

Ministers wrote to council officers to offer a grant to cover the costs of staffing in its enhanced partnership team, which helps to draw up funding bids and work with bus operators to improve services.

The move comes after the Department for Transport rejected a £116 million funding bid as part of the authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan for the county.

In a letter to council officials, the government said the grant would help it continue to work with bus companies.

It said:

“We understand that this funding does not replace BSIP funding to spend on transforming your bus services.

“But we do hope it will help to support your ongoing work with operator partners, especially working through an enhance partnership or franchising arrangement, to deliver better bus services (whether they are commercial or tendered) and enable you to use local bus funding to best effect and attract future bus funding as it becomes available.”

Failed funding bid

The move comes after the county council failed in a bid for bus improvement funding back in April.

Ministers rejected a £116 million bid from the authority which would have funded new bus lanes, more affordable fares, real-time passenger information and a simpler ticketing system for services across North Yorkshire.

The government said it refused the scheme because it “lacked ambition”.

Read more:

• Harrogate park and ride ‘still possible’ despite £116m funding failure
• Harrogate park and ride plans could finally be revealed next year

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport at the council, warned in July that bus services were “facing a potential cliff edge” due to loss of government subsidies.

Despite the failed bid, Cllr Duncan said previously that the council would continue with some of its plans for transport – such as a park and ride in the district.

He said:

“While we suffered a setback with our Bus Service Improvement Plan bid to the Department for Transport being unsuccessful, we are working to identify potential sites along the A61 corridor and elsewhere in town.

“This will build on the work we’ve already undertaken as part of the Harrogate Transport Improvements Programme study that was completed in 2021.”

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire County Council to ask whether it felt the latest bus grant was sufficient, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Harrogate’s The Secret Bakery has expanded and launched a second branch in Knaresborough.

The shop and cafe, in Market Place, sells baked goods, including artisan bread, cakes and sandwiches, which are all made at the Knaresborough Road site.

The new outlet, which also serves drinks, including coffee, is being run by the bakery’s co-owner Jane Spencer, a former teacher from Keighley.

She said:

“This shop used to be The Reading Room and we used to deliver bread here from our shop in Harrogate. When they decided to close, we thought it was a great opportunity for us to open in Knaresborough

“A lot of our Harrogate customers come from Knaresborough, so it’s nice that we can be here.

“I would say our most popular product is our bread, particularly our sourdough. People come from all over to buy it. Our cakes and scones are also really popular.”

Jane Spencer (right), co-owner of The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough and Aime McNaught in the new shop and cafe.

Opening hours are currently under review, but the aim is to eventually open seven days a week, from 8am until around 4pm and from 10am on a Sunday.

Read more:

• Hidden gem: Harrogate traditional bakery on the rise
• Red telephone box in Knaresborough transformed into tourist information hub

Mrs Spencer and her husband James bought The Secret Bakery in November 2020.

The business is continuing to grow, with work starting next week to develop the Harrogate site.

Mrs Spencer said:

“It will give us some more space in the back to make all the bread and cakes and everything.

“We are also going to be opening later from Thursday through to Sunday and offering things like bread and dips. We will also be serving alcohol.”

The cafe area at The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough.

Businesses in the Harrogate district will breathe “a temporary sigh of relief” after the government announced a cap on energy bills, a local business group has said.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the intervention by ministers to tackle the sky high cost of gas and electricity was welcome.

The scheme will see the government fix wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses for six months from October 1.

It means bills are expected to be cut for firms by half their predicted level this winter.

Mr Simister said he hoped the move would prevent businesses from closing down.

He said:

“Today’s announcement by the government is extremely welcome, and there will be many businesses breathing a temporary sigh of relief.

“Over the last few weeks we have seen businesses pull the shutters down because of rising energy costs, and I hope today’s intervention will prevent many more from doing likewise.

“At the end of the week, the Chancellor will be unveiling a mini budget which I am hopeful will further take into account the needs of businesses.

“However, one thing we do have to bear in mind is that this money is being borrowed and therefore will have to be paid back at a later date.”

Rising energy bills has already forced some businesses in the district to close. 

They included Ainsty Farm Shop, which closed last weekend after its owners were told their annual energy bill was set to jump from £20,000 to £90,000 a year.

Read more:

• Harrogate council could dip into reserves to cover soaring energy costs

• Help for Ripon residents confused about energy rebates

Meanwhile, ministers announced that the cut in energy bills would also apply to hospitals, charities and schools.

A spokesperson for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said:

“As with every other area of society, hospitals are not immune to rising energy costs, and as part of our annual budget planning we do our utmost to take into consideration any potential rises.

“Additional support provided by government during the current energy crisis will help alleviate some pressures that we face so that we can continue to provide the best possible health care for our community.

“We cannot simply rely on cost capping energy bills and our trust is committed to reducing costs, becoming more energy efficient and lessening our environmental impact by becoming a greener, more environmentally friendly organisation.

“A number of major projects have been undertaken as part of our £14 million Salix investment. This work includes insulating our roofing and replacing glazing across the Harrogate District Hospital site to help reduce our energy consumption.”

Kwasi Kwarteng, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“We have stepped in to stop businesses collapsing, protect jobs, and limit inflation.

“And with our plans to boost home-grown energy supply, we will bring security to the sector, growth to the economy and secure a better deal for consumers.”

Harrogate and District Green Party is set to name Paul Ko Ferrigno as its prospective parliamentary candidate for the next general election.

Mr Ko Ferrigno was one of two people nominated but the other contender, Arnold Warneken, withdrew.

The party is holding an election hustings event tonight when Mr Ko Ferrigno will outline his vision.

Members will have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to ratify his selection as PPC.

Tonight’s hustings, which is open to everyone, will take place at the Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade at 7.30pm.

The Friends Meeting House

It is hoped the process to select a candidate will be finalised before the Green Party autumn conference begins in Harrogate on September 30.

Mr Ko Ferrigno, 59, a scientist, told the Stray Ferret he had been a “passive supporter of the Green Party” for many years and a party member for two years.

Born in London, he lived in France for a decade from the age of 10 and has lived in Harrogate since 2007.

Mr Ko Ferrigno is a football referee, and has widespread volunteering experience as a coach for Pannal Ash Junior Football Club, a welfare officer on Harrogate and District Junior Football League and a governor at Oatlands Junior School in Harrogate.

Read more:

• Harrogate to host Green Party conference this month
• Green Party stands down in Knaresborough by-election to support Lib Dems

He said he wanted to see more taxis and fewer cars and greater support for cycling, including measures to encourage cycling couriers to replace vans. He said:

“Harrogate is seen as being the Bettys of the country. Let’s live up to that reputation by doing everything well.”

The Green Party did not field a candidate in Harrogate and Knaresborough in the 2019 general election, when Conservative Andrew Jones retained the seat with 53% of the vote.

Asked whether the Greens would consider stepping aside as part of a pact with other parties, Mr Ko Ferrigno said “it’s a conversation to be had” but added:

“I’m not one of those who think we need to get the Conservatives out at all costs. We need to elect the right candidate

“Having a Green in any conversation makes a difference. Recycling started as a Green Party conversation.

“What we will do by standing is shift the conversation. Even if I don’t get elected — and I hope I will — we will move the conversation.”

A hoard of medieval treasure found in a field of stubble near Harrogate is set to be auctioned.

Coins and a ring believed to date back to the 1470s were found by metal detecting enthusiast Jeff Warden, 65, and his sons Michael, 41, and 42-year-old Nick.

The family discovered the treasure in July 2020 during the first covid lockdown.

The discovery included a silver hammered penny, a silver groat or fourpence of Edward IV minted in Norwich and a gold ring, engraved with images of the Holy Trinity.

Nigel Mills, consultant at Noonans auctioneers, said the hoard dates to the War of the Roses and was likely to belong to a soldier from that time.

He said:

“The hoard dates to the late 1470s and was deposited during the Wars of the Roses, a conflict fought between the Lancastrians and the Yorkists lasting for 30 years from 1455 to 1487.”

 

“The hoard is very unusual, comprising 21 coins with a face value of two shillings and threepence together with the gold ring. It is likely that the hoard represents a soldier’s valuables who died in the Wars of the Roses.”

Read More: 

• History of Ripon Spa Baths captured as venue prepares for new lease of life
• Trees to be felled at Ripon nature reserve
• New heritage map reveals Boroughbridge’s rich history

The ring sold for £6,500 earlier this month, but the coins are set to be auctioned by Noonans on September 28.

The coins have a guide price of £260 to £340.

Proceeds from the sale will be split equally between the landowner and Warden family.

This article is sponsored by Jules B.

Stepping through the doors of Jules B means opening up a world of potential for your wardrobe.

The small yet sought-after brand is opening a brand new luxury designer store in the heart of Harrogate tomorrow.

It is just the fifth bricks-and-mortar shop for the brand, and only its third location: both Jesmond and Kendal have two branches, each dedicated to menswear and womenswear.

Step into Jules B.

On Harrogate’s Cambridge Crescent, the focus will be womenswear, bringing together everything from the latest up-and-coming names to internationally renowned brands including Vivienne Westwood.

The beauty of Jules B is that it retains the feel of an independent boutique, and is still run by its founders, Julian and Rhona Blades.

Their influence in the business is as strong as ever, ensuring the best garments and accessories are sourced and brought together in a comprehensive collection that’s just right for Harrogate shoppers.

The store with a boutique feel.

Julian said:

“Each of our destination stores is located in a beautiful area that’s been carefully selected to fit the Jules B brand, and Harrogate is no different.

“The location of the new store is just right for us: in a beautiful historic building, close to the iconic Bettys and on the doorstep of the stunning Stray.

“We’re enjoying transforming the two floors into the perfect retail space for our customers and can’t wait to welcome them inside for the first time.”

Having founded the business in 1984, the couple have kept to their vision of a new, intelligent approach to womenswear.

Their original boutique in the trendy Newcastle suburb of Jesmond still stands, and though physical expansion into new premises has been deliberately low, the brand now sells extensively online.

The store stocks big and up and coming brands.

Its website has been running since 2008 – but Harrogate residents and visitors are fortunate now to have the opportunity to enjoy the real-life experience of a Jules B visit.

Step through the doorway into a luxuriously stylish and calm environment, a world away from the rush outside. Take advantage of the personal shopping experience to guide you through the latest trends and find the right styles for you.

Harrogate store launch

At the launch event on September 22, visitors will be greeted with a glass of bubbly to make it a retail experience to remember. Designer raffle prizes, gifts with purchases and more will be on offer to tempt you.

Enjoy the special launch event on September 22.

Rhona added:

“Our Harrogate store will have an exclusive range of more than 45 niche and big-name designer brands is available to choose from — the likes of Oska, Holland Cooper, NU London, Rag and Bone, and Barbour International.

“Customers can expect to discover everyday staples like denim and knitwear alongside elegant evening dresses, luxury bags and everything in between.

“We’re proud to stock a wide range of products that you won’t find anywhere else. Our exclusive selection blends on-trend styles and truly timeless pieces, and there’s always something new and exciting to discover.”