It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Ripon nail salon has won best salon in Yorkshire at the Hair and Beauty Awards UK.

LoveUrban Nail Design, which was founded by Samantha Lund, picked up the award for “Best Nail Salon” in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Ms Lund, who started her business during the covid lockdown after training to become a nail technician eight years ago, said she was “incredibly proud” to win the prize.

She said:

“I am incredibly proud of my accomplishments and so grateful to my family and clients for their unwavering support over the years, and so thankful to The UK Hair and Beauty Awards for voting me and my salon as the Best in Yorkshire and Humber.

“I love my career and all the challenges it gives me.”

Harrogate BID commissions street entertainers

Harrogate Business Improvement District has commissioned a series of street performances to take place in Harrogate town centre.

The street shows run until Christmas and will take place in areas across the town.

Harrogate street performance artists return to the town centre.

It will include performers such as Val & Halla, PC Gone Mad, Maniax, Edmund & Hillary and the Dub Step Elves.

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID, said: 

“Our street performers have a great reputation for developing engaging and visual street theatre performances and shows.

“When we have arranged this type of entertainment previously, everyone has enjoyed the comical and family-friendly nature of these lively performances.

“We are delighted to bring the entertainment back to the town centre through a series of new shows.

“We have already received lots of positive feedback on the artist performances from residents, and we are sure that they will bring plenty more smiles.”

Read more:

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A developer has lodged fresh plans to convert Simpson House in Harrogate into flats.

Bramhope Property and Investments Limited has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to convert the the former office block off Clarence Drive into 12 flats.

Documents submitted to the council detail plans to create 12 two-bedroom apartments.

It would see the ground, first and second floors converted.

The move comes after two previous proposals to change the use of the office block to residential were refused in 2022.

Meanwhile, another application by Artium Group was withdrawn in July 2022 amid concern from Harrogate Borough Council officers over the impact on neighbouring trees.

However, in the latest proposal, developers have said the building is already surrounded by residential properties.

It said:

“The ground and first floors of the building have been vacant for several years and the second floor of the building has recently become vacant. 

“The building is surrounded by existing residential properties which are previously converted office buildings surrounded by mature trees.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Read more:

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• Developer withdraws Harrogate office block flats plan

Police in Harrogate are appealing for witnesses and information after a cat was shot dead.

North Yorkshire Police said today the shooting happened in the Newby Crescent area of Jennyfields at around 9.05pm on Friday last week.

The force said in a statement:

“Timmy the cat was found dead by a neighbour. It is believed he had been shot with an air rifle or pellet gun.

“Understandably, Timmy’s family have been left deeply distressed following the incident.

“We’re appealing for information about anyone living locally who owns an air rifle or pellet gun, or anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident.”

To help the investigation, email Jacob.higgins@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Jacob Higgins.

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

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230080606 when providing details.

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A memorial service is to be held in Starbeck for a pianist who often played for free in local schools and care homes.

Stuart Forster was a talented keyboard player who was also an organist at St Andrew’s Church. He died at his home in Starbeck on May 1, aged 76.

Born in York, he had a varied career in a wide range of professions.

Mr Forster was a talented keyboard player

Elena Leeming, a friend of Mr Forster, said:

“While it is sad news for the community here in Starbeck, there is a memorial service for those who knew him at St Andrew’s Church on May 18 at 11am.

“Stuart brought joy to the whole community by playing at the local school, church and care homes. He will be greatly missed.”

Ms Leeming added Mr Forster’s sister and son planned to travel for the service and everyone was welcome.

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North Yorkshire Council’s decision-making executive could hold some meetings at Harrogate’s Civic Centre instead of Northallerton, according to the council leader.

The new council formed on April 1 and replaced the seven abolished district councils as well as North Yorkshire County Council.

Geographically, it’s England’s largest council area and spans over 3,000 square miles.

But its size has led to criticism that decisions will be made far away from Harrogate residents as the vast majority of meetings take place at County Hall in Northallerton.

Like Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council before it, North Yorkshire Council has an executive or cabinet system of local government.

In this system, the council leader appoints and chairs the executive, which in North Yorkshire includes 10 councillors that meet a couple of times a month.

Each executive member has a specific area of responsibility – for example children and young people, highways or finance –  and they collectively make the most important decisions affecting residents.

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For example, the executive will meet on May 30 in Northallerton to decide whether to put forward a full business case for the £11.2m Station Gateway scheme.

Ahead of a full meeting of the council next week, Conservative council leader Carl Les has published a statement that says he wants to hold some executive meetings at locations across North Yorkshire.

He said dates are being sought and venues must have public and disabled access as well as have live-streaming facilities, which would open up the option of using Harrogate’s £12m Civic Centre that only opened in 2017.

The new council could also choose to hold executive meetings at other former council offices it now owns in places like Scarborough or Skipton.

No changes in the executive

Cllr Les’s statement said that his executive will remain the same.

Below is a list of the ten Conservative councillors on the executive and what they are responsible for:

• Councillor Carl Les – leader of the council, also responsible for communications, safer communities and emergency planning.
• Councillor Gareth Dadd – deputy leader, executive member for finance, assets and resources, and special projects.
• Councillor Derek Bastiman – executive member for open to business, including economic development, regulatory services, the management of waste disposal and the integration of waste collection. Responsibility for building relationships with businesses and with the LEP’s infrastructure board.
• Councillor David Chance – executive member for corporate services, including legal and democratic services, overview and scrutiny committees, partnerships, performance management, customer contact, locality budgets, refugee and evacuee reception and support, NYLAF and household support fund, member support, IT, complaints and compliments, customer services including the council contact centre.
• Councillor Keane Duncan – executive member for highways and transportation, both road and rail, plus bus services and engagement with Transport for the North.
• Councillor Michael Harrison – executive member for health and adult services, including health and wellbeing board, health integration, extra care.
• Councillor Simon Myers – executive member for planning for growth, the Council’s present responsibility and preparing for the new unitary authority, as well as culture, leisure, sport and housing responsibilities.
• Councillor Janet Sanderson – executive member for children and young people’s services with responsibility for fostering and adoption, children’s social care, safeguarding and prevention.
• Councillor Greg White – executive member for working in localities, including stronger communities, area constituency committees, broadband and mobile telephony and to act as the council’s digital champion, working with parish and town councils, libraries, and other face to face contact points (registrars, coroners and records), and the council’s response to climate change.
• Councillor Annabel Wilkinson – executive member for education, learning and skills, including early years, schools, apprenticeships, FE colleges, UTCs and engagement with the skills part of the LEP.

Thirty members of Crossfit Harrogate will take on the national three peaks challenge this weekend to raise money for four charities.

The super-fit bunch will attempt to scale the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales — Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon — in 24 hours.

It involves walking 23 miles and climbing more than 3,000 metres, which is twice the ascent of the Yorkshire three peaks. Participants also have to drive 460 miles.

The challenge will raise money and awareness for Harrogate Homeless Project, Saint Michael’s Hospice, Williams Syndrome Association and Artizan International.

Beth Crewe, who is among those taking part, said:

“The gym is raising funds for four charities, three of which are local, which all have special places in the hearts of the members.

“We decided to take on this challenge to not only push ourselves physically and mentally but to help make a difference to those in need of support from these amazing charities at this difficult time.”

More than £4,600 has already been pledged towards the £5,000 target. You can donate here.

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North Yorkshire Council has been in early discussions with a contractor over the £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

Richard Binks, head of major projects at the authority, revealed the council had held initial talks, known as “early contractor involvement”, with national highways firm Galliford Try.

Mr Binks said the company, which employs 3,700 staff, had been consulted on potential construction costs ahead of work starting on the scheme.

The project was backed by the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, which advises North Yorkshire Council, by 10 votes to three at a meeting on Friday.

It paves the way for the council’s ruling Conservative executive to give the project the go-ahead on May 30.

Mr Binks told the area constituency committee:

“We are working with a tier one contractor called Galliford Try.

“We are getting monthly market valuations on potential construction cost coming forward before the final tendered price.”

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council to ask about the nature of the discussions with the company and whether Galliford Try is the preferred contractor for the scheme.

Read more:

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The move comes as the company has also been appointed to similar projects, funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, in Stoke-on-Trent and Sheffield.

Galliford Try also took over the construction of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass scheme in 2018 from Carillion, which collapsed.

The appointment led to the project running over Lincolnshire County Council’s budget by £24 million.

‘Piecemeal vanity project’

The scheme will see Station Parade reduced to one lane of traffic so a bus lane and cycle route can be built and James Street partly pedestrianised.

Cllr Pat Marsh, who was one of the three councillors to oppose the project last week, described it as a “piecemeal vanity project”.

Cllr Marsh — who is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dems — said the scheme had been characterised by poor consultation and lack of any business impact assessment.

But Mr Binks and fellow council officers said it would rejuvenate the area around Harrogate’s train and bus stations and boost the local economy.

Senior North Yorkshire councillors are expected to ratify the gateway plan on May 30.

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Ripon auctioneers has announced a new name and sales structure.

Elstob & Elstob, based on Charter Road, has re-branded as Elstob Auctioneers following a change in direction that positions David Elstob as the sole director of the company.

The company has also revealed a new logo and signage to mark the change.

Meanwhile, it has also restructured its auction calendar which will see it host a four-weekly Fine Art and Antiques Sale. 

The first sale in the new schedule will take place over three days from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 May, starting each day at 9.30am. 

David Elstob, director at Elstob Auctioneers, said:

“We like to have a close dialogue with our customers and always listen carefully to any feedback they might have.

“A common theme from buyers was that they would prefer to have sales containing a mixture of items which makes browsing though the catalogues more engaging with a greater opportunity of spotting pieces of interest.

“Moving our sales to the end of the week and including a Saturday will also enable more people to take part and the regularity of a monthly auction will mean that people can anticipate the timing of the sales.”

For more information on the auction house, visit the Elstob Auctioneers website here.

Pictured above: Left to Right: David Elstob (Director); Melanie Saleem (Jewellery Specialist and General Valuer); Camilla Rawlinson (Saleroom Manager); Nigel Whitfield (Photographer); Henrietta Graham (Consultant); and Rohan McCulloch (Paintings and Sculpture Specialist).

Harrogate accountancy firm staff to take on three peaks challenge

Staff at a Harrogate accountancy firm are set to tackle the three peaks to raise money for charity.

A dozen employees at Saffery Champness will tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks on June 17.

The team at Saffery Champness which are taking on the three peaks.

The firm is taking on the challenge to raise money for Marie Curie, a charity which has had a personal impact on some of those taking part.

Kathryn Belton, senior manager at Saffery Champness, said:

“We plan team building and social events throughout the year, but there was a real consensus that this challenge should be about more than just having a good time together.

“Some of those involved have experienced the fantastic work of Marie Curie and so we are really hoping to smash our target of £2,200 for this great cause.”

To donate to Saffery Champness’ fundraising challenge, visit the donation page here.

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The politician in charge of highways at North Yorkshire Council has welcomed the decision by councillors to back the £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway proposals.

The perceived rights and wrongs of one of Harrogate’s most controversial transport schemes in decades were discussed at a special three-hour meeting of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on Friday.

Three Liberal Democrat councillors issued strong objections to the project, including Knaresborough West councillor, Matt Walker, who called it an “£11-million-pound vanity project”.

Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone councillor, Pat Marsh, said it was the “wrong scheme” for Harrogate.

However, Conservative councillor for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said the scheme will benefit businesses and encourage active travel and Conservative councillor for Oatlands and Pannal, John Mann, said the changes will rejuvenate the “run-down and dated” area around the train station.

Ultimately, 10 councillors — five Liberal Democrats and five Conservatives — agreed to support the scheme with conditions. Three voted against.

‘Transformative impact’

Cllr Keane Duncan, who has had responsibility for transport on the Conservative council’s executive since Don Mackenzie retired last year, said he was pleased that councillors from opposition parties came together to back the project.

Cllr Duncan said:

“I welcome the positive, cross-party support expressed for the gateway project. The majority of councillors recognised the importance of securing this £11m investment and the transformative impact the project could have for Harrogate.

“Their support gives the executive the ability to proceed to the next stage. Input and oversight provided by local councillors will be incredibly valuable, now and into the future.”

Friday’s successful motion to support the Station Gateway was put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor for Coppice Valley and Duchy, Peter Lacey, and it came with three conditions.

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These were that the “genuine concerns” of residents and groups are listened to, local councillors have a “meaningful role” in the implementation of the scheme and that a “rigorous monitoring system” to examine its potential impact on traffic, environment and business is put in place.

The motion will be presented to the council’s executive at a meeting on May 30 when senior councillors will decide whether to submit a full business case for the project.

If approved, construction could begin by the end of this year.

Last Friday’s area constituency committee meeting was unusual in that it focused on just one topic.

And despite being an advisory body, there were more eyes on it than normal meetings because the council promised to abide by whatever decision councillors took.

North Yorkshire Council has pledged to give area constituency committees more of a say in decision-making going forward. It could mean more meetings take place place around hot-button issues in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Reflecting on Friday’s meeting, Cllr Duncan added:

“With localism at the heart of the new North Yorkshire Council, it was right for the executive to seek the views of local councillors, elected by and accountable to the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

Fashion retailer Joules is to close its Harrogate shop.

The company has put a notice in the window of its store on James Street announcing its closure on Saturday, May 20.

The large Harrogate shop, which is believed to employ about 10 staff, is currently selling many items at half price.

The notice does not give a reason for the decision but says:

“We’d like to thank you lovely lot for supporting us over the years.”

It adds the nearest Joules store will be in Ilkley.

The notice in the window

Joules’ closure is the second blow for James Street in just over a month. Cards, gifts and stationery company Paperchase closed its shop at the end of March.

Joules was founded in 1989 when Tom Joule began selling clothing on a stall at a country show in Leicestershire. It now sells menswear, womenswear, kidswear and accessories across UK and Ireland.

In 2016, Joules was floated on the stock market for £140m. But in November last year it fell into administration until Next rescued it by paying £34 million for the business, plus £7 million for the head office site.

The Stray Ferret has attempted to contact Joules for further information about the Harrogate shop.

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