Harrogate Borough Council has revealed a “huge” increase in demand for its homeless services due to the cost of living crisis which is only set to get worse as inflation rises.

A 60% jump in people seeking help has been reported by the council which also said it is struggling to recruit staff in line with national shortages.

It added cases which its staff deal with are “more complex than normal” and that finding suitable accommodation for those facing homelessness “isn’t always easy due to complicating factors like mental health or debts”.

A council report said:

“Following a huge increase in the number of families approaching the service, the homelessness indicators performance have worsened.

“Our homelessness performance indicators, though off target, unfortunately reflect broader national trends around homelessness.

“Housing teams across the country have been dealing with higher case loads.

“In Harrogate, cases are about 60% higher than previous years.”

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The increase comes amid big rises in the cost of living with soaring prices, especially energy, putting a squeeze on people’s finances.

Energy bills are expected to rise even further later this year when a typical household will be spending almost £300 a month. That is according to the Bank of England which also predicts the UK economy will fall into a recession, with inflation climbing as high as 13%.

Harrogate Borough Council itself has not been immune to the price rises and is forecasting a £701,000 overspend on this year’s budget.

This time last year, the forecast was an underspend of £32,000 for 2022/23.

The latest outlook is largely due to soaring energy bills, with the council expecting to spend around an extra £1 million on gas and £750,000 on electricity this year.

A report said: 

“The council’s latest financial position shows that we are forecasting an overspend of £701,000.

“It is, however, early in the year and there will inevitably be other variations during the course of the year.

“We have yet to receive any actual bills for this year and the national position with regard to future price increases remains highly volatile.”

An online event on Harrogate’s Station Gateway project will be held today after officials signalled their determination to push ahead with the scheme despite a legal threat.

It will be held at 6pm after drop-in sessions took place at the Victoria Shopping Centre last week.

The events are part of a third consultation on the £10.9 million project which aims to make the town centre more accessible with cycle lanes and pedestrianisation.

However, the plans have failed to win over the support of some residents and businesses who are worried the changes could cause more congestion and drive shoppers away.

These concerns came to a head when one of Harrogate’s leading property companies made a proposed claim for a judicial review against North Yorkshire County Council which is leading on the project and delayed the submission of a final business case to secure funding.

Hornbeam Park Developments claims a previous consultation was “unlawful” and that the county council “failed conscientiously” to take into account the feedback.

Yet the authority said it “does not accept” the claims and now aims to submit the final business case at the beginning of next year.

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Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways, said the county council wanted to “crack on” with next stages of the project as he also urged people to share their views on the latest designs.

He said: 

“The county council is keen to hear views on ambitious plans to help make Harrogate town centre more accessible to residents and visitors.

“As part of the latest consultation we will be sharing updated designs and seeking views on key elements of the Gateway project, particularly around traffic and transport.

“Your responses will be vital to ensuring we deliver the very best scheme for residents and businesses.”

An online survey is also being run as part of the latest consultation which will close on 23 August.

The county council has stressed that the survey is not revisiting the principle of key parts of the project – including reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic and a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street – but instead is gathering views on final designs and traffic impacts.

After the consultation ends, the authority aims to start construction early next year with completion in winter 2023/24.

There are, however, questions over how possible court proceedings could impact deadlines for the project which is being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

A Department for Transport spokesman said it expects the project to be delivered by an already extended deadline of March 2024 and that where there are any further delays, deadlines will be “reassessed by a panel on a case-by-case basis”.

But when asked what a possible judicial review could mean for the scheme, the spokesman added “we can’t comment on the specific funding arrangements… as this information is commercially sensitive”.

Also included in the Gateway plans are upgrades for Station Square and the One Arch underpass, as well the Odeon cinema roundabout and several other streets in the area.

More details of the proposals are available online where you can also have your say and find out more about today’s online event.

Go to www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/harrogate.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A Harrogate man has launched a new app in Leeds which aims to reduce health inequalities.

The Caterpillar app aims to encourage people to take small steps to improve their’ lifestyles, such as increasing daily steps or making healthy changes to dietary habits.

The app was founded by Paul Baverstock, who lives in Harrogate, and has been hailed by Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan as a “gamechanger”.

It is also backed by two-time Olympic gold medallist and public health advocate, Alistair Brownlee.

Mr Baverstock said:

“We’re using Nobel Prize-winning behavioural science techniques to help people create healthy habits that stick. 

“This isn’t for those who set extreme fitness challenges or track every calorie, it’s for those who might struggle to engage with and make small and important changes in their lives.”

Caterpillar connects to health apps, such as Google Fit and Apple Health, and sets personalised physical activity goals. 

It uses the latest expert information to help people make choices about their dietary habits.

Caterpillar is based at Leeds University and was incubated by the Leeds City Council’s BUILD programme in 2021.

Business groups hold first social

Business members at Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate BID social.

Harrogate businesses leaders met up for the first Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate BID summer drinks event on Monday night.

Representatives from firms from across the district attended 63rd+1st cocktail bar on Albert Street for the get-together.

It gave business leaders the chance to network with other members.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss breezed into Harrogate today as part of her campaign to be the next Prime Minister.

Local Conservative Party members paid £10 to take part in an Ask Liz event at a private house on the Duchy estate. Attendees didn’t receive the address until this morning.

Those who arrived early made the most of the sunshine by sitting on a wall in front of the property, many dressed in their finest attire.

One woman said Ms Truss had “come across very well” at a recent hustings in Leeds, another said she was there to “see what she’s got to say”.

And there were mutterings that there was no support from MPs in the district, including Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon MP  Julian Smith. Both are backing rival leadership candidate Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Instead Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, hosted Ms Truss’s visit. He could be seen with other prominent members of the party waiting at the large black metal gates to greet Ms Truss.

Graham Swift thanks people for attending.

Harrogate Borough Council deputy leader Graham Swift, who the house is believed to belong to, was also spotted at the event.

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Stickers and signs emblazoned with the words ‘In Liz we Truss’ and ‘Liz for Leader’ were given out to visitors, as they were directed to a garden at the back of the house.

The press weren’t invited to attend, however the Stray Ferret captured a video of Ms Truss arriving in a black Range Rover, before she was whisked into the property by security, which included the Metropolitan Police.

Although the event was billed for 90 minutes, Ms Truss left after about 30 minutes and then made a fleeting visit to Harrogate town centre.

Liz Truss leaving the venue with her security entourage.

After a walk up Montpellier Parade, she was shown the sights of the Stray and the town’s war memorial, which was surrounded by people enjoying the 25 degree heat.

From there, the leadership hopeful headed into Bettys Tea Rooms armed with her entourage, before swiftly leaving to head down Parliament Street.

Passing the queue at Bettys. Pic: The Stray Ferret

With that she was gone on to the next leg of her campaign to defeat Sunak when party members vote to choose the next leader.

The result of the race to replace Boris Johnson will be announced on September 5.

Police have identified a man they issued an appeal to find following alleged voyeurism in Harrogate town centre.

The alleged incident happened inside a shop on Cambridge Street on July 15.

North Yorkshire Police issued a CCTV image on August 9 of a man officers wanted to speak to in connection with the investigation.

But on August 18 the force said:

“Following our CCTV appeal in relation to an alleged incident of voyeurism in Harrogate on the 15 July 2022, the man we wanted to speak to has now been identified and is helping officers with their enquiries.”

We have consequently amended this article and removed the CCTV image.

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A Ukrainian entrepreneur has moved to Harrogate and launched a vodka and sunflower oil import business.

Fedir Haidai undertook a 14-day journey across Europe with his wife Katya and three-year-old son Misha after finding a sponsor family in Harrogate through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

He said:

“I was on a business trip to Kherson in February when we heard that Russia was assembling soldiers, tanks and military equipment around 100km away. I spoke to my wife in Kyiv and said we must go now.

“She left work, picked up our son from nursery and a few belongings from home. We crossed into Moldova where we were able to stay with friends. A few hours later we watched on TV as the invasion started.

“My parents are still in Ukraine and I am afraid for them.”

Mr Haidai was forced to abandon two businesses that employed 30 people in Kyiv.

His outdoor paving tile manufacturing company was destroyed by Russian attacks. A second company that imports central heating pipes became unsustainable because his main supplier was based in Russian ally Belarus.

He has now joined the North Yorkshire branch of the Institute of Directors to forge new connections and support as he restarts his business journey.

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Three months after arriving in the UK, he has three new ventures.

Sunflower Ltd – named after the Ukrainian national flower – will import Ukrainian sunflower oil, which Mr Haidai will market under the Holla Oils brand.

He is also to import Hetman-branded vodka. Lviv-based Hetman is one of the largest producers of alcoholic drinks in Ukraine, with a history dating back to 1782.

He plans to sell the products through online, physical retail and the hospitality trade.

A third business will help to relocate IT experts from Ukraine to safe European locations.

Mr Haidai said:

“The main thing is that we are safe but we don’t have any savings so I need to set up in business here.

“I know how to organise a company and build relationships with suppliers and clients. My idea is to import products from the west of Ukraine, where it is safer. There is a need for sunflower oil here and significant demand for Ukranian vodka.”

Harrogate ‘like a Harry Potter film’

Mr Haidai has faced challenges in setting up his business – not least finding a bank prepared to open a business account for him – but doors are now beginning to open.

“I need a lot of money to import vodka due to alcohol duty but I have found some people who want to help me,” he said.

“I am surprised and happy that so many local people want to help us in different ways. People are so open and friendly. We have been introduced to so many new people.”

Mr Haidai has been joined in Harrogate by his sister and 17-year-old niece, who have also found a sponsor home in the town. He said:

“My first impression of Harrogate was it looked like a Harry Potter film, with all the old buildings.”

A developer has submitted plans to convert the upper floors of a Harrogate town centre building into an aparthotel.

Leeds-based Countrylarge has tabled the plans to create the 17-bedroom scheme on the floors above a new Oliver Bonas store on James Street.

The site was previously occupied by Harrogate Discount Store, which closed in January.

London-based operator, Beyond, has been brought in to run to the aparthotel, if plans are approved.

Antony Rosindale from Countrylarge, which owns the unit, said:

“This planning application will complete the transformation of the building and bring economic benefits to the town centre.

“It is a great way to fully utilise the whole building and we are very excited to have Beyond operating it for us.

“Our aim is to get started as soon as we can, and we already have a contractor lined up to complete the conversion.”

James Fry, founder of Beyond added: 

“Harrogate is a fantastic place and we are thrilled at bringing our sustainable, carbon neutral operating model to the town.

“This building is ideally placed so people can enjoy everything that Harrogate has to offer.”

The conversion the upper floors into the aparthotel will start as soon as possible, if planning permission is granted.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Plans have been approved to convert part of the former 53 Bo Grove antiques boutique and cafe into two flats.

The bohemian business on Grove Road in Harrogate closed in December 2021 after more than two years of business.

It became a hub for residents during the early coronavirus lockdowns by remaining open to sell food at a time when many supermarkets were struggling for stock.

Now, a plan to convert part of the building into two flats has been given the go-ahead.

The proposal has been lodged by Architecture One Eight Ltd on behalf of David Birtles.

A planning statement tabled to Harrogate Borough Council from the developers said the proposal would help to bring the building back into use.

It said:

“The existing buildings have fallen into disrepair and are having a negative impact on the adjacent conservation area.”

A separate proposal to convert another part of the building into three flats was refused over concerns that the scheme “would not provide adequate natural light” into rooms in the flats.

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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

A long-serving employee has been appointed to the board of directors of a Harrogate firm.

Phil Robinson has become the application and training director at Belzona, a designer and manufacturer of polymer repair and protection systems.

Mr Robinson, pictured, joined the firm as a trainee project manager in 2007 and will now be responsible for identifying opportunities to expand Belzona’s work in engineering industries including wind power, hydro power and waste-to-energy.

He said:

“Belzona is a fantastic place to work; it has provided me with an incredible number of opportunities over the years and I’m delighted to be occupying this new role.

“Belzona is incredibly well placed to help resolve so many of the issues faced in industry worldwide and I”m looking forward to doing my part in ensuring that potential is realised.”

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Pitches bring pet and prisoner experience client wins to Harrogate agency

A digital marketing firm in Harrogate is celebrating two new client wins after competitive pitches.

Extreme will deliver paid and organic social media for Alcotraz, described as a “prison-style cocktail experience” which sees guests smuggling “moonshine” past guards.

Meanwhile, the team has also been commissioned to rebrand the pet arm of P Dot Wolf and deliver a new website.

The company, based in Harrogate’s Windsor House on Cornwall Road, was established 20 years ago and already works with a number of national and international B2B and B2C brands.

James Brunyard, client services director at Extreme, said:

“These wins are a great representation of the diverse work we do at Extreme. We’re really excited to help both businesses meet their varied aims with our social media and brand expertise and early results for Alcotraz show we’re able to do that.”

Two girls aged 13 and 14 have admitted setting commercial bins on fire in Harrogate town centre.

The girls, who are both from Harrogate, cannot be named for legal reasons.

They pleaded guilty to arson on a Biffa bin worth £600 belonging to Primark on Oxford Place on May 23.

They also admitted the same charge relating to a bin worth £600 belonging to Harrogate Borough Council on May 26.

The 13-year-old is the same girl who admitted in June being drunk in Ripon and attacking three police officers.

They appeared before North Yorkshire Youth Court in Harrogate on Friday, where they were referred to a youth offender panel for 12 months.

They were also ordered to pay £50 compensation.

The older girl also pleaded guilty to separate charges of causing actual bodily harm on June 19 and assaulting a police officer three days later.

She was ordered to pay £200 compensation plus £85 court costs and a £26 surcharge to fund victim services.

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