The founder of a bridal company said the opening of a shop in Harrogate will honour a family link to the town dating back many years.
Joanne Wilson founded Elite Bridal almost 20 years ago in Hull, before expanding to Brighouse, Hessle and Castleford.
As the company grew, it became a family enterprise: husband Richard, daughter Holly-Ann, and sons Joshua and Ben all have roles in its boutiques, outlets and international wholesale trade.
Putting the finishing touches to the new boutique on West Park today, before its opening tomorrow, Joanne said:
“For years, I used to come here with my mum and my daughter. My mum just loved Harrogate – any special day, we came to Harrogate. I lost my mum three years ago.
“Richard and I came to Harrogate one day and saw the shop and I said, ‘that’s my shop’. It was up for rent and we contacted the agent immediately and they said, ‘do you want to look around?’
“I said, ‘you can show me round later, but we’re having it’.”
The Wilson family
She described the former Orvis store as the “perfect” location, offering views of the Stray, as well as options for brides and their friends and families to enjoy lunch or drinks nearby after finding their dream dress.
Many weeks of hard work have gone into transforming the shop and it is now completely unrecognisable.
A lounge area with cosy sofas and a fireplace sits next to the bar, offering drinks to visitors. As well as long rails of bridal gowns, there are three private suites for brides to try on the dresses and their closest friends and family members to help them make that final choice.
A comfy lounge for visitors
The range of gowns at Elite is designed by Joanne and Holly-Ann, meaning brides can choose one from the existing range, or ask for exactly what they want. She said:
“Sometimes when you go into a bridal store, you can only buy what they sell. I can design anything for you. You can have something really bespoke.”
However, Joanne is keen to ensure the business is not just for those with the biggest budgets: off-the-peg options start from around £300.
Whatever the cost of the dress, she knows the experience of finding the right one is just as important to many brides. The team at the Harrogate boutique will be offering VIP appointments, complete with bubbly, cake and a goody bag to take away, to ensure it’s a memorable occasion.
The boutique has three suites for brides to try on their gowns while friends relax
The bridal advisors have a trained eye to understand what will suit different body shapes and find something from the range in the shop.
With sizes six to 26 catered for by Elite, and a warehouse of 11,000 gowns to choose from alongside the option of a bespoke design, Joanne is confident the boutique will prove a hit with customers – just as it has with potential employees.
“I’ve been inundated with ladies asking me for a job. A bridal shop is a nice job to have.”
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Ex-staff at failed Harrogate firm CNG set to receive £43,000
Former staff at CNG Group look set to receive £43,200 in claims against the failed Harrogate firm.
CNG, which employed about 145 staff, blamed spiralling wholesale gas and electricity prices for going out of business in 2021.
Administrators Interpath Advisory has published a progress report, which was uploaded on the Companies House website this week, for the period from September 2 last year to March 1.
It said staff — classed as ordinary preferential claimants — claimed £43,200 for arrears of wages up to a maximum of £800 a week, accrued holiday pay and pension benefits.
The report by joint administrators Timothy Bateson and Christopher Pole added:
“We anticipate that ordinary preferential creditors should receive a dividend of 100p in the £.”
Administrators paid £635 an hour
The report also revealed Interpath is being paid £635 an hour for handling the administration. It said:
“We have incurred time costs of £153,269. These represent 241 hours at an average rate of £635 per hour.”
Interpath’s final fee by the time administration is due to end on March 1 next year is expected to be £298,759.
Preferential creditors are expected to be paid in full, the report said, and “it is likely that the unsecured creditors will receive a dividend” although the amount is unknown.
The timing of payments is also unclear.
The report described the company’s primary assets as “inter-company debtor balances and investments in others groups”.
These are expected to generate “significant realisations” but the administrators added:
“The flow of funds between the CNG group of companies is complex and will depend on each company within the group resolving matters which are currently preventing distributions being made to the company.”
Read more:
- 45 former CNG staff in £210,000 tribunal win against Harrogate firm
- CNG building in Harrogate goes back on the market
- Administrators reveal state of Harrogate firm CNG Energy’s finances
No Harrogate district roads included in county surface dressing programme
The new North Yorkshire Council is beginning its annual surface dressing programme — but it doesn’t include any roads in the Harrogate district.
Hundreds of miles of roads across England’s largest county are to be treated this spring and summer.
The work makes roads more skid-resistant and waterproof. It also prevents potholes, and can extend the life of a road by up to 10 years.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative executive member for highways and transport, said £8 million of surface dressing would be carried out this year — £2.6 million more than last year.
But Harrogate is the only district in North Yorkshire not to be included in this year’s programme.
Work is due to begin mid-April in the Hambleton, Selby and Scarborough districts.
It is due to carry on in Ryedale and Richmondshire in May and finish in the Craven district in early June.
Cllr Duncan said:
“Careful prioritisation of works, additional investment and close cooperation with our contractors means we will be delivering an extra £2.6 million worth of surface dressing schemes this year, the equivalent of an extra 60 miles.”
In this year’s Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt awarded North Yorkshire £6.5 million from a £700 million fund to tackle potholes.
Details of North Yorkshire roadworks are available here.
Read more:
- Three months of roadworks on A61 from Harrogate to Ripon set to begin
- Harrogate road to be closed until November
Business Breakfast: Senior appointment at Harrogate law firm
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate law firm, LCF Law, has appointed a new business development and marketing director.
Nick Greenwood has spent the past 25 years working for banking, accountancy, and legal firms across Yorkshire.
In his new role, Mr Greenwood will head a broad spectrum of business development and marketing projects at LCF Law and oversee the firm’s overall growth strategy.
He said:
“I started my career at Barclays as a branch manager in both the Leeds and Bradford flagship branches, soon progressing through SME into corporate banking and agriculture, supporting all types of businesses with their financial needs.
“After that, I became part of the senior leadership team at a mid-tier accountancy firm as head of sectors, and then moved to a business development role at a 48 partner law firm supporting its achievement to become one of the most profitable law firms in the east of England.
“Whether it be providing finance, accountancy, or legal services, the key is always to focus on how firms can solve problems for their clients and deliver cost-effective solutions that help them achieve their business and personal goals.”
Simon Stell, managing partner at LCF Law, said:
“We have significant growth aspirations and Nick’s expertise and enthusiasm will help us to deliver those. At the heart of any good business are its people. We recruit great people and help them to achieve their potential and career ambitions. The addition of Nick to the team will help the business and our lawyers meet our goals..
“Nick’s appointment will help us to reach even more clients across a broad spectrum including the manufacturing, agricultural, healthcare, digital and charity sectors.”
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Harrogate BID funds town spring clean
Harrogate’s Business Improvement District has completed a spring clean as part of its business objective to keep the town ‘safe, clean and welcoming’.
The 150-hour long clean-up operation saw hot steam and pressure jet washing of pavements on Cambridge Street, Beulah Street, Oxford Street, Cambridge Road, James Street, Parliament Street, West Park, John Street, The Ginnel, Montpellier Mews, Kings Road and Station Parade.
The work was backed up by Chris Ashby, the BID’s in-house street ranger, who recently won the Unsung Hero Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to keeping the town spotless.
Matthew Chapman, BID manager, said:
“First impressions really do count, which is why we ensure our streets are cleaned on a regular basis.
“It is clear to see from the before and after pictures that the deep cleans make a huge difference to the aesthetic appearance of the town for all who visit it.
“I would encourage all businesses who are part of the BID community to make the most of the additional services the street ranger team offers over and above the deep cleaning.
“We provide reactive support for improvements to properties within the BID radius, to make sure they look professional, clean and inviting. Anyone wanting to make the most of this offering should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk.”
Cyclists have expressed concern about the future of active travel in the Harrogate district after funding for two schemes was rejected.
The Department for Transport’s active travel fund last month turned down North Yorkshire County Council’s bid for £3.19 million.
It would have paid for segregated cycle routes on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate and on the A59 in Knaresborough between Mother Shipton’s Cave and Harrogate Golf Club.
Coming on the back of the county council’s decision to scrap phase two of the Otley Road cycle route, it has left plans for a connected, segregated cycle route between Harrogate train station and Cardale Park in tatters.
It has also raised questions about whether the council can deliver on active travel schemes despite the rhetoric.
Harrogate cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis said
“The future for investment in cycling in Harrogate is clearly grim if the council is unable to attract government funding.
“It will only do that if it shows that it can deliver, which it has repeatedly failed to do for many years.
“That’s one of the reasons why the Station Gateway project must go ahead, not only that it would greatly improve the town centre, but that it shows the council has the capacity to turn successful bids to improve the public realm into successful changes on the ground.”
Cycleways on Station Parade are a key feature of the Station Gateway.
Read more:
- Cycling signs on Otley Road are ‘temporary measure’
- Government rejects cycling schemes in Harrogate and Knaresborough
Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, agreed next month’s expected gateway decision was now of even greater significance given the legacy of failed cycling schemes. He said:
“If the council can’t attract government funding then it isn’t looking good for cycling.
“The government is reducing funding for active travel so it will be more difficult to succeed with bids and without a track record it will be doubly difficult.”
The Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council, which has replaced the county council, has said it will abide by its Liberal Democrat-controlled Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee’s gateway decision on May 30.
‘Immense challenges’
Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transportation on North Yorkshire Council, said the local authority remained determined to “rebalance transport” in the town and would “not be dispirited” by Active Travel England’s rejection.
He said:
“We know the immense challenges the town is facing in terms of congestion, air quality and road safety. Unless the new North Yorkshire Council takes action to address these problems, they will only get worse.
“Rebalancing transport and promoting more sustainable travel is essential, but with limited financial resources and often vocal opposition, this is not always easy to deliver in practical terms.”
The Otley Road cycleway
Cllr Duncan added:
“The Otley Road corridor remains a challenge, but I stand by the decision to step back from phase two of the cycleway to allow local councillors to consider alternative options.
“And of course, it will be local councillors who will determine the hot topic of gateway once and for all. They will give their verdict and I will respect this. I feel this is the fairest possible approach.
The Stray Ferret asked Active Travel England why it rejected North Yorkshire County Council’s bid.
A spokesman said it couldn’t go into detail until the successful applicants were notified after next month’s local elections. They added:
“Each bid we have received has undergone a robust assessment process that considered a range of criteria. Feedback is being provided to authorities with unsuccessful bids over the next few weeks.
“Active Travel England will support local authorities in designing and delivering schemes that meet national standards for safety and accessibility.”
Calls for tougher parking enforcement in Harrogate district
Councillors have called for tougher parking enforcement in towns and villages in North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Council’s transport, economy, environment and enterprise scrutiny committee heard yesterday some visitor hotspot villages were examining how parking restrictions could be introduced as it was impacting on residents’ quality of life.
One elected member claimed “nothing seems to be done about people parking on pavements”, while others highlighted issues resulting from people parking in residential areas to avoid payments.
The meeting heard North Yorkshire has a forecast £3m annual parking enforcement surplus.
It also heard claims that an unfair proportion of the resources generated had been pumped into Harrogate-based projects in recent years.
An officer’s report to councillors revealed how the the lion’s share of the surplus had been used to reimburse bus operators for pensioners’ concessionary fares, boost the road repairs budget and improve the A1(M) junction 47 between Harrogate and York.
Councillors expressed concerns that while parking enforcement surpluses in some areas had been used to bolster general council “rainy day” funds, Harrogate Borough Council had put forward a lengthy wish list of transport and road projects for its area.
Committee chairman, Cllr David Staveley, a Conservative who represents Settle & Penyghent, said:
“It does feel slightly inequitable to other areas that have possibly contributed quite substantially to that fund. It does some of our areas are getting slightly short-changed.
“I think going forward we are one council. All residents should get a fair crack of the whip.”
Labour Cllr Melanie Ann Davis, who represents Selby West, said enforcement in Selby, which had received a “derisory” three per cent of the parking enforcement income, was “very poor” due to a lack of wardens.
She said:
“I think we need an assurance that there is going to be a new look at this to see that there is a much more uniform service.”
The meeting heard although the parking enforcement surplus had been collected from across the county, there had been an agreement that Harrogate and Scarborough councils be consulted on how it was spent.
Councillors were told while the authority’s position would remain focused on encouraging off-street parking to reduce congestion, the launch of the unitary authority and the unification of off-street and street parking responsibilities at the new council presented an opportunity to review policies and investment priorities.
The authority’s corporate director, Karl Battersby, said the surplus was currently being spent on an “eclectic mix” of legally permissable projects.
He added the review would examine the county’s “mixed bag of charges, policies, enforcement”, and links between parking and active travel. He said:
Starbeck Baths to be closed until late May“Going forward we are going to have a proper look at what this budget should and shouldn’t fund.”
Starbeck Baths looks set to be closed for several weeks due to an “unforeseen mechanical failure”.
The Victorian swimming pool closed on Thursday last week. Its website says an air leak in the pool plant equipment caused poor water clarity.
The timing was unfortunate because of the ongoing Easter school holidays as well as the long-term closure of The Hydro in nearby Harrogate for a delayed £11.8 million upgrade.
Brimhams Active, which was set up by Harrogate Borough Council but is now run by North Yorkshire Council, manages leisure facilities in the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture, arts and leisure, Jo Ireland, said:
“We are working with Brimhams Active to resolve an unforeseen mechanical failure.
“The situation requires the expertise of specialist contractors, and a work schedule has been set to address the issue.
“During the downtime, other important planned maintenance work will also be carried out to ensure the facilities are in top condition when the baths reopen.
“Although we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, we anticipate that Starbeck swimming baths will be back in operation by late May.”
Read more:
- ‘No plan or intention’ to sell Starbeck Baths, says council
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History group to show archive footage of Ripon and Harrogate
Rare archive footage of the Ripon and Harrogate areas will be shown on a big screen this month.
The event is being jointly staged by Yorkshire Film Archive and Bishop Monkton Local History Group.
A professional film archivist will introduce a series of locally produced films as well as footage from other parts of Yorkshire.
Some were professionally shot, others were amateur home movies but all give an insight into how people lived around here in years gone by.
Work, holidays, leisure, sports, home life, transport and war are among the subjects featured in the films.
Some content was included in four recent sell-out events at the Odeon in Harrogate organised by Yorkshire Film Archive in conjunction with Harrogate’s Civic Society and FIlm Society.
The event will be held at Bishop Monkton Village Hall on April 27 at 7pm.
Clips from some of the films that will be shown can be viewed here.
Tickets are free to Bishop Monkton Local History Group members and £10 to non-members.
They are available from Annabel Alton on 01765 676538 or via email annabel@annabelalton.com
There will be a cash bar selling wine and soft drinks before the event and during the interval.
Read more:
- Odeon packed for 90-minute archive film of Harrogate district
- Knaresborough to host free big screen broadcast of coronation
Harrogate man jailed for assaulting three police officers in Ripon
A man from a village near Harrogate has been jailed for six months for assaulting police officers.
James Ashley Gibb, 34, initially denied attacking three police officers in Ripon Market Place on October 28 last year.
But Gibb, of Ripon Road, Killinghall, changed his plea and was sentenced at Harrogate Magistrates Court last week.
Court documents say he was jailed due to the seriousness of the offence and also “because of different kinds of assaults including biting, kicking and threat of spitting and committed whilst on post-sentence supervision”.
The offence was aggravated by the defendant’s record of previous offending, the documents added.
The incident in Ripon Market Place last year
Gibb also pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words.
He was also given a concurrent four-month prison sentence for threatening a person on Station Parade in Harrogate on January 14 this year.
Besides being jailed, he was fined £275.
Harrogate’s Parliament House to be converted to flats and shops
Plans have been approved to convert a building in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter into eight flats and two retail units.
Parliament House on Montpellier Street is currently home to Harrogate Wines shop and a vacant gym and is spread across three floors.
North Yorkshire Council approved an application to convert the building last week.
Developer ATC Properties said the flats will be aimed specifically at young professionals and key workers who are looking to get onto the property ladder.
Each flat will have an ensuite double bedroom with an open plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Documents attached to the application described the site as an “intrusive utilitarian building” at odds with one of Harrogate’s most architecturally-appealing areas.
They added the conversion provided an opportunity to “significantly refurbish a prominent building of poor architectural quality and detailing”.
Civic society objection
A third floor extension was removed following concerns from Harrogate Civic Society, which objected to the plans.
The conservation group said the remodelling of the building “does not reflect the local historic style of the conservation area.”
Other prominent town centre buildings, including the former post office on Cambridge Street, have seen applications to convert them into flats approved in recent months. However, the civic society’s objection letter raised concerns about the trend. It said:
“In principle we are keen to see sustainable town centre living but
are always concerned that local commercial uses will not make for a low standard of residential amenity.”
Concerns were also raised by local residents and business owners about parking.
However, the council wrote in its decision report that the site
was in an accessible town centre location, close to shops, facilities and public transport connections, and secure cycle storage would be provided within the building.
The plans were ultimately approved by the new council as one of its first acts as the new planning authority for Harrogate, replacing Harrogate Borough Council.
Read more:
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- ‘The council have destroyed 99 years of model boats in Harrogate’