North Yorkshire County Council has reported a £327,000 loss for its Brierley Group of companies for the last financial year.

The council set up the group in 2017 to bring together council-owned companies and save money.

But the group, which includes housebuilding firm Brierley Homes, NY Highways and Yorwaste, reported the loss for the 2021/22 financial year against a budgeted profit of £324,000.

The group lost £639,000 in the previous financial year and the latest figures have raised questions about the council’s ability to run businesses.

According to a council report, authority officials put the loss down to the “impact of covid and the current and emerging market conditions”.

It remained confident that the Brierley Group would turn around the financial situation and post a profit in 2022/23.

Read more:

• Council accused of ‘trophy investment’ for £9m purchase of Harrogate’s Royal Baths
• Harrogate’s Royal Baths: the council’s under-performing ‘trophy investment’
• Council predicts loss-making Brierley Group will return to profit

The council said the overall loss was “driven principally” by two of the companies, Brierley Homes and NYHIghways, posting losses for the year.

However, it added that Brierley Homes’ loss was in line with budget as three of its sites “were in a construction phase during the year” and expected sales were to be realised next year.

The sites include Woodfield Square in Bilton, Millwright Park in Pateley Bridge and Yew Tree Farm in Marton-Cum-Grafton.

NYHighways’ loss was attributed to it being its first year of operation and “higher mobilisation and integration costs”, the report said.

The council report said:

“The expectation is a return to a positive profit after tax position through FY22/23.”

“Brierley Homes will see the sales completion of a number of sites; Woodfield Square, Millwright Park and Yew Tree Farm and NY Highways are now in a stronger position to refine and streamline the business, with other companies in the portfolio like First North Law, Align, NYnet and Veritau building on the successes of FY21/22 with high levels of customer retention and satisfaction as well as additional capacity and expertise into their teams.”

‘Sad state of affairs’

Stuart Parsons

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on North Yorkshire County Council, described the loss as a “sad state of affairs”.

He added it would mean less money for vital services.

Cllr Parsons said:

“It’s a sad state of affairs. The company was created by North Yorkshire County Council to generate profits which would be used to support services like adult social care. 

“Expecting North Yorkshire County Council to guarantee this loss means that even less money is available for front-line services.

“North Yorkshire County Council obviously does not have the capacity, nor the ability, to run commercial companies.”

Cllr Gareth Dadd, the council’s executive member for finance, assets and resources, said:

“The Brierley Group includes several companies providing services for us and financially most performed well last year, with some outstripping expectations.

“While we are disappointed the group recorded an overall loss, we recognise the unique set of circumstances  which contributed to the position and are also reflected across the whole of the economy last year. However it should also not be forgotten that the profit or loss a Brierley group company makes is only part of the picture.

“All companies generate a value for North Yorkshire County Council as shareholder and last year the value of this was £5.6m through interest payments to the council alongside contributions towards council service costs.”

“We are confident in the outlook for the future as the group emerges from the challenges of covid and that it will return to a financial surplus in the current year.”

A new mural has been painted to welcome visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show.

Sam Porter, from Mural Minded, created the canvas which is aimed at capturing the best of the Harrogate show by blending countryside and agriculture.

The mural can be found on the former fashion show building and will be on display for visitors when they arrive on July 12.

Mr Porter, is from a fine art, sculpture printmaking and graffiti background and uses walls as huge canvasses, said:

“It’s been amazing to do a mural in such beautiful surroundings with nature all round.

“I like to try and represent endangered species in murals I do and to highlight that wherever I can, it was challenging to incorporate as many animals as I did within the mural but I am really happy with the end result and I hope all the visitors to the show can enjoy the mural for many more years to come.”

Read more:

• Princess Anne to visit Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• Bird flu forces cancellation of poultry classes at Great Yorkshire Show

The Great Yorkshire Show has become a four-day event after a raft of changes were implemented at the 2021 show due to covid regulations. 

Tickets are on sale now for the show, which will run from Tuesday 12 July to Friday 15 July, 2022. 

A new owner has taken over the former iconic Farrah’s Olde Sweet Shop in Harrogate after working at the store for more than a decade.

Natalie Moore said she jumped at the chance when she was offered the opportunity to buy the business on Montpellier Parade.

The 31-year-old is now putting her own stamp on the business, which has been renamed Harrogate Olde Sweet Shop.

And while it is no longer under the Farrah’s umbrella, it still remains one of the largest stockists of the historic brand, which makes the famous Harrogate Toffee.

Ms Moore said:

“We are still the number one customer for Harrogate Toffee. We still have one of the biggest ranges of Farrah’s in the country, including Harrogate Toffee gin.

“Even though it’s no longer part of Farrah’s, it is still the original place where it was sold.”

Ms Moore next to the shop’s large loose chocolate counter.

The 31-year-old started working at the shop as a sales assistant when she left school 13 years ago and was eventually promoted to manager.

The shop was previously run by father and son team Gary and Peter Marston for almost 25 years. Peter still own Farrah’s, which is now exclusively a wholesale business based in Starbeck.

Ms Moore said:

“We will continue to be in-keeping with the traditional side of things, but we are going to be giving the interior a bit of a revamp.

“Overall the shop works well, but it’s just really nice to be able to put my own stamp on it.

“All the staff have been here a long time and I’ve been getting them involved, which is really nice.

“For example we have made some tiny changes to the chocolate counter, but it has really made a difference. We have increased the range and also the way we display it and it looks so much brighter.

“As far as I’m aware, we are the only shop in Harrogate that has a loose chocolate counter. When it’s full on a good day, there are 80 different types of chocolate, which are mostly Belgian. We also have some that are made in England.”

The original team of nine staff will continue to work at the shop and Ms Moore said her family also enjoyed helping out.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Nelson Inn sold to pub restaurant chain
• New plans submitted for 35 homes in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley

Other plans for the future include continuing to increase the range of sweets and promoting the shop’s gift department, which sells a large range of Harrogate merchandise.

Ms Moore also wants to promote the shop more to the town’s residents.

She said:

“We get customers coming in here who have lived in Harrogate all their life and they say they didn’t know it was here or how big it was.

“Tourism is great for us and always has been, but with everything going on through covid, you realise you want to rely on the customers on your doorstep even more.

“That’s one of my goals. To try and put it on the Harrogate map a bit more.”

A final decision on whether to make the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood in Harrogate permanent is looming, according to the new county council highways chief.

Cllr Keane Duncan, who succeeded Don Mackenzie as the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said a decision was “upcoming” on the closure.

The measure was controversially introduced in February 2021 as a temporary one-year to closure in an effort to encourage walking and cycling.

County council officials later extended the trial until August this year.

Cllr Duncan told the Stray Ferret a decision will be taken in the coming months as to whether it stays or not.

He said:

“There’s an upcoming decision on Beech Grove as to whether it is made permanent or whether it comes out. We can’t really extend it any further on a temporary basis.

“It is either that it is there or it isn’t.”

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways on North Yorkshire County Council.

He added that further consultation would be carried out if the decision to make the closure permanent and seek a traffic regulation order was taken.

Cllr Duncan said:

“For me, with the benefit of the time that it has been in place, it’s about seeing what people think about it now to see if their views have changed.”

Station Gateway

In a wide-ranging interview, the Stray Ferret asked Cllr Duncan about his views on the many multi-million pound highways schemes in the district.

On the £10.9 million Station Gateway project, Cllr Duncan said he was fully supportive of the the scheme.

He added, however, that he was willing to listen to cyclists, businesses and people ahead of the the third round of consultation this year.

Cllr Duncan said:

“I’m personally supportive of that scheme and we are wanting to progress it.

“We are going out to a third round of public consultation to ensure that everyone can have their say and their opinions.

“For me, my test on the ground is what do the local councillors think and feel? They are the representatives of their local community.”

Read more:

• Another consultation to take place on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway
• Under-fire infrastructure plans for west Harrogate will cost taxpayers £25,000

Meanwhile, Cllr Duncan said he was keen to press ahead with the second phase of the Otley Road cycle route.

County council officials were due to go out to tender on a construction contract this month with a view to starting work in the autumn.

Cllr Duncan said:

“We are pushing ahead with delivery of the Otley Road scheme.

“It is important to recognise that there is £4.6 million of funding for that scheme. It does connect in with all the other schemes ongoing within Harrogate.

“It is important to not look at every individual location in isolation. We have got to look at how this adds up to the bigger picture.”

‘Getting the balance right’

Cllr Duncan said he felt that that “on the whole” the council was trying to get the balance right on the various schemes across the district.

However, he added that he was aware of concerns over some of the schemes such as the gateway project.

He added:

“It’s about getting that balance right and recognising that at the moment most journeys are via car in and around Harrogate.

“It’s people trying to get to work, people trying to see friends and family and people visiting the town because Harrogate is a major tourist destination.

“We’re trying to encourage where we can for people to use other modes of transport. That’s not always possible, so we have to make sure we get that balanced approach.”

Look out for an in depth profile with Cllr Keane Duncan on the Stray Ferret later this week.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate-based Cloud Nine sees turnover rise by a third

Well-known hair tool brand, Cloud Nine, is based in Harrogate and has this week reported a rise in turnover of more than a third.

The firm, based at Hornbeam Park, said turnover increased by more than a third to £35.7m for the year ending December 2021.

It also posted an operating profit of £9.9m, a 39 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The company employs more than 60 members of staff at its Harrogate headquarters and said the growth was due to significant growth in Australia, new product launches, and global exposure from its Love Island sponsorship deal.

Chief executive, Martin Rae, said:

“This is a very pleasing set of results, which cements our position as one of the world’s leading sellers of hair styling and beauty products.

“Our Australian business, which grew by over 100 per cent on the previous year, plus the launch of several new products has lifted our turnover and profitability. Over the last few years our online growth has been huge, and this remains a major focus area of our business today.”

Read more:

• Borougbridge hotel owner plans £450,000 refurbishment
• Knaresborough barbers celebrates 20 years in business

Networking Event Harrogate

The next The Northern Affinity monthly event is being held in Harrogate for first time at the new Wizu Workspace  this Friday.

The Northern Affinity describes itself as “a partnership of SMEs and businesses in the North of England who collaborate with shared values and beliefs”.

There are a few places left for guests . The event starts at 9am.

For more information click here. 

A court heard today how a suspected murder victim in Harrogate was found wrapped up in a rug in a flat on Mayfield Grove after one of his alleged killers told somebody nearby, “I killed a man”.

Vitalijus Koreiva, 36, and Jaroslaw Rutowicz, 38, are accused of murdering Gracijus Balciauskas on December 20 last year.

The trial at Leeds Crown Court, which began today and is due to last for 10 days, tracked the movements of the three men on CCTV.

The court heard a witness statement from an employee at Asda on Bower Road, who found an agitated Mr Rutowicz sitting on a wall by the supermarket on the evening when Mr Balciauskas died.

The employee said Mr Rutowicz appeared to have been drinking and told her “I think I’ve killed a man.”

The court was also played a recording of a 999 call from Mr Rutowicz that took place when he was outside Asda that evening. He told a call handler: “The guy, he’s dead. No, it was an accident. We drink something.”

Two police officers then met Mr Rutowicz at Asda who then walked with him to Mayfield Grove.

Inside, they found Mr Balciauskas wrapped in a rug dead. Mr Rutowicz, of no fixed address, and Mr Koreiva, of Mayfield Grove, were then arrested on suspicion of murder.

Timeline of events

Detective Constable Christopher Williams, from North Yorkshire Police, was cross-examined by prosecuting solicitor Katherine Robinson who went through a timeline of events that led to the arrest.

CCTV captured the last time Mr Balciauskas was seen alive when he went to the Polish shop next door to the flat at 1pm on December 19.

Mr Rutowicz was seen later that evening collecting a pizza takeaway and returning to the property.

In the early hours of the following morning, Mr Koreiva was seen on CCTV pacing around the property before going back inside. At around 3am the pair were seen buying bottles of alcohol and returning.

The next day, Mr Koreiva was filmed visiting the Polish shop next door in his dressing gown and Mr Rutowicz was seen buying more alcohol using the bank card of the suspected victim.

Videos on phone

This morning the court were shown films retrieved from Mr Rutowicz’s phone, timestamped at 5am and 7am on December 20.

They showed Mr Balciauskas still alive but beaten with bruises all over his hands and face whilst inside the Mayfield Grove flat.

The videos showed the two men attempting to give Mr Balciauskas cigarettes and something to drink.

Police later retrieved a photo of the victim taken at 12.04pm that day where he was apparently dead and wrapped in a rug.

More alcohol

An hour before the videos of Mr Balciauskas beaten but still alive were filmed, Mr Rutowicz and Mr Koreiva were seen on CCTV ordering a taxi to Pannal’s BP petrol station to buy more alcohol before returning to the property.

Mr Rutowicz was seen leaving Mayfield Grove at around 10am the next day to buy more alcohol. He was again seen using Mr Balciauskas’s bank card to buy more alcohol at 2pm.

At around 11pm, Mr Rutowicz was captured on CCTV leaving the flat to go to Asda on Bower Street when the 999 call took place.

Arresting officer PC Joseph Horne gave a statement to the court that said Mr Rutowicz was crying and talking on the way to the police station.

PC Horne said:

“I couldn’t understand what he was saying because of his thick accent. When in custody he said ‘It was an accident, my brother is dead I will show you how he did it’.”

The trial continues tomorrow.

The Harrogate Bus Company has reported a 25% increase in customers on the first day of the rail strike.

However, Harrogate taxi drivers have said today “feels like a Sunday” with little trade.

Today’s rail strike left many commuters having to make alternative arrangements.

A spokesman for Harrogate Bus Company said it had anticipated a surge in demand. He added:

“So far, we have carried 25% more customers on the 36 compared to a normal Tuesday.

“All of our buses have ran, including a number of extra 36 buses around rush hour from Harrogate and Leeds to ensure our customers can travel comfortably and rely on us during this time.”

The 36 bus to Leeds.

By contrast, business has been slow at the taxi rank opposite Harrogate train station.

Paul McMahon, who runs PM Taxis, said:

“It’s been exceptionally quiet. Whether people have made alternative plans or booked the day off, i don’t know.”

Mr McMahon said he had been on the rank opposite the station since 6am in case people whose trains weren’t running needed a ride. But little trade had transpired, he added.

“Today feels like a Sunday. I expected to be busier.”

Richard Fieldman, who owns A1 Cars, said he too had been quiet.

But he added he had two jobs booked tomorrow at Thirsk station, which he suspected were for commuters who were affected by the strike.

Read more:

• No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough as strike begins
• ‘We just want to make a living’ Harrogate cabbies hit out at new rules

The Harrogate and Knaresborough line is due to operate a limited service tomorrow before the strike resumes on Thursday.

But with six days of disruption expected, rail operator Northern is advising customers to seek alternative travel arrangements.

Harrogate train station this morning.

Two key planning documents which have been hit by delays and dismay ahead of a huge urban expansion in west Harrogate will cost taxpayers £25,000, it has been revealed.

The West Harrogate Parameters Plan and a delivery strategy set out how the area’s infrastructure and services will cope with 4,000 new homes.

They have been produced by Harrogate Borough Council, which has worked with North Yorkshire County Council, housing developers and consultancy firm Hyas.

After being forced to defend the plan and announcing delays for the delivery strategy, the borough council has now confirmed Hyas will be paid £25,000.

The council also said the delivery strategy will be signed off in autumn – more than two-and-a half years after a government inspector ordered the creation of the plans.

David Siddans, secretary of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, said he has been frustrated by the “snail-like progress” of the plans and that he has “little confidence” they will address concerns over areas including traffic congestion which is already a major problem.

He said:

“We are concerned that reorganisation of local government, lack of money and pressure from developers will force developments through with inadequate infrastructure, leaving the community to pick up the pieces.

“At the very least the combination of the parameters plan and infrastructure delivery schedule should address the massive growth on the western edge and go some way to mitigating against existing problems.

“In other words things should be no worse.

“We remain unconvinced that this will be the case.”

Read more:

• Key planning document delayed for west Harrogate residents facing 4,000 new homes
• Harrogate fuel station breaks £2 a litre threshold for diesel

Howard West, chairman of Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council, said:

“It remains to be seen whether the £25.000 spent will prove cost-effective.

“As all matters have been handled without serious interim consultation with stakeholders, we won’t even know if Hyas’s recommendations have been followed.”

Once complete, both the delivery strategy and parameters plan will be used together to shape decisions on how west Harrogate will cope with 2,500 new homes – although as many as 4,000 properties are set to be built in the wider area by 2035.

There are proposals for two new primary schools and four playing pitches, as well as two new local centres for shops and health services.

Land has also been designated for other businesses, as well as new cycle lanes, footpaths and bus routes.

As part of the delivery strategy, a review of existing infrastructure is being carried out ahead of the document being published in draft form during a public consultation.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson described Hyas as a “specialist town planning, master planning and place-making consultancy” firm which was commissioned “based on their experience of other complex development schemes”.

The council spokesperson said.

“The cost of this specialist consultancy is £25,000,

“The West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy document is part of their commission and is a joint piece of work – in collaboration with the borough council, county council and promoters – to provide the long term co-ordination of infrastructure across the west Harrogate sites.

“The document will be signed-off in the autumn as it requires the input from a piece of work regarding transport mitigation which won’t be concluded until then.”

For the first time ever it now costs over £2 a litre to fill up with diesel at a fuel station in Harrogate.

A photo taken outside Texaco on Skipton Road reveals it is the place in the town to have broken the £2 barrier for diesel, with others in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon heading in the same direction.

Prices at the pump are rising due to increases in the cost of crude oil, which is used to make petrol and diesel.

Diesel in particular has jumped sharply over the last few days. Trade publication Rigzone blames the Russian invasion of Ukraine for a shortage of barrels across Europe this week.

This week’s rail strikes will also see more commuters using their cars which will increase demand and could push up prices.

This month it was announced that it now costs over £100 to fill up a 55-litre family car, which motoring body RAC called a “truly dark day” for motorists.

Read more:

• Petrol station in Harrogate district has joint most expensive fuel in country

• No trains in Harrogate and Knaresborough as strike begins

Where is the cheapest place to fill up?

The website PetrolPrices publishes up-to-date fuel prices at sites across the country.

It says the cheapest place to fill up in Harrogate is at Asda where it’s currently 182.7p per litre of petrol and 190.7p for diesel.

In Knaresborough, it is Co-op Manse Road where petrol costs 188.9 per litre and diesel is 191.1p.

In Ripon petrol is cheapest at BP where it currently costs 188.9p per litre. Esso is the cheapest for diesel at 192.9p per litre.

How has the rise in fuel affected you or your business? email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk 

The world-famous Band of the Grenadier Guards has performed with young musicians in Harrogate.

The band joined schoolchildren from across North Yorkshire for a concert on Friday to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

People cheered and waved flags as the military band – famous for its scarlet tunics and bearskin hats — made a grand entrance at Harrogate Convention Centre, playing the traditional British Grenadiers marching song.

The concert, which was organised by North Yorkshire County Council’s school music service, featured about 350 pupils.

Pupils playing at the concert.

Trumpet player George Hirst, one of the Grenadier Guards taking part, is a former North Yorkshire student who was a member of some of the music service’s ensembles.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards’ history dates back more than 300 years and played a key role in this month’s jubilee parade in London.

They are taking part in celebratory concerts across the country this year and North Yorkshire’s school music service’s request for the band to join the concert was accepted.

Read more:

• Grenadier Guards band coming to Harrogate
• Ofsted praise for Harrogate school that ‘turns around’ teenagers’ lives

Ian Bangay, head of North Yorkshire county music service, said the event was a “huge success”, adding;

“The children really entered into the spirit of the event, waving their flags and cheering as the band marched in.

“They sang well and the musicians from the music centres performed superbly.”

“The guards were fantastic, interacting with our children throughout the day. They were happy to talk about their roles and even let the children try on their bearskins and have pictures taken with them. It was a great end to an enormous amount of work put in by music service staff and the teachers at the schools taking part.

“We are hoping to continue our relationship with the guards and are looking in to taking the county youth big band down to London to rehearse with them and watch changing of the guard.”

The evening featured popular music from each decade of the Queen’s reign.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Crown Imperial, music from West Side Story, Symphony by Clean Bandit and rounded off the evening with Pomp and Circumstance by Edward Elgar and the National Anthem.