Two men jailed after dealing cocaine in Harrogate

Two drug dealers have been jailed after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine in Harrogate.

Angel Angelov and Tsonko Peev, both 25 and from Leeds, were sent to prison after pleading guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

On the afternoon of November 10 last year, officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team, which tackles county lines drug dealing, stopped a vehicle on its way to Harrogate from Leeds.

The driver, Angelov, was searched, and found with 26 bags of cocaine in a mint tin and a lock knife.

Some of the cocaine seized by North Yorkshire Police.

Some of the cocaine seized by North Yorkshire Police.

As the investigation continued, officers stopped another vehicle on Leeds Road in Harrogate on December 5. Inside were Angelov and Peev. 

This time, Angelov was found with 20 bags of cocaine hidden in the lining of his coat, and a further 11 bags were found hidden by the handbrake.

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Both were charged and pleaded guilty at York Crown Court yesterday (February 7) to the offences.

Angelov was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Meanwhile, Peev was jailed for two years and three months.

PC George Frost, from the Operation Expedite team, said: 

“Following a swift investigation, two drug dealers have been taken off the streets of Harrogate, along with thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs.

“Dealers like Angelov and Peev seek to exploit the vulnerabilities of users and their addictions for their own selfish financial gain. The effects of drug dealing and drug use are felt far and wide, leading to violence, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime.

“I hope the people of Harrogate and wider North Yorkshire feel reassured by the result of the investigation and the jail sentences. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable in our communities, and are working night and day to keep drug dealers out of the area.”

Plan to convert former Harrogate post office into 11 flats approved

Plans to convert the former main post office in Harrogate town centre into 11 flats have been approved.

The post office on Cambridge Road relocated to WH Smith in 2019 amid claims by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones the service was being “downgraded”. The building has stood empty since.

Proposals lodged to Harrogate Borough Council by Leeds-based property developer Priestley Group will see the building converted into 11 apartments.

The developer said in a statement to the council the proposal would secure an “active re-use” of the building.

It said:

“The proposed development will facilitate the long-term active re-use of this prominently located building within the heart of Harrogate town centre with an appropriate mix of uses that will support the wider vitality and viability of the town centre.”

The approval follows two previous planning applications for the former post office.

In November 2020, Harrogate-based developer One Acre Group submitted plans for 25 apartments and offices on the site but withdrew the application in 2021.

Meanwhile, Priestley Group saw a proposal to convert the building into 23 self-serviced holiday flats rejected by the council in December.

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Bid to introduce single taxi zone for North Yorkshire put on hold

A bid to merge seven taxi zones in North Yorkshire into one has been postponed after taxi drivers and disabled people claimed the move would be a retrograde step.

Opponents of North Yorkshire County Council’s proposed taxi policy told a meeting of the authority’s executive it would lead to taxis clogging up town centres and sparse cover in rural areas, particularly for wheelchair users.

Yesterday’s meeting heard that a working group of elected members with significant experience of licensing had made a series of recommendations which the council’s officers had “tossed aside like a pair of old slippers” and come up with a series of different proposals.

A consultation over the taxi policy showed most people were against it and, opponents claimed, the council’s leadership appeared to be reneging on a pledge to abide by its results.

Nick Moxon, chairman of North Yorkshire Disability Forum, said:

“The suggestion that one zone rather than seven will enable wheelchair users to find taxis on ranks in future lacks any credible evidence.”

The meeting heard concerns that a dearth of wheelchair-accessible taxis in many areas of the county meant that if taxis drivers were permitted to sit on ranks miles away, wheelchair users could be left with no means of transport.

Councillors were told there were no or scant wheelchair-accessible taxi services from numerous North Yorkshire stations and buses were not an acceptable alternative as wheelchair users could not safely use many rural bus stops.

The meeting heard it was council policy to improve transport access for disabled people but there was nothing in the new taxi policy that would increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Harrogate cabbie speaks out

One Harrogate-based taxi driver told the meeting his colleagues had said if the policy was introduced they would immediately give up their wheelchair-accessible vehicles as they would not be viable.

He said:

“The vast majority, if not all, of the hackney carriage trade is totally against the proposals to create a one zone authority for the purpose of taxi trading as this will lead to certain livelier areas becoming swamped at peak times, leaving quieter rural areas with no supply at all, leaving residents in those areas vulnerable to getting home safely.”

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of business and environmental services, said the authority was aware of the need for more wheelchair-accessible taxis and that officers intended to review its policies in 18 months.

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The meeting heard the proposed policy incorporates the Department for Transport’s taxi and private hire vehicle best practice guidance and statutory standards, to ensure that the public continued to be provided with safe and accessible vehicles.

Councillors heard it would also provide a coherent regulatory framework for the trade across the county and that hackney carriage and private hire licence holders and taxi operators across the county would be treated equally.

The authority’s executive member for open to business, Councillor Derek Bastiman, said the working group’s findings had not been tossed aside.

However, the executive agreed to postpone considering the proposed policy until later this month in order to examine the working group’s recommendation to allow vehicles of up to 15 years in age to be licensed to help during the cost of living crisis.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate PR firm secures three international clients

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. 

A Harrogate public relations firm has secured three international clients amid a growth in its business.

Cause UK, which is based on Victoria Avenue, helped French-based company Famileo, Pakistan charity CARE Foundation and lobby group Free Tibet with its communications over the past 12 months.

The agency, which represents a number of clients in the Harrogate district and beyond, specialises in generating regional and national media profile for clients.

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, managing director of Cause UK, said: 

“It’s testament to the impact and reputation of our work that our agency was approached by a number of global organisations in the past year or so.”

Harrogate BID to host networking walk

Harrogate Business Improvement District is set to hold a networking walk as part of its next BID club meeting.

Starting at the Harrogate war memorial in the town centre at 5pm on Thursday (February 9), the walk will be led by Harry Satloka from Free Walking Tour Harrogate.

The BID club offer members a regular opportunity to hear from different speakers, find out key information about town centre events and initiatives, and to meet with fellow BID members, directors and the BID team.

The walk will end at the Disappearing Chin, on Beulah Street, for drinks and nibbles.

Bethany Allen, Harrogate BID marketing and business executive, said

“Harry will be taking us on our own private tour, where I’m sure even those who live here will learn something new about our wonderful town.”

BID members wishing to take part should register here.

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Harrogate couple’s dramatic escape from earthquake-hit Turkish city

A Harrogate couple have spoken of their shock and devastation after being caught up in the earthquakes in Turkey.

Sharon Cain and her partner Steve were in Iskenderun on the Turkish coast when the first earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning.

The pair had been travelling in their motorhome since September, tracking their adventures on their Instagram account, and decided to stay for a few nights in a rented flat.

It was there that they were woken by the earthquake around 3.30am, with the “shaking, swaying and rumbling” lasting more than a minute.

Sharon said:

“You could hear people screaming outside. There was mass panic.

“You could hear doors banging with people fleeing the building. They were all huddled together because it was only three degrees and pouring with rain.”

Sharon, who previously ran Harrogate agency Quest PR, said they had quickly gone to find their motorhome, which was parked just a few minutes’ walk away. On the way, they saw collapsed buildings, and watched more locals sheltering under damaged buildings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sharon, Steve, Bracken: travel writer/photography (@leaveworktotravel)


 

Fortunately, the vehicle had not been damaged, and the couple and their dog, Bracken, left the town amid the chaos.

Sharon added:

“People were panicking and driving the wrong way, trying to get out. The emergency services were trying to get through towards the centre.”

Now safe, the couple said their thoughts are still with the people trapped and injured by the earthquake, and those trying to get help to them.

More than 5,000 people are now known to have died, with a second earthquake having struck close to the first later that day.

Sharon and Steve said they hoped support centres had been set up by communities to give residents proper places to shelter. They said they could not imagine how long it will take for the country to recover.

They travelled 100 miles west to safety and plan to go further towards the western end of Turkey over the coming days to visit friends. The risk of earthquakes is much lower close to its coast and the Greek islands.

However, their thoughts – and those of everyone they meet along the way – are still with the people caught up in the tragedy. Sharon said:

“The Turkish people are just beyond themselves for their own people. They’re just heartbroken and devastated by the battering the country has had.”

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Steve added:

“We’re just relieved to be alive, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that. The building was rocking by six to nine inches. It was bad.

“It was the aftershocks too – they just kept coming. Then you’re thinking, ‘is that going to bring down the building that’s now been damaged?’.”

Sharon and Steve have been using their Instagram feed to share information about rescue efforts, including the humanitarian response by the Red Cross.

Steve added:

“We heard Britain has sent 75 specialists out to help.

“That’s great, but 75 won’t do one small district in one town that has been hit.

“It’s the biggest ever earthquake in Turkey. It’s not just the cities, it’s the rural areas too.

“It’s going to need all the help available.”

Safety audit to be carried out at Killinghall junction

A formal safety audit is to be conducted at a Killinghall junction after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle last week.

The news was revealed at a packed meeting last night of Killinghall Parish Council, at which residents vented frustration about safety at the notorious Ripon Road and Otley Road junction.

Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on North Yorkshire County Council, told the meeting:

“I have a commitment from the county council to do a formal safety audit. It will be proper highways modelling to see what options they will come up with.”

Cllr Harrison added the county council, which is the highways authority, had said it would come up with proposals in three months.

He said he shared residents’ concerns about the junction but admitted he didn’t know the solution, adding.

“If it was obvious there’s no doubt we would have done it.

“I don’t think anyone in this room knows the solution, unless it was a bypass, and I have to say there isn’t support for that.”

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Parish council chairman Anne Holdsworth said plans were approved for a Killinghall bypass in 1937 and the village had been campaigning unsuccessfully for one ever since.

One resident told the meeting the person injured on the crossing outside the Greyhounds Inn last week had suffered a broken ankle and was on crutches.

Most people at the meeting agreed speed was a problem at the junction and in the wider village but there was little consensus over what to do.

Opinions included a 20mph limit, a mini roundabout and traffic lights. There were also concerns about the location of the pedestrian crossing and the bus stop as well as the new Tesco Express entrance.

Cyclist seriously injured in collision with van near Weeton

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision near Weeton in which a cyclist was seriously injured.

It occurred on the A658 Harrogate Road between Weeton railway station and Pool Bridge on Monday, January 30, between 5.50pm and 6.15pm.

A North Yorkshire Police statement today said:

“It involved a van and a bicycle, which collided near to Riffa Business Park, resulting in serious injury to the cyclist.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have relevant dashcam of the collision or the van or bike involved, is asked to contact TC174 David Minto of North Yorkshire Police Road Policing Group.

“Please either dial 101, or email david.minto@northyorkshire.police.uk, quoting reference number NYP-30012023-0380.”

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Graveleys fish and chip shop to reopen in Harrogate tomorrow

One of Harrogate most famous names, Graveleys, is to make a comeback tomorrow.

The fish and chip restaurant and takeaway was a feature of Cheltenham Parade for decades until it was sold in 2019.

New owners Catch Seafood spent £250,000 refurbishing the property and introduced a champagne and oyster bar as well as cocktails.

But all five Catch restaurants ceased trading last year when the company went into administration, paving the way for Simon Pilkington, the son of former Graveleys owner Robert, to buy back the building.

Graveley's takeaway

The takeaway will reopen tomorrow at 11am.

The takeaway will open at 11am tomorrow and the restaurant is due to open in the next few weeks. A final date has not been confirmed.

Sarah Knox, manager of Graveleys, said the venue would be going “back to basics”, adding:

“The focus will be on fish and chips. We just want to get back to basics and serve quality products.

“We will listen to what customers tell us and adjust our menu accordingly. Come in and see us!”

Ms Knox, who has worked all her life in hospitality and was previously employed by Catch, said the new venture had come about quickly and she had spent the last week preparing for the reopening. New staff are wanted.

The takeaway will be open from 11am to 2.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday. It will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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Person airlifted to hospital after serious crash near Harrogate

A person has been airlifted to hospital after a serious crash on the A59 Skipton Road near Harrogate this morning.

Police and firefighters have been at the scene along with paramedics following a two-vehicle collision between The Nelson Inn and the farm shop crossroads.

The incident caused long tailbacks to New Park roundabout in Harrogate, with police diverting traffic onto Otley Road towards Penny Pot Lane and Beckwithshaw.

Harrogate Fire Station posted on social media:

“This morning, Harrogate crew attended a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the A59. One transported to Leeds hospital via air ambulance.”

North Yorkshire Police tweeted about the incident at 9.24am.

https://twitter.com/NYorksPolice/status/1622888981460357120

 

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Council appoints contractor to design £49m Harrogate Convention Centre revamp

Harrogate Borough Council has appointed a contractor to draw up designs and “cost certainty” for its £49 million Harrogate Convention Centre revamp.

The authority has commissioned Hertfordshire company BAM Construction Limited to provide it with technical designs for the project at a cost of £3.3 million.

The convention centre is currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council, which will hand over ownership of the venue on April 1 to North Yorkshire Council.

Senior borough council officials have previously warned the venue could lose up to £250 million over the next 40 years unless the redevelopment is carried out.

However, there is no guarantee the upgrade will go ahead.

Following the appointment of a contractor, a spokesperson for the council said:

“Under the YORbuild3 Major Works framework, we have appointed BAM – a leading construction, facilities management and property developer with offices in Leeds – to provide the design and delivery for the refurbishment and redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre (Phase 1) to RIBA Stage 4.

“The value of this early contractor involvement contract is £3.3million and will provide us with the technical design information and cost certainty required to take us to the next stage of the proposed multi-million investment project.”

Amid the transition to the new council on April 1, the borough council required consent from North Yorkshire County Council to appoint BAM Construction.

The county council told the Stray Ferret it had consented to the award of the contract for technical designs, but any approval for construction would be made at a later date.

Gary Fielding, director for strategic resources at the council, said:

“We have given consent for the first stage of the contract to carry out extensive improvements to the Harrogate Convention Centre.

“This initial stage of the contract is intended to lead to detailed designs for the project.

“However, a further decision will need to be taken as to whether the scheme progresses to the other stages of the contract.”

Funding struggles

The move comes shortly after the borough council was dealt a blow in its efforts to fund the project.

Last month, the government rejected the authority’s bid of £20 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ flagship levelling up fund.

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Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the council, said he was “disappointed” and “slightly surprised” at the decision.

Meanwhile, Richard Flinton, who will be chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, has refused to commit to the £49 million redevelopment. 

Speaking at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting in January, he said the conference and events venue needed to be vibrant and relevant in the face of competition from a new venue in Leeds rather than “an enormous drain on public finances”.