Harrogate Archives - Page 502 of 786

Record number of homes sold above £1m in the Harrogate district last year

The booming housing market in the Harrogate district led to a record number of homes sold above £1million last year.

Land Registry data reveals 84 property deals passed the seven-figure threshold, more than any other previous year.

The number includes all detached and semi-detached homes as well as apartments.

The most expensive part of Harrogate is an area off Leeds Road —Fulwith Mill Lane, Fulwith Grove, Fulwith Drive and Fulwith Road — where five homes sold for over a million in 2021.

The Harrogate district beats large metropolitan areas in the North (Leeds, 55, York, 27, Manchester, 17) when it comes to bumper property deals.

Knaresborough

The two most expensive homes sold last year in the district were in Knaresborough.

Staveley Court in the village of Staveley sold for £3m and a property on Lands Lane went for £2.9m.

Staveley Court. The most expensive property in the Harrogate district last year

In a sign of just how buoyant the property market is currently, the website Move Market suggests Staveley Court’s value has increased by a whopping £449,000 since it was sold in January 2021.

Its price tag has trebled in two decades. It was sold in 2001 in a deal worth £950,000.

Peter Lacey is from Knaresborough Community Land Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that is hoping to develop a site in the town into affordable housing.

He said the record year for million pound houses indicates the market is currently imbalanced:

“The pace in which affordable housing is growing is being outstripped by the rate we are selling million pound houses.

“It’s a product of supply and demand, but an awful lot of people, including my own kids, can’t get on the property ladder.

“We haven’t got the balance right but you can’t criticise anyone for buying or selling house at market value.”

Mr Lacey said he is worried that expensive property deals will inflate the market and make it even more unaffordable for people earning average wages to buy a home here.

He added:

“That’s what id be concerned about. If market is distorted, that becomes an issue.”

Booming market

David Waddington, director at Linley & Simpson, described the current housing market in the district as a “frenzy”.

He said the average value of a property in Harrogate is going up by 1% a month.

He added:

“There has been really strong activity over the last three years. Selling homes for over a million is not uncommon nowadays.”

“Increasingly, buyers are wanting houses with all the bells and whistles, but to be able to afford a million, Harrogate is the jewel in the crown.”

Last week The Sunday Times named Harrogate as one of the best places to live in the UK.

Judges cited the town’s schools, parks, shops, cafes and restaurants as among its attractions, describing it as “all the fun and fresh air of Yorkshire without any of the gritty bits”.

Mr Waddington said around 25% of Linley & Simpson’s sales are from people moving up to the district from down south, which he said could be pushing prices up.

He expects a downturn in the market later this year but for those who can afford a £1m price tag, he said they are less likely to be affected by factors like the cost of living crisis and inflation.

Woodfield school parents ‘frustrated and upset’ after merger U-turn

A parent has spoken of her anger at the ongoing uncertainty over the future of a school in Bilton.

A planned merger between Woodfield Community Primary School and Grove Road Community Primary School fell through last week.

Governors at Grove Road said in a statement they were concerned about the risk and “must prioritise the future of Grove Road School”.

It means Woodfield faces the treat of closure having been unable to secure an academy sponsor since it was rated ‘inadequate’ by school inspector Ofsted.

Naomi Tomlinson said parents of the 40 or so pupils remaining at Woodfield didn’t know what to do and were “praying for a miracle” that it might survive. She said:

“Do we stick with the school or do we just try to get out? It’s a good school and we are like a family there.

“But the kids are struggling and parents are frustrated, disappointed and upset. We don’t know what to tell the kids or ourselves.

“Our mental health and the kids’ mental health is being sacrificed.”

Ms Tomlinson, who has one child at the school and another due to start reception in September, said she had already had applications to two nearby schools declined and she was worried about potentially long journeys each day. She added:

“I have a few health considerations that make it hard for me to walk far so I need somewhere close.

She said the ongoing uncertainty meant parents felt like they were being pushed “from pillar to post”.

She also questioned why, once again, parents had received important news about the school just before the start of a school holiday, leaving them powerless to do anything for two weeks.

Ms Tomlinson said::

“Do we fight for the school or do we leave before it gets too much? We know nothing of the future of this lovely school.”

Artizan café in Harrogate expands to second floor

Artizan café, which opened on Cambridge Road late last year, is set to expand to an upper floor.

The floor was initially used for offices and storage space. Due to increased demand, it will now be opened up to the public as an extended café area.

Artizan International was founded by Suzie Hart MBE in 2013.

Ms. Hart will be behind the design of the second floor, which will include the same tiles, mosaics and artisan textures on the ground floor.

The café was introduced to help people with disabilities learn hospitality skills and get into the job market.

Anna Maria Wilson, part-time manager at Artizan café, said:

“It was always in the plan. We are definitely doing it sooner than was anticipated because there was that increased demand.

“We have been so busy, that we needed the extra space. It is beautiful up there, and we aim for it to be more of a tranquil and relaxed area for people to enjoy.”

Although the official date is not yet known, the second floor should be open in a couple of weeks for customers to enjoy.

Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

Specsavers Harrogate is joining the Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service (CUES) scheme

Specsavers Harrogate has announced that it will be joining the NHS Covid-19 Urgent Eye Service programme.

Those with urgent eye health issues can visit the store for treatment under the CUES scheme.

The service was launched to reduce pressure on the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients with urgent eye issues and in need of treatment will now be able to visit Specsavers Harrogate to have vision checks, which will be covered free-of-charge by the NHS.

Robert May, optometrist director at Specsavers Harrogate, said:

“The Cues scheme has been set up as we have the expertise and equipment in-store to deal with a range of eye-related emergencies.

“We’re seeing around one hundred customers every week through the scheme, which is definitely taking the pressure off the NHS’ services and waiting times.”

You can find out more about the CUES scheme here.

Harrogate Election Hustings: your chance to quiz the candidates

The Stray Ferret is hosting an election hustings in Harrogate ahead of a crucial polling day for the town.

In what will prove to be the biggest change in local government in North Yorkshire since the 1970s, this is your chance to grill candidates standing in Harrogate on the future of the town.

The elections on May 5 will be the last before North Yorkshire Council replaces Harrogate Borough Council and the six districts.

It will leave Harrogate without a town council and raises questions over the future of the town itself.

Those attending the hustings will be standing for the new council and will answer questions on behalf of their party locally.

This is your chance to put questions to candidates on the issues that matter to you, whether that be housing, highways or the local economy.

The Stray Ferret Hustings:

The hustings will be held at the Wesley Centre, Oxford Street, on Tuesday, April 26, from 7pm until 9pm and will be free for the public to attend.

All parties including Labour, Conservative, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and the independents have been invited to attend the event.

Four out of five of the parties have indicated their intention to take part – the Conservatives have yet to respond to the invitation.

Confirmation of the candidates attending the hustings will be made closer to the date.

If you would like to submit a question to put to the candidates, send it to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with the subject heading “hustings question”. We will also take on the night from the audience.

To book a tickets for the hustings click here.

Calls for ‘European-style’ waste collection in Harrogate district

Waste and recycling managers have been asked to consider introducing ‘European-style’ waste collection systems in North Yorkshire.

Under the proposed radical overhaul, residents in the Harrogate district could get central points to deposit their waste.

A meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s transport, economy and environment scrutiny committee was told that the new unitary authority, which will begin in 2023, represents an opportunity to “work better in terms of waste minimisation”.

In some European countries, waste is deposited into a central skip buried underground with a post box-style top.

Councillors were told the scheme could benefit urban areas and where people live closely together, such as North Yorkshire’s coastal villages, but in rural areas there would be issues over where the skip was sited.

Officers commented while such a scheme would put an increased onus on residents to consider the waste they were producing, it would also be a “cultural shock”.

Conservative councillor for Ribbelsdale, David Staveley, replied that 10 years ago, it would have been “unheard of” to have electric vehicle charging points, solar panels or ground source heat pumps in new-build homes.

He said with central waste skips residents would not have to find space for the growing list of separate bins.

Cllr Staveley said:

“It’s not good enough just to say people might get a bit shocked. People get shocked about a lot of things in life, but I think the world has moved on in the last couple of years and we are open to all sorts of new ideas.”

Conservative councillor for Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said he supported a more “radical” approach to waste due to the amount of new homes being built in the county.

He said:

“I fully support a more radical approach, particularly as between now and 2025 there are probably going to be about 20% more houses built.”

Harrogate hairdresser warns of window cleaner scam

A Harrogate hairdresser wants to raise awareness of a scam after two men claiming to be window cleaners stole her mobile phone.

Linzi Underwood had been working at Harrogate Hair Studio on St Mark’s Avenue for just two weeks when the incident occurred on Monday.

She was with a client just before midday when two men entered and waved around paperwork. She said one of them “came within half a metre of my face” and, unable to speak much English, just kept shouting “window cleaning, window cleaning”.

Within 30 seconds the pair had distracted Ms Underwood and her client enough to steal her phone and run away.

She described the experience as “intimidating”. She said her client just froze in the chair and with a man shouting in her face Ms Underwood felt powerless to do anything.

She said:

“I’m guessing they watched and waited for my colleague to leave because within two minutes they were in the shop.”

Ms Underwood’s phone contains all her bookings and client details so she is struggling to make new appointments.

She added:

“It would be great to have my phone back but I know that’s unlikely. Now I want to raise awareness. After posting on social media so many people commented saying a similar scam had happened near them.”

Ms Underwood reported the incident to police as soon as it happened and officers visited today to collect CCTV footage.

She said it is clear on CCTV the men make hand gestures in the mirror to indicate they had stolen something.

Under investigation

North Yorkshire Police has said the “investigation is ongoing”. It said it was aware another Harrogate business was targeted by the scammers on the same day.

A spokesperson said:

“Both incidents are under investigation. If anyone else believes they have also been targeted by the two men, please report it to North Yorkshire Police.

“We urge businesses to be alert to the tactic that uses distraction and intimidation to distract staff while the suspects steal their property.”

To report a crime head to www.northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, if you are threatened, always call 999.

The reference number for this case is 12220061129.

Tributes to long-serving Harrogate hospital cardiologist

Dr Hugh Larkin, a retired cardiologist and consultant in acute medicine at Harrogate District Hospital for 39 years, has died.

Dr Larkin, who was 78, died on April 1 following a battle with cancer. He leaves behind wife Lynn, children Hugh, Philip, Samantha, Nicola and Tristan and grandson, Hugh.

He joined the cardiology department at the hospital in 1983 and worked through the pandemic until his retirement in January 2021.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, executive medical director at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT), said:

“Dr Larkin was one of our longest serving consultants, joining HDFT in 1983 and working with us during the covid pandemic where he returned to support his colleagues and patients at a time of great need.

“He was a kind, caring and talented doctor who was highly respected by colleagues and patients and he will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Born in 1943, Dr Larkin grew up in Glasgow, joining the navy at 16 years old and before studying Medicine at the University of Glasgow.

On graduation in 1974, Dr Larkin became a resident at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary before working at the Western Infirmary and Sydney’s North Shore Hospital.

Dr David Earl, deputy medical director at HDFT said:

“Hugh was a gentle and kind man. He was a wonderful teacher, who was respected as a colleague and friend, and most importantly by the population of Harrogate itself.”

Sammy Lambert, business development, charity and volunteer manager at HDFT said:

“Hugh was an amazing person and highly thought of by so many people. He saved so many lives – including my own father. His passing is such a sad loss, but his legacy will live on not only with the funds raised in his memory, but also through the difference he made to so many people’s lives.”

The Larkin family said in a statement:

“Hugh was a cherished husband and loving father; he was a family man in the truest sense of the word and was happiest when surrounded by his wife and children.

“As a family, we knew how much his work meant to him and we were incredibly proud of everything he did as a doctor. We hope his legacy in cardiology, as well as the positive impact he had on the lives of the people of Harrogate, lives on.”

Dr Larkin’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 19 April at 12pm at Our Lady Immaculate and St Robert’s Catholic Church in Harrogate.

Dr Larkin’s family have asked for donations in his memory to go to the cardiology department at Harrogate District Hospital via a dedicated donation page at https://hhcc.co.uk/hhcc-post/in-memory-of-dr-hugh-larkin/

Harrogate tourism boss questioned over £6,000 spend on snow globe and social media influencer

The head of Harrogate’s tourism body says it will continue to use social media influencers and new marketing campaigns after facing questions over the spending of almost £6,000 of taxpayers’ money.

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, was quizzed by members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission last night.

It came after £5,220 was spent on a giant snow globe at London’s King’s Cross station and £700 was paid to a travel blogger to promote Harrogate at Christmas, as first reported by The Stray Ferret.

Ms Rio said the marketing methods were a “toe in the water” as part of a new tourism strategy and that similar campaigns would run again.

She said:

“We’re absolutely delighted with the snow globe.

“Not only was it great for us to be reaching out to new markets in the south-east, but it also generated a lot of interest from our stakeholders locally.

“Those stakeholders have since come to ask to buy into our campaigns which will further extend our reach.”

Council leader Richard Cooper also defended the snow globe, which promoted train services to Harrogate. He said one was also used in Leeds and “a number of other locations across the district”.

This followed questions over how many visitors came to Harrogate as a result of the snow globe and if the £5,220 was well spent.

Ms Rio said the visitor numbers were “difficult to monitor” and that there was a greater focus on creating a “sustained brand profile” which would promote the district over a long period of time.

She said:

“Place marketing generally is rarely intended for immediate conversion.

“We could have very well hit our target market, for example, a woman in her 50s in King’s Cross station going to work.

“She’s seen the snow globe, interacted with the Visit Harrogate team, picked up a leaflet and been impressed, but the reality is she’s actually already booked all of her festive plans.

“So when she sees our gardens campaign in the spring, or an article we’ve placed in the travel pages of The Telegraph, she will continue to be impressed by Harrogate and she may well come in Christmas 2022 or have a summer holiday in 2023.

“That’s how we manage all of our place marketing.”

Bristol-based blogger Heather Cowper, who runs Heather on Her Travels, was the social media influencer paid £700.

One of the Instagram posts.

After visiting Harrogate, she published an article listing “11 fun things to do” in the district and there have since been questions over how many people actually saw the content online.

Defending the £700 spends, Ms Rio said:

“We chose Heather Cowper because her following is largely made up of women in their over 50s, which is a key target market for us.

“£700 does sound like a lot of money when it’s reported that it only got two shares. The reality is that the campaign actually got over 10,000 views on Instagram.”

Ms Rio added:

“We will continue to look for digital influences that align with our target markets and we will monitor their return on investment.

“We have to ask our residents, business and councils to have a little faith that everything we’re doing is resulting in those visitor numbers.”

New restaurant and bar to open on Harrogate’s King’s Road next week

Two Harrogate 26-year-olds are opening a new restaurant and bar on King’s Road next week.

Charlie Moorby and Tom Moxham hope Frog, which will begin serving customers on Wednesday, will bring a “neighbourhood hub” to the Harrogate street.

They hope it could help King’s Road follow Cold Bath Road by becoming more of a destination hub.

Mr Moorby said renovation work is nearly complete. The site, previously Ramus Seafood and What’s Cooking, has been completely refurbished.

The large restaurant will include outdoor seating to the side and front.

Frog has been in the pipeline since last summer.

The two men, former Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College students, have worked in numerous Harrogate hospitality venues.

This is the first independent venture for Mr Moorby.

After being friends for over a decade, the pair felt they would work well as business partners. Mr Moorby has taken charge of the drinks side and Mr Moxham is overseeing the food and restaurant.

Mr Moorby said:

“We have aimed the whole thing at having a homely feel. We want people to feel like they’re at home or in their friend’s front room. We thought there was a bit of a gap in Harrogate for having high-quality food without the big price tag on it.”

Speaking about the choice of location on King’s Road, Mr Moorby said they wanted the venue to be more of a community venture than a late-night establishment in the town centre:

“We used Cold Bath Road as an example. Five, six years ago there wasn’t much going on but now there’s so much going on. We felt like the same is happening on King’s Road, it’s becoming its own little suburb.”

About 40 people can be accommodated and enjoy the Asian and South American-inspired menu. About 10 members of staff will be employed.

Free Easter chicks delight Bilton kids during Holy Week

Churchgoers in Bilton have delighted children each day during Holy Week by giving away free Easter chicks.

Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church have knitted 165 chicks and leave about 20 on the hedge outside the church each morning.

Each one contains a message saying, ‘Please take this free gift’.

Bilton Grange United Reformed Church free chicks

The volunteers have run similar community-minded initiatives during other Christian festivals. For instance, they have put out angels at Christmas and doves at Whitsun to spread joy.

The gifts are knitted at their social gatherings.

Norma Trotter, who is one of the volunteers, said:

“There’s so many sad things going on in the world so we just hope it will raise a smile and make some children happy.

“It gives us pleasure to make them happy and it spreads the Easter message. If you do good you feel good.”

The chicks will appear on the hedge at the junction of Skipton Road and Woodfield Road every morning until Easter Sunday.

Knaresborough

Booming market

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Specsavers Harrogate to join CUES scheme

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The Stray Ferret Hustings:

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Under investigation

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