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Harrogate medical professionals welcome crackdown on botched Botox and fillers

Harrogate medical professionals have welcomed new laws which will require people administering Botox or fillers to have a licence.

The government has announced an amendment to the Health and Care Bill which intends to introduce a licensing regime for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

It follows an “unacceptable” rise in reports of botched cosmetic procedures in the UK.

Nurse Sharon Bennett, director of Harrogate Aesthetics, on Princes Square, is the chair of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN).

For years she has played a major role in fighting to push the legislation through, stating that it was “long overdue”.

However, she said the BACN continued to campaign for only regulated healthcare professionals to be able to carry out these procedures.

Only healthcare practitioners

Ms Bennett, who also sits on the clinical governance committee for the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), said:

“We have been part of the advisory group informing government to improve patient safety and to make some form of legislation.

“My personal view is that we don’t need legislation if the government just said only healthcare practitioners can practice. Then there would be no need, because we are all regulated. That would be ideal.

“There will always be rogue practitioners, but they are at least accountable and the regulators can deal with them and get rid of them.

“However, you can currently go anywhere in this area and get an injectable. They might claim they are an ‘aesthetic practitioner’, but might have only done a one-day course and before this they were a taxi driver or something. That’s where the problems lie.”

The “scope and details” of the new regulations will be “determined via extensive engagement including a public consultation”, the Department of Health said.

The scheme would aim to bring in consistent standards that practitioners must meet and set out hygiene and safety standards for premises.

Details on the public consultation on non-surgical cosmetic procedures are expected to be set out at a later date.

Rogue injectors

Dr Claire Seddon, who is a practising GP, runs aesthetics clinics in Harrogate, Leeds and Liverpool.

She said:

“This is great news for our industry. There are so many rogue injectors about who give the ones who work with care, precisions and adhere to guidelines a bad name.

“Hopefully the licence will standardise practice, not just for medical professionals, but also for non-medics.”

Dr Claire Seddon.

Both Ms Bennett and Dr Claire said one of the main issues was the aftercare of the patient and knowledge of how to treat them if there were any complications.

They have both had to correct treatments that have gone wrong, with problems mainly surrounding high-risk treatments such as dermal fillers.

‘We can deal with complications’

Nurse prescriber Ms Bennett, who has had to dissolve and administer antibiotics and steroids for botched fillers numerous times, said:

“When you have got someone lying here, we are not just injecting them. We are watching them and we can deal with anything that happens.

“I have seen someone who has had Botox around their eye, which has affected their smile. That’s because the practitioner came to low. Botox eventually wears off, so you just have to tell them to wait and it will come back.

“With filler you can actually block an artery if you go too deep. What happens then is it restricts the blood flow and the skin can die. You have to then inject something called Hyalase to dissolve the filler.

“If you are with the wrong person, it can make a massive difference.”

They said there are also issues surrounding the prescription of Botox, with rogue practitioners often buying cheap unknown products online from Korea or China.

And current rules mean an aesthetic practitioner does not need any mandatory qualifications, meaning anyone can go on a basic training course and then be allowed to perform the treatments.

This is also the case when it comes to where Botox and fillers are actually administered.

‘People deserve better’

Dr Claire, who has been practising aesthetics for seven years, said:

“People literally do it in sunbed shops.

“One girl who came to me went to someone who was doing it in their house. She got there and the person who was doing it was lying on the sofa in her dressing gown. She then took her into the kitchen where she was in the middle of cooking a meal and administered Botox. She didn’t even have gloves on. That’s what we are dealing with.

“Some beauty therapists treat it like they are doing someone’s make-up, but they are injecting into someone’s face. They don’t have the knowledge or the drugs to treat the patient if there are any complications.

“This will 100 per cent be a good thing for the industry. People deserve better.”

When legendary wrestlers Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks came to Harrogate

40 years ago two spandex-clad giants came to Harrogate.

The names Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks conjure up scenes of smoky ballrooms and chants of ‘easy easy easy’.

Harrogate’s opulent Royal Hall has hosted ballet, theatre and opera in its 120-year history — but for many people, it’s memories of big blokes wrestling that they cherish the most.

The Stray Ferret uncovered an advert for a tag team contest that involved Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks, which took place on a Monday night in February 1982.

Tickets cost £1.50 but it was £2 for ringside seats, a chance perhaps for the ladies to whack the wrestlers with their handbags.

Other household names such as Les Kellett, Jackie Pallo, Mick McManus and Kendo Nagasaki were also regular performers at the Royal Hall throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

The opulent Royal Hall regularly hosted wrestling. Credit – Jim Counter

“20 stone bull-necked brute”

Big Daddy, who was born Shirley Crabtree, was billed on the card as “children’s favourite, a hero of our time”.

The Halifax man was 6ft 6″ tall and had a record-breaking 64″ chest.

But even he was dwarfed on the night by his ring nemesis Giant Haystacks, who was billed as 6ft 11″ scaling a gigantic 40 stone.

Haystacks reputedly ate three pounds of bacon and a dozen eggs every morning to maintain his strength. Paul McArtney and Frank Sinatra were fans.

Legend in Harrogate goes that after the match, Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks went for a drink at the cocktail bar in the Traveller’s Rest pub, but they both had to duck through the entry and just about filled the place on their own.

Also on the Royal Hall card in 1982 was Castleford wrestler, the “20 stone bull-necked brute” Mal King Kong Kirk.

But in a sad twist, he died in the ring after a trademark Big Daddy Splash and it was said Daddy was never the same man afterwards.

Good memories

We asked members of the Facebook page Harrogate, Past, Present And Future if anyone had memories of the night in 1982.

Paul Mitchell said the fans went home happy after Big Daddy’s team won:

“Yes I remember, Giant Haystacks was disqualified before the bout started, so Big Daddy won”.

Jill Rimmel said she used to go to the wrestling at the Royal Hall with friends from work.

“There was a lady that sat ring side with her handbag that lashed out at the wrestler’s, so funny. I could have been there that night, good memories.”

Susan Aspey added:

“My mum used to work at the Royal Hall and I used to go and watch the wrestling sometimes. Jimmy Two Rivers was a favourite there as well.”

New cocktail bar to open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street in two weeks

A new cocktail bar promising a “sanctuary away from the madness” of Harrogate’s Parliament Street will open on March 18.

Roland’s Bar is situated in the former Moss Bros unit in the heart of the town’s nightlife.

It will be the second Roland’s Bar, following on from the flagship venue in Leeds.

Amanda Keegan, events and marketing manager at Roland’s, said besides cocktails, the venue would serve “the best Guinness in Harrogate” as well as a wide selection of beers, including some from the town’s Cold Bath Brewery Co.

Roland’s Bar Leeds. Pic: Roland’s Bar

Asked what would differentiate it from the many other bars in the area, she said:

“The warm welcome, the high quality of drinks and the easy, relaxed atmosphere. It will be a sanctuary away from the madness.”

Ms Keegan said the family-owned business would decide the opening times next week. She added:

“We hope to bring the same energy, warmth and experience to our beautiful new home on Parliament Street.”

Covid rate falls from 1,300 to 344 in Harrogate district over last month

Latest figures reveal how dramatically the covid rate of infection has fallen in the Harrogate district over the past month.

Data published by North Yorkshire County Council shows the seven-day rate of infection was 344 per 100,000 people on March 1.

On February 1, when the Omicron variant was rampant, the rate was 1,300 per 100,000 people.

Although the rate continues to fall, there have still been covid-related deaths reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

NHS England figures show that one death was recorded on February 28 and another on February 25.

There have been 232 covid-related deaths at the hospital since the pandemic started almost two years ago.

From Tuesday, the rules for people visiting patients in Harrogate and Ripon’s hospitals will be relaxed.

Since December 23, visitors have only been allowed for patients on end-of-life care, patients with a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment such as dementia. Visits to parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

But from Tuesday, patients can have one visitor, by appointment, between 2pm-4pm for 30 minutes. Only two visitors will be allowed in each bay at any one time.

Stray Ferret celebrates second birthday with record readership

The Stray Ferret celebrates its second birthday today.

The website launched on March 4, 2020 — less than three weeks before the first national covid lockdown.

Much has changed since then, and the Stray Ferret has been first with the news that matters to people in the Harrogate district.

In December last year we launched our App which can be downloaded here. The Stray Ferret website and app now attract more than a million page views a month and an average of 210,000 users. We have a very engaged social media following of more than 24,000 who comment on stories, debate the issues we report on and tell us what they think of our journalism.

Readership has grown consistently and we look forward to continuing to serve the people of Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, as well as all points in between.

Thank you for your support. Keep sending us your news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We thought you might be interested to see which stories got the most attention in the past year.

Sustainable travel

The planning application was submitted in December and received 107 letters of support and 68 objections.

Several objections said the Mosque would increase traffic in the area and that there would be a lack of car parking spaces, but these points were dismissed by council officer Arthama Lakhanpall in his report.

He wrote:

“The site is well connected to transport links and lies within a sustainable location for travel and access. It would promote walking, cycling and sustainable travel in this town centre location. It would therefore be accessible.

“There is no requirement for the proposal to provide off-street parking provision, although the site benefits from nearby short stay and long stay parking areas including the West Park pay and display and multi-storey car parks, and on-street parking on Belford Place, Belford Road and Victoria Avenue.”

The council tweeted the news this morning.

We know there has been a lot of interest surrounding planning application 21/04557/FUL (conversion of vacant former home guards club to place of worship).

We can confirm approval was given (subject to conditions) today under delegated powers. pic.twitter.com/BdMBtQXmWd

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) March 4, 2022

The HIA will run religious, community and charitable events at the building. It will also support Syrian and Afghan refugees who have moved to the area.

Whilst the HIA has obtained planning approval, the next stage is raising money to purchase the building from the current owner.

£200,000 fundraiser

It hopes to raise £200,000 and has set up a fundraising page here where people can donate.

Harrogate Islamic Association said:

“We are grateful to everyone in the Harrogate community who supported us, including those at Harrogate Borough Council who engaged with us regularly to alleviate any concerns during the process.

“We view this as a success for everyone in Harrogate, not just ourselves. We can’t wait to welcome one and all for a cuppa.

“Our next step is to raise the balance of funds necessary for us to purchase the property outright. Although we have raised most of what we need, we had a number of pledges that were dependent upon planning permission being granted.

“So for the next 30 days, we will be collecting these pledges, inshallah. We are also re-launching a crowdfunding campaign to make up the difference.”

Harrogate’s Thug Sandwich rated ‘number one takeaway’ by YouTuber with 470,000 followers

A YouTuber with 472,000 subscribers has described Harrogate’s Thug Sandwich as “the biggest 10 I’ve given so far, just outstanding”.

Danny Malin, the man behind Rate My Takeaway, visited Harrogate on Wednesday.

Mr Malin has reviewed over 200 takeaways and isn’t afraid of giving an honest opinion but he raved about Thug, rating it the “number one takeaway”. He said:

“It’s slipped into number one for me. I don’t think I’ve tried something so tasty in a while. It’s the biggest 10 I’ve given so far because I can’t stress to you how gorgeous these flavours are.”

Thug Sandwich, on Albert Street, is a popular lunch spot in Harrogate. After calls from his followers to visit, Mr Malin decided to find out what the fuss was about.

He ordered an onion bhaji scotch egg, a pig in duvet, lamb belly fingers and the Reuben and KFCaesar sandwiches.

The much-loved KFCaesar sandwich is the shop’s best seller. After just one bite, Mr Malin said:

“This sandwich is what dreams are made of, I can see why it’s the most popular. It’s so tasty. That is how fried chicken should be.”

The KFCaesar sandwich. Photograph: @thugsandwichco, Instagram

Describing Albert Street as having a “New York feel”, he said the small, independent takeaway was leaps ahead of its big brand neighbours, including Yo! Sushi and Pizza Express.

In just 16 hours the video has had over 67,000 views and in usual Danny Malin style the majority of it is shot with him sitting outside the takeaway at a folding table and chairs.

After finishing his £23 haul, he said:

“If I’m honest, dare I say it, that homemade scotch egg is absolutely outstanding. The sauces are gorgeous and the lamb belly fingers are a dream. I’m dribbling — it’s that good. I must have the best job in the world sampling this food.

“The pastrami in the Reuben has better flavour than the pastrami bagel places in London. It just hits you. Do not let the name deceive you. I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this.

“Get down here and try it out.”

Daniel Bell, owner of Thug Sandwich, said:

“I thought that Danny and the Rate My Takeaway team might pay me a visit at some point with him only being from Leeds. But that still didn’t stop me from being a little starstruck when he walked in after regularly watching his videos for several months.

“To my surprise he said we were the best takeaway he’d ever visited.

“It makes it worth it to hear from someone who has ‘eaten it all’ that we’re doing it right.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Delays of up to 10 minutes on Ripon Road in Killinghall and Knaresborough Road into Harrogate

Delays of up to 10 minutes are being reported along Ripon Road through Killinghall and on Knaresborough Road heading towards the Empress roundabout.

Be aware of the three-way traffic lights on York Place which could increase your queuing time after getting over the Empress roundabout.

It may be best to leave a little earlier if possible if you’re driving into Harrogate town centre this morning.

Keep us posted with any traffic updates on our social media channels or via contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Sneak Peek: New women’s shoe store opens on Montpellier today

A new women’s shoe and accessory store is opening on Montpellier Mews today.

Aideen Fox has been working in fashion for multiple years, initially as a buyer for online stores before going going full-time with her business in October 2019.

Before that, Ms Fox set up Fennec and Darwin in 2018 by doing pop-up shops around the North of England.

She said it was her most recent pop-up in the Victoria Gate centre in Leeds that prompted her to look for her own shop. She said Harrogate was her “number one place to have a shop”.

Tucked away in the corner on one of Montpellier courtyards, next door to Montpellier Mews Antiques Centre, Fennec and Darwin has taken over the space giving it a fresh and elegant look with the shoes taking centre stage.

Ms Fox said:

“It’s an absolutely brilliant location, it just all fell into place and I fell in love with the space.

“I’m really excited to be in Harrogate, I’m based in Leeds so I visit Harrogate alot so it should be really good and I’m excited.”

Brands including Carmela and Vanessa Wu will be sold in the shop

Known to her friends and family as the “shoe monster” Ms Fox is excited to continue her online shop whilst also having a physical space for her customers to visit.

She will be stocking brands such as Carmela, Vanessa Wu and XTI. Customers can expect everything from trainers to knee-high boots to chunky sandals and wedges; something for all the seasons.

She added shoes would range from £25 to around £100 for leather boots.

Going full-time just before the pandemic hit she said was “tough” but her background it online sales meant she was able to boost that side of her business.

Moving into a retail space of her own is something she’s looking forward to:

“I decided to just go for it myself and give it a go. Of course I love shoes so it just makes sense. I just hope people in Harrogate like what I have to offer, I think they will.”

The shop opens today at 10am.

Only healthcare practitioners

Rogue injectors

‘We can deal with complications’

‘People deserve better’

“20 stone bull-necked brute”

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