A man in his 60s suffered series injuries after a crash at Buttersyke roundabout at Pannal in Harrogate yesterday.

Emergency services were called at 7.20am after two cars, a blue Seat Ibiza and a black Volkswagen Golf, crashed near to the A658 roundabout and the A61.

The incident caused long delays at rush hour yesterday.

North Yorkshire Police said a man from Leeds in his sixties, who was driving the Seat Ibiza, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

The passenger of the Ibiza was unharmed and the driver and passenger of the Volkswagen, a couple from Harrogate, sustained minor injuries

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Officers are now appealing to anyone who may have information or dashcam footage of the crash.

A police statement added:

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have dashcam footage of either the collision itself, or either vehicle prior to the incident.

“Anyone with information which would assist the investigation is asked to dial 101, select option 2 ask to speak to Traffic Constable Steve Wright. Alternatively you can email steve.wright1@northyorkshire.police.uk – please quote reference 12220023352.”

This article is sponsored by Hotel Chocolat.

If there’s one thing you can’t go wrong with on Valentine’s Day, it’s a box of chocolates.

Well, unless it’s a box hastily purchased from the petrol station the night before.

But even then, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Fortunately there is no need to get to that stage, as Hotel Chocolat has launched its Valentine’s Day collection for 2022.

There really is something for everyone this year, from a huge heart-shaped box of chocolates (because sometimes we love a bit of nostalgia) to luxury hampers and quirky love potions.

A selection from Hotel Chocolat’s Valentine’s Day collection.

Hannah Cosgriff, manager of Hotel Chocolat Harrogate, which moved to bigger premises on James Street in October 2021, said:

“Typically Valentine’s Day tends to be a last-minute holiday. What we are finding now we have moved to the new site is that, because the café is bringing people in, people are being organised. So actually our sales during January have been up this year.

“This year we also have a lot more new products in the Valentine’s Day range.”

Hannah said her favourite chocolate this year was a limited edition Baklava Selector, inspired by the traditional Turkish treat.

She said:

“It’s in a little pack of six and it’s amazing. It’s a honey, pistachio and pastry blend. It has a real traditional flavour to it, which I actually love. We do a honey and pistachio slab all-year-round which is fabulous, and this is like a deep-filled, soft centre version of it.

“We’ve done a Cherry Bakewell Selector too and it really does taste just like the real thing. They have managed to create the illusion of pastry in the chocolate.”

Hannah has found that there is often no expense spared when it comes to buying chocolates for loved one on Valentine’s Day.

She said:

“I still remember we had one customer come in one year and say they had already got their partner a card for Valentine’s Day and just wanted ‘a little token’ to go with it.

“They asked what our biggest box of chocolates was and they bought one of the Large Chocolatiers Table boxes, which are £120. They are sensational.”

However, she added that there were always people who dashed into the store at the final hour.

She said:

“There are two really distinct groups.

“So you have the people who come in and get everything in advance. Or there is a particular product they know they want to get before it sells out.

“You then get a lull before you get all the people who come in last minute and grab lots of different things like the night before.”

However, it’s not all about the loved-up couples this year. Following a tough few years, which saw us spend last Valentine’s Day in lockdown, Hotel Chocolat has created some ‘With Love’ products that can be bought for any special person in your life – including yourself!

The Just to Say chocolate collection.

Hannah said:

“It’s themed towards Valentine’s Day, but I think it can be anyone you’ve not seen in a while. Or if could be a birthday, an anniversary or a best friend.

“Our Valentine’s Day message tends to be, sharing love with your close ones. It’s not necessarily aimed at romantic partners in particular.

“You can also obviously treat yourself – especially now we have the Valentine’s Day limited edition Selectors.”

When it comes to gifts, Hannah said her top three were the Velvetised Chocolate Tasting Experience, priced at £14.95, which includes two cream liqueurs, a Hotel Chocolate coupe glass and chocolate caramel batons.

She said:

“This is what I want to get for me. I’ve earmarked this for myself. The chocolate liqueurs are fantastic.”

He second choice is the Straight from the Heart box.

She said:

“I’ve always loved it. It just encapsulates that traditional Valentine’s Day feel. I think they are always a really good choice.”

But it’s the special edition Valentine’s Day Selectors that have really captured her heart this year.

She added:

“They are really colourful and nice for a self-treat as you can mix and match. Although obviously I would treat myself to a big box as well!”

My top five picks from the Hotel Chocolate Valentine’s Day collection

It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. I tried a selection of chocolates from the new collection, here are my favourites:

Amaretto chocolate heart from various selections

The Straight From the Heart selection.

This is available in the With Love Sleekster, H-Box and Straight from the Heart selection. If you’re a fan of the warming almond flavour of amaretto, this is the one of you. As with all the boozy chocolates, Hotel Chocolat certainly doesn’t scrimp on the alcohol, and this one certainly packs a punch in the best way possible. Tastes just like the real thing, with the welcome addition of a chocolate hit. And with it’s pink topping, it looks pretty too. If you would prefer an alcohol-free option, the banana or raspberry smoothie chocolates taste just like you got the Nutribullet out and whipped up your favourite fruity treat. Check out the hearth-shaped white chocolate strawberry mousse too if fruit is your thing.

Love Potions – £15

Not only do the little chocolates taste amazing, they also come in a really cute little potion bottle, which can be re-used. There are six different flavours of chocolate, including You’re Berry Special, Hello Honey and Pistachi-oh! But my favourite actually surprised me as it was a dark chocolate Sour Cherry. It sounds like it could taste pretty bitter, but the white ganache filling resulted in a smooth, decadent treat.

A Dozen Chocolate Little Lovebirds – £8.50

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, but want something cute, these little lovebirds are super sweet in every way. They taste like raspberries and cream and didn’t last very long at home, as the kids took a shine to them. A little bit on the sweet side? Try A Dozen Dapper Dogs – made with 40 per cent milk chocolate – instead. If you like both of these but want something a little more grown-up, I recommend the Just to Say chocolate collection, which includes a variety of chocolate batons with similar flavours. The packaging on all the boxes is lovely by the way – with little heart shapes cut out of the cover, showcasing all the bright colours of the chocolates.

Classic Champagne Truffle Tin – £10

Champagne and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand and these super boozy delights come in a re-useable pretty silver tin. What I would say is that if you don’t like alcohol, these aren’t for you. Their strong flavour is a result of using a splash of real Mercier Champagne. Apparently other chocolatiers normally use Marc de Champagne – a fiery spirit made from grape skins and stalks. I’m obsessed with these beauties, but some might find the flavour quite overpowering. I personally love the boozy kick. They also aren’t badly priced at £10 and look more expensive than they are.

Cafe M, opposite Harrogate train station, has closed due to circumstances “beyond our control”.

The cafe has been a part of Harrogate town centre for many years but the unit has already been stripped out and all that remains is the sign.

It is not yet known what will take over the unit but, according to a recent Cafe M Facebook post, the business “will be back soon”. The post says:

“Due to circumstances beyond our control Cafe M is having to relocate. We will be back soon. We will keep this page updated as to our new whereabouts. Thank you to each and everyone of you for your custom and support during the pandemic. We will be back.”

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The Stray Ferret approached the Victoria Shopping Centre for details on what will happen to the vacant unit. Centre manager James White said he had nothing to report at this time.

Cafe M was owned by Milligan’s, a bakery business based in Gateshead.

Louise Milligan, former director of Milligan’s, said the business went into liquidation at the beginning of the pandemic and its assets were sold to another company.

A Harrogate woman has spoken of her distress when a visit to her five-year-old daughter’s grave was interrupted by a dog let off its lead to defecate among the headstones.

Joanne Bolton’s daughter Charlotte died of meningitis 25 years ago and is buried in Grove Road cemetery. Ms Bolton’s mother is also buried there.

She was visiting on Sunday when a woman entered the cemetery, closed the gates and let her dog off its lead to exercise. The large cemetery is surrounded by a wall so dogs are unable to escape when the gates are closed.

The dog owner then sat on the bench and let her Terrier defecate freely around the cemetery, which includes the graves of 37 former soldiers. Ms Bolton said:

“I’m disappointed that society has sunk to this level to have no respect for loved ones’ final resting places.”

Grove Road cemetery

Guide dogs are the only dogs permitted in Harrogate Borough Council cemeteries.

Ms Bolton, who owns a dog herself, said she would have no problem with people walking their pets on leads around the perimeter path but said it was completely unacceptable to allow animals to roam freely.

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She contacted the council about the incident and received a prompt reply confirming dogs weren’t allowed inside cemeteries and that ‘no dogs’ signs had been erected.

The email added the council’s dog wardens had patrolled the area but it was unable to use CCTV to capture culprits because it would encroach on the privacy of visitors.

‘Always the same disrespectful people’

A post by Ms Bolton on a Harrogate Facebook group attracted many sympathetic comments.

One woman said there were five dogs in the cemetery when she went to pay her respects. Another said the incident gave dog owners a bad name and a third person, who lives next door to the graveyard, said they see about 25 dogs daily in the cemetery. They added:

“It’s always the same disrespectful people daily. I have complained to the council but nothing gets done.

But one woman said the presence of dogs and dog walkers had deterred drug dealers from using the site.

A councillor who has long campaigned for action on a burned-out Starbeck shop has welcomed approval of plans to demolish the building widely considered to be the area’s biggest eyesore.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Philip Broadbank said the approval was a big boost for Starbeck High Street, which has been “blighted” by the former McColl’s convenience store ever since it was gutted and left roofless during a fire more than three years ago.

Cllr Broadbank said: 

“As a resident of Starbeck myself I am pleased that at long last the site owner has now got permission to demolish this semi-derelict building.

“We need to see progress now and work towards getting a prestigious new development on the site that will help to enhance the High Street.

“It is time for some positive thinking and positive action now that the demolition issue has been decided.”

The former McColl’s store has been described as an “eyesore” and “ramshackle” by locals who have become increasingly frustrated with its unsightly appearance on the High Street.

Cllr Broadbank said he would now hold talks with the building owners Bates and Hemingbrough over their plans to revive the site by building new retail and 15 housing units in place of the current building.

These plans have already been discussed with Harrogate Borough Council, although a planning application has yet to be submitted.

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The council had previously questioned whether the building next to St Andrew’s Church could be refurbished, before more recently putting the demolition plans on hold to allow for more safety documents to come forward.

‘I want to get things moving’

Cllr Broadbank had previously argued the building was beyond restoration and should be torn down.

The council’s decision to allow this finally came to the joy of residents in January and the Leeds-based site owners now have five years to complete their demolition and construction works.

Cllr Broadbank, who represents Starbeck on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said he was hopeful that progress on the site could be made at a much faster pace than has been done up until now.

He said: 

“Like many Starbeck residents I want to get things moving now that demolition has finally been approved.

“Clearly as there are more than 15 homes proposed in what they would like to see on the site there will be some discussions now with the borough council over financial contributions to support affordable housing in the district and other aspects that now need to be progressed.”

North Yorkshire Police seized a “substantial amount” of suspected class A and class B drugs in Jennyfields today.

The force said in a statement that officers executed a drug warrant at an unspecified address in the area and several people are currently in custody.

There has been an increased police presence in Jennyfields since this morning and NYP said officers will continue with patrols to offer reassurance to residents.

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The Electric Bike Shop opened in Harrogate today, hoping to capitalise on cycling’s increased popularity since lockdown.

The shop, situated in the former Fulton’s Food unit on Leeds Road, has about 50 electric bikes in store, with more coming soon. Brands include Raleigh, Cube and Moustache.

It also sells cycling accessories and has an in-store workshop that undertakes repairs for electric and non-electric bikes.

Some of the bikes for sale.

The bikes range in price from £1,600 to £8,000 and contain rechargeable batteries that can last for between 20 and 70 miles.

It is The Electric Bike Shop’s ninth shop in England. Five have opened in the last 18 months, highlighting the impact of covid and environmental concerns on cycling participation.

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Kurt Davison, who manages the Harrogate branch, has been working in the electric bike market for eight years. He said:

“I’ve seen the industry grow and grow and it is now at a stage where it is no longer pigeon-holed as something for older people or people who don’t usually ride. Electric bikes make hills and headwind enjoyable!”

Harrogate Electric Bikes already operates in Harrogate and some other bike shops also include a selection of electric bikes.

The shop is in the former Fulton’s Foods unit on Leeds Road.

Alan Fowler, retail director of the Electric Bike Shop, said the quality of electric bikes had improved significantly in the last five years.

He added the product was well suited to Harrogate because it contained commuters to York and Leeds as well as pleasure riders in the Yorkshire Dales. He said:

“Harrogate suits our demographic really well.”

The shop employs three staff and plans to recruit one more.

Pupils from six Harrogate schools have said what they love about Harrogate in a new film that aims to pull more people into the town centre.

Children from St Peter’s, Coppice Valley, Birstwith and Admiral Long, Oatlands, Richard Taylor and Western primary schools took centre stage in the ‘I Love Harrogate’ film.

The film is being projected onto the window of an empty shop window on the side of Victoria Shopping Centre, across from Beulah Street, until February 23.

It aims to capture the imagination of some of Harrogate’s youngest residents and encourage more people town.

Paul Griffiths, head of St Peter’s Church of England Primary School said:

“We were delighted to be invited to contribute to this video, and our children really enjoyed saying why they love Harrogate.

“We are very fortunate to live in Harrogate, and even luckier that our school is in the middle of the town. On our doorstep we have The Stray, the library and its gardens, and of course all the great shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, all within a short walk.”

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The installation has been put on by Harrogate Business Improvement District. The BID is currently offering grants to entertainers with a “wow factor” to liven up Harrogate town centre’s streets.

It is hoping more events and installations will drive footfall into the town centre. It is offering the grants in order to cover any costs incurred as long as the idea satisfies funding criteria.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“The I love Harrogate video is the first in a series of films that we are making with those who live and work in the town. It is also a reminder that for many years Harrogate has been held up as one of the happiest places to live.

“I love Harrogate will be shown on a continuous loop in the window of the empty shop unit, and we hope those who star in it will encourage their family and friends to come into town to view it, and of course to take the opportunity to shop, eat and drink.”

Thieves threatened a resident then stole a white Ford Focus from the Fairways Drive area in Starbeck.

The man heard his car alarm go off at about 7.30pm on Monday and when he went to investigate he was threatened by suspects who then made off with his vehicle.

The car was a white Ford Focus RS with blue puddle and interior lights.

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There has been mirth and exasperation in Harrogate after a sign for the Otley Road cycle path was built pointing to the town centre in the wrong direction.

The long-awaited cycle path has been called a step forward for cycling in the town by Harrogate District Cycle Action but even its supporters would admit it’s had a bumpy ride so far.

After years of delays, there have been complaints from local business owners about disruption from building works and confusion from cyclists over what some believe to be a convoluted course that weaves on and off a shared route with pedestrians.

Phase one from Harlow Moor Road to Arthurs Avenue is now ready to be used and North Yorkshire County Council contractors erected signs two weeks ago, including this one close to the Harlow Moor Road junction.

But instead of directing cyclists towards the town centre and Valley Gardens, it sends them up Harlow Hill and out towards West Yorkshire.

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The Stray Ferret asked members of a Harrogate Facebook group what they thought about the error.

Mary Reevey called the sign “shambolic” whilst Christine Hemming said it was “totally useless, just like the cycle lane”.

Others joked that cyclists would now be able to take “the scenic route” into town.

However, Richard Squire defended the erroneous sign and called for some perspective:

“I think things go wrong sometimes. It’s no big deal, is it?”

In response, Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“This is a genuine mistake by our contractor. The signage will be amended this week at no cost to the council.”