Harrogate Borough Council has told three bars that they cannot use Stray land for outdoor dining when they reopen next week.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the space outside their businesses from April 12.

All had approached the council when the Government released its roadmap out of lockdown. But the council has told them that it will not be possible.

Read more:

• Harrogate bars call on council to allow tables on Stray land
• Harrogate district restaurants already fully booked ahead of reopening

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro, told the Stray Ferret:

“For us it was about making the most of the good weather so we do not take as much of a hit when we get some bad weather.

“We will still be able to reopen with room for around 40 to 50 people outside, but it is just a bonkers decision.

“The reason the council gave was that the Stray should be open for everyone to enjoy it.

“But I have never seen anyone use the space outside, people would enjoy it if they could and eat and drink there.”

Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) approved the use of tables and chairs on Stray land last summer.

Kirsty Stewart, business development manager at HBC, sent the following in reply to Mr Dresser’s request:

“Thank you for your email below requesting to use the public grass area at Promenade Square for your business from 12 April until 17 May.

“This is something the council is not licensing this year, which means that all the available space is accessible for all members of the public to enjoy.”

A council spokesman added:

“As custodians of the Stray, we encourage all visitors to use it responsibly and enjoy the wonderful public space it provides.

“However, after feedback from land owners – the Duchy of Lancaster – it has been decided that it wouldn’t be appropriate at this stage to grant licences to select number of individual businesses that could potentially inhibit the open access and enjoyment for all.”

Demolition work has started at a former Harrogate college, which will make way for eight apartments in the St George’s area of town.

The late Victorian building on The Oval was home to Harrogate Tutorial College between 1981 and 2004.

Since it closed it has fallen into a state of disrepair and has also been subject to vandalism. But diggers moved in today and made quick work of the site.

After a number of applications and appeals, including to the planning inspectorate, Harrogate Borough Council approved developers Oakdale Estates’ plans for the building in 2019.

The plans

Harrogate Borough Council refused the original application to build flats on the site on the basis that it was a non-designated heritage asset in a conservation area.

The amended, approved planning application was for a five-storey building similar in structure and design to the former tutorial college.

Harrogate Tutorial College in 2012. Photo: Google

Plans for the development said conversion of the old site would result in a less energy efficient building than a full replacement.

Harrogate Tutorial College specialised in preparing students for university and was particularly popular with oversees students hoping to get into a UK university. Keith Pollard was the headmaster.

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• Harrogate pupils plant roses in memory of Captain Tom

Harrogate Borough Council has revealed it hasn’t issued any fines in the last year to people who drop litter or allow their dogs to foul in public.

The two issues have been hot topics recently.

The Stray has been a litter hotspot over the past year with takeaway boxes, leftover food, beer bottles and cans frequently discarded.

The Pinewoods Conservation Group has also highlighted on social media the problem of empty plastic bottles and other waste being left in the woodland.

Meanwhile, people have complained about an increase in dog owners leaving poo bags tied to trees, dumped in bushes or even thrown into private gardens.

A spokesperson from Pinewoods Conservation Group said:

“Litter has always been a major issue for us but seems to have worsened over the last 12 months.

“We often report specific areas of concern to the council but also have a number of volunteers who continue to work hard collecting litter from within and around The Pinewoods.

“Seeing large number dog waste left in plastic bags is specifically disappointing but a regular sight along the main footpaths. We would certainly encourage more enforcement of the rules with fines being applied where necessary. Without this it is difficult to see the situation improving.”

The council can issue fixed penalty notices of £100 for littering and up to £80 for dog fouling.

But a council spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret littering and dog fouling were “not a major problem” in the district.

Read more:

• Deja vu on the Stray, as party ends with litter
• Discarded dog poo bags leaving Harrogate ‘disgusted’

Yorkshire Live reported last week that Harrogate Borough Council was one of two councils in North Yorkshire that had not issued any fines for littering in two years.

A council spokeswoman said:

“The fact we’ve not issued any fines in the last 12 months is because littering and dog fouling is not a major problem and we have dedicated teams of people who keep the Harrogate district clean and tidy.

“Dedicating officers to deal with this issue is very resource intensive, and requires us having people in the right place at the right time to catch someone committing an offence within the 505 square miles of the district.

“We are very fortunate that the vast majority of people who live here or come to visit take considerable pride in the appearance of the area. Because of this they do the right thing and pick up after their dog, don’t drop litter and dispose of their waste responsibly.”

There has been a rush to book tables at restaurants in the Harrogate district ahead of re-opening on Monday.

Restaurants can open their doors to eager customers as long as they have distanced outdoor seating.

Bookings have been overwhelming, with some places saying it’s busier than it was after previous lockdowns.

After months away restauranteurs and staff are eager to get back to work, even if the circumstances are a little different.

Chris Richardson, operations manager at Six Poor Folk in Knaresborough, said:

“We have almost full capacity on Monday which obviously filters down through the week but we’re pretty much fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After that, the bookings are similar every week throughout April and we just cannot wait to get back to it.”

Grantham Arms is preparing to reopen with space for 90 people to sit outdoors.

A similar number of bookings has been seen across the district.

“We’ve done really well with table bookings. We have extended the outdoor area [at the Grantham Arms] and now have seating for 90 people. Getting the green light from government to reopen like this is a massive help for our business.”

David Dresser, who owns Fashion House Bistro in Harrogate, said:

“We’ve had a lot of bookings come in for next week I think so far it’s only Tuesday that is looking quiet. We have 40-50 table outside. We didn’t really have any preconceived conceptions of how we’d be, we aren’t packed but we are looking busy. We are just going to have to pray for good weather.”

After April 12, the next big step of the government’s roadmap comes on May 17 when it is hoped restaurants and hotels can open fully to allow guests indoors.

As reports of anti-social behaviour in Bilton increase, the Stray Ferret has been told some older residents have become afraid to leave their homes.

North Yorkshire Police has recently issued appeals to help find the group of youths who assaulted a teenage girl on the iron bridge behind Woodfield Primary School, and vandals who targeted Richard Taylor Primary School.

There have been other reports on social media about “almost daily” damage to cars and properties.

Bilton resident Andrew Hart told the Stray Ferret that lockdown and a “lack of police presence” are to blame for the rise in crime.

He said:

“It became more apparent in July, I can’t even think how many cars have been scratched and tyres slashed. My car has been targeted several times. It’s a waste of time ringing the police as nothing ever happens.

“The lack of police presence in Bilton definitely doesn’t help. Lockdown has exacerbated the problem. Of course there has been crime in the 27 years I’ve lived here but there hasn’t been this amount of vandalism and confrontation before. Some older residents have even said they’re frightened to come out in the afternoons.”

Read more:

• Girl assaulted by teenagers in Bilton
• Young men set up Bilton group to encourage community spirit

Steve Pepper, who has lived in Bilton since 1989, is forming a local action group with Mr Hart to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

He is hoping to speak to candidates standing for the upcoming North Yorkshire Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner elections to discuss the issue.

Mr Pepper said “people have been doing all sorts of horrible stuff” in the area and blamed cuts to police funding as one reason for the increase in anti-social behaviour.

Other residents in Bilton told the Stray Ferret that the police should increase their presence in the area to act as a deterrent.

Ella Cooper and Melissa Underwood both said more police patrols are needed and Carol Deeming said CCTV should be installed on the iron bridge near Claro Road.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police to comment but we did not receive a response by publication.

Women on Tap, a community interest company in Harrogate celebrating females in the beer industry, is to stage its fifth festival from June 9 to 13.

The company, which was established in 2017 by Harrogate beer enthusiasts Rachel Auty and Andrew Cameron, has previously hosted four festivals.

Ms Auty hopes the festival will encourage women to explore beer and break the stereotype that it’s a man’s drink. She said:

“I’ve always been a beer drinker and I noticed that women drinking pints was seen as strange.

“I got in touch with women brewers and realised I wasn’t alone in seeing the gender stereotype, so I wanted to start something that would encourage women to be involved in the beer industry.”

Women on Tap’s 2020 festival involved a series of virtual events, including online beer tasting sessions, art exhibits, quizzes and talks from women, about women.

Women on Tap Festival in 2018.

The 2020 festival achieved a global reach, with people from as far as Australia joining in. This inspired Ms Auty to keep parts of this year’s festival online.

Read more:

• Harrogate group campaigns to get more women drinking beer
• Councils could pave the way for pop up beer gardens in Harrogate

But it is hoped there will be live events, depending on the latest government guidance when it takes place. She said:

“We obviously have to work with guidelines, but we have high hopes that at least two-thirds of the festival will go ahead live, even if that’s a tasting for two households in a Harrogate independent brewery.”

On International Women’s Day on March 8, the organisation set out to get 20 sponsors giving £300 each to fund the festival.

Today, exactly one month on, Women on Tap gained its 20th sponsor.

Ms Auty said she can’t wait for pubs to reopen on Monday.

“I’m so excited to see Harrogate hospitality reopen its doors, everyone seems so energised.

“Harrogate Brewing Company opens at 4pm on Monday, so you’ll bet I have a table booked at 4pm on Monday!”

Children at Brackenfield School in Harrogate have planted a rose garden in memory of their hero Captain Sir Tom Moore.

The reception children at the independent school followed Captain Tom’s journey during the autumn term.

They admired his determination and positivity and even adopted his inspirational quote “tomorrow will be a good day” as a daily mantra.

Captain Tom red roses, a variety named in memory of the war veteran, were planted where the children will see them grow on their way into school each day.

Headmaster Joe Masterson said:

“Sir Captain Tom Moore has made a profound impact on the entire nation, including our young children at Brackenfield, who were greatly inspired by his outlook on life.

“The pupils thoroughly enjoyed creating our new rose bed, providing a space for our entire school community to reflect and a fitting tribute to Sir Captain Tom.”

Read more:

• Ripon Grammar School pupil with aspirations of becoming a lawyer has won an award from Oxford University. 
• Harrogate Apple repair shop donated 60 iPads to local school children. 

The war veteran became a national treasure during the first lockdown when he began walking 100 laps of his garden at the age of 99 to raise money for the NHS.

By the time he’d finished he had raised over £30 million.

He died on February 2.

A 23-year-old murder suspect from Harrogate did not enter a plea today when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court.

Daniel Ainsley is accused of murdering Mark Wolsey, 48, who was found dead inside a flat in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate on March 5.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing on July 1, at which Ainsley, of no fixed abode, may enter a plea.

The trial was confirmed to take place on 18 October. Ainsley was remanded in custody until then.

Mr Wolsey was found with serious injuries after police were called to Mayfield Grove just after 10pm on a Friday night. He was certified dead at the scene by ambulance staff.

Extra police patrols were deployed in the area following the incident “to reassure those living and working nearby”.

Read more:

• Harrogate murder suspect named in court
• Court orders Harrogate builder James Moss to pay £11,000

Building thousands of new homes in Harrogate could lead to more raw sewage ending up in the River Nidd, the Harrogate & District Green Party has warned.

A Stray Ferret investigation published this morning revealed Yorkshire Water released raw sewage into rivers and becks such as the Nidd, Ure and Coppice Beck for 36,000 hours last year.

Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full.

New housing developments are being built on Skipton Road and Penny Pot Lane.

With more developments proposed for Otley Road. it could mean over 4,000 new homes being built on the western side of Harrogate alone.

The Greens say Oak Beck, which runs from near Beckwithshaw, through the west of Harrogate and into the River Nidd, could suffer the brunt of this.

Oak Beck

Arnold Warneken, who is standing for the party in the upcoming North Yorkshire County Council Bilton and Nidd Gorge by-election, said more needed to be done to tackle the problem.

He said:

“Whose job is it to mitigate the negative impacts of housing developments on the environment?

“We would like to see that any developments in this area are built with consideration to the combined sewer overflows, that Yorkshire Water fixes long-standing issues, and ensures new housing developments do not exaggerate these issues.”

Read more

• Raw sewage released into Harrogate district rivers for 36,000 hours last year
• River Nidd fails water pollution tests due to raw sewage

Yorkshire Water said yesterday it is investing £137m in storm overflow improvements, investigation and increased monitoring by 2025.

“We are also investigating the environmental impact of 158 frequent spilling overflows as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme.

“As frequency of spill does not necessarily equate to environmental harm and environmental permits do not set spill threshold limits, these investigations will be key to understanding environmental impact, and what action needs to be taken to resolve any impacts.”

Lockdown restrictions will ease on Monday, allowing beauticians and hairdressers to reopen.

Many people have eagerly awaited haircuts, pedicures and spa treatments since the third lockdown began in early January.

Consequently, businesses in the Harrogate district are bracing themselves for a hectic month. Many customers are struggling to get appointments.

The Treatment Rooms in Harrogate has been shut since December 30 and set up a waiting list six weeks ago to deal with high demand for bookings.

Alex Smith, owner of The Treatment Rooms, said:

“We’re fully booked for the first month and we wanted to make sure we were booking in our loyal customers first before we can fit in new customers.”

Ms Smith said this has been the busiest return from any lockdown so far.

“It could be because the weather’s getting nicer, pubs are reopening or because people have this hope that this will actually be the last time.

“Either way, we can’t wait to go back and see some normality.”

Aimes Health and Beauty in Knaresborough is almost fully booked April, but owner Amy Dodsworth thinks the beauty industry could be adversely affected after the initial rush.

Ms Dodsworth said:

“I think we will be affected by people maybe not feeling safe enough to go out yet, and even working from home might affect business because people won’t want their nails doing as much with no one to see them.

“But we’re looking at the positives. Now is the time to get pampered and have something to look forward to.”

Susan Schofield, owner of the salon Headroom Harrogate described the measures it has instigated to make customers feel safe:

“We have the screens between each customer and all of the team will be wearing masks and visors. We are also doing a few early mornings to ensure we can properly clean each station before every customer.

“Reopening is an exciting time but it is a strange feeling. We’re looking forward to seeing how the first busy week goes.”

Montpellier Beauty in Harrogate, which is also opening its doors on Monday, has kept in touch with clients about government guidelines to demonstrate continuity of care.

Owner Judy Robson said this lockdown has caused stress and uncertainty for the business.

“It has prevented us from implementing some development plans moving the business forward, but has also afforded us some reflection time to brainstorm!

“We have been in survival mode, but are now emerging excited about reopening and thankful that all our lovely, loyal clients have been so supportive and we can’t wait to get back.”

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