Harrogate empty shops to reveal town’s links to famous faces

Empty shops in Harrogate are to get a new lease of life by telling the story of the town’s links to famous people.

Harrogate Business Improvement District , which aims to drive footfall into the town centre, has collaborated with Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam on the project.

It has already installed the first window vinyl in the former Hotter store on Cambridge Street.

The window features Sir Edward Elgar, The Beatles and Louis Armstrong, who all have connections with Harrogate.

The Beatles played at the Royal Hall in March 1963 and Louis Armstrong performed at the same venue in October 1933.

Elgar was a regular visitor to the town. He would often stay at the Crown Hotel and the Majestic Hotel. A walk in Valley Gardens is named after him.

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Over the coming weeks Debenhams on Parliament Street and Swarovski on James Street will also be transformed.

These will tell the stories of Harrogate’s connections to Agatha Christie, Sir Winston Churchill and Charles Dickens.

Creative agency The Lift Agency, and signs and graphic experts De-signs are also involved in the project.

Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:

“I think the first window looks absolutely fantastic, and will help instil pride in our town, and also give people another reason to visit.

“There is nothing worse than seeing empty shops and what we are doing is helping to create a town that is a fabulous place to shop, eat and drink, one that is interesting, and one that is proud of its history and heritage.

“I would like to thank Malcolm Neesam for penning the words, and our two other partners in this project, De-signs, and The Lift Agency for creating these superb vinyl graphics.”

Coughed at and facing aggression – being a Harrogate traffic cop during covid

After a year of intense challenges, we spent a morning with the Harrogate traffic cops to learn about the year they’ve had and to get a glimpse of the job as we re-emerge from lockdown.

Whilst patrolling the town’s roads in an unmarked car with TC Tim Healey, he told the Stray Ferret that changing covid rules has meant catching offenders has been like “trying to catch water in a sieve instead of a bucket” and why he doesn’t mind being unpopular.

Covid challenges

The three covid lockdowns have presented multiple new challenges to the police and the government’s guidelines for travel have frequently been tested.

TC Healey said they’ve received many excuses for people on the road when they shouldn’t have been.

He said:

“Travelling for mental health reasons can be the first thing that someone throws at you.”

The officer said the government’s guidelines could have been clearer, which has resulted in people making up the rules to fit what they want to do.

He added that officers have been “pulled in many different directions” due to the changing rules.

“Sometimes it’s been like trying to catch water in a sieve instead of a bucket.”

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Covid has also meant police officers have had to deal with some unsavoury and potentially dangerous incidents in the line of duty.

In Ripon earlier this year, TC Healey stopped a car suspected of drink driving. The passenger wasn’t happy and decided to blow and cough in his face saying “coronavirus” over and over.

Another new phenomenon due to covid was neighbours reporting on other neighbours for suspected covid breaches, which TC Healey said he did not agree with.

Criminality

As the roads in Harrogate become busier as lockdown restrictions ease, we are out with TC Healey as part of Operation Boundary, a campaign to clamp down on criminality and traffic offences.

Whilst observing traffic on Skipton Road, TC Healey spotted a man using his mobile phone whilst driving a white van.

After being pulled over, the man was rude and aggressive to the officer and said, “Do you also want to know what my mum had for breakfast? Why so many questions?”

TC Healey said they regularly face hostility from the public for doing their job.

He added:

“They say you should be catching real criminals like rapists and sex offenders. Or they say have you got nothing better to do than pick on decent people going about their life?

“Were you bullied at school is another classic.

“But road policing is important and until you’ve dealt with a serious collision you look at what we do in different light.”

Criticism

NYP says Operation Boundary has been successful in targeting road offences across the county.

But the force recently received criticism from some residents in Harrogate for the speeds its police cars travel from Harrogate Police Station off Otley Road into the town during lockdown.

In February, a Harrogate police officer who drove through a red light in Harrogate at 50 miles per hour and then crashed into a car carrying two elderly women was found guilty of dangerous driving.

On the balance between driving fast through our urban areas and catching criminals, TC Healey said officers are trained to drive at high speeds as the extra few seconds can make all the difference.

He added:

“It’s not about going fast and flying around. You’re a professional and take your job seriously. You don’t want to put anybody’s life at risk.”

Spring into life

As our three hours in the police car draws to a close without much incident, a message comes through the radio that sees TC Healey’s expensive, high-powered vehicle spring into life.

The blue lights come on and its sirens ring out down Skipton Road as he attempts to catch a vehicle failing to stop reported by other officers near Ripon.

We approach the Little Wonder roundabout at a high speed and my adrenaline threatens to go into overdrive, but TC Healey’s colleagues radio to say the culprits have been apprehended.

The two men are arrested and held in custody on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and the driver on suspicion of drug driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to stop for police — which to TC Healey means a job well done, even if he wasn’t the one to catch them.

Calls to refuse plans to build 95 homes at Granby Farm in Harrogate

A residents’ group has called on councillors to refuse plans to build 95 homes at Granby Farm in Harrogate and create a ‘green legacy’ instead.

Redrow Homes and Richborough Estates have submitted proposals for the development, which would be built on land designated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan.

A council officer has recommended the plans be approved, subject to conditions, but the planning committee will make the final decision on Tuesday.

In a site assessment produced when creating the Local Plan, the council described the site as ‘an important part of the green infrastructure network’ of Harrogate and said any development should maintain 50% open fields — yet the plans propose only 25% be kept green.

The application has attracted over 150 objections from local residents, as well as from Harrogate Civic Society.

One objection, by Granby Residents Group, said developers should go back to the drawing board and retain a ‘green corridor’ so people can walk from the Stray to Nidd Gorge and to Longlands Common.

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Harrogate Civic Society said in its objection letter:

“An open corridor into the countryside is lost, giving pedestrians and cyclists only a narrow passageway through a housing estate to reach open country and the green belt.”

Gary Walker, whose house borders the field, said:

“The council has a unique opportunity to create a green corridor from the centre of Harrogate to Nidd Gorge. In order to ensure this is delivered the planning application must be rejected and modified.”

A design and access statement prepared on behalf of the developers said the site would include ‘significant green infrastructure’.

Redrow Yorkshire managing director John Handley said:

“Redrow is committed to strong placemaking and the creation of thriving communities. A key element of this involves designing in green spaces, enhancing or replacing existing wildlife habitats and better connecting people to them through thoughtful design of the public areas.

“In his report to councillors for the Harrogate site, the planning officer has confirmed that the amount of green space meets the requirements of the Local Plan.  We have also made revisions to landscaping, tree retention and supplementary planting which ensure that the finished site will offer a biodiversity net gain.

“Our plans include a large area of green space of just under a hectare which, in turn, connects to the existing open space created as part of our neighbouring Devonshire Gardens development. This creates a conjoined area of larger open space.  We are also incorporating a new footpath and cycle greenway, which will connect our development and other housing allocations in the area with both Harrogate town centre and The Stray.”

Outdoor dining forcing Harrogate wheelchair users on to roads

A disability charity in Harrogate has said the sudden increase in outdoor dining has caused safety concerns for wheelchair users and visually impaired people.

Hospitality businesses have taken advantage of new pavement licences this week.

Many have been busy but the extra tables and chairs on pavements has prompted Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, to urge venues to consider people with disabilities.

She said:

“We have heard some concerns already, not only from wheelchair users but also from people with other mobility issues and people with visual impairments.

“It can be difficult if there are tables and chairs on streets where they don’t expect them.”

Ms Snape said tables and chairs on narrow pavements with no segregated pedestrian area were the main problems. She said it encouraged people to spread out on their chairs and take up the whole pavement, adding:

“It forces passers-by to go on the road, which isn’t easy if you are a wheelchair user, especially if there isn’t a dropped kerb.”

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The new outdoor cafe culture has caused other problems, with one wheelchair user telling the charity they had been unable to get a coffee because an outdoors area wasn’t able to accommodate their wheelchair.

Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire

Ms Snape said badly managed queues were also a concern because they forced wheelchair users into roads.

She said:

“It’s great to see everywhere so busy and nobody wants to see restrictions. I suspect most businesses just haven’t thought about these issues. Be kind. Be respectful. These problems could be easily solved.

“But if it becomes a massive issue something will have to be done and some controls put in place.”

 

 

Seven more covid cases in Harrogate district

Seven coronavirus cases have been reported today in the Harrogate district by Public Health England.

The figure is an increase on yesterday’s five cases and takes the district’s total since the start of the pandemic to 7,608.

The seven-day average rate of infection now stands at 19 per 100,000 people in the district.

The North Yorkshire seven-day average is 22 and the England average is 27.

No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital. The total since the start of the pandemic remains at 179.

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In other covid news today, North Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham revealed at this morning’s North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum press briefing that officers issued no fines for covid breaches in the Harrogate district in the past week.

Meanwhile, 25 pharmacies in the Harrogate district have signed up to become collection points for free rapid lateral flow tests and more are expected to come on stream in the coming days.

Harrogate hospital to recycle face masks using new machine

Harrogate District Hospital has ordered a machine that turns single use plastics, including face masks, into reusable material.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is one of eight health trusts pioneering the new technology.

Covid has forced hospital staff to use far more personal protective equipment (PPE).

But some face masks are thrown away after just a few hours.

Research from a waste company suggested the UK throws away 53 million masks every day and just 10% are recycled.

Official government guidance urges people to dispose of face masks as waste rather than recycling.

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But with so many masks going to landfill and incinerators, hospitals have turned to Cardiff company TCG Solutions’ new machine.

Called a Sterimelt, it melts down polypropylene, which is a material used in the manufacture of face masks, into solid blocks of plastic that can be repurposed and used as items such as bins.

Philip Davison-Sebry, founder and managing director of the company, said:

“What was once going out to landfill, can now be turned into new material.”

The machine, which costs £55,000, turns polypropylene into reusable plastic blocks, which can be used to make bins, chairs and other items.

Although the machine is not up and running yet in Harrogate, the trust hopes to start recycling as soon as possible.

Volvo stolen from driveway in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a car was stolen in Harrogate this week.

The electric blue Volvo V40 estate was stolen from a driveway on Hutton Gate between 10pm on Monday and 2am on Tuesday this week.

A police statement said:

“In particular, we are appealing for information about the vehicle’s movements and whereabouts, and if any suspicious activity was noticed during this time period in the area. The vehicle is believed to have traveled towards Leeds.”

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Kayleigh Corcoran, or email kayleigh.corcoran@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210096907.

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Collect coronavirus tests at 25 pharmacies in Harrogate district

Twenty-five pharmacies in the Harrogate district have signed up to become collection points for coronavirus tests and more are expected to come on stream in the coming days.

Rapid lateral flow tests are now freely available for people who do not have covid symptoms as part of government attempts to control the spread of the virus.

The NHS map showing collection points has 14 sites in Harrogate, five in Knaresborough, three in Ripon and one in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham respectively.

It is a major improvement since the initiative began on Friday when only a single pharmacy in Knaresborough was signed up to the scheme.

Such sites enable people to take rapid lateral flow tests twice a week. If someone tests positive they then need to take a more accurate PCR test.

Public health officials hope the pharmacies and a mobile testing unit will plug a potential gap in collection points, which could be left when the Dragon Road testing site in Harrogate closes on June 1.

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Health officials told a coronavirus press briefing today that they are still working with Harrogate Borough Council to find a replacement site for PCR testing.

As well as pharmacies and testing sites, people can also order tests to be sent to their homes, or get tests through work or school.

Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant, told today’s press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum:

“We are in the best position in terms of case numbers for about six months, we are not quite at the low levels of last summer yet.

“But with lockdown rules easing there is a chance that cases will start to rise. Test positivity has come down in recent weeks and there has been a significant increase in lateral flow testing.

“We have had lots of pharmacies sign up to the national testing programme but we are expecting even more to come online in the next few days.”

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, also said:

“Just on the point of lateral flow tests, I was in a pharmacy the other day and asked about the interest in testing.

“They told me that they have had the most interest from those who are over 50. It might be that younger people are going through other outlets but it is something to explore.”

Harrogate District Hospital currently has just five coronavirus patients but recently reported its first covid death in nearly two weeks.

The seven-day average rate of infection now stands at 16 per 100,000 people in the district. The North Yorkshire seven-day rate is 21 and the England average is 36.

Five covid cases reported in the Harrogate district

Five coronavirus cases have been reported today in the Harrogate district by Public Health England.

The figure is down on yesterday’s 11 cases and takes the district’s total since the start of the pandemic to 7,601.

The seven-day average rate of infection now stands at 15 per 100,000 people in the district.

The North Yorkshire seven-day rate is 20 and the England average is 27.

No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital. The total since the start of the pandemic remains at 179.

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Harrogate Town launches football academy

Harrogate Town plans to launch an academy that enables 16 to 18-year-olds to train full-time with the club and progress into the first team.

Subject to approval from the English Football League, the academy will enable young players to develop under UEFA-licensed coaches.

Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield, who used to play for Harrogate Town, will head the academy.

He will be supported by professional development phase coach Ross McKay. Phil Priestley will act as goalkeeper coach and Josh Walsh will be academy secretary.

Lee Barraclough has been appointed head of recruitment and a full-time physio and part-time doctor will be recruited.

The academy team will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance North East.

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First team manager Simon Weaver said:

“It’s vital that we launch our own academy, it’s a massive step in the right direction for the club in terms of fulfilling the vision of where we started and what we foresee being our future.

“The goal at this club has always been to produce youngsters from the first stage in our player development centre to the youth teams and see them move into the first team and beyond so this is hugely important for us.

“There’s a lot of local talent, but by having an academy we are able to spread the net farther and wider in the hope that we produce some really good talented youngsters.”

Harrogate Town’s under-19s, under-17s and under-19 alliance teams will continue to compete in their respective leagues, alongside the newly established academy.