New six person rule forces Harrogate family to cancel plans again

A Harrogate family who delayed a series of celebrations during lockdown have had their plans dashed once again.

The Wood family had three children’s birthdays and one new baby to celebrate during covid, but were unable to do so and decided to mark them all together later this month.

However, the new six-person rule has forced the cancellation of events planned previously when limits were set at 30 people – leaving the Woods disappointed again. As a family of six, they are unable to meet up with anyone under the new restrictions.

Mum Rosie, who gave birth to their youngest during lockdown, said:
“The family were very disappointed at not being able to share the joy physically that a new baby brings. There was lot of concern over the baby’s health and size, which also caused concern. Thankfully everything is well, but as you can imagine it was a worrying time.
“We’ve had to cancel our birthday plans for mid-September which would have included 20 to 30 family members and friends. My children feel disheartened, they feel it’s just a waiting game. It’s sad children can’t enjoy the things that help make their childhood, like unlimited access to family including birthday parties and celebrations.”

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The new rule will become law today, as a further precaution by the government to manage the recent increase in coronavirus cases.
Rosie added:
“I understand the reasoning behind the government’s new guidelines but feel they could be elaborated more clearly. Apparently my daughter’s drama classes can go ahead but she can’t go to her friend’s birthday party in a week’s time. Maybe there isn’t a right or a wrong way but to place new restrictions and then send children back to school with no measures in place is confusing.”
Harrogate clothing boutique forced online after coronavirus crisis

The owner of a pre-loved clothing shop has closed the doors in order to focus her efforts online. 

Carolyn Duggan has been running Still Gorgeous on Cold Bath Road since 2017. The shop offered a selection of pre-loved designer and high street womenswear. 

Having closed in March, Still Gorgeous reopened in July as government restrictions eased, but faced multiple challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The shop relied on business from tourists, which has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, and the owner said she experienced a lack of compassion from her landlord. She said: 

“I did not get any sympathy from my landlord. I was just told to pay them the money. I know others who received a 20-30% monthly rent reduction or complete rent holidays for 2-3 months.

“They also increased the rent for the new tenant, so when I was leaving I did not have the option to change my mind.” 

The business moves at a time when other Harrogate businesses like A P & K Stothard, Bookstall Newsagents and Gambaru Fitness close their doors.

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However, Carolyn still feels positive about the change of direction at Still Gorgeous. She added: 

“I’m quite excited, to be honest – it is the way forward. You have to adapt to the situation and diversify. I am changing strategy to reach a more diverse customer base. I am engaging more with different channels like social media.

“I am feeling positive about the next stage. I have already reached people down south and abroad.” 

Carolyn’s Facebook page has already received many posts from customers wishing her luck in her new venture.  

Harrogate police officer ‘bitten by man claiming to have coronavirus’

A police officer has alleged that he was bitten and spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus in Harrogate.

The police attended a shop on Railway Road at around 5pm to reports that a 32-year-old man was being abusive and threatening towards customers and staff.

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When the police got there the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and said he had coronavirus.

They managed to arrest a man from Bradford on suspicion of racially-aggravated abuse. He remains in police custody for questioning.

After a 12 hour shift, the last thing I expect is my colleague to have to visit A&E after a suspect bit him & spat in officers faces during arrest in #Harrogate The individual is now in custody for numerous offences & thankfully my colleague is safely home #ProtectTheProtectors pic.twitter.com/IrAQCN52ef

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) September 10, 2020

In the arrest one of the officers was spat at and suffered a bite to the hand. He needed to attend A&E for medical treatment.

North Yorkshire Police said the officers adhered to coronavirus safety measures throughout the incident and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the force on 101 and quote reference number 12200158787.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.

Final day for public survey on Harrogate’s leisure investment

Today is the final opportunity to take part in a survey on plans for a multi-million pound leisure services investment.

Harrogate Borough Council is giving residents the opportunity to give their views on the £26.5 million plans, which include a complete refurbishment of the Hydro in Harrogate and a new pool and leisure centre for Knaresborough.

Leisure services in the district will soon be under the control of an authority-owned company, Brimhams Active. Senior councillors previously said the new company and investment plans go “hand in hand”.

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The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council about the next steps for the plans following the consultation and for an update on the four proposed sites for Knaresborough’s new leisure centre.

A council spokesman said:

“Following the end of the leisure centre consultation, the results will be evaluated and used to inform the various options and subsequent recommendations for the multi-million pound investment in sport and leisure across the Harrogate district.”

Knaresborough Pool

The council is yet to narrow down the four proposed areas for Knaresborough’s new pool and leisure centre.

The plans for Knaresborough’s new leisure centre are yet to be confirmed. Four areas of the town are currently being investigated – including Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and an unspecified site at Hay-a-Park, as well as the existing location of Knaresborough Pool.

Development plans for Conyngham Hall have created opposition, with hundreds of people joining a Facebook page against the plans.

Harrogate strip club applies for new sex entertainment licence

Harrogate Borough Council is set to decide on the renewal of a sexual entertainment licence for the town’s only strip club.

Kings Club, Oxford Street, needs permission to continue its topless pole dancing, topless stage strip tease and full nudity lap dancing.

It is separate to the strip club’s alcohol licence, which will not be affected when the council meets next week to decide on the application.

The government closed all clubs in March and has not yet given them the green light to reopen. This licence renewal is a sign that Kings Club is confident in its return after a few difficult months.

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Harrogate council’s licensing sub-committee will meet on September 17 to grant or refuse the licence renewal.

When the Kings Club closed it said that it will reopen as soon as possible to “restart the party”. The club added in its announcement:

“We are grateful to the government for the financial support they have so far offered which will soften the financial blow for our staff and management. We look forward to the party of the decade when we return.”

Harrogate charity sees 44% increase in counselling referrals

A Harrogate charity has reported a 44% increase in demand for its counselling services in recent months.

Wellspring Therapy and Training, which provides affordable professional counselling for people suffering with their mental health, said it expected demand for its services to continue to rise.

News of its extra demand coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day today.

A total of 65% of adults and 75% of young people nationally have said their mental health has worsened since the pandemic.

Wellspring’s centre remains closed as it continues to offer video and telephone counselling.

It offers counselling at a price chosen by the individual, according to their situation, meaning it could be as little as £5.

Freya, who did not wish to reveal her real name, has used Wellspring’s counselling service throughout lockdown.

Counselling session

The charity expects its referral rate to continue to rise as the long-term effects of lockdown are felt.

She said:

“All these emotions were sitting there like a great weight, but not going anywhere. After my first counselling session at Wellspring, I came away with such a sense of relief and gratitude. When lockdown happened, we ended up doing video calls instead.

“It’s lifted so much of the pressure and the anxiety. I also think I’m more able to deal with things when I do experience difficult emotions now. I am able to move forwards and think about the future. I’d highly recommend Wellspring and encourage anyone weighed down by life’s pressures to get in touch and see a counsellor. It’s a safe place.”

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Lockdown has amplified anxieties over issues such as money, jobs and social interaction.

The charity is passionate about helping those who are struggling to find hope again.

Harrogate district Parkruns on track to return next month

Harrogate district Parkruns look set to return by the end of October.

Parkrun sees runners of all abilities take part in a 5km run every Saturday morning. But the organisers paused the event at the beginning of March, just ahead of the national lockdown.

Now, after months of drawing up plans and waiting for social distancing rules to relax, Parkrun is ready to resume.

Parkrun holds three events in the Harrogate district: in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.

Crowding at the starting and finishing lines is one of the main concerns. The official Parkrun framework admits there is no way to maintain social distance at these points.

But Tom Williams, the global chief operating officer of Parkrun and Harrogate resident, told the Stray Ferret the benefits outweighed the coronavirus risks:

“We are a charity but it has been a huge challenge to support people’s health and wellbeing in a virtual way. I believe that by bringing back the Parkrun it will make a big difference.

“Where we have already brought the Parkrun back [in other countries] we have seen runners return in their numbers so we expect the same in the UK.”

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The government has banned social gatherings of more than six people from Monday, but with some exceptions.

Mr Williams said he did not think the new rules would affect Parkrun because it is an outdoor sports event with minimal contact but he said it would monitor the situation.

In one of Parkrun’s recent surveys, almost 80% of respondents said they would return to Parkrun in four weeks’ time if the events were to come back in a safe way.

Captain Sir Tom Moore in Harrogate for soldier’s graduation

Captain Sir Tom Moore will visit Harrogate’s Army Foundation College later today to inspect graduating soldiers.

The visit is part of his new role as Honorary Colonel Officer of the college.

He will be there to inspect 294 Junior Soldiers from Cambrai Company on their passing out parade.

The Junior Soldiers of Cambrai company began their training in March but due to coronavirus, they had to do 10 weeks of virtual training before returning to Harrogate in May.

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Sir Tom raised £38.9 million for the NHS after completing 100 laps around his garden during the coronavirus lockdown – becoming a national treasure.

He made his first visit to the college in August when he took a tour of the site and met with junior soldiers. The college also gave Sir Tom Moore his new Colonel’s rank slides.

New bakery to open in Harrogate

A new bakery shop plans to open in Harrogate this month to serve up fresh bread, cakes and sandwiches.

Bakeri Baltzersen is the newest venture from the team behind Baltzersen’s cafe. The bakery will open on the same street as the cafe and coffee shop on Oxford Street.

The owners originally planned to open in May but were forced to put their plans on hold by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Now work has once again started at the Bakeri Baltzersen unit next to Harrogate Theatre and the key cutting and shoe repair shop Timpson.

The sign is up and so are the shelves for the bread as workmen start to decorate the premises in keeping with the Scandinavian style of Baltzersen’s.

Behind the scenes of Bakeri Baltzersen.

In recent months Baltzersen’s has been using part of its cafe as a temporary bakery shop. It will return to being a coffee shop when this new bakery opens.

Paul Rawlinson, the owner of Baltzersen’s, took inspiration from his Norwegian grandmother for the cafe, which opened in 2012. The business expanded in late 2018, opening a coffee shop in the neighbouring unit on Oxford Street.

News of the venture is a boost for the town’s traders at a time when many businesses are struggling to survive as a result of the pandemic,

Harrogate people switch energy suppliers more frequently than anywhere else

Harrogate people are more likely to switch energy providers than anywhere else in England.

Comparison website Uswitch based the finding on analysis of how often residents changed their gas or electric supplier over the past 20 years.

Harrogate topped the table with 196 switches per 1,000 people, whereas London was bottom with only 116 per 1,000.

London is believed to be last because more people rent than own their own property and are therefore less inclined to switch.

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Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said:

“Northerners are showing southerners how it’s done when it comes to switching, with Harrogate residents switching at twice the rate of those in central London.

“Yorkshire residents are earning their reputation for being frugal, with five locations in the top ten being from God’s Own Country.”

Leeds was fourth, with 182 people switching per 1,000.

According to government energy regulator Ofgem, households can save on average £300 a year by switching energy providers.