We want to hear your opinions on all things Harrogate. From public transport to shopping, parking to nightlife.

The town is known for its independent shops and wide range of bars and restaurants, ass well as its beautiful scenery across the Stray and beyond.

But, even without covid, times are changing, and some businesses have struggled. The Stray Ferret has reported on several well-known shops having to close down in recent months, with existing struggles compounded by lockdown.

Our big Harrogate survey is still open to everyone over 18 from across the district who uses the town centre for work or leisure.

By clicking here to complete this survey you have the opportunity to give your views on what the town needs, what it can change and what you love about it.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw with free gifts – a Stray Ferret umbrella or a 12 pack of special Stray Ferret beer brewed by Harrogate-based Roosters.

The results will be published on The Stray Ferret website to continue the debate about the future of our town.

Stray Foodie is a bi-monthly food review written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. 

In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years.

Vista View Bistro, How Stean Gorge, Nidderdale 

It was a dreak night and I was in one of the most beautiful parts of deepest Nidderdale; How Stean Gorge is a place of such outstanding natural beauty, especially on clear sunny days of which we rarely have. This was not the case on this occasion, as we bumped along a windy road to our destination. Ahead of us rose an amazing, stilted building that towered over dramatic turbulent water with lustrous jungle land and deep vegetation.

A vision of creative owners, Mr & Mrs Stanley Beer who have developed their Gorge with great dedication over many years to its current acclaim. What a beautiful place to live and continue to develop a business. Full of exciting opportunity in this new world of hospitality that we find ourselves in. Exciting outdoor pursuits with fresh, tasty, good food seems to be the order of the day.

The glass viewing area at How Stean Gorge.

My old man and I were there for an early dinner and we felt lucky, as How Stean – as it is known locally – is not often open in the evenings. Like a lot of people, it was the first time out for us for some time. As we entered, the feeling of cleanliness was exemplary and made us feel very safe.

Would you like Frances to review your restaurant or cafe? 

From pop-up to fine dining, Frances would like to hear from you. If you’d like her to write a review on your food, send her an email to: foodie@thestrayferret.co.uk.

My old man’s face was a picture of sheer contentment as he devoured a very beautiful Prawn Cocktail. I examined a starter of vegetables and thought, here we have some style. Jowayne, a young and ambitious Chef has given his food a lot of love shown by a neat, clean hand and a good balance of flavour. Although I would have been happy to see or feel more colour and excitement with the menu. Having said that, to find such honest food in the depths of this fine country is a plus. Maybe I was being over-influenced and relaxed by the Spa-themed music during dinner which was ethereal and stark.

Two Vista View Bistro chefs pictured, including its head chef, Jowayne Marshall (left).

The time to visit is obviously during the day with all the lovely Autumnal hues. You will sit and gasp at the extraordinary views over a glass or savour the very good and satisfying local beef or feel spoilt by what’s on offer on the menu; something for all tastes, I am told. Let’s hope Chef puts his Fruit Mousse Spoon on the dessert menu – something I have come across before – and of course it was well worth the drive up the Dale.

Whenever you decide to visit, which is a must during these times, you will be rewarded by friendly Yorkshire hospitality that stimulates you and gives you the good feeling of being British. My little journey for dinner x2, three courses and a glass of wine each cost £85.20 excluding service. Don’t be afraid, there are more economic ways of enjoying this treasure.

To find out more about Vista View Bistro click here.

To read more about Frances’ fantastic career click here.

Harrogate parents’ group Ready Steady Mums has been given the green light to resume its weekly walks, as they fit under the “support group” category within the government guidelines.

The group was forced to call a halt for the second time in early September when the “rule of six” came into place, which meant that, in most circumstances, groups of more than six could not gather.

However, after making contact with the office Andrew Jones MP to ask if it could keep going, Ready Steady Mums has been reassured it isn’t breaking any rules as it is a support group for new parents. The group split into ‘bubbles’ of seven parents with babies plus one volunteer and headed out onto the Stray again yesterday morning, in line with the limit of 15 people gathering for organised outdoor events.

Laura Brett, a former mental health midwife who founded the group, said:

“It was so good to be out again. It’s not a lot different to what we usually do – people often split into smaller groups as we go along – but it’s just being intentional about it. We give it a good two or three minutes between each group setting off to keep a certain amount of distance, and we stayed in those groups even for tea and biscuits afterwards.”

In good weather, the group sits out on the Stray for a socially-distanced picnic after the walk

Formed in 2016, Ready Steady Mums provides people with the opportunity to stay fit and socialise during the early weeks and months of parenthood. 

The group usually meets at St Mark’s Church at 10am on Friday, walks together around the Stray and then enjoys tea, coffee and cake inside the church. Resuming after lockdown, the refreshments became a picnic outside, in line with social distancing requirements.

From her background in mental health midwifery, and her new role in fundraising and promotions for Harrogate charity Wellspring, Laura said the group is even more important now than ever. New mums and dads don’t get as many chances to meet and talk to others in the same position, and people are finding their mental health is suffering.

“I’m very serious about the whole covid thing – I had it and I know how awful it is – but I think the mental health epidemic and isolation are also really worrying.

“I walked with one woman today who said, ‘I love it – it’s free, I don’t have to commit, and it’s just so inclusive’. She had moved into Harrogate over lockdown with a new baby.

“Even if we just do it for her, it’s so worthwhile.”

Read more:

• Dementia charity warns of impact of second lockdown
• WATCH: Are people in Harrogate ready for another lockdown?

Thirteen more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate district in the last 24 hours.

The figure from Public Health England takes the total number of cases in the area since the start of the pandemic up to 974.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced further measures earlier this week, including a 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants, in an effort to halt the increase in coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, no deaths from patients who tested positive for covid-19 have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in two months.

The last time a death was reported at the hospital was July 19.

Further restrictions were announced for Leeds today in an effort to curb coronavirus infections. Matt Hancock, health secretary, confirmed that households will be unable to mix in homes or gardens from midnight.

Leeds City Council has also advised people not to meet up in pubs and restaurants.

Read more:

• Covid case confirmed at Ripon Grammar School
• Covid restrictions won’t stop “beautiful” weddings, says Harrogate celebrant

The headteacher of one of the largest primary schools in Harrogate has called for extra road safety measures outside the building to help parents and children comply with social distancing.

Tim Broad, headteacher of Western Primary School, said some people were taking risks crossing the busy Cold Bath Road at pick-up and drop-off times to avoid crowding at the nearby pelican crossing.

Mr Broad has asked North Yorkshire County Council to provide a temporary lollipop person outside the school, but the local authority has so far not agreed any action.

Mr Broad, who has worked at the school for 20 years and has been headteacher since January, said:

“This is the first time I can remember feeling deeply concerned that we could have a road traffic accident.

“The first week back was chaotic. We had a meeting on the Friday evening and changed the system as best we can.

“But we still have some children and parents trying to cross the road where it isn’t safe.”

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Christmas lantern parade cancelled for 2020
• Covid case confirmed at Ripon Grammar School

Western has 500 pupils, including its nursery intake, and the sheer volume of pedestrian traffic creates a social distancing hazard compounded by the narrow pavement outside the school and the busy road.

The school has introduced staggered start and finish times and uses three entrances and exits and to ease congestion.

But concerns remain, hence the school’s request for a temporary crossing patrol or signs urging drivers to slow down.

Mr Broad said the council had been responsive to the school’s concerns but it was proving frustratingly difficult to get action.

The Stray Ferret approached North Yorkshire County Council for comment but had not received a reply by the time of publication.

Plans to pedestrianise Montpellier Parade and allow bars and cafes to put tables there may not get off the ground because they appear to contravene the Stray Act.

North Yorkshire County Council told the Stray Ferret on Wednesday it was was considering a request by Simon and Sharon Colgan, the owners of the Blues Bar, to close the highway.

But although Montpellier Parade is a highway it still forms part of the Stray, which is covered by a 1985 Act of Parliament.

The Act says the 200 acres of Stray land should not be used for commercial gain.

Judy d’Arcy Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, which upholds the Act and safeguards the Stray against building, said individuals were free to enjoy a drink on the Stray but commercial gain was prohibited. She added:

“Presumably Harrogate Borough Council will have to do what the Stray Act dictates.”

Read more:

• Council considers plan to pedestrianise Montpellier Parade
• Blues bar denied permission to keep tables on the Stray

A spokesman for HBC, which is responsible for management of the Stray, said: “Montpellier Parade is part of the Stray. We will consider the recommendations provided by the highways authority.”

A spokeswoman for NYCC, which is responsible for highways, said it was still investigating the possibility of closing Montpellier Parade.

The Colgans sent their request to NYCC after HBC ordered it to remove tables from Stray land opposite its premises.

A further 16 people have tested positive for covid in the Harrogate district, according to the latest daily figures from Public Health England.

Only one day since the end of May has seen a higher number of daily infections in the district.

The figure brings the total number of district infections to 961 since the start of the pandemic.

The Dragon Road car park in Harrogate will host another Department of Health and Social Care testing site tomorrow from 11am to 3pm.

Read more:

• Covid case confirmed at Ripon Grammar School
• Covid restrictions won’t stop “beautiful” weddings, says Harrogate celebrant

The exhibitions and conference sector has been “cut adrift” and left without support, says a Harrogate events company.

Andrew Manby, director of family events firm Joe Manby Ltd, said the Chancellor’s announcement today offered no specific support for the industry which already faces a “long way back” financially.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, outlined billions of pounds’ worth of support for businesses, including subsiding part-time workers’ pay.

But Mr Manby said he had hoped for sector specific measures for an industry which has been closed down since March. Harrogate has seen a string of major events, conferences and exhibitions cancelled during the pandemic and its convention centre converted into a Nightingale Hospital.

Read more:

• Harrogate couple cancel wedding for third time
• Harrogate hospitality businesses welcome Chancellor’s winter support

Mr Manby said today’s announcement did not appear to offer any ray of hope and added that the outlook was bleak for the sector.

He said:

“We need to reflect on what has been said, but on first glance it looks very grim indeed.

“it is an extremely difficult situation and where that leaves the exhibition market long term, I have no idea.

“It was always going to be a long haul back anyway.”

He added that further restrictions on events, which the Prime Minister said could last for six months, leave the industry in a difficult position. Live events, including sport, were due to have pilot events from October for the first time since the pandemic started.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson abandoned the pilot schemes earlier this week after he outlined further restrictions to tackle an increase in coronavirus cases.

In an effort to offer more support to businesses, Mr Sunak outlined a range of measures in the House of Commons which included an extension to the VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sector.

Some Harrogate businesses welcomed the move, but added that further support would be needed for other firms.

Indoor sports clubs say they can only hope they’ll be able to reopen after changes to government guidelines forced them to close their doors.

Any indoor sport with more than six adult participants has now been banned from today, after being exempt from the ‘rule of six’ introduced last week.

In Harrogate, some indoor sports clubs say the future looks “worrying” as they don’t know when they’ll be able to re-open – or whether their members will return.

Andy Hawkswell, founder of Harrogate Indoor Cricket League, said:

“It was a bit of a shock and of course very disappointing. We had 14 to 16 teams playing in the league this year – the demand was high because the summer season was halved.

“It’s worrying that after having so much time off, they may not come back. For a lot of the players, there is a huge social aspect to the game and they will miss out on that now.

“Unfortunately it’ll probably be a year out and we’ll have to hope there’s enough interest for next year if people return.”

This troop has had to suspend training again with its coach looking for employment elsewhere.

Megan Fairweather runs the Fire and Ice Cheerleading squad in Harrogate. It is a youth team, but some members are over 18 so the exclusions still apply.

The squad was only set up in September 2019, leaving Megan without financial support. She worries that with further delays the members won’t return.

She said:

“We haven’t been open since March – we were planning to reopen this week but we’ve had to cancel that. The government has come out with a list and because cheerleading isn’t registered as an official sport yet, it wasn’t put on the list.

“It’s a lot more complicated because it’s a contact sport. Even if we were to open with just strength and conditioning training some of the troop may drop it because they come to do stunts and they can do those at their gymnastics or dance classes.”

Hospitality owners in Harrogate have welcomed further help from Chancellor Rishi Sunak after he outlined billions of pounds’ worth of measures for the winter.

Mr Sunak announced an extension to VAT cuts for hospitality, a wage subsidy for part-time workers and more loans for struggling businesses.

Outlining his plans to the House of Commons today, he said the measures were designed to “protect jobs and the economy over the winter period”.

Among the announcements was a decision to subsides wages of workers who work shorter hours. The government will top up wages for workers covering up to two-thirds of their hours for the next six months.

Read more:

• Harrogate couple cancel wedding for third time
• Second lockdown would see Harrogate businesses face battle to survive, says chamber

It comes as the furlough scheme is set to finish at the end of October.

Kimberly Wilson, chair of Accommodation Harrogate, said the support for part-time workers would be welcomed by bed and breakfasts.

She said:

“That will be useful, especially going into November and December it will save jobs.

“But we need to get the full detail of how it is going to work to see how it will help us on the ground.”

Ms Wilson added that further support would be welcomed as B&Bs have seen trade affected by cancellations in conferences, exhibitions and events.

Further measures will also see the VAT cut for the hospitality sector extended until March. Amid the pandemic, the government cut the rate to 5% to support those in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Peter Banks, managing director at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, said the measure would be useful but should be targeted at businesses which are struggling.

He said:

“If Rishi does this it would be superb. 

“It could be more targeted as it is conference, wedding and city centre businesses that are suffering. However, any help will be gratefully received.”

Mr Sunak told MPs that loans to support struggling businesses would be extended into November and offer terms of up to 10 years to reduce monthly payments.

Grants for the self-employed will also be offered into the winter.