Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Stray today as part of a rally to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Observing social distancing, with many also wearing masks, they spread across the top of Montpellier Hill to hear a series of speakers sharing their views and experiences.

Heavy showers as the event got under way did not deter audience, who were supported by car horns sounded by passing drivers. Speakers referenced everything from the history of slavery in the British Empire to what residents can do today to eliminate racism in the Harrogate district.

Organiser Josephine Caven told the crowd:

“The black voices and lives have been ignored for too long. And we have been silent too long. Our silence is violence on the black community, we cannot be complacent or silent any longer, because if we don’t be strong and listen and speak, it will be our neighbour, friend, relative that suffers.

“Now is the time to learn, speak and fight for change that will create true equality for the black community. We must be allies to this cause. Now being an ally won’t be easy, you have to admit your failings, have difficult conversations with yourself and others. We will also stand corrected and try really hard to eliminate the ingrained beliefs and biases we have within ourselves thanks to institutionalised racism that we all grow up and accept.

“But this learning curve will bring us all together with the love and respect we have for each other and we will stand united strong and never divided.”

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A small number of people had gathered separately by Harrogate’s war memorial, following attacks on statues commemorating historic figures associated with the slave trade and people who held racist views. However, the 45-minute demonstration by the Black Lives Matter supporters passed off peacefully, with police officers observing both groups from nearby.

It ended with applause and chants of “Black Lives Matter”. As supporters dispersed, Josephine told The Stray Ferret the atmosphere had been positive, with the rain adding weight to supporters’ determination to stand against racism.

Individuals and groups of family members joined the protests

A few people had gathered at Harrogate’s war memorial while the rally took place

Supporters had brought home-made banners for the demonstration

Protestors came out despite heavy rain at the start of the rally

Participants were largely observing social distancing between households

Supporters clapped and cheered as the protest ended.

Contemporary art dealer Johnny Messum is opening a permanent exhibition space in Harrogate having trialled it as a pop-up.

His new gallery on James Street will hold six shows a year to exhibit the best of modern British art. Following this morning’s report of Laura Ashley’s closing down sale the decision to open the gallery permanently  on James Street will be welcomed.

Launching on 11-12 July visitors are asked to book timed appointments to view the exhibits safely. The summer opening will begin with a showcase dedicated to female artists from the 1950s and 1970s.

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• Harrogate charities get crucial funds from the Arts Council. 
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The owner Johnny Messum said:

“I am delighted to be opening a gallery for Yorkshire’s discerning viewers in a town we know so well. I am looking forward to strengthening the gallery’s longstanding relationships in Yorkshire as well as to forging new ones. At times like these, the power of art to inspire and uplift is more important than ever.

Our vision is to create a place where artists, art lovers and collectors can come together on a regular basis to enjoy the best contemporary art and craft from every corner of the world”.

The Stray Ferret has been speaking to Independent shops in Harrogate to find out how trade has been going since re-opening on Monday.

Most have introduced safety measures such as reduced numbers in-store at one time and signage to help customers adhere to the 2m rule. People are also being asked to use the hand sanitisers provided as they enter and exit each shop.

Some shops also have plastic screens at the tills, one way systems, floor markings and payment card only policies.

Louise Chesters, owns a clothing store called ‘Dizzy Duck Harrogate’

“I was quite nervous about opening but it’s been amazing… we have had some new faces too… We have only been here since September so during lockdown, I have been able to spread the word, get more followers on social media which has really helped us grow… l will actually continue to do online sales.”

Natalie Smith, Manager at Farrah’s Olde Sweet Shop told the Stray Ferret:

“Monday kicked off really well, yesterday wasn’t the best, but fathers day is a good boost for us, and with the expected good weather this weekend we’re hoping it goes well. I think customers were nervous at first, but word of mouth as the week goes by, is reassuring them that the appropriate measures are in place within the town.”

Tim Ward who runs 27 West Park Antique shop also opened his doors on Monday:

“One woman was jumping up and down at the entrance as she was so happy we were open again… It has been a really good week, much better than we expected.”

Georgie Roberts, co-owner of Georgie’s in Harrogate, which is a clothing shop, told us:

” We have been here over 20 years so we have our regulars which is great, we have also had people travelling from Newcastle and Doncaster to see us, so we are slowly getting back to normal. We are letting people try things on as clothes just look so different off the peg. We are steaming each item after someone has tried it, which is working well.”

Tomorrow will be the first weekend since the re-opening of shops. It is expected that Harrogate town will once again be busy with shoppers.

Major events could return to Harrogate Convention Centre in the autumn, according to the council, bringing a much-needed boost to the local economy.

The centre is currently occupied by the NHS Nightingale hospital, but with the current contract set to run out at the end of July, discussions are being held with event holders to enable visitors to be welcomed safely..

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the convention centre, said it is awaiting confirmation from the NHS about whether the contract will continue, but in the meantime is working to ready itself for events to return when government guidance allows.

The convention centre is offering additional space for free, including its landmark auditorium, in order to enable social distancing. A spokesman for the council said:

“Much work will need to be done to return the convention centre back to normal from its role as a Nightingale hospital supporting the national response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“That will involve more than just cleaning.  We will be putting measures in place to ensure future events can go ahead safely and in line with social distancing rules.

“We look forward to welcoming back clients as soon as we are able to.”

Harrogate Convention Centre, currently home to a Nightingale hospital, could be opened for events from September

Sandra Doherty, Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber Commerce, said events returning to the convention centre would be “fantastic news for Harrogate’s hospitality industry and the town itself”. She added:

“Some accommodation providers had feared the convention centre and exhibition halls might have been out of commission until next spring, which would have been a disaster for many of them.

“Those who rely on the conference and exhibition trade can now look ahead to the rest of the year with a little more certainty. October and November are particular busy months, with the halls hosting a number of major shows, including Country Living and Knitting and Stitching.

“The creation of the Nightingale Hospital in the Convention Centre put Harrogate centre stage in the fight against Covid-19. Being able to host a 500-bed emergency hospital demonstrates its capabilities. We now need to capitalise on this and use it as a powerful selling tool to win new conferences, event and fairs.”

Among those preparing to go ahead are the Knitting & Stitching Show in November and the Country Living Christmas Fair in December, both run by Upper Street Events, which has been liaising with the convention centre. A spokesman said:

“The venue advised us some time back that they would be contracted with the NHS until the end of July. They then plan a deep clean and to complete some development work, they will be operational for ‘normal’ business from September.

“For this reason, we are continuing to plan the events. We are expecting some detail in the next few weeks on how the events industry should unlock and we will then be able to give guidance on visitor and exhibitors expectation, as you will have seen from other industries such as retail.”

Meanwhile, the Homebuilding and Renovating Show, has been postponed from November to February next year, with organisers also planning to return to their normal November dates at the end of 2021.

Comic convention Thought Bubble has also announced that this year’s event will be virtual and it plans to return to the convention centre in 2021.

A Harrogate retailer has criticised the number of open public toilets in the town since shops reopened on Monday, saying shoppers could be forced “to go behind a bush”.

Bob Kennedy, who owns G23 and Porters in Harrogate, said his stores have had several customers this week who have travelled from outside Harrogate and cannot find anywhere to go when they need the toilet.

Harrogate Borough Council reopened its Valley Gardens and Library Gardens toilets on June 13. However, the toilets at Victoria Shopping Centre, which are not owned by the council, are currently closed until further notice.

Currently, the nearest public toilet to the town centre is Library Gardens, which Mr Kennedy said is ‘not good enough’ as it’s too far away for shoppers.

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With toilets in cafes and restaurants still unavailable, he suggested it could force people into some uncomfortable situations.

Mr Kennedy said:

“How can you say to people, ‘come to shop in Harrogate, but you better not drink anything because if you want to go to the loo you’re absolutely knackered unless you want to go behind a bush?’

“What about people who have small children? Where will they go? They’ll go up a back alley.”

Mr Kennedy, who was the chairman of the Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) until March when he resigned, also criticised Harrogate Borough Council and the BID for not providing alternatives to shoppers such as portaloos.

Harrogate BID declined to make a comment.

A spokesperson for the Victoria Shopping Centre told the Stray Ferret that its toilets will not reopen until they believe it is safe to do so.

They said:

“Initially when we open and until we are happy our plans around social distancing are working, we don’t intend to open the public toilets. It is important that we get a feel for how busy the shopping centre and town are before further reviewing. We are reviewing our risk assessments on a continuous basis and due to the narrow entrances to the toilets, we have concluded that for the time being, the public toilets will not be open.

“Our primary concern is opening the centre in a safe way and also considering the welfare of both customers, tenants and staff at all times.”

Two taxi firms in Harrogate that have run an essential service during the pandemic, are hoping that demand will increase as we ease out of lockdown.

The firms have offered extra services over lockdown including 24/7 phone lines and a shopping service for the elderly and shielding.

They have put safety measures in place including drivers and clients wearing masks and customers are asked to sit in the back seat.

Tracie Geelan who works for Elite Taxis told The Stray Ferret  that the firm has continued to run during lockdown:

“We are doing more to support our older clients, our drivers are even taking shopping orders over the phone and doing that for them too. We also have one of our directors Paul who rings all of our shielding customers weekly to check in and say hello to give them someone to talk to.

“We’ve had different requests during the pandemic, for example, driving to Heathrow airport to pick up customers after they’ve been stranded abroad or we had one client who was stuck on a cruise boat and wasn’t sure where it would dock. So we put one driver on standby who left as soon as we knew where the boat had docked.”

One of the directors of Elite Taxis, Paul Cox, has been ringing his shielding clients weekly to give them someone to talk to.

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Another taxi firm in Harrogate, Blue Line taxis, has

“We are still fulfilling contracts with some schools, especially those with parents that are key workers. We have kept our offices open 24/7 so customers hear a human voice rather than an automatic message when they ring us, its normally hospital staff that ring us overnight and we want to make sure we’re maintaining a high level of service.

“Things are getting back to normal but people are still frightened to come out. It won’t happen in a month or two but we’re optimistic business will pick up again.”

Councils in the Harrogate district could soon pave the way for pop up beer gardens and outdoor cafes to help boost hospitality businesses.

There are plans to allow pubs, restaurants, and cafes with space outdoors to reopen on July 4 with special safety measures in place.

Many in Harrogate’s hospitality sector do not have those spaces and would, under the current rules, need to stay closed or continue with takeaways.

Harrogate BID has urged both local authorities to help speed up the application process for businesses to open up on pavements.

Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said at the cabinet:

“Even if it’s at a one metre distance but, as it stands, it’s a two-metre distance it is going to be very difficult for those businesses to survive. I believe we should give businesses space where there is currently tarmac. I think that is something absolutely mission critical.”

What Mr Cooper means exactly by “space where there is currently tarmac” will be closely scrutinised – any proposal that would cut on street car parking spaces or lead to permanent changes such as pedestrianisation will be fiercely opposed by retail group Independent Harrogate.

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Harrogate Borough Council is responsible for granting the premises licence and North Yorkshire County Council licenses the use of pavements, so they will need to work together.

The BID board is concerned that if the hospitality industry isn’t supported, Harrogate’s economy could be irreparably damaged.

Harrogate Borough Council is now in talks with North Yorkshire County Council.

David Bowe, Corporate Director for Business and Environmental Services, said:

“We are working with the Harrogate BID, Harrogate Borough Council and retailers at a local level to create as much space within the public highway as is practicable to support safe social distancing, café culture and safe access. It is important to understand that there are inevitably differing demands on the public highway and these have to be safely balanced.”

Robert Ogden, on behalf of Independent Harrogate, said:

“It is extremely important that Harrogate’s businesses are able to thrive in the current crisis, and Independent Harrogate supports measures that will enable smaller cafés or restaurants to open while respecting social distancing guidelines. We know the councils will do their best to balance the commercial imperative with reserving sufficient space for the public to walk on, without resorting to road closures.”

Harrogate District Hospital recorded one more coronavirus death today as it revealed that it has now discharged 135 patients.

It is an increase from last week’s figures of 10 more patients who have recovered from the virus at Harrogate hospital.

With another patient dying yesterday, the hospital has recorded 79 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.

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That death was reported with a total of 62 across England’s hospitals in today’s NHS figures.

Patients were aged between 13 days and 96 years old. Three patients, aged between 13 days and 83, had no known underlying health conditions.

Harrogate District Hospital has announced visitors will be allowed on maternity wards with immediate effect.

Previously, the coronavirus outbreak meant only birthing partners could be with women during the birth, with no other visitors allowed. However from this afternoon, delivery suites are allowing one birthing partner can stay during labour and delivery up until women are discharged or transferred from delivery suite.

Once the patient is transferred to the Pannal maternity ward, they will be allocated a time in the day for the birth partner to visit. This will be limited to one hour between either 11am-12pm or 3pm-4pm.

At present children are still not allowed on the wards.

Safety measures will remain in place, for example the 2 metre social distancing is expected during the visit and around the hospital. Anyone visiting the hospital can also expect to sanitise their hands on arrival and wear a mask, provided by the hospital.

The hospital is advising visitors to not touch their mask once applied or remove in the corridors, communal areas and when visiting on the ward.

The new visiting restrictions are likely to be greatly appreciated by patients and expectant parents in the district.

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There have been no changes to ultrasound appointments and women are still required to attend these alone – but this is under constant review by professionals.

Harrogate driving instructors are worried about the health risks of returning to work after struggling financially during lockdown.

Tam Gallagher, chairman of the Harrogate Association of Approved Driving Instructors (HAADI), said that instructors have been told to expect to go back to work on July 6. That’s alongside other professions that can’t work with the two-metre social distancing rule, such as hairdressers. But they are aware of the ongoing risks involved with working in an enclosed space.

He said:

“Some instructors who have underlying health issues are fearful of going back. They are going to go back to work with the hope that they don’t catch anything, but if they don’t work then they don’t make money.”

A handful of instructors of Harrogate have been teaching key workers how to drive during the lockdown but most have had to cancel or postpone lessons.

Mr Gallagher estimated that each instructor will miss out on £15,000 to £20,000 this year, even after the government’s self-employment grant of £6,000 is paid out.

All instructors in Harrogate are self-employed but some are attached to franchises, such as Bill Plant, which provides instructors with pupils and a car.

However, some instructors didn’t qualify for the grant because last year they were employed and only recently qualified recently to be an instructor.

Mr Gallagher said one instructor in the town has had to take drastic measures to balance the books.

He said:

“I know one who said he had to sell his caravan in Harrogate. He can’t afford to pay his rent so had to sell the caravan to offset the losses. He doesn’t get anything.”

Read more:

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On Monday, the government issued guidance on driving tests which ended three months of uncertainty for HAADI’s 28 driving instructors. This included how instructors can protect themselves and their students with PPE.

Mr Gallagher said:

“It was a long time coming. We just didn’t know what was happening. The government wouldn’t even say all tests were cancelled. We were sitting and waiting. They didn’t tell us soon enough.”