A plan has been lodged to convert a former dentist in Ripon into a flat.
The proposal, which has been lodged by Wilkinsons Properties Ltd, would see the former W&B Dental practice converted.
The dentists was formerly based at 12 High Skellgate in the city.
The practice has since moved to Phoenix Business Centre.
Under the plans, the first floor property would be converted into a one-bedroom flat and be accessed from High Skellgate.
North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
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Firefighters rescue man from blaze in Ripon city centre flat
A man was rescued from a flat that caught fire above a Ripon restaurant today.
Ripon firefighters were called to the first flor flat on High Skellgate in the city centre at 2.59pm this afternoon.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:
“Crews rescued a male occupant inside the flat.
“He was left in the care of ambulance with smoke inhalation and burns.”
The incident log added that fire damaged the kitchen and the rest of the flat suffered heat and smoke damage.
Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.
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Ripon city centre pub closes for ‘forseeable future’
A pub in the centre of Ripon has closed for the foreseeable future.
The Lamb and Flag, on High Skellgate, looks quiet and dark today with the pub garden fenced off.
It is unclear why the pub has closed but the owners, who took over a little more than a year ago, revealed the news in a statement on their Facebook page. It said:
“This decision has not come lightly but unfortunately the Lamb and Flag will be closed for the foreseeable.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support but at this time we will be closing.
“We will update everyone if there are any changes.”
The Stray Ferret asked the pub’s owners why they decided to close and whether it would reopen. However, we had not received a reply by the time of publication.
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Parking restrictions have been introduced across the Harrogate district, with signs suggesting they could be applied for more than four months.
James Street, Commercial Street and parts of Albert Street in Harrogate town centre have been roped off, along with parking bays on Knaresborough High Street. Pateley Bridge’s High Street and Ripon’s High Skellgate and Westgate have been reduced in width to a single lane.
North Yorkshire County Council’s signs say the restrictions are designed to enable social distancing and are in place until the end of September. However, the authority confirmed on Twitter the parking bays will be closed this weekend, with monitoring in place to determine how effective the measures are.
While shops, cafes, bars and restaurants are not currently allowed to open, the government has said the restrictions could be eased in the coming weeks. NYCC has not confirmed whether the weekend’s restrictions will be extended, though the signs suggest they could be in place until the end of September.
The notices on James Street suggest restrictions could be in place until the end of September
Richard Flinton, chief executive of NYCC, said in a message to residents:
“We are doing our best to limit crowds in those places where lack of space is particularly concerning such as Whitby, Filey, Scarborough and Harrogate.
“We are closing a number of streets, shutting certain car parks and suspending parking in a number of areas. We will also have highways crews looking out for any issues of concern over the weekend and ready to take the action open to us, to respond.”
If restrictions on town centre parking remain in place after shops are allowed to re-open, they are likely to cause concern for businesses already affected by declining footfall before lockdown began. Independent Harrogate, which represents small businesses in the town, has been campaigning for free parking to encourage more shoppers to visit and bolster the local economy.
Environmental campaigners argue the quiet roads and increase in cycling and walking over recent weeks should be part of the Harrogate district’s plans for the future. Zero Carbon Harrogate has said now is the ideal time to improve infrastructure for low-carbon transport and encourage people to choose options other than cars.
More visitors were seen in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today
Visitor attractions
Fears had been raised that, over the first weekend since changes to lockdown advice from the government, crowds could descend on town centres and attractions, making it very difficult for people to keep their distance.
Harrogate’s Valley Gardens today appeared much busier than it has been over recent weeks, with no parking restrictions nearby. Organisations including Yorkshire Water and the Yorkshire Dales National Park issued advice against travelling to potentially busy places.
Mr Flinton added:
“We hope this is reassuring, but you all have a part to play in this, too. Of course, enjoy the outdoors; there is no finer place than our county in my, perhaps biased, view.
“But, please, access open countryside rather than paths, narrow lanes or town and village centres. If you can do so close to your home all the better, and be prepared to change your mind if where you are heading looks busy. Protect yourselves and your family by avoiding crowds and encourage anyone you know who is thinking of coming – to wait until we can offer them a real North Yorkshire welcome in the future.”
What are your experiences of the new restrictions and social distancing across the Harrogate district this weekend? Email us with your views.