Italian takeaway to open in former Starbeck pharmacy

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert a former Lloyds pharmacy in Starbeck into an Italian kitchen and takeaway.

Under the plans, the site would be refurbished to include an Italian trattoria on the ground floor and two apartments above.

SSA Architects tabled the proposal on behalf of the developer for the site on Starbeck High Street.

It said that the kitchen would provide employment for between five to eight people.

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The kitchen would be open from 12pm until 12am, according to the proposal.

Meanwhile, both flats proposed as part of the development would be one bedroom.

The developer said in its application:

“The proposal looks to rejuvenate the plot by refurbishing the existing structure within the setting.

“Within this outlined development, the design aims to create an inviting setting for the new residents, and customers for the takeaway business.”

Oliver Bonas set to open store in Harrogate

Oliver Bonas looks set to be unveiled as the latest big name addition to Harrogate’s high street.

The clothing and homeware store is advertising for a store manager and deputy store manager to run a shop in Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret understands it has identified the former Next store on James Street as its home.

There are also rumours that German fashion giant Hugo Boss and USA clothes retailer Anthropologie are considering opening outlets in Harrogate.

The company’s website says:

“We have an amazing opportunity for a store manager to join Team Oliver Bonas in our Harrogate store.”

The salary is described as ‘competitive with benefits’. The website also advertises a deputy store manager vacancy.

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The Stray Ferret has approached Oliver Bonas for further details.

Tom Limbert, director of property consultants Central Retail, said:

“We are very close to letting the former Next store on James Street to a very exciting national lifestyle retailer who will be another great addition to the street.”

Oliver Bonas, which was founded by Oliver Tress, opened its first store in London in 1993. It now has 75 outlets in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The closest ones to Harrogate are currently in Ilkley, Leeds and York.

Harrogate council to sell restored Knaresborough flats for £879,000

Harrogate Borough Council is set to sell four flats on Knaresborough High Street that were restored and brought back into use.

The council bought the Grade II listed properties in 2019 after they had been unoccupied for several years.

Renovation began with planning permission and listed building consent in 2020, and has just been completed.

Now, senior councillors look set to sign off on selling the leasehold of the town centre properties for an estimated £879,900.

However, the authority will retain control over the freehold of the flats. It also intends to keep the freehold of two retail units that were part of the refurbishment.

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A report due before councillors at next Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting says retaining the freehold would help “retain control over the quality and frequency of future external repair and maintenance” of the properties.

The properties are valued at:

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said previously:

“These properties had been a blight on the high street in Knaresborough for several years.

“But after they were brought to our attention by Cllr Darling, we recognised the potential they could have to provide both homes and business spaces, we took the necessary steps to purchase them.”

Vandals smash shop and car windows and bus shelter in Starbeck

Vandals have smashed shop and car windows and a local bus shelter in Starbeck overnight.

Two windows at Pets Corner near the level crossing were shattered.

Windows were also destroyed on a bus shelter next to the shop and on several cars on nearby residential streets, including The Avenue and further down the High Street.

One employee at Pets Corner said that staff arrived at work this morning to find their workplace had been vandalised.

They added they were still in a state of disbelief that somebody had done it apparently for fun.

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North Yorkshire Police said in a statement:

“We’re investigating a spate of incidents of criminal damage in the Starbeck area overnight.

“Officers have received reports that five cars have had their windows smashed, and damage has been caused to the windows of two shops on High Street, overnight between 16 and 17 March 2022.

“Enquiries are ongoing today. Anyone with information about the incidents, or who might have relevant CCTV, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12220045092.”

Last week vandals pulled up 20 trees on Belmont Field.

The trees had previously been damaged so many times at the other end of the field that Starbeck in Bloom, the community group that aims to make Starbeck more attractive, decided to move them.

Val Young, a local resident, described it as “disgusting” and “absolutely diabolical”.

Sneak Peek: Wild Thing promises something unique in Knaresborough

A new womenswear shop arrived on Knaresborough’s High Street this week after the owner fell in love with the town when she was cycling through it last year.

Dianne Houghton said before cycling through the town she’d never visited Knaresborough, despite being from Hebden Bridge. She instantly knew she wanted a presence in the town.

Her shop, Wild Thing, opened on the high street yesterday.

She is no stranger to running a shop after working in fashion for 30 years she has moved the brand around four different premises in Otley.

Taking up 46 High Street, across from Market Place, Ms Houghton said she is excited to get to know the people of Knaresborough and their styles.

The shop is full and ready for new customers.

As the name suggests, Wild Thing isn’t all block colours and monochrome.

Ms Houghton said her style is a little “wild” and she loves finding something no one else is wearing:

“I’ve always wanted to wear something a bit different, something I won’t see anyone else in. Everything I have is a bit different, I love statement prints but also a classic jean and leather trouser is something you can never go wrong with.”

In the store you will find a variety of clothing and accessories from jumpers, midi dresses, jeans and even a statement necklace or two. Most things range from £10 to £80.

After 30 years in the industry, Ms Houghton has built up a following online. She said over lockdown she really focused on her online presence and is grateful to have built up the community she has.

Ms Houghton prides herself on not being a pushy sales woman but instead will listen to what customers want, she added:

“Through my life, I’ve been a size 6 and gone up to an 18 so I can really help women find something they love and feel comfortable in.

“I just love fashion, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

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The former DJ said although its a new location for her she aims to bring the same unique pieces and cheery atmosphere to Knaresborough.

Victoria Shopping Centre value falls by more than 80% in 10 years

When Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre opened in place of the old Market Hall in 1992 it came at a time of hustle and bustle on the high street.

Two decades later, things are now very different with the rapid emergence of online shopping and the covid pandemic dramatically changing people’s shopping habits for good.

This changing state of the high street has been highlighted by new figures which show the shopping centre is worth less than 20% of what it was valued at a decade ago.

The figures from Harrogate Borough Council – which owns but does not run the shopping centre at Station Square – show its estimated value has fallen from £4.8 million in 2011 to just £925,000 last year.

And the latest evaluation is an even bigger drop from when the building lease was bought by developers for £23 million in 1998 ahead of a revamp of the building, which was initially inspired by the famous Palladian Basilica in Italy.

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The council has this week confirmed it has no plans to sell the shopping centre and also said it believes the building will play a key role on the high street for years to come – especially with the £11 million Station Gateway project, which will get underway this year. It is part of the wider Transforming Cities Fund project.

A council spokesperson said: 

“Like all high streets up and down the country, the demand for and value of some commercial properties has declined over the last few years.

“There are numerous reasons for this, not least the increase in online sales as well as the introduction of out-of-town retail parks and the global pandemic over the last two years.

“We aspire to continue this drive in footfall by working with colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the £11 million Transforming Cities Fund project.

“This project, which has been supported by government funding, will begin later this year to improve sustainable travel options and provide a better town centre environment to help support the local economy.”

The council also said its new destination management plan – which was approved yesterday and aims to boost the value of the district’s visitor economy from £600 million to £835 million by 2030 – will also help drive footfall on the high street.

It said the plan will “position the Harrogate district as a first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment.”

The council added: 

“The visitor economy makes up 14.3% of the economy in Harrogate district and tourism plays a significant role in helping to ensure this continues.”

In numbers: how the Victoria Shopping Centre’s value has declined

The company that runs the Victoria Shopping Centre declined to comment.

Plan to convert Starbeck pharmacy into Italian takeaway

A former Lloyds pharmacy in Starbeck could be converted into an Italian kitchen and takeaway.

Under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the site would be refurbished to include an Italian trattoria on the ground floor and two apartments above.

SSA Architects, which has submitted the application on behalf of the developer, said in its planning documents that the kitchen would provide employment for between five to eight people.

It would be open from 12pm until 12am, according to the proposal.

Meanwhile, both flats proposed as part of the development would be one bedroom.

The developer said in its application:

“The proposal looks to rejuvenate the plot by refurbishing the existing structure within the setting.

“Within this outlined development, the design aims to create an inviting setting for the new residents, and customers for the takeaway business.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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Builder fined for burning demolition waste in Glasshouses

A builder has been fined more than £1,300 for burning demolition waste on land at Harewell Wood Cottage, Glasshouses.

Harrogate Borough Council visited the property on April 29 last year and witnessed remnants of a fire from the previous evening, which consisted of timber and some corrugated roofing sheets.

Philip Snow, 31, from Glasshouses had carried out demolition work – operating under PR Snow Services – at the former butchers in Summerbridge and then disposed of some of the waste on land owned by his parents, in order to burn it, rather than disposing of the waste at an authorised waste disposal site.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue had extinguished the fire at the property on the previous evening.

The blaze had been emitting dark smoke caused by the burning of timber, insulated sandwich panels and corrugated roofing sheets.

The fire sent large amounts of black smoke into the atmosphere, causing environmental pollution and potential harm to health.

This dark smoke caused by the burning of these materials is an offence under the Clean Air Act 1993 so Harrogate Borough Council took Mr Snow to court.

The Environment Agency provided a witness statement stating there was no environmental permit or exemption in place for the burning of waste on the land at the time of the incident.

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Last month York Magistrate Court fined Snow, who pleaded guilty, £678 for the offence under section 2(1) of the Clean Air Act 1993 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £635.

Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:

“Mr Snow has shown a complete lack of awareness or consideration for the law, as well as the environment, by disposing of commercial waste in this way.

“I’d like to thank the concerned residents who raised the alarm, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for dealing with the fire swiftly and safely as well as the council officers.

“I hope this is a reminder to business owners that the illegal disposal of waste is a criminal offence and we will, with proper evidence, seek to prosecute the offender.”

Waste disposal law

Anyone employing an individual or business to remove waste from their property or business has a responsibility to ensure they dispose of it legitimately.

The easiest way to do this is to check they have a waste carriers licence (Upper Tier). This can be done on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling 0370 850 6506.

The council also advise asking for a receipt documenting the waste that was taken, by who and at what cost.

More information about fly-tipping is available on the council’s website.

‘The aim is to make Ripon a more attractive destination’

Ripon has a tremendous opportunity to enhance its reputation and attract more people from this country and abroad over the next five years.

That’s the view of Ripon Business Improvement District chairman Richard Compton.

In June, Ripon businesses voted in favour of creating a BID, which aims to increase footfall in the city.

Ripon BID will have an annual budget of £160,000 over the next five years to spend on projects that encourage visitors. A BID manager is being recruited.

In the meantime, Mr Compton points to a number of positive developments already taking place, including the refurbishment of the Spa Hotel, the reopening of The Old Deanery Hotel under new operators and the imminent opening of the Claro Lounge, on a high street where voids are steadily finding new occupiers.

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Longer-term he sees even greater opportunities.

He said next year’s 1,350th anniversary of St Wilfrid’s founding of the city’s cathedral could provide a springboard to future growth.

Mr Compton, the owner of Newby Hall, whose own family roots in the area go back centuries, sees heritage, history and tradition as cornerstones to build on.

Photo of Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral celebrates its 1,350th anniversary next year.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“If our magnificent cathedral was in the Cotswolds, it would attract wide international recognition.

“Next year’s landmark anniversary gives us the opportunity to put Ripon on the national and international map.”

Improve the appearance of the city

Mr Compton said the cathedral, combined with the city’s museums, the ancient Market Square, Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall, provided a package of heritage and visitor attractions that would benefit the wider local economy.

He said:

“The aim is to promote and make Ripon more attractive as a retail and tourism destination and the BID can help in a number of ways.

“These range from improving the appearance of the city and making better use of Market Square as a public space, to enhancing car parking and lobbying for better wayfinding and signage.

“The signs are looking good and I’m feeling confident about the future.”

Halls name proves a hit for Ripon department store

More than a thousand customers visited Halls of Ripon when the department store opened on Saturday.

Hedley Hall, who, with Liz and Mike Cooper, has brought the former Wrens building in Fishergate back to life, told the Stray Ferret:

“It was fantastic and we were busy all day.”

He pointed out:

“The decision to use the Halls name proved a real winner, as it resonated with people.”

Mr Hall, added:

“The Hive coffee shop also proved very popular.”

Photo of Hedley Hall with customers

Hedley Hall (left) with customers at his antiques and collectables stall

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Department stores of different names have been at 20, Fishergate since 1950 – most recently Wrens, which closed before Christmas.

Prior to that, the Philip Hall store occupied the site for 53 years. With its new look and mix of 22 retailers, Halls is building on the concept introduced by former Wrens owner Mark Butler.

He provided low-cost space to bring together independent retailers under one roof. For 15 of those now trading at Fishergate, it’s their first experience of running a retail unit in high street premises.

Among them was Emma Crossley of Bud Floral Design.

She said:

“The Halls of Ripon opening was highly-successful for me – I was selling all day and also took orders.”

As well as being a base for sales, the high street location has provided Ms Crossley with a showcase for her floral design skills.

David Ward of The Hive Coffee Shop, which he runs with partner Keeley Buller, added:

“We were serving people from the moment we opened and there was a steady flow of customers.”