A Starbeck councillor has called for a notorious junction to be made safer following a car crash on Wednesday.

The collision occurred when a car pulled out of The Avenue onto Starbeck High Street at around midday. Two men were taken to hospital but their injuries are not thought to be serious.

A police officer at the scene told the Stray Ferret collisions are common at the junction due to visibility issues. Cars often park in the lay-by next to the junction and a tree also obscures the view for motorists pulling out.

Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Broadbank, who has represented the area for over 40 years, called on North Yorkshire County Council‘s highways department to take a look at the junction to make it safer.

He said residents in more than 350 homes frequently used The Avenue to get onto the high street.

Cllr Broadbank told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s a problem for people trying to get out as it’s difficult to see. Vision is a problem and it’s dangerous.

“We need to look at the lay-by issue.”

He said there have previously been calls to add traffic lights “but there are enough traffic lights down there”.

He added:

“Its a problem as people get frustrated trying to inch out.”

Read more:

• Two men taken to hospital after Starbeck car crash
• Knaresborough and Starbeck pools: still no reopening dates

Several Stray Ferret readers responded to Wednesday’s story to say the junction was unsafe.

One said:

“Turning out of and into The Avenue is a nightmare. Visibility down toward the level crossing is terrible so you have to edge out.”

Another said:

“The trees need cutting on that junction, you can’t see to go there!”.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, said:

“We take our road safety responsibilities seriously and will always act should there be a need to do so.

“In this instance, we await details of the incident from the police, but are unaware of particular safety issues with this junction.

“Care should always be taken when exiting from a side road on to a main road which is always very busy.”

A Knaresborough pet store will close at the end of next month and go mobile after seeing a decline in footfall.

Jack and Carly Atkinson, owners of The Atkinson Pet Store, said they were disappointed to be closing so soon after opening in August.

The pair felt they had found a missing niche on the town’s High Street when the business opened. However, months of lockdown have taken their toll.

Mr Atkinson said the number of shoppers had fallen and many customers remained hesitant to go out.

The pair hope going mobile will mean they can still provide the same service while saving money on overheads. They said they had a regular customer base that is keen to continue supporting them.

The shop will close on June 30 and the owners hope to be operating on a mobile basis soon after.

The business will rebrand as Let’s Play FETCH and the Atkinsons will be going on the road in their van delivering food, toys and accessories.

People will be able order via a new website or via a Facebook page.

Mr Atkinson said:

“We are disappointed because we thought it would last for years to come. We have provided a service to the people of Knaresborough for a year so we want to continue that. We just needed a bit more.

“Footfall was down and people’s shopping habits have changed. We’ve had to take it with a pinch of salt.”

Mr Atkinson added he and his wife will continue offering a personal service but they will operate at customers’ front doors rather than behind a till.

Read more:

• Knaresborough rewards card launches hoping to boost local economy
• Organisers ‘hopeful’ Knaresborough Christmas market will return

The deputy leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said he is “extremely optimistic” about high streets recovering from the covid crisis as he revealed positive economic data boosted by the reopening.

Cllr Graham Swift, who is also cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said the percentage of vacant shops across the district had fallen to 6.8% in March – a “significant improvement” from 8.6% around this time last year.

He added data on people’s movements showed the number of visitors to rural areas had returned to pre-pandemic levels, although Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon had not yet reached this point.

Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Swift said:

“I’m extremely optimistic. The rural areas are already seeing traffic flow of people movements, as measured by Google, back to pre-pandemic levels.

“The three major conurbations are not back to pre-pandemic levels yet but the fact is retail is looking extremely positive and I’m very hopeful we will see a strong bounce back in the economy.”

Shops classed as vacant are those not paying business rates to the council.

Cllr Swift said the strongest performing areas for this currently are Boroughbridge, which has just one vacant shop, and Pateley Bridge, which has a vacancy rate of 2.5%.

Read more:

• Row over Ripon and Knaresborough markets ahead of council talks
• Wetherby Road newsagent to be converted to hairdressers

His comments followed a question from Boroughbridge councillor Robert Windass, who said members of the public were “curious” over the current state of high streets during the pandemic.

Cllr Swift responded:

“We are now seeing considerable extension of the opening up and unlocking of the country. Last week we saw the opening up of non-essential retail on April 12.

“I went into Harrogate on that morning and was overwhelmed by the innovation and creativity that is going on, particularly around the bar and hospitality sector who have used limited spaces to create exciting opportunities to open up.

“I was very, very impressed by the sector but most important to this question is what is going to be happening in the near future.”

He added:

“There has been a lot of talk over the last few months about Harrogate as a district and how its towns and city have responded to retail sector closures.

“A lot of people count the stores to see which ones are open or closed. In a case where we are in lockdown, it’s obvious that people will see things closed and think they have withdrawn from the site.

“But in actual fact, what we record are the business rate activities of these retail sectors and I’m extremely heartened by the fact that as of March 2021 our retail sector has improved.”

The latest unemployment figures for the district show a slight increase with 3,625 people claiming out-of-work benefits in February, according to the Office for National Statistics.

This equates to 3.8% of the population aged 16 to 64 and is up from 3,460 in January.

Meanwhile, the number of people in the district who were furloughed from their jobs was 12,300 in February, according to the latest HM Revenue & Customs figures.

This was an increase from 9,100 in December, before the third national lockdown began.

A Harrogate-based digital company has launched a 3D interactive website of the high street to boost online sales.

Xpansive Digital has set up a website offering customers a 3D virtual tour and the option to make a purchase all from their favourite shops from the comfort of their couch.

The website, HighStreet Revolution, will include high street retailers, large and small, and eventually larger names too.

Unlike other online platforms, Justyn Shea, director of Xpansive Digital, says his website takes people into the shops they love without leaving home with a 3D tour.

Mr Shea is launching the pilot scheme with Harrogate businesses only but has hopes to take it national.

Read more:

• A £280,000 upgrade to a Ripon business park is underway.
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Mr Shea said:

“Lockdown instigated the project, so many traders have gone online purely to keep themselves going. For those businesses local to us we are happy to do it free of charge. Hopefully it’ll give them a little stepping stone for more online sales.”

The website is reaching out to Harrogate businesses to get involved and have their shops incorporated into the 3D model.

As 2020 draws to a close, the Stray Ferret looks back at the news stories that stood out among a year of extraordinary events. 

Today, we focus on the impact on businesses, from high street to hospitality.

For most business owners, it has been a very worrying and difficult year. From moving their staff to home working to switching to delivery or click and collect, businesses have adapted to constantly changing rules in order to survive the last 10 months. 

For some, though, it has been more challenging than others.  

Among the industries to suffer most in 2020 were events and hospitality. Bars and restaurants found themselves in and out of lockdown, posing huge problems for planning and ordering supplies.  

What made it all the more difficult was the continuing use of Harrogate Convention Centre as the NHS Nightingale. In a district economy which relies heavily on tourism and events, hospitality businesses found their income drastically below what it would usually be. 

Reopening ‘vital’

As the first lockdown eased, some of the district’s major employers were emphasising just how vital it would be for them to reopen and to receive support from the public. 

When news came that the Nightingale would remain in place, preventing events from being held even if restrictions were eased, it was a blow to the sector. 

Major events were postponed and called off for many months ahead, leaving businesses staring at a blank calendar for the foreseeable future. Among the casualties in hospitality were the Country Living St George Hotel, Ripon Spa Hotel, and The Old Deanery, which announced it will close its doors next summer. The Kimberley Hotel also announced its closure in December.

Restaurants were not immune to the challenges of the trading environment, with Harrogate’s Bistrot Pierre and Las Iguanas among the big names failing to reopen their doors.

It made one leading hotel manager’s prediction of ‘carnage’ in May look worryingly prescient – and with uncertainty still ahead, it’s likely we haven’t heard the last of the closures as the new year approaches.

Events industry

Events businesses, meanwhile, were unable to trade at all, spelling the end for one of Harrogate’s longest-established names. 

Joe Manby Ltd was well known for helping to stage events at the convention centre, as well as elsewhere around the country. Andrew Manby, a director of the family firm established in the 1970s, had warned repeatedly that more support was needed for companies unable to trade because of restrictions.  

In October, with no sign of improvement ahead, the company announced it would go into liquidation. 

Cambridge Street in Harrogate was looking busier in the run-up to Christmas

There were casualties on the high street, too, with several big-name brands announcing they would be closing branches in our district, along with long-standing independent businesses.  Among those lost were AP&K Stothard’s pet shop, The Bookstall newsagent at Harrogate railway station, Edinburgh Wooden Mill and Ponden Home in Ripon, Wren’s department store, and menswear shop Jon Barrie. 

Yet it wasn’t all bad news. For some determined entrepreneurs, the pandemic was no reason not to make their business dreams a reality – including a new taco business and a travel agent.

From music to clothes shops and even a pop-up bakery, Knaresborough seemed like the place to be in the second half of the year. It also saw a pop-up from popular Harrogate bakery Baltzersen’s. 

Nevertheless, uncertainty remained, and the second lockdown left owners desperate to know whether they would be able to reopen in time for Christmas. 

The district’s tier two restrictions meant they were able to do so in early December, aiming to make the most of the final few weeks of trading. Residents can only hope it was enough to get their favourite businesses through the coming weeks and months until the situation begins to improve. 

Read more:

• Looking back: Clap for carers and scrubbing up for key workers
• Looking back: Extraordinary effort to build a Nightingale hospital in Harrogate

People in Harrogate spoke today of their relief about shops reopening after a month-long lockdown.

Today’s easing of covid restrictions allowed businesses to swing open their doors and there were plenty of eager shoppers there to support them.

A strong ‘shop local’ message has been pushed during the pandemic and it seems people in Harrogate today were keen to heed it and keep their high street shops alive.

Beryl Westerman said she was glad to be out again after staying inside for the past month:

“It’s lovely to come out and see people again.”

Beryl was glad to be back out and about again.

Read more:

• Knaresborough shop owners are “positive” as they reopen their doors today. 
• Wrens in Ripon is closing its doors for good. 

The pandemic has had a huge impact on some retailers.

Huge names such as Debenhams have fallen into administration following losses in trade. Some others won’t be opening their doors again.

The run-up to Christmas will be a crucial time for those that have survived the second lockdown.

Lockdown today has left shop owners and stallholders in Knaresborough fearful for the future of their businesses.

Shop owners and a market stallholder agree that it couldn’t have come at a worse time. November and December are their busiest months.

Many are choosing to go online, as they did during the first lockdown, in an attempt to make some of the money they would if they were to stay open.

Michael Baker-Kilburn, co owner of Little Darlings Gifts and Toys on Knaresborough high street, said:

“It’s the busiest time of the year for a toy shop so it’s really disappointing. We have so much stock coming next week, we’ve spent thousands on it. I need to think of our financial stability and I’m having to dip into our savings. I understand why we have to shut but who’s looking after us? This is when I take 50% of my cash for the whole year and I have nothing, who’s going to pay my bills and my rent?”

Similarly, Sonya Johnson who runs a ladies accessories stall on Knaresborough and Ripon markets said:

“It’s not good obviously because it’s the busiest time of the year. We just need to grin and bear it and hope we can reopen for December. It’s come at the worse time ever as November and December are always really busy. We normally have the Christmas trade to tide us over through January and February but if we come back then it could be difficult.”

Read more:

• A Harrogate shop owner says this lockdown has come at the “worst possible time for retail”.
• The second lockdown could mean some businesses “won’t reopen”.

Independent businesses owner, Martin Sturdy of Zigzag in Knaresborough , said business had only just recovered from the first lockdown and another one was likely to bring a new set worries.

He said:

“This couldn’t have come at a worse time. I just hope we can reopen soon and we can recover from it when we do. I think people will continue to support us so we will be fine. We do need to be able to open beginning of December because if we miss that run up to December it’s going to be a killer. We have all the stock and we need to make money from it.”

The lockdown is expected to end on December, 2 but business owners suspect, like the previous lockdown, the reopening of different industries will be staggered.

Business representatives in Knaresborough have said there is a buzz about the town as more companies seek to relocate there.

Despite the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Stray Ferret has recently reported a flurry of new shops opening on the high street.

The latest addition – The Knaresborough Lock Centre – opened on Monday.

Owner John Long said:

“The town was lacking a DIY, hardware, lock shop and I felt it was a good time to open up. We have had a warm welcome in the town and are positive about the future.”

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has said the number of empty shops is decreasing, offering further cause for optimism.

Bill Taylor, treasurer of the chamber, said:

“Many people seem to have used the lockdown to develop business ideas and see Knaresborough as a great place to start their new business.

“The chamber had a record month in August for new members and September has started in the same vein. It is a great time to be a business owner in the town, there is a real buzz around now with several new shops about to open and a very low number of empty shops currently being available.“

The number of empty shop fronts has decreased in the town, improving its aesthetic and encouraging more visitors to the town.

Read more:

• Plans have been approved for a micropub to open in Knaresborough railway station. 
• New music shop set to open on Knaresborough high street next month.

The business and community website, Knaresborough Online, painted a similar picture of an increase in business interest in the area.

“Since the easing of lockdown we have noticed an increase in general enquiries about relocating to Knaresborough. This flurry of interest is supported by the recent opening of a number of new businesses in town, including a new pet shop, Persian rug store, restaurant, butchers and a DIY shop. These are really encouraging signs as we move forward after a difficult few months.”

A new music shop is set to open in one of the large empty properties in Knaresborough in a move that will help to reinvigorate the town after lockdown.

The Music Bank, which is due to open on October 3, will be based in the old Barclays bank on the high street. It will sell instruments and offer music tuition.

Its owner, David Lombardi, wanted a place for customers to see and touch the instruments as well as a base to run an online store.

Mr Lombardi said:

“After carrying out extensive market research in the area we found that there are very few music stores available in the Knaresborough, Harrogate area and saw this as an opportunity to fill that void.

“Whilst the world is certainly a changed place given current and recent events, our business was one of a few that prospered throughout the lockdown with more people taking to instruments than ever before.

“Musical instruments will always have a place on our high streets. People like to make sure it feels right, looks right and sounds right before they make a purchase.”

Well-known brands will be sold at the shop, encouraging customers to come in and browse.

The Music Bank already has a tuition centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire teaching over 70 students each week.

Read more:

• A new gym opens in Knaresborough despite closures of other centres in the district. 
• Plans for a Knaresborough BID take a step forward – the group is taking time to engage with local businesses.

Will shoppers return to the high street on Monday?

Since the lockdown easing was revealed by the Prime Minister, a number of major and independent outlets have already announced that their doors will be open on June 15.

But once shops are open and the store lights are on, the focus will shift to how customers react after 10 weeks of closure and increasingly more people shopping online.

The Stray Ferret went around the district and asked people in town centres whether they were uneasy about returning to shops.

Read more:

• Harrogate retail prepares to fight for survival
• Harrogate’s deep clean is underway

In our video above, people raised concerns over changing rooms in clothes stores and shops reopening too early.

Melanie Lancaster, from Ripon, said it was not necessary for the city’s high street to reopen yet.

“I’m not going to shop when the shops open.

“I know that they are saying that they are going to quarantine clothes, but I would still not feel comfortable doing that.”

Sandra Watkins, from Harrogate, said she was concerned with younger people and whether they would be mindful when shops reopen.

She said: “I’m more concerned perhaps with my teenage daughter still being quite young, are they going to be mindful going back into places like Primark?”

Some smaller traders do not expect customers to be stepping through their doors immediately, but bigger retailers have a challenge.

Shop space which once saw customers move freely around will be altered by one way systems, two metre distances and limited customers.

Esther Pugh, a retail expert at Leeds Beckett University, said the experience of shopping will be changed by social distancing, but added that she remained optimistic about customers returning to the high street.

She said: “Stores use their layout to help navigate the space and move around.

“But it will be a challenge because the guidelines will effect the experience.

“I am optimistic and I think people need to feel positive. I think the shops need to be innovative and turn this into something new for shoppers.”

Tomorrow, we will report on what is being done to entice shoppers back onto Harrogate’s high street and into retail stores.