Work begins on Harrogate’s James Street to find electricity fault

Northern Powergrid has begun work on James Street in Harrogate following last weeks power cuts.

Access to the pavement outside department store Hoopers has been diverted onto the road using barriers while the electricity provider conducts repairs.

Multiple businesses along Harrogate’s premier shopping street were affected by intermittent power cuts for five consecutive days last week.

It left several shops unable to trade for periods, forced a dentist to stop emergency surgery mid-surgery and prevented a café from making treats.

Stores along the street will remain open this week while work is carried out.

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid said:

“Our engineers are carrying out investigative work to enable us to identify and repair the fault as soon as possible.

“Intermittent faults can be located anywhere along the local underground route. We use special monitoring equipment to locate the fault, so we can complete a permanent repair to the affected network to prevent further disruption.

“The works will be ongoing for the next couple of days, with a view to completing the excavation works on or by Friday 15 March. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience and thank them for their continued patience.”

Work is set to finish on Friday

Northern Powergrid has announced plans to spend £5.5m on improvements in the area.

The company is hosting a drop-in session today (Tuesday, March 12) from 4pm to 7pm at the Crown Hotel to discuss the plans.

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Fashion event set for return after boosting shops’ sales in Harrogate

Retailers in Harrogate have been celebrating after analysing the results of a fashion-focused day designed to boost the town centre.

The Celebration of Fashion, organised by Harrogate Business Improvement District, saw hundreds of garments brought to the catwalk by dozens of local models.

Wall-to-wall sunshine helped to bring out the crowds for the event outside Victoria Shopping Centre, while the Stray Ferret, as media partner, shared it with tens of thousands more viewers online.

The catwalk was filled with everything from charity shop finds to wedding dresses, featuring outfits from retailers including LK Bennett, Marks and Spencer, Morgan Clare, Primark and more.

The organisers and participants have now analysed the results for the day and they make for impressive reading.

Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“We are very proud to have planned and delivered such a successful event, working with the Stray Ferret and Victoria Shopping Centre.

“Over 40 retailers took part in the day, with over 20,000 visitors walking through the shopping centre during the event. The retailers all saw an increase in sales in the days and weeks after, with certain items that had been showcased selling out on the actual day – which is fantastic to hear.

“We are very much hoping the event will return in 2024 and that it will be bigger and better.”

Crowds watch the action on the catwalk

For Hoopers, the make-up demonstration created an “instant reaction” in encouraging customers to shop in the store, and the menswear department saw a “great reaction” after the wedding and bridal show.

General manager Nick Hubbert said:

“The day was fantastic and for me personally it was about working with the local community of retailers.

“Commercially it’s more of an advert and opportunity to show case our fashion offer, more of the planting the seed and awareness of the product available in Hoopers.”

Adding his voice in praise of the event, Victoria Shopping Centre manager James White said:

“Wow – I think it’s safe to say that the Harrogate celebration of fashion was a true success. I, along with everyone in the town, was truly blown away!

“The event brought a brilliant energy to the town centre, and it was fantastic to see that reflected in both sales and footfall for our retailers. We were thrilled to be able to host the event at Victoria Shopping Centre.”

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Phase Eight to move into Harrogate’s Hoopers store

Womenswear chain Phase Eight has closed the doors to its James Street shop – but will not be leaving Harrogate entirely.

The brand is set to open a new concession on the first floor of Hoopers department store, just a few metres down the road, on April 3.

At more than 270m sq, the old premises has retail space on the ground and first floors, as well as staff facilities on the second floor.

The unit is now being marketed by Montpellier Property Consultants at £72,000 per annum on a full repairing and insuring lease, with the term to be agreed.

Phase Eight has not publicised its reasons for the move, nor confirmed whether any jobs will be lost as a result. It did not respond to a request for details from the Stray Ferret before publication.

The Harrogate branch is one of 350 across the UK and Ireland, alongside 200 elsewhere around the world. It already has concessions in Hoopers’ stores in Tunbridge Wells and Wilmslow.

It is owned by the Foschini Group, which is also home to Hobbs and Whistles – both of which have shops along Harrogate’s James Street.

The popular address has recently seen a new branch of Oliver Bonas arrive, alongside Pret a Manger, which opened its doors last May.

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Prestigious building on Harrogate’s James Street put on the market

A landmark building on Harrogate’s prestigious James Street has been put on the market for offers over £3.85m.

The freehold of the property — home to the Harrogate branch of department store Hoopers — is being marketed by Green & Partners.

The particulars say the retail business has a remaining lease of two years and eight months, due to expire or be renewed in March 2025.

The description says:

“The property comprises a retail store arranged on ground, basement and three upper floors. Sales accommodation is offered over ground, basement and two upper floors with ancillary accommodation at third floor level.

“There is a main staircase and customer lift to the rear of the property which connects all five levels. The property is serviced to the rear with deliveries taken into the basement level via Market Place. The property lies within a conservation area and is not listed.”

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The building, at 28-32 James Street, extends to 1,904m sq and currently generates an annual rental income of £350,000 on a full repairing and insuring lease.

It was previously sold in 2010 for £5.95m, according to the Land Registry. If the guide price is achieved, it would represent a drop in value of more than 35% in the last 12 years.

The sales particulars state that James Street is viewed as “the prime retailing thoroughfare” and cite brands including Oliver Bonas, Joules, Hotel Chocolat and Whistles as examples of its “higher end boutique” shops.

The information also advises that options for the building include negotiating a new lease to Hoopers, or securing vacant possession in order to redevelop the site. The description says:

“Neighbouring properties have achieved planning permission to convert and extend upper parts into residential flats and we believe the subject property lends itself to a full redevelopment (STPP [subject to planning permission]). The property benefits from large and regular floor plates with good natural light.

“The property is also well situated in the town centre for residential occupiers as in close proximity to the train station, which would suit commuters to Leeds and York extremely well. Harrogate house prices are some of the most expensive in Yorkshire highlighting the popularity to live in the area.”

The Stray Ferret has approached Hoopers for a comment but has not yet received a response.

The building was previously home to Marshall & Snelgrove. The late historian Malcolm Neesam wrote about its history for the Stray Ferret’s history walks, available by clicking here.

The crusade to save Harrogate’s high street

Being general manager of one of the most prestigious stores on the most prestigious shopping street in Harrogate, Nick Hubbert has clear views on how to revive the town centre.

“We need to play to our strengths – beauty, flowers. Not rush down the route to do many things, like pedestrianisation.

“Let’s get through covid first. It’s not just about cycle lanes and the area around the station.”

Mr Hubbert’s views are shaped by a lifetime in retail. Last year he swapped the world of fast fashion for premium products when he left a managerial role at Sir Philip Green’s Top Shop in Sheffield for Hoopers, the family-run designer department store on James Street.

Top Shop is one of many mighty brands to have fallen in Harrogate, along with the likes of Debenhams, Swarovski and Laura Ashley. Mr Hubbert, 50, who lives in Hampsthwaite, is acutely aware of how critical the months ahead are for not only for Hoopers but the whole of Harrogate after lockdowns, Brexit and the rise of internet shopping.

He has joined Harrogate Business Improvement District, which aims to increase footfall in the town centre, as part of his broader mission to save the high street.

He says there have been some good initiatives, such as the BID’s street clean-up, but has concerns about the recent scattergun of proposals from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, which range from installing fake grass to promoting cycling and walking schemes that restrict vehicles to talk of pedestrianising streets and making traffic one-way. He says:

“The big focus at the moment has to be on the next couple of months. We need to accept the fact we have been through one of the biggest negative things in our lives. We need to think about back to basics.

“There’s been some great work done but there needs to be more synergy between the various groups.

“If we are going to do something, let’s focus on things that will make a big difference. Something that makes a statement.”

Parking on James Street

James Street, with its more upmarket retailers, is particularly sensitive to tinkering. Last year’s decision to install planters for social distancing purposes and prevent parking didn’t go down well with many traders. Mr Hubbert says:

“It was a big deal because it’s evident people used that parking to nip in and out. We put our point across but here we are without it.”

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He hopes policymakers listen to businesses before any new initiatives are introduced.

“I hope they take views on board and don’t just stream-roll things thorough because they have seven or eight million pounds and feel they have to spend it.

“That sum could be better spent on a park and ride scheme. Or we could make James Street electric car-only and have electric charge points. If we do something, let’s do something big.

“If you go down the pedestrianisation route, go for something premium so that people’s dwell time on James Street will increase but we have to have that guarantee it will be something spectacular.

“Don’t do fake grass. Don’t make it like Cambridge Street. That doesn’t look inspiring and attract footfall. There are no features. It’s just nothing.”

Last department store standing

Hoopers has felt its share of pain in the last year. Staff numbers have halved to about 35 and it has reduced trading to 30 hours a week for the time being.

It is the last department store standing in the district after Debenhams in Harrogate and Wrens in Ripon closed last year. You might think Mr Hubbert would be pleased to see rivals fold but he says:

“An empty shop in town isn’t good for anybody. We will pick up some of their sales but I’d rather see Debenhams in a strong position because it’s one of the oldest names on the high street.”

Some feel the department store concept has had its day but Mr Hubbert says the lockdown has rekindled Britain’s love affair with shops, particularly those selling premium brands.

“People have seen the high street deteriorate in the last 18 months and it’s shocked them. As much as they love the internet for convenience shopping they don’t want to see void space.

“Many regulars have come back and said ‘we are so pleased to see you back’. They like the fact that they can get that different fragrance here that is unique.

“They are definitely treating themselves to things such as luxury handbags and outfits for holidays.”

‘Biggest fight of our lives’

Harrogate has one of four Hoopers stores. Debra Angus, the managing director, visited recently. Mr Hubbert says:

“There was no doom or gloom conversation. It was all very positive. It’s given me a lot of confidence.”

But there’s no hiding the fact that these are unprecedented times. He says:

“Every retailer is having the biggest fight of their lives. For me, it’s about making the store become profitable and have longevity so we still have this great store in Harrogate.

“We are fighting to be here long-term. I’ve been in retail all my life and it’s become evident we can’t live without the high street. I’m more passionate than ever about shops staying open.

“That’s why I’m involved with the BID. I want to make a difference to not just Hoopers but also making the shopping experience better for people. I’m on a crusade to save the high street.”

Hoopers store warns: ‘Harrogate is not bulletproof anymore’

Hoopers has warned that the store is not sustainable in its current form and that Harrogate’s retail sector is “not bulletproof anymore”.

The department store’s general manager, Nick Hubbert, has spoken openly about its financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic for the first time.

He said that the way they have to operate under social distancing rules means that it is not able to make enough sales.

Hoopers’ struggle in numbers

Mr Hubbert told the Stray Ferret that he has concerns about the furlough scheme coming to an end:

“We are preparing for the worst. How long can businesses survive when they are losing money. Hoopers has been in Harrogate for a long time but this has been by far the most difficult time. Some people think that Harrogate is bulletproof but it isn’t anymore. It’s not sustainable, we cannot afford to fully open and we cannot afford to trade the full week. That is not ideal.”

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Mr Hubbert has also weighed into the pedestrianisation debate on James Street with the general manager writing a strongly worded letter to Harrogate Borough Council.

James Street could be temporarily closed to traffic as early as next month after Harrogate Borough Council requested the measures.

Hoopers is based on James Steet which has been full with traffic cones for months.

Mr Hubbert does not believe that the temporary pedestrianisation of James Street will help businesses and said he is basing that on years of experience:

He added that he is not against pedestrianisation long term but he does not think that the middle of a pandemic is the right time to change things:

“Customers want to park up and jump into the shops. It’s easy for young families and it’s easier for older people. That’s what increases footfall. We just need to leave things as is and concentrate on the basics. When someone pulled the cones away it was half full in half an hour and people were getting straight into the shops.”