This story is sponsored by Robbins Associates.
Are you seeking a remarkable space for your business to call home? Look no further than The Lenz, Grade A office space nestled within the heart Hornbeam Park.
A fully glazed, bow-fronted, three-storey office building, The Lenz blends modern aesthetics with functionality, suitable for many different types of businesses – as well as offering competitive rental prices and service charge fees.
Put your stamp on the second floor
The large, mainly open plan space is a blank canvas suitable for either open plan or partitioned offices; an adaptable layout which can be configured in a way that suits your business.
Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as natural sunlight exposure and LED lighting are all carefully designed additions to enhance your sustainability credentials.
Hornbeam Park offers a rare combination of easy access and high specification spaces
Convenience and accessibility built in
From the moment you arrive, either by train at the Hornbeam Park’s on-site railway station or by car, the keypad-controlled entry systems ensure security and exclusivity.
The 13-person lift provides access to the underground car park and all the upper floors.
Join the community
Apollo Capital Group is one of the businesses that rents office space at The Lenz since 2020, and its CEO and founder Andy King has expressed his satisfaction as a commercial tenant of the building.
He said:
“We considered many options when looking for a suitable office and location close to Harrogate, and without question Hornbeam Park offers the very best of both.
“At the Lenz we enjoy a spacious new office, secure, modern, adequate parking, clean and well-maintained commercial areas, internal and external.”
From independent businesses seeking retail space, to those requiring warehouse storage or corporate offices, Hornbeam Park has the capacity to accommodate a vast array of requirements.
The interior of the office space
It’s a destination for both business and leisure visitors alike, with a wide variety of on-site leisure facilities including a Premier Inn, Nuffield Health fitness centre, restaurants such as Fayre Pub, Al Bivio Italian restaurant and much more.
Andy added:
“We couldn’t find another industrial office park anywhere near Harrogate that offers all these facilities.
“The only ‘downside’ is the fantastic Italian restaurant that we enjoy a little bit too much.”
Hornbeam Park also boasts excellent transport links between Leeds, York, Harrogate and even London, due to the railway station, regular bus routes, and its close proximity to A1/M1 motorway.
Find out more:
If you have any further enquiries, contact Chris Robbins of Robbins Associates at 01423 505501. For all available office space, visit the website or email info@robbinsassociates.net.
Live for Today buys Harrogate climbing wallTwo entrepreneurs who met at Parthian Climbing wall in Harrogate 12 years ago have bought the facility.
Marc Wise, 39, and Dan Miller, 37, worked as instructors at Parthian before setting up their own outdoor activities business Live For Today.
The site on Hornbeam Park will be renamed Live For Today Climbing Centre.
Previously, Mr Miller from Skipton studied outdoor education and Mr Wise from Harrogate worked in IT, before using their savings to launch Live for Today in 2012, with zorbing in a Harrogate farmer’s field.
It has since grown into an outdoor activity business operating across four sites. It has 25 outdoor activities, including quad biking, paddle boarding, axe throwing, air rifle shooting and escape rooms.
Buying the climbing wall marks a significant moment for the pair.
Mr Wise said:
“I was pretty unfulfilled working in IT, and the idea for Live For Today was inspired by a climbing trip we took to Austria. We started from a Harrogate farmer’s field, saving money to buy new equipment, growing into a really robust, exciting business.
“It was a chance to pursue our passion. Buying the climbing wall is a full circle moment for our business, as it’s where we first met and it all began.”
The business grew in 2013 after the pair went to a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce business safari event and met the manager of Hazlewood Castle, who invited them to bring adventure activities to the 70-acre woodland in Leeds.
In 2014, Live For Today moved into its second activity centre in the grounds of Ripley Castle and launched offsite adventures, such as caving and climbing in the Yorkshire Dales. The team now has its head office at the castle.
It then expanded with summer camps, activities in the Lake District, partnering with the Prince’s Trust, and in 2019, launching their first escape rooms at Ripley Castle.
Mr Wise said:
“The beauty of indoor climbing is its accessibility. It isn’t elitist. People of all abilities and skills share the same wall. We have all ages taking part in our activities from eight to 80-year-olds.”
Climbing will feature at the Paris Olympics this summer. Athletes will compete in two disciplines – boulder and lead, and a new speed event.
Live For Today now has 20 activity instructors and an 11-strong management team.
Mr Wise said:
“Acquiring the climbing wall is really significant and special as it is where it all began.
“There’s been criticism about the lack of indoor activities and things to do for young people, so the climbing wall is a huge asset for the area.”
Parthian Harrogate was one of five Parthian climbing centres in England.
Read more:
- Harrogate could get county’s first tiger crossing to boost cycling
- Primark store manager becomes chair of Harrogate BID
VIDEO AND GALLERY: successful supercar event at Hornbeam Park
Apollo Capital’s supercars event was received with great fanfare by the local community yesterday.
Held at its headquarters The Lenz at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, on 17 March, more than 100 supercars turned up to showcase their impressive vehicles to the public.
It’s the first Supercars and Caffeine event that Apollo Capital and partners Petrolheadonism.club has put on together and all of the profits went to Apollo Capital’s 2024 charity sponsor, Saint Michael’s Hospice.
Founded in 2020 by chief executive Andy King and managing director David Moss, Apollo Capital specialises in funding luxury, classic, super and hypercars.
See our interview with Andy above, along with images of the many luxury cars that were at the event below.
Gallery
(Image: Ferrari F12, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Ferrari F355, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Porsche 992 GT3RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Lamborghini Huracan STO, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Apollo McLaren 600LT, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: group of supercars, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)
Read more:
- What’s on
- The hidden stories behind Harrogate’s newest chocolate shop
- Harrogate brewery’s keg beer named best in Britain
Business Breakfast: Contractor appointed to build 37 affordable homes in Ripon
Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!
Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.
Entries close on January 19, 2024.
The contract to build 37 affordable homes at the Old Goods Yard on Hutton Bank in Ripon has been awarded to a York company.
Yorkshire Housing has appointed York Science Park-based NuSpace Homes to construct the mixed-tenure homes on the site, which was previously home to warehouses used by companies such as Millennium Windows and Power Plastics.
The scheme will provide 37 homes for rent, rent to buy and shared ownership and is being supported by grant funding from Homes England.
Yorkshire Housing is the biggest housing association based solely in Yorkshire, and owns and manages around 20,000 homes across the region, including older people’s accommodation and homes for low-cost rent.
Outline planning permission for the Hutton Bank site was granted in 2021 by Harrogate Borough Council, which was replaced by North Yorkshire Council in April this year.
The site is in an area that is deemed as having high housing demand, and at the time outline planning was approved Harrogate Borough Council said the proposed development would help “regenerate a gateway site in one of the District’s main settlements”.
Demolition of the existing vacant buildings is set to start soon, and construction of the homes is due to start early in the new year.
Sian Webster, director of development at Yorkshire Housing, said:
“We’re really pleased to be working alongside NuSpace Homes to deliver these quality new homes.
“This development will regenerate a disused brownfield site and give more people the chance to have a place they’re proud to call home.
“There’s a need for more affordable homes across Yorkshire, and this scheme takes us a step closer to reaching our target of building 8,000 new homes across the county.”
It is hoped that the first homes will be ready to move into early in 2025, and the site will be completed by December the same year.
Charity given cash from financial services profits
A charity based in Harrogate has received a £1,000 Christmas gift from the Benefact Group.
The British Thyroid Foundation, which is based at Hornbeam Park, was nominated to win a share of £120,000 by members of the public as part of the Benefact Group’s annual 12 days of giving Christmas campaign.
Founded in 1887, the Gloucester-based Benefact Group is an international group of financial services businesses that gives all available profits to charities and good causes.
The British Thyroid Foundation, which supports people to live better with thyroid disease, was one of two causes chosen for Benefact Group awards in North Yorkshire; the other was Fulford St Oswald’s C E Primary School Parent Teacher Association.
Mark Hews, group chief executive of Benefact Group, said:
“We are thrilled to be giving £120,000 to 120 fantastic charitable causes across the country and I’d like to thank every single North Yorkshire resident that took the time to nominate a charity close to their hearts. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.
“Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, Benefact Trust, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: MP visits Harrogate company in support of IT campaign
- Business Breakfast: Boroughbridge man named AA Patrol of the Year
- Business Breakfast: Growth hub hosts business support event at Ripon Cathedral
Boy, 16, arrested after teenager beaten-up at Hornbeam Park
A boy has been arrested after a youth was beaten-up at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses to the attack, which happened at Hornbeam Park railway bridge at about 3pm on Monday 23 October.
According to police, a victim in his mid-teens was assaulted by two suspects.
A force statement added:
“He was punched a number of times and needed medical treatment.
“One boy, aged 16 from the Harrogate area, was arrested in connection with the assault. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.”
Anyone with information can email Ruby.Rutter@northyorkshire.police.uk or dial 101 and ask for PC511 Rutter.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The incident number is 12230201575.
Read more:
- Police and fire HQ evacuated after person hands in grenades
- Fresh plan submitted to convert Harrogate strip club into flats
Business Breakfast: NEOM appoints new CEO
NEOM, the home fragrance brand that has grown to international prominence from its Harrogate HQ, has appointed a new chief executive.
Isabel Malbois, who was previously managing director at the company, takes over from co-founder Oliver Mennell, who will stay on as non-executive chair. Fellow co-founder Nicola Elliott remains as creative director.
Isabel joined NEOM – whose name comes from its founders’ initials – as global commercial director in 2021, after successful stints at L’Oréal, Urban Decay and Giorgio Armani. She said:
“I’ve thoroughly loved working closely with Nicola and Oliver and the passionate and smart NEOM team over the past two years and I’m super excited about my new role as CEO. NEOM is a very much-loved wellbeing brand.
She added:
“I look forward to continuing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Nicola day to day and having Oliver close to the business in his new role as chair to keep driving the company onwards and upwards.”
Oliver Mennell and Nicola Elliott founded NEOM in 2005, launching a range of natural fragrances designed to improve sleep, lower stress, boost energy and lift mood. Within a few years, their products had been adopted by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.
Now based at Hornbeam Park, it has achieved B Corp certification – an internationally recognised standard for sustainability – and in its last annual accounts recorded post-tax profits of over £3 million.
Hospital rated ‘good’ by CQC
A mental health hospital in Harrogate has been praised for the “outstanding” caring nature of its staff by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.
The regulator’s report on Cygnet Hospital Harrogate praised the high standard of care offered at the service and highlighted many areas of positive practice, saying the hospital had embedded a “person-centred” culture.
The service, on Ripon Road, is part of the Cygnet Health Care division, and offers a care service for men and women suffering with acute mental health.
The inspection, which took place in August, looked at all key lines of enquiry: safety, care, responsiveness, leadership and effectiveness. The service was awarded a Good rating overall, with Outstanding in the Caring domain.
Hospital manager Gavin Clark said:
“We’re all absolutely delighted with a good overall from the recent inspection, but to get an outstanding in the Caring domain was the cherry on top.
“That the report recognises the contribution of multiple departments in this – and not just clinical teams – felt a real validation of the entire staff group’s efforts. I feel so proud of everyone and would like to thank all of my staff for their hard work and dedication towards providing high-quality, compassionate care.”
Read more:
- Business Breakfast: Harrogate-based Japanese shop celebrates 25th anniversary
- Business Breakfast: Minskip bedding company secures £100,000 funding
- Business Breakfast: Connexions to withdraw Knaresborough-Harrogate bus service
Harrogate brewery hosts UK’s high profile comedians
A Harrogate brewery has become a hotspot to see some of the UK’s most high profile comedians.
Rooster’s Brewing Co, which is based at Hornbeam Park, has played host to the likes of Jon Richardson, Matt Forde and Maisie Adams in the last 12 months.
This past week, Lucy Beaumont, who is known for her appearances on Taskmaster and Meet The Richardsons, played an intimate performance in the brewery’s taproom ahead of her nationwide tour.
Much of the draw comes down to the monthly comedy night held on the last Thursday of every month, called Really Funny Comedy.
Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Micky P Kerr, works closely with the brewery to organise the event, which has seen the likes of Josh Pugh, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean and social media star Troy Hawke perform.
Tom Fozard, commercial director at Rooster’s, used to host comedy gigs while at university.
He said the feedback from comics who perform at the brewery has been encouraging.
Mr Fozard said:
“I used to host comedy gigs with a local promoter while working for my university Students’ Union longer ago than I care to remember, so getting to work alongside Micky P Kerr and attract the talent we have done in such a short space of time is incredibly fun and rewarding.
“The feedback we’re getting from the comics has also been great, so I know what we’re doing is being well received both from a gig-goer’s point of view, but also backstage. Everyone also gets to enjoy a decent pint or two with their comedy too, which is an added bonus.”
Read more:
- Long queues in Harrogate as roadworks begin to bite
- Council to hire contractor for Harrogate school expansion
New charity shop and cafe to open in Harrogate
A new charity shop and café is to open at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate next week.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is opening the shop and café at its new centre on Hornbeam Square West.
Income will fund services such as the charity’s health and wellbeing programme for people with cancer called Active Together, which will be available at the same centre from November.
Tony Graham, director of retail at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:
“Our beautifully stocked shop will offer a unique experience where people can purchase high quality pre-loved fashion, accessories, home-ware, books and records.
“Thanks to supporters’ kind donations, the shop offers a range of desirable products – from vintage collectables and high-end labels to nearly-new fashion.”
The new Café Hornbeam
Staff and volunteers celebrate the opening of the shop and café.
The charity said its Café Hornbeam will serve healthy breakfasts as well as waffles, sandwiches and salads. Harrogate-based bakery Baltzersen’s will provide the pastries and cakes.
The shop will open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
The café will open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
Read more:
- Man fined for fly-tipping in Harrogate district
- Charity boxer pledges to tattoo logo of highest donating business on her leg
Trains stopped amid ‘concerns for safety’ of teenager on Crimple Valley viaduct
Trains on the Harrogate line were stopped this morning after emergency services were called to deal with concerns for the safety of a teenager on Crimple Valley viaduct.
The concerns were first reported to police just after 5.30am, and both North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police attended the scene.
They were joined by staff from Yorkshire Ambulance Service, while North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was on stand-by to help if needed.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“Police negotiators brought [it] to a safe conclusion just before 8.30am.
“A man aged in his late teens was checked over my paramedics and he is receiving medical support.”
Train services on the line had to be replaced by buses for a number of hours while police dealt with the incident.
The line is now clear, though Northern said delays to services could last “for some time due to displaced trains and crew”.
Read more:
- Police investigating after man dies on building site in Ripon village
- Concern over North Yorkshire Police’s decision not to attend all mental health call-outs
Harrogate Brazilian jiu-jitsu school raises £4,000 in memory of former student
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu school in Harrogate has raised more than £4,000 for local suicide prevention charity The Jordan Legacy.
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defence organised a fundraising day in memory of former student Alastair McKenzie, who took his life last year.
Those attending were invited to make donations to attend workshops by guest black belt instructors.
There was also a bake sale and a sale of second hand BJJ kit, and Steve Phillip, founder and director of The Jordan Legacy, gave a talk.
The event supported The Jordan Legacy because Alastair’s widow Tina has been working with the not-for-profit organisation, which aims to reduce suicides by providing support. It easily surpassed the £1,500 fundraising target.
Head instructor Lewis Matthews said the day aimed to bring people together and show the importance of having a team around you as well as raise money in memory of Alastair.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and Gracie Barra Harrogate, which is based at The Zone on Hornbeam Park, now has about 300 members.
It is running a free women’s self-defence workshop on Sunday, June 25.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu combines grappling and ground work to control and restrain opponents, making it a perfect fit for self defence.
Registration for the two-hour workshop, which is expected to be followed by more similar events this year, is available here.