This story is sponsored by Howard Conrad.

Yorkshire’s number-one Apple specialist repair company is offering Mac owners a free software tune-up this summer.

The service, which is like a “digital spring-clean”, would normally cost £49, but Howard Conrad, an independent firm based in Harrogate, is offering it free of charge throughout the month of July, with absolutely no strings or obligations.

Steve Murray, who has been a Mac technician at Howard Conrad for over six years, said: 

“A lot of people don’t realise how easily they can accumulate years’ worth of redundant software updates and applications; ultimately they will clog up your system and slow it down. We’ve even seen people lose personal data due to software faults caused by storage issues.”

All Howard Conrad’s repairs come with a three-year warranty.

Steve said:

There’s long been a myth that you can’t get a virus on a Mac, but it’s not true. They maybe less common than they are on windows computers, but they adapt and overcome defences, and can still infect Apple devices. You shouldn’t just rely on your Mac’s security software – it’s no guarantee of safety.”

Howard Conrad, which is based on Leeds Road, was founded over a decade ago and specialises in repairing iPads, iPhones and Macs. All its repairs come with a three-year warranty. 

Steve said: 

“We’ve built up a really good reputation across the region and put a huge amount of effort into keeping up to date on all the latest Apple technology. A lot of our time is spent learning and researching, and we all help each other keep on top of developments. 

“It’s more of a passion project than a job, to be honest, because we’re all massive Apple fans, so that definitely helps.” 

Find out more: 

Howard Conrad’s free Apple Mac software tune-up offer can only be accessed using the Stray Ferret link – just click here.

To find out more about Howard Conrad’s services, visit the website or speak to a Harrogate-based technician on 01423 228420. 

The Award for Best Employee Development is sponsored by Jones Myers, Family Law Solicitors.

Jones Myers deal exclusively with the family sector, including civil partnerships, divorce and child protection.

The legal firm consistently ranked top in Yorkshire by the influential Legal 500 and Chambers guides.

This award is designed to highlight businesses that develop their employees, giving them the best start for a new career.

 Finalists

Continued Care

Continued Care provides people with complex health issues the support needed to move back into their homes.

All training for new employees begins in the on-site classroom. New carers will only begin working with people once their training is entirely complete and they feel confident in their role.

Continued Care offers funding towards qualifications. There is no limit on training and staff earn a bonus when they achieve qualifications, including NVQs.

Samantha Harrison, Director and Nominated Individual of Continued Care, said:

“We feel very honoured to be recognised within the category. We believe working sector it is important that everyone can develop their career and attain qualifications.

“Investing in employees’ skills and knowledge is hugely important to us as a company”.

Howard Conrad

Howard Conrad is Yorkshire’s leading independent Apple repair service.

Howard Conrad developed a bespoke training website for all its new starters.

The company also supports employees in undertaking external training courses that teach staff skills that can be used in-house.

Howard Conrad also encourages employees to trial any new ideas to develop new skills and services.

Tom James, Technician at Howard Conrad, said:

“Employee development is very important to use. For us to grow as a company and achieve our goals, the team needs to grow with us.

“We are honoured to be shortlisted for this award. It shows that the hard work from every single member of the team is now paying.”

Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Team members of Grantley Hall are trained at its on-site training facility, Grantley Academy.

Grantley Hall offers staff live-in accommodation, free meals, wellbeing support and a complimentary gym.

Staff can also access training from senior staff members and even Michelin-Starred Chef, Shaun Rankin.

Grantley Hall has a bespoke training website, developing skills that are used within a job role and to advance employees’ careers.

Andrew McPherson, General Manager at Grantley Hall, said:

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Best Employee Development award at The Stray Ferret Business Awards. Here at Grantley Hall, we are passionate about employee development in order to strengthen our team in their careers.

“Our Grantley Academy is a core pillar of our business, which ensures that our team of more than 350 is trained and equipped to provide the five-star service that our guests know and love.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

Read more:

• Best Independent Retailer
• Rising Star Under 30
• Inclusivity Award
• Digital Marketing Campaign

• Unsung Hero Award

• Sustainable Business
• Dynamic Leader
• A prize fit for a president

Howard Conrad has sponsored this article.

A specialist apple repair centre set up a decade ago has grown a loyal local following of customers keen to spread the word.

Howard Conrad offers repairs to all Apple devices, from Macs to iPhones, with a team of experienced technicians delivering the best possible care and outstanding quality.

Manager Danny and ­­­­the friendly team of Steve, Ollie and Mattie have a combined experience of more than 30 years.

Danny said:

“We have a really strong, steady team here. We are really focused on making it a great place to work, and, quite simply, we all love what we do.

“There aren’t many problems with Apple devices we encounter that we haven’t seen before – and even if it’s new to us, we love a challenge!

“We’re all tech enthusiasts at work and at home. We have systems and programmes we’ve built ourselves to make everything we do run smoothly. It means we have total control of customer experience, rather than relying on someone or something else.”

The team know Apple devices aren’t cheap, so will always look at ways to extend their lives. They only use high quality parts and are so confident in their work that they give an impressive three-year warranty compared to the industry average of six months.

The Howard Conrad team knows how to fix your Apple devices.

Not only that, but for extra peace of mind, they have a seven-step process to ensure the safety of customers’ data. That’s backed up by an impressive guarantee: if a customer can prove their data privacy has been breached, they get a payout of £10,000.

The business is situated on the first floor above the row of shops on the Oatlands parade at Leeds Road in Harrogate. While its position may not be highly visible, happy customers do a great job of spreading the word to their friends and family.

Whenever someone asks on social media where to go for a repair to an iPad, MacBook or other Apple device, local residents are quick to recommend Howard Conrad.

Up to now, the company has been referred to by its customers as “Harrogate’s best kept secret” – but its growing popularity is raising its profile and bringing plenty of new people through the door.

Danny said:

“What’s really important to us is that our customers have a good experience – not just that they get the repairs carried out, but that they have confidence in us and that we deliver great customer service.

“We’re really proud to be able to say our Google reviews place us not just as one of the best apple repair services in Harrogate, but across the whole of Yorkshire.”

It may have been established for 10 years, but Howard Conrad is not a company to sit back and relax when it could be developing new ways to meet its customers’ needs.

Howard Conrad has a special offer just for Stray Ferret readers. Just quote STRAYFERRET when you book a repair online for 10% off.

The team has already introduced a new call-out service for people who can’t bring their devices into the shop, enabling more people to benefit from their expertise.

Danny said:

“We get a lot of people that have almost given up and don’t know whether it is worth repairing a device. We’ll do all we can to fix it – we will attempt to repair most Apple devices!

“Equally, we don’t like customers to make poor choices if the repair cost outweighs the value of the device. We’ll always explain the situation clearly and simply, and let them make the choice.

“Even if it’s unrepairable, we can attempt to recover what’s on the device so people don’t lose their precious photos or important work.

“We also offer to erase data securely, free of charge, and recycle the device if the customer has no further use for it.”

With a positive team, a determination to succeed and outstanding service, it’s not hard to see why customers are eager to sing the praises of this specialist business.

Want to see for yourself? Until Sunday, July 31, Howard Conrad is offering 10% off iPhone and iPad screen and battery replacements. To benefit from the offer, simply use the code STRAYFERRET when you book your repair via the website.

An Apple repair shop in Harrogate has refurbished 60 iPads and donated them to local schoolchildren.

Howard Conrad on Leeds Road launched an appeal in January for faulty devices after staff read news reports about parents not having the technology for children to study from home during lockdown.

The shop’s team of technicians has been busy over the past couple of months bringing the iPads back to life.

They have now been donated to schools that are part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, a charitable company that operates several schools in the district, including Harrogate Grammar School, Western Primary School and Rossett Acre Primary School.

Read more:

• Extra cash for Harrogate district families struggling in pandemic

• Mental health a priority as Harrogate Grammar students return

 Danny Scott, manager of Howard Conrad, said:

“Thank you very much to everyone who donated iPads over the last two months, thanks to your generosity and our repair skills – over 60 children have been able to learn from home who otherwise might not have been able to.

“This have been a been a valuable experience for not only the children who received the iPads but also ourselves as we have learnt a lot along the way and we hope to be able to offer more charity work in the future.”

“We want to pay a special thanks to Dave Noble at the Red Kite Trust, who organised the distribution of these donated iPads on our behalf”

The owner of an Apple repair shop in Harrogate has launched an appeal for faulty iPads that will be refurbished and given to local school children.

Tom James, owner of Howard Conrad on Leeds Road, was spurred to act after reading news reports about parents not having the technology for children to study from home during lockdown.

Mr James told the Stray Ferret:

“You see it in the news with children learning from home. Some don’t have access to what they need. We repair iPads and thought we could help the children of Harrogate”

The shop has an agreement to donate iPads to Red Kite Learning Trust, a charity that operates several schools in the district, including Harrogate Grammar School, Western Primary School and Rossett Acre Primary School.

Read more:

• ‘We won’t abandon children’ on exams, says Harrogate headteacher

• Teachers call for tighter key worker rules as schools under pressure

Mr James said old iPads tucked away in a drawer could be refurbished, as could ones that have had their screens smashed or simply broken down.

Howard Conrad is only able to accept Apple iPads rather than other types of tablet.

The iPads need to be running the operating system iOS 11 or newer to be compatible with the learning apps and must have the linked iCloud account removed.

The company is able to accept the following models:

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
iPad Air 2
iPad Air
iPad (6th generation)
iPad (5th generation)
iPad mini 4
iPad mini 3
iPad mini 2

To donate an iPad, click here.