Where to find a good independent bookshop in the Harrogate districtBusiness Breakfast: Harrogate bookshop honoured in national awards

Imagined Things bookshop in Harrogate has been announced as a regional finalist in the British Book Awards.

It is one of eight finalists in the independent bookshop category for the north of England.

If Imagined Things wins the regional finals, it will have the chance to go on and contend for the national prize for best independent bookshop.

Georgia Eckert, the shop’s owner, considers the new store location on Montpellier Hill an important reason behind reaching the finals.

After five years in Westminster Arcade, Imagined Things decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to support the move to the new location, raising over £18,000.

The fortunes of Imagined Things were also improved following a viral tweet posted on the bookshop’s Twitter account in June 2019.

The tweet reported a taking of £12.34 for the day, following which Georgia received a huge wave of support for the shop which boosted its profile in Harrogate.

Commenting on reaching the regional finals, Georgia said:

“Being a finalist really means a lot to myself and the Imagined Things Team. Bookselling is such a rewarding career, but being a shop on the Highstreet is not without its challenges. To get recognition for what we’ve achieved last year in moving the shop and doing what we love is a wonderful boost.”

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Econ Engineering opens museum

Econ Engineering has opened a museum at the company’s headquarters in Ripon.

The museum’s collection consists of historic vehicles and farming implements from the last 60 years.

The exhibit looks into the agricultural past of the company, which is known for manufacturing gritters.

Jonathan Lupton, Econ Engineering’s Managing Director, son of founder Bill Lupton, said:

“Like my father, I have a passion for farming, and finding and restoring implements designed and made by him has become a passion, not only for me, but also for members of the wider Econ team.

“We were both of Young Famers’ Clubs, and it’s somewhat fitting that the first visitors to our new museum, celebrating our history, are members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers.”

Pictured inside Econ Engineering’s museum: Jonathan Lupton with members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers

Artefacts from the museum will be exhibited at various shows this year, including Masham Steam Rally, Hunton Steam Rally and Tractor Fest at Newby Hall.

Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

Lockdown will come at the “worst possible time for retail”, according to the owner of an independent bookshop in Harrogate.

Georgia Eckert, of Imagined Things Bookshop in Westminster Arcade, said she usually took a third of her annual takings in the eight-week run-up to Christmas.

Ms Eckert said she understood the government’s need to act but questioned how little time businesses had to prepare for the change.

“It’s come at the the worst time for retail. I know there is a lot of uncertainty but we didn’t have any time to plan for it.

“The government had said for ages there wouldn’t be another national lockdown.”

Ms Eckert is due to give birth in March and had recently extended her staff team from one to three. She said:

“I’m relieved the furlough scheme will continue. I just hope we can reopen in December but even if we can there is a limit to how many people we can have in the shop due to social distancing.”

Ms Eckert said her business would “do everything it can” to survive, by providing click and collect, home deliveries and developing its website.

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Being a former NHS employee, Ms Eckert said she understood action had to be taken to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed. She added:

“Let’s hope business will bounce back strongly but we have to get through this first.”