Collinsons brothers win ‘Golden Teddies’ for toy industry work

Two Harrogate brothers who have carried on the work of their grandfather and father have won a top award for their lifetime of work in the toy industry.

Many people in the Harrogate district will have fond memories of Collinsons toy shops in Ripon and Harrogate. Although those shops are long gone, two brothers are still self-confessed ‘toy boys’.

Mark and Paul Collinson got involved in the industry early on at seven-year-olds when their father Ian Collinson showed them the ropes.

After working in the retail side of the business for several years, the brothers moved into the sales side, where they have worked for decades with national and international brands.

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Now with around 43 years in the toy industry under their belts, Mark and Paul have won the British Toy & Hobby Association’s coveted Golden Teddy Award.

Inaugurated in 2001, the Golden Teddy awards are for people who have served the industry for more than 15 years and go over and above expectations.

The pair, who have launched major brands like Funko and VTech, were presented with the award at Orchid Restaurant in Harrogate last week. Mark told the Stray Ferret:

“We were both humbled to receive the award. It’s not like us to shout about our work but we are at the end of our careers now and are proud to look back.

“There are lots of people in Harrogate and Ripon over a certain age who still have fond memories of our father’s and grandfather’s shop.

“Back then going to the toy shop was a rare treat for children. The industry has changed massively over the years but young children still have that love for play.”

Toys galore!

Collinsons in the Harrogate district

Fred Collinson opened the first shop in Ripon selling sportswear, toys and leather goods in 1952.

His son, and Mark and Paul’s father, Ian Collinson furthered the family name when he opened a toy shop called Collinsons on James Street, Harrogate in 1972.

An advert, which can be seen in Harrogate Library, said “two whole floors of toys, boxed games and books make Collinsons a veritable children’s (and parents) paradise.”

Ian Collinson died of cancer at 66-years-old in 2001. His sons Mark and Paul eventually went into the sales side of the toy industry and now, after 43 years, they have won a Golden Teddy Award.

Both Mark and Paul are nearing the end of their careers but Paul’s son William Collinson is keeping the tradition alive. He is now the general manager in the UK for the Zuru Toy Company.

Yoga studio plan for former Laura Ashley shop approved

A yoga studio is set to open in the former Laura Ashley shop in Harrogate after plans were approved.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the unit on James Street to be converted into a boutique yoga and pilates studio.

Ebru Evrim, which lodged the proposal, currently provides classes in Skipton and sells activewear clothing.

In documents submitted to the council, the owner said they wanted to replicate the business in Harrogate town centre.

As part of the plan, the unit will be converted into retail and teaching space over three floors.

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The two upper floors would be used as yoga and pilates studios and the activewear would be sold on the ground floor.

The owner said in its plans:

“This diverse development will enable a small and local business to occupy a prominent unit on a struggling high street.

“There are obvious economic benefits here to the town centre and wider district.”

The Laura Ashley store has been closed for some 12 months after the company went into administration following trading concerns caused by the covid pandemic.

Three men arrested after laptop worth £1,800 stolen from Harrogate store

Three men were arrested after stealing a laptop worth thousands of pounds from the Apple iStore on James Street in Harrogate.

Officers were called at 4pm yesterday after two men entered the shop and left with a MacBook Pro worth £1,899 making no attempt to pay.

Owners of the store reported to police that the men had left the area in a car.

North Yorkshire Police used CCTV to search for the car and the men were arrested on the outskirts of York just before 4.45pm, less than 45 minutes after from the initial report.

Two men, one aged 18 and another aged 20, were arrested on suspicion of theft and electrical items that were believed to be stolen were recovered.

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Both were charged with theft and the driver was also charged for driving without insurance.

A third man was released without charge.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 

“This is a great result, the speedy work of our officers on the ground has resulted in us returning this high-value item back to the shop.

“As we enter the Christmas period, we often see an increase in retail theft. I would urge all shop owners and members of the public who are out shopping to be vigilant and to alert police to any suspicious activity.”

Harrogate residents deliver petition opposing Station Gateway

Harrogate residents will hand in a petition today opposing the Station Gateway on the final day of consultation on the £10.9 million scheme.

Members of Granvillle Road Area Residents Association organised the signatures in response to fears that re-routing the A61 will increase traffic in nearby residential streets, such as Granville Road, Back Granville Road, Mount Parade, Back Cheltenham Mount and Strawberry Dale Avenue.

Rachael Inchboard, a member of the association, said about 200 of the 250 homes affected by the changes had signed the petition, which will be presented to Harrogate Borough Council.

After the consultation ends, councils supporting the initiative, led by North Yorkshire County Council, are expected to produce a final report summarising consultation outcomes and outlining the next steps.

Businesses in the town are considering applying for a judicial review to halt the scheme.

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North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, reiterated his support for the scheme. He said:

“I do not believe that the gateway scheme for Harrogate should now be dropped because of opposition from certain businesses.

“Whilst their views, and indeed the local town centre economy, are very important to us, there are also the views of many other sectors and persons to consider. The findings of the latest round of consultation will be important to us too, as are the many thousands of views expressed in the Harrogate congestion study public engagement.

“I have nothing further to say about legal action. If an individual wishes to begin such a process, we shall be ready to respond.”

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A consultation on the revised designs ends today. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

 

Harrogate Station Gateway: why are businesses so opposed?

Businesses and council representatives clashed in a heated two-hour debate about the £10.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme last night.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce hosted the largest face-to-face gathering to discuss the revised design plans.

The meeting revealed deep divisions between businesses and those championing the scheme, which aims to make the area around the train station more attractive and easier to navigate for cyclists and pedestrians.

Only four people out of about 75 in the room stood when asked to do so if they supported reducing traffic on Station Parade to single lane.

That is one of the most controversial aspects of the scheme, along with pedestrianising the section of James Street from Princes Square to Station Parade

The meeting ended with some businesses threatening to apply for a judicial review to halt the scheme. But why are businesses so opposed to a scheme that is supposed to make the town centre more attractive and increase visitors?

Below are some of the key talking points.

As consultation on the revised plans, which are supported by North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, draws to a close on Friday, it remains to be seen whether the issues can be resolved.

1 Why is it necessary?

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access who is leading on the scheme, said Harrogate was the most congested place in North Yorkshire besides York.

He said a Harrogate congestion study run by the council four years ago in response to the decision not to proceed with a bypass, provided a mandate for change because about 80% of respondents said they wanted the town centre to be friendlier to cyclists and pedestrians. The study generated 15,500 replies, which Cllr Mackenzie said was the council’s “largest ever public engagement”.

Harrogate businessman Terry Bramall said a lot had changed in the four years since the Harrogate Congestion Study. He said plans to pedestrianise part of James Street would “create havoc with traffic flows” and questioned why cycling groups had been consulted but “as a property owner on James Street I haven’t been approached”.

Cllr Mackenzie replied that he’d spoken to three businesses on James Street that were supportive of the scheme and that those proposing it had “made themselves available at all times”.

Don Mackenzie at chamber meeting

Don Mackenzie (left) speaking at last night’s meeting.

2 Loss of parking and disruption

Just 40 parking spaces would be lost, said Cllr Mackenzie, mainly on James Street. But some businesses were worried about the knock-on effects.

Sue Savill, director of Party Fever on Station Parade, said plans to reduce Station Parade to single lane traffic and build a cycle route on land currently used for parking outside shops on her side of the street would create major problems.

Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said there were plans to make it easier to cross Station Parade but added “you are one of the businesses we need to speak to about logistics”.

Ms Savill said this was all very well but carrying a pallet of stock into the shop from the other side would be problematic.

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3 Where is the evidence it will boost trade?

Nick Brown, a Conservative who represents Bishop Monkton and Newby on Harrogate Borough Council, asked whether a detailed economic assessment of the impact on businesses had been conducted and, if so, could it be made public before the consultation ends.

Dan Harper, executive officer economy and transport at Harrogate Borough Council, said the final economic impact assessment couldn’t be produced until the final designs for the scheme, which is currently at revised design stage, were available. Mr Harper said this was the standard ‘continual process’ approach recommended by the Treasury, adding:

“It’s not something we ignore or don’t do.”

Independent retailer William Woods also asked for evidence that the scheme wouldn’t have a negative impact on the town’s economy.

Cllr Mackenzie replied:

“I believe this investment will be a boost to the town centre.”

Hazel Barry, chief executive of toiletries firm H2k, said:

“I don’t see any evidence. There’s nothing in this report that says it will bring me more customers and bring more visitors to the town. If we are going to move forward on this project we need some answers otherwise it’s a lot of money for not much reward.”

Station Gateway design

Just four people in the meeting supported making Station Parade single lane.

4 Is the traffic modelling accurate?

Businesses were sceptical about claims that making Station Parade single lane would not cause congestion or clog up side roads, particularly those off Cheltenham Parade.

Sue Kramer, who owns Crown Jewellers, asked “are we going to let a computer programme decide the future of our roads?”.

Sarah Spencer, of tax consultancy Sarah Spencer Ltd, said such modelling tended to “start with the answer they want and work back”.

Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said there would be an extra two or three cars a minute on Cheltenham Mount.

Responding to questions about why Harrogate Borough Council had not deemed an environmental impact assessment necessary, he said:

“The impact on air quality isn’t a massive one.”

Aidan Rayner, Transforming Cities Fund delivery project manager at North Yorkshire County Council, denied claims that traffic data was based on lockdown levels. He said it was based on 2018 levels even though there was evidence that traffic had reduced by 6% since then.

Karl Battersby, corporate director for business and environmental services at the county council, said there had been “no meddling of the data” and said this scheme didn’t go as far as others elsewhere in the country to encourage active travel, which had introduced measures such as low emission zones.

5 Will it make the town centre more attractive?

The gateway aims to improve people’s first impressions of Harrogate when they arrive by train by opening up the space around the Queen Victoria monument. It also aims to increase footfall by encouraging more people to bring their bikes on the train to Harrogate, or make it easier and more pleasant for local people to cross the town centre on bike or foot.

Daniel d’Arcy Thompson, managing director of Fabric and Co, said the gateway epitomised “pocket planning” whereby funding was secured for individual projects that didn’t take a joined-up approach to improving the town. He said:

“This is micro pocket planning at its worst. Until you give us a full scheme it’s just nonsense.”

Cllr Mackenzie said other schemes in the pipeline, such as the Otley Road cycle route, showed a joined-up approach to getting across town by bike.

Fortune Tofa, an accountant, told the meeting:

“The town is looking dated. We need to be bold and embrace this to continue to be relevant.”

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A consultation on the revised designs ends on Friday. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

To take part in the online consultation, which ends on Friday, click here.

 

Harrogate businesses set for crunch talks on £10.9m Station Gateway

Transport chief Don Mackenzie has agreed to meet sceptical Harrogate businesses for crunch talks about the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

Many firms in Harrogate have deep reservations about the scheme, which aims to make the town centre more attractive and encourage cycling and walking.

Some fear a reduction in parking spaces, the part-pedestrianisation of James Street and potentially a year of major road works would damage businesses already struggling to recover from covid.

One recent survey of businesses, which received 180 responses, revealed 72% were against reducing the A61 from Cheltenham Mount to Station Bridge to a single lane, which is one of the most controversial aspects of the scheme,

Cllr Mackenzie, the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, has agreed to take part in a question-and-answer session at Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly meeting at the Cedar Court Hotel on November 8,

Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, which also supports the gateway initiative, will also participate.

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Members of the project team will give a presentation before chamber members get the chance to quiz them on issues such as what assessments have been made of the likely impact on the town’s economy.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said:

“Our meeting will hopefully put businesses fully in the picture about the Harrogate Station Gateway Project, and the implications for them and their customers.

“I must stress this is a business meeting and open to our members, those in the Harrogate BID area, as well as members of Independent Harrogate.

Those planning to attend the meeting must register their interest in advance on the chamber website.

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A consultation is currently taking place on the revised designs. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

Public inquiry threat revealed for James Street pedestrianisation plans

The threat of a public inquiry has been revealed as a reason why plans for a full-time pedestrianisation of one of Harrogate’s busiest shopping streets have been dropped from the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council received strong support when it consulted on the idea of removing traffic from James Street.

But it now wants to see only Princes Square to Station Parade pedestrianised, with loading vehicles still allowed to use the street at limited times. This partial pedestrianisation was the least supported option.

Karl Battersby, corporate director of business and environmental services at the council, said this option was being pursued because the authority believes it could face objections which would trigger a public inquiry if a full-time pedestrianisation is progressed.

He said: 

“A traffic regulation order is required to pedestrianise a street.

“In certain circumstances, including where vehicles are excluded at all times, if an order is made and objections are raised that cannot be resolved, a public inquiry could result.

“If that were to happen, it could delay the scheme.”

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Mr Battersby also said a full-time pedestrianisation “remains possible” in the future after the completion of the gateway project, which requires government cash to be spent by March 2023.

He added the council’s preferred option of part-time restrictions would still retain many of the changes to the look of James Street that would be included under a full-time pedestrianisation.

He said: 

“The selected option provides the opportunity to pedestrianise the street at most times of the day, except for a period to allow deliveries, with access controlled through rising bollards.

“This creates the ability to pedestrianise the street at any time of day in future subject to the outcome of a legal order.

“We believe this strikes an appropriate balance between the wishes of respondents and risks to delivery of the scheme.”

Contentious plans

The detailed plans were first revealed in February when residents and businesses were also consulted with.

It is only now – eight months on – that the council has spoken of the potential threat of a public inquiry.

This could be in part due to negative feedback from some business owners and residents, however, the council’s own consultation results show a full-time pedestrianisation would be well supported.

Of the 1,101 respondents to the consultation, 45% were in favour of this option, while 32% said no changes should be made to the layout of James Street.

Meanwhile, just 17% supported a part-time pedestrianisation – the option that the council is now pushing ahead with.

Although James Street has proved to be one of the most contentious parts of the gateway project, it is only a small part of the overall plans.

There are also proposals to reduce Station Parade to a single lane of traffic to create room for a cycle lane, as well improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass.

The latest consultation on the entire project is currently underway and residents and businesses have until November 12 to have their say before more detailed proposals are drawn up and a final decision is made.

If approved, it is anticipated that construction will start in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months.

For more information and to have your say, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.

Queues for opening of new Hotel Chocolat store and cafe

Queues formed on James Street this morning for the opening of the new, relocated Hotel Chocolat store.  Around 30 people waited for the store to open at 10am with staff serving hot chocolate to them whilst they waited.

The new store is almost opposite the old one but is larger with a cafe that can seat 30 people at the back of the shop. The chocolate chain has seen rapid growth in recent years and the new store will have up to 15 staff in the run up to Christmas — double the number of the previous store.

The co-founder of Hotel Chocolat, Peter Harris, said there was demand in Harrogate for the store to expand:

” Harrogate is a beautiful location and town. The community here like to support local businesses. We’ve been here since 2009, people have loved it and wanted the full Hotel Chocolat experience of drinks and ices as well as a larger store.

“We’re also delighted that we can provide flat access for wheelchairs and buggies which is an improvement on the previous location, which had a step in it and was very narrow.”

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The new store is a boost for James Street which has seen mixed fortunes in recent years with loss of key brands such as Next and Laura Ashley.

Local businesses have expressed concern that plans to pedestrianise the top of the street as part of the Station Gateway proposal will be damaging for trade.  Harrogate Borough Council has argued that the plans will mean  “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.

James Ogden, a new recruit to Hotel Chocolat, said he was excited to be involved in a store opening:

“I’m super excited to be working in my local area – I love coming into work every day and making people happy with chocolate!”

James Ogden at the cafe bar in the new store.

 

£10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway will ‘boost business’

The £10.9 million Station Gateway will boost Harrogate businesses by enhancing the town centre, according to those leading the scheme.

An online consultation event last night gave people the first chance to ask questions about the scheme, which aims to transform the area around the bus and train stations and encourage more people to walk and cycle, since the latest designs were revealed this week.

The current proposals would see traffic on Station Parade reduced to single lane and James Street pedestrianised between Princes Square and Station Parade.

Work could begin next summer and last up to a year, causing major disruption to the town centre and reduced parking, which concerns some businesses still trying to recover from covid.

In response to a question about what assessment had been made about the impact of the scheme on businesses, Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, said it was a case of “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.

He said case studies from similar schemes had shown they could boost trade by up to 40 per cent by making the town centre more attractive and making it easier to access for non-car users.  Mr Roberts said:

“Behaviours are changing and the town needs to evolve with it.

“The mixture of case study evidence and local evidence has led me to believe this will firmly benefit the town’s economy.”

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In a video message to the event, county councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, said the Station Gateway would provide a “great economic boost to the town centre but also boost sustainable travel”.

Chris Harris, who is leading the design team on the project, said changes to James Street would “significantly the feel of the street for people shopping and moving around on foot” and also enable more features such as trees and plants.

He said the scheme would also “make more of a feature” of the Victoria monument by making it more visible.

Mr Harris added the project had a “tight window” but there was “still an opportunity to update things as we move forward”.

What happens next?

A second online consultation event will be held from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday next week.

People can meet members of the project team face-to-face to discuss the plans at the Victoria Shopping Centre on October 27, October 29 and November 5. There is also a business-only event on November 1.

People can also fill in a form online giving feedback.

Details of the consultation, which runs until November 12, are available here.

Councillor Mackenzie will discuss the scheme with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce on November 8.

Following the consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

New designs of Harrogate town centre after £10.9m project revealed

James Street will be partly pedestrianised and Station Parade reduced to single lane traffic in updated designs published today for the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway project.

The ambitious scheme aims to encourage cycling and walking and make the town centre more attractive. It has led to concerns from businesses about loss of parking and slower traffic, which could deter shoppers.

Today’s proposals, which are based on previous consultation feedback, say full pedestrianisation of James Street received the strongest public support but this had “the potential to significantly delay the delivery of the scheme”, which could jeopardise funding.

“As such, full pedestrianisation is not considered viable at this time.

“We have therefore decided to progress with a part-time pedestrianisation proposal which restricts vehicle access to ‘loading only’ and at limited times.”

It means non-delivery traffic will be prohibited from Princes Square to Station Parade on James Street at all times.

Today’s proposals say the potential to make all of James Street fully pedestrianised in future “would remain an option”.

How the roundabout near the Odeon would look.

Station Parade reduced to single lane

Plans to make Station Parade single lane and create a cycle lane will go ahead as intended.

Improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass will be taken forward and the Victoria Monument will remain in its current location after the initial consultation generated a “mixed response” to the idea of relocating it.

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Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret a lot of people instinctively didn’t like change but the scheme would make Harrogate town centre a more pleasant place for people to visit using all forms of transport.

He said the advice he’d received suggested peak afternoon travel time on the southbound A61 would be extended by just 53 seconds if the northern section of Station Parade is reduced to single lane.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“I believe that small increase in travel time is well worth other improvements that will make the gateway area to Harrogate far more attractive.”

Station Gateway design

An artists’s impression of how the junction of Station Parade and James Street will look.

What is the Station Gateway scheme?

Today marks the start of the latest round of consultation on the the Harrogate scheme, which is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in the pipeline for Harrogate, Skipton and Selby.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

The schemes are being funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to “transform gateways to towns and cities across the region by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport”.

Online events will take place from 6pm until 7pm on October 21 and October 28 for the Harrogate scheme.

Members of the project team will be available to discuss the initiative at the Victoria Shopping Centre on October, 29 October and November 5. A business-only meeting is scheduled for November 1.

Following this consultation, which ends on November 12, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

A video showing the proposed changes is available here.

You can take part in the online consultation here.