Jubilee boom for independent shops in Harrogate district

Businesses in the Harrogate district have seen a huge demand for jubilee merchandise as residents gear up for four days of celebrations.

We spoke to five independents to find out how business is booming ahead of the four-day Bank Holiday weekend, which starts on Thursday.

Party Fever – Harrogate 

Red, white and blue balloons outside Party Fever.

Residents have been rushing to fancy dress and party shop, Party Fever, on Station Parade, to buy jubilee-themed attire and decorations since Easter.

The shop has now almost sold out of all its jubilee stock, with only a few Union Jack flags, bomber jackets, waistcoats and masks still remaining.  

Sue Savill, at Party Fever, said:  

“We have sold thousands of pieces of bunting, which I think is evident when you walk round the town centre, and also plates and napkins for jubilee street parties”.   

Party Fever currently has a Union Jack flag made from red, white and blue balloons outside the shop, where customers can pose for photos.  

HG1 Bakes – Harrogate

HG1 Bakes owner Charlie Lowe.

Charlie Lowe, owner of HG1 Bakes, said she had been busy with orders ahead of the jubilee weekend.

She said:

“I am supplying Pink Door Café, on Kings Road, with jubilee-themed cupcakes and lots of bespoke orders for jubilee-themed cupcakes too.

“It’s great to see our town of Harrogate getting into the spirit of celebrating the Queen’s jubilee.”

Huttons Butchers – Knaresborough  

Huttons Butchers’ special edition jubilee Scotch egg.

Huttons’ pork pies and BBQ packs have proved popular ahead of the bank holiday weekend, with customers stocking up for street parties and jubilee celebrations.

The butchers has also created a special edition Scotch egg for the jubilee, made from its ‘coronation jubilee’ sausage meat.

Alan Bell, from Huttons Butchers, said:

“We are making them as fast as we can.” 

West Park Antiques and Home Interiors – Harrogate

West Park Antiques manager Lisa Hawksworth.

Customers have been going crazy for bunting, royal memorabilia and Union Jack flags at the antiques store on West Park.

More than 100 packs of vintage-style bunting have been sold in the last week.

A Union Jack wedding dress, made by one one of the traders, has been displayed in the shop window and is catching people’s eyes.

Manager Lisa Hawksworth said:

“People are definitely getting into the spirit. We have had more than 250 people take photographs with our cardboard cut-out of the Queen. We have tried our best to have some fun with our display, with lots of red, white and blue.

“The Union Jack wedding dress is for sale for £600 – but we won’t be letting it go until after the weekend!”

The Union Jack wedding dress at West Park Antiques.

Twisted Cakes – Harrogate  

Jubilee cake decorations have been selling out at Twisted Cakes. 

Twisted Cakes, on Kings Road, has already sold out of all its jubilee cake decorations, with red, white and blue ribbons, Union Jack flags and printed toppers for cupcakes being the most popular amongst customers.  

Purple ribbons to match the jubilee theme and cake toppers with the official jubilee logo also sold out quickly.  

Debbie Smith, from Twisted Cakes, said:  

“I have noticed a lot of customers coming in to buy decorations for school events.” 

She added that people have been buying the jubilee products for at least six weeks.  

New restaurant and bar to open on Harrogate’s King’s Road next week

Two Harrogate 26-year-olds are opening a new restaurant and bar on King’s Road next week.

Charlie Moorby and Tom Moxham hope Frog, which will begin serving customers on Wednesday, will bring a “neighbourhood hub” to the Harrogate street.

They hope it could help King’s Road follow Cold Bath Road by becoming more of a destination hub.

Mr Moorby said renovation work is nearly complete. The site, previously Ramus Seafood and What’s Cooking, has been completely refurbished.

The large restaurant will include outdoor seating to the side and front.

Frog has been in the pipeline since last summer.

The two men, former Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College students, have worked in numerous Harrogate hospitality venues.

This is the first independent venture for Mr Moorby.

After being friends for over a decade, the pair felt they would work well as business partners. Mr Moorby has taken charge of the drinks side and Mr Moxham is overseeing the food and restaurant.

Mr Moorby said:

“We have aimed the whole thing at having a homely feel. We want people to feel like they’re at home or in their friend’s front room. We thought there was a bit of a gap in Harrogate for having high-quality food without the big price tag on it.”

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Speaking about the choice of location on King’s Road, Mr Moorby said they wanted the venue to be more of a community venture than a late-night establishment in the town centre:

“We used Cold Bath Road as an example. Five, six years ago there wasn’t much going on but now there’s so much going on. We felt like the same is happening on King’s Road, it’s becoming its own little suburb.”

About 40 people can be accommodated and enjoy the Asian and South American-inspired menu. About 10 members of staff will be employed.

 

Sneak Peek: The new instagrammable, family-friendly Harrogate coffee shop

Aimee and Nino Cutino are no strangers to the Harrogate coffee shop scene as they already own No 35 on Cheltenham Crescent.

But today the couple, who moved from South Africa 11 years ago, opened a new cafe on King’s Road called Pink Door Harrogate.

No 35 is primarily Mr Cutino’s domain but Pink Door is Ms Cutino’s project.

Previously employed in digital marketing, she knew she needed a theme to differentiate the business from being “just another coffee shop” among the multitude that already exist in Harrogate.

The shop’s pink door makes it visually distinct but if you think you’ll be overwhelmed by pink you’re wrong. The design includes subtle pink and floral touches that create a unique space and fit the modern instagrammable world without being overwhelming.

As well as the usual hot drinks menu, the cafe will offer sandwiches, salads and protein shakes.

The set-up allows for space to bring your laptop and sit at the bar by the window, or you can perch on one of the pink couches and enjoy a drink with friends.

Ms Cutino said:

“It’s been amazing this morning, we’ve seen so many familiar faces that have come down to support us.

“We don’t want to be just another coffee shop. Anyone that comes into No 35 will know customers become like family. We pride ourselves on customer service and always try to do the little extras. Our coffee shop is a fun, family environment.”

There’s plenty of spots to create an insta story.

The next few weeks will be a soft launch before things get fully underway in April.

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The shop not only has all the classic hot beverages you would expect but also everything from small sweet treats to classic bacon sandwiches and salad bowls.

The owners are also hoping to tap into the fitness trend by offering protein shakes for anyone popping in after their gym session.

Their statement pale pink cups.

The Cutinos have been working on this project since July last year. They found the site by a stroke of luck — it was initially under contract with another company but when that deal fell through Ms Cutino snapped it up.

The pair are excited to be in a new area of town. King’s Road has seen a few new venues open over the past 12 months and a new restaurant and bar called Frog is in the pipeline in the coming months.

Sneak Peek: Cheese, wine and charcuterie bar opens today in Harrogate

A new cheese, wine and charcuterie bar will open on King’s Road in Harrogate today.

The aptly-named Barcuterie is the latest project by Cold Bath Brewing Co, which operates a pub and brewery opposite Harrogate Convention Centre.

Barcuterie is situated in Cold Bath Clubhouse next door to the brewery and is described by the owners as a “space for flavour experimentation as well as showcasing artisanal food and drink”.

As well as local cheeses, fine wines and meat dishes, the menu will include barrel-aged cocktails and, of course, craft beer from the brewery next door.

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

As the name suggests, the brewery was originally set up on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road before moving to King’s Road.

Jim Mossman, Cold Bath Brewing Co founder described the venue as “a space with enormous potential for a life and identity all of its own and brings another dimension to the Cold Bath experience”.

He said the company had worked with “some wonderful people in a series of pop-ups”, adding:

“Now we feel it is time to really reclaim the space as our own. With that, the concept of The Barcuterie was born.”

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Recently, the clubhouse was home to Paradise Tap n’ Taco which closed after 16 months of residency.

Mr Mossman added:

“Our Barcuterie is a showcase of independent, hand crafted food, drinks and products of our own and from around the country.”

Pic credit: Michael Mossman

The bar is due to open tonight from 4pm to 10pm and will then open on Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-10pm, on Friday from 4pm-11.30pm, on Saturday from 12pm-11.30pm and on Sunday from 12pm-8pm.

Soaring energy bills a ‘kick in the teeth’, say Harrogate business owners

Harrogate business owners say soaring energy bills are a “kick in the teeth” in the wake of the pandemic.

They are calling for more government support, however they say they “are not holding their breath”, after receiving little help over the last two years.

And there are fears that it will be the final nail in the coffin for some, with the price hike affecting every business – from big to small.

Bills have doubled

Andy Preston, co-owner of F45 Harrogate gym on Albert Street, said it had just received its electricity bill and the amount had doubled.

He said:

“At the end of the day it adds an extra financial burden on the business that we have no control over realistically. It’s an extra overhead that we don’t really need.

“There’s nothing we can do, because it’s the world as it is right now. However, we are getting stung by it.

“It’s just another kick in the teeth after everything we have had to deal with over the last two years. We didn’t get much financial help during the pandemic. The government needs to step up and help businesses now.”

F45 Harrogate owners Andy Preston, left, and Matt Goodall.

Across the road at Thug Sandwich Co, owner Daniel Bell said he was waiting to find out just how much it was going to impact his business.

He said:

“I’ll have to tighten up in other areas. I’ll have to make sacrifices in my personal life – not pay myself as much. I’ve just put my prices up at the beginning of the year anyway, which is something I fought for three years.

“I can’t do that again because then I’m not competitive anymore. So it’s just going to affect my personal life more than anything.

“It’s just another thing to deal with after covid. I definitely wouldn’t hold my breath for any government support. Especially with the amount we got over the covid period. It just seems we are borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. It has got to come from somewhere.”

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Extra blow for hospitality

Brett Lee, director and executive chef at Italian restaurant Stuzzi Harrogate, on King’s Road, agrees that it is an extra blow for the hospitality industry.

He said many restaurants have had to put up their prices already due to a large increase in food and import costs caused by a combination of Brexit and the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

Mr Lee, who also owns Stuzzi Leeds, said:

“It feels like another big obstacle on the road to recovery.

“Every household in the country will now be reviewing how they are spending money due to the rise in energy costs. This may push people to only visit their favourite restaurants once a month instead of a more frequent affair.

“It also means people have less disposal cash to spend in different sectors like retail. This doesn’t help our struggling high streets either and could also have a dangerous effect on restaurant lunch trade across the country.

“But we can’t take a negative approach, we must continue to adapt to the circumstances given to us, work hard, be creative and use our initiative.”

Brett Lee, director of Stuzzi Harrogate.

An ‘unwelcome burden’

Sue Kramer, owner of Crown Jewellers and head of the Commercial Street Retailers Group, described the situation as “worrying”.

She said:

“Whilst many of our shops may be small on Commercial Street, the financial impact of the energy crisis will undoubtedly affect every business – from the smallest up.

“The worrying part is that we have little control over what is going to happen, and basically have to accept whatever is thrown at us. Clearly having endured the uncertainty of covid for the last two years, this is an extra and most unwelcome burden.”

Sue Kramer, owner of Crown Jewellers and head of the Commercial Street Retailers Group.

The price hike comes after the energy regulator, Ofgem, lifted the maximum rate that suppliers can charge for an average duel-fuel energy tariff by £693 — an increase of 54 per cent.

This is to reflect the fourfold increase in energy market prices over the last year.

Harrogate Tap and Taco bar closes pop-up with sights set on permanent home

Paradise Tap and Taco Bar is to close — but the owners have said they are determined to find a permanent home for the pop-up shop in Harrogate.

The Mexican-themed bar initially opened as a three-month pop-up next door to Cold Bath Brewery Co in October 2020. It has survived 16 months but the tenancy is now coming to an end.

Co-owners Ellie Stott and Josh Molloy said Paradise would now go “on tour” as they hatched plans for kitchen pop-ups over the coming months. Paradise is taking over Rooster’s kitchen from Tuesdays to Thursdays until easter.

Ms Stott said:

“After 10 years each in hospitality we’ve made the bar we would want to drink in and I think that’s why we love it here so much. It was a bit of weird timing but we’ve learnt so much doing it through this period, we’re just winging it everyday but it’s going well so far.”

The bar’s current home on King’s Road.

End of a “golden era”

The Harrogate-born entrepreneurs said the pop-up was a “golden era” for them but they are now focusing on finding a permanent home in the town.

The pair say they hope to open a new venue by summer and will spend the time until then developing their menu and hosting pop-ups. Ms Stott said:

“We’re going for a big, long lease, 10 years ideally. We definitely will open this year, ideally summer, it’s just finding the right space. We have regulars that have become friends.”

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The bar serves a variety of Mexican foods such as tacos, burritos and enchiladas as well as craft beers and spirits.

Ms Stott added:

“This is just the beginning. It’s been a really good way to see if this plan works, and it really does. People do like what we’re doing, it can be really overwhelming hearing people’s compliments.”

The bar will close for good on Sunday, February 6 and will hold a closing party the night before.

Woman dies in Harrogate house fire

A woman in her 50s was found dead this morning after firefighters were called to a fire at a house in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue sent crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough to reports of a fire on Craven Street, just off King’s Road, at 6.20am.

On arrival firefighters made their way into the property and found the woman. They took her out of the house to paramedics, who tried to save her life with CPR.

However, the ambulance crew pronounced her dead at the scene.

Firefighters then carried another search of the property but found no evidence of other people.

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.

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A resident on the street, who didn’t want to be named, said:

“There was a lot going on here this morning with lots of police, ambulance and fire engines.

“From what we can tell there was a fire at the back of the house. But we didn’t see any flames or smoke.

“Someone was stretchered away and they were trying to resuscitate them.”

The fire happened on Craven Street.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed to carry out a search of the property. One casualty was located.

“They were brought out of the property and CPR was given. However, they were pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance crews.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police added:

“North Yorkshire Police was called Craven Street in Harrogate at around 6.20am on Friday, January 7 following a report of a house fire at the location.

“On arrival a woman in her 50s, the sole occupant of the property, had sadly been pronounced dead by ambulance crews.”

Harrogate gelato restaurant hygiene rating improves after concerns raised

Ice Scoop Gelato on King’s Road in Harrogate has received a 5-star hygiene rating from Harrogate Borough Council, after receiving a 1-star rating last month.

An inspection took place yesterday by a food safety officer from the council to check that the food is safe to eat. 5 is the highest rating and indicates hygiene standards are very good and fully comply with the law.

It followed an inspection on October 8 that found the restaurant required ‘major improvement’ in the management of food safety and ‘improvement necessary’ in the cleanliness and condition of the building. It received a ‘generally satisfactory’ rating for the hygienic handling of food.

An anonymous source sent the Stray Ferret photos of the restaurant’s kitchen believed to have been taken before the October inspection. The photos show a dirty fridge and microwave.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“The business has been working with the council to address the matters raised in the previous inspection. Follow up visits and inspections are part of the national working protocol to ensure improvement is made and maintained.”

Thomas Graham, manager of Ice Cream Gelato, confirmed to the Stray Ferret that both recent inspections had taken place.

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Planned new Harrogate restaurant and bar applies for alcohol licence

A proposed new bar and restaurant on Harrogate’s King’s Road has applied for a premises licence.

The premises would be situated in Ocean House and the former Ramus seafood shop. If approved, it would significantly liven a part of town not known for its nightlife.

GM Developments, which is based in Leeds, lodged plans with Harrogate Borough Council in October for the scheme.

Under a licensing application, the bar, called Frog, would be open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until midnight.

The application also seeks permission for the retail sale of alcohol on site.

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The new restaurant, which would be based in Ocean House and create up to 20 jobs, would seat 70 people indoors. There would also be a bar, external pavement and courtyard seating.

The business would be managed by Roger Moxham, one of the founding owners of Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewing company.

Mr Moxham said previously:

“We will serve a diverse array of global meals rooted in Asia and the Americas, which we intend to rotate throughout the year. 

“The menu will be underpinned by a weekend brunch offer all supported by a full range of hand crafted cocktails and beers and an interesting selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees.”

The council will make a decision on the premises application at a later date.

Harrogate man jailed for cashpoint robbery of mother

A heroin addict with over 100 offences to his name has been jailed for over four years for the cashpoint robbery of a young woman and a shocking attack that left a man with a broken neck.

Clifford McDermid, 44, targeted the woman as she withdrew £150 from the cash machine outside Sainsbury’s Local on Kings Road in Harrogate.

McDermid crept up behind her and snatched the money from her grasp, saying “Thank you” as he fled amid the “terrified” woman’s screams, York Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill said the victim, who was named in court, was with her five-year-old son at the time of the incident on December 4, 2019.

McDermid, a heroin addict, was identified on CCTV and arrested later that day in Grove Park Terrace.

He told police:

“I can’t believe I did that. I’m ashamed of myself. Robbing a lady at a cash point. Her screams will live with me forever.”

Neighbour ‘feared dead’

McDermid was released under investigation and was still at large when he was involved in a run-in with his neighbour in March last year which could so easily have been fatal, the court was told.

A couple had just returned to their apartment block after a night out and could smell cannabis coming from McDermid’s flat.

McDermid, who was stood in the doorway, said to the husband: “What’s your problem?”

The victim, who was named in court, asked him to shut his door because of the smell coming from the flat and threatened to report the matter to their landlord, whereupon McDermid walked up to him, asking him to “leave it and not report it”.

He asked to shake hands but as the victim “reluctantly” did so, McDermid grabbed his hand “forcefully” and deliberately pulled him off-balance, causing him to fall down the stairs.

“He fell 12 stairs down the (stairway) and hit his head on the floor, losing consciousness,” said Mr Cahill.

The man’s terrified wife feared her husband had died and called 999. Police and an ambulance crew were called out.

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The victim – who suffered two fractures of his neck, two cuts to his head and a “frozen” shoulder — was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance. He was given cortisone injections and fitted with a neck collar for pain relief.

McDermid, of Kings Road, was arrested 12 days later and charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on the victim and robbing the woman at the cash machine. He ultimately admitted both offences and appeared for sentence on Wednesday.

Thrown down stairs

The male victim said he had lost his job due to his injuries and still had trouble sleeping due to the pain in his neck. He could still barely move his right arm and was still receiving treatment.

His injuries had severely curtailed his once-active social life and he’d had to step down as captain of a snooker-and-darts team.

His wife said McDermid was clearly high on drugs and she thought she was “about to become a widow” when she saw her husband land head-first and lose consciousness after being thrown down the stairs.

“He could have been killed or (ended up) in a wheelchair,” she added.

The young mother who was robbed at the cash point said she was “stunned, shocked and extremely cross” after being targeted by McDermid in broad daylight.

She said McDermid must have targeted her because he knew that a mother with a young child wouldn’t be able to chase him. She added:

“This (incident) triggered weeks of not sleeping (and) I have a very demanding job.”

She had since suffered from anxiety which was a “horrid feeling” and was unable to pay some of her bills because £110 was a “huge chunk of my wage”.

McDermid had 48 previous convictions for 159 offences including theft from the person. In 2002, he was jailed for eight years for armed robbery.

Heroin habit

Danielle Graham, for McDermid, said the father-of-one had robbed the woman to get money for drugs. He had a 20-year heroin habit and a personality disorder exacerbated by drugs.

She said she could not argue against the profound effect these “nasty” incidents had had on both victims.

Judge Simon Hickey said McDermid had a “worrying” record and that he had “obviously” been lurking in the area waiting to target a “vulnerable woman with a child”.

He told McDermid he was “fortunate not to have killed” his neighbour after “deliberately pulling (him) off-balance and down 12 steps”.

McDermid was jailed for four years and nine months, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on prison licence.