Economic growth in the Harrogate district has been slower than regional and national averages since the district took a £438 million hit during covid.

Gross Value Added (GVA) data published by Harrogate Borough Council shows the local economy contracted by 10% – or £438 million – during 2020 and that growth has lagged behind Yorkshire and the Humber and the UK.

GVA measures the value of goods and services produced in an area, and Harrogate’s figure was set to reach £4.3 billion before the pandemic struck.

It now stands at £3.87 billion – down from £4.26 billion in 2017/18.

A council report said economic performance has been “positive” given the impacts of covid and Brexit, but added there are “continuing challenges that need to be addressed” as experts forecast a gloomy outlook with a UK recession on the horizon.

The report said:

“Overall the performance has been positive but key factors that must be taken into account are that of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the covid-19 pandemic.

“Covid-19 in particular has had a significant impact on GVA with the district seeing a 10% reduction in the economy.

“Looking forward post pandemic, forecasts show that job numbers will not return to pre-covid levels and therefore increasing productivity becomes more of a priority than ever.”

Other figures show the total number of businesses registered in Harrogate increased by 4% between 2016 and 2021 – below both the regional and national averages of 8% and 13%.

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In more positive figures, unemployment is low at 3.1% and the council has been keen to highlight its support for businesses during covid when it handed out more than £96 million to firms which were severely impacted by lockdown restrictions.

The report to a cabinet meeting on Wednesday has recommended “closing down” the council’s covid recovery plan, whilst also providing a review of its economic growth strategy which was adopted in 2017.

At the time it was adopted, the strategy identified a low wage economy and high house prices leading to a “brain drain” of people moving out of Harrogate as key problems facing the district.

These issues are still very much prevalent with average salaries of £25,000 below the UK figure of £30,000 and Harrogate house prices averaging £338,786 this year.

The report added:

“Whilst positive progress has been made since the adoption of the economic growth strategy in 2017, there are continuing challenges that need to be addressed.

“In line with national and local strategies, the council will therefore continue to prioritise and support ‘good growth’ in the district, with an aim of embedding a more sustainable and resilient economy.”

A Knaresborough business owner said she has been overwhelmed by the response to a video she posted about how quiet her shop has been this summer.

Laura Dudley, who runs Painting Pots, put up the video of her miming to Celine Dion’s All By Myself on social media last week.

While it showed her singing the lyrics in a light-hearted way, there was a serious message behind it: the shop was extremely quiet.

Laura told the Stray Ferret:

“What has hit us and probably a lot of businesses is that last summer we were spoilt. No-one could go away outside the UK, and Knaresborough is a tourist hot-spot, so we were busy.

“After last summer, we thought we would be busy this year, but everyone has gone on holiday and the sun has been out so families are finding lovely things to do outside.

“It’s such a stark contrast to last summer.”

Laura said her business is always seasonal, with peaks around events including Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Yet even taking this into account, it has been so quiet recently that there have been weeks when she has been unable to pay herself a wage.

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The response to the video, however, has seen trade pick up significantly in just a few days.

As well as people coming into the shop last week, Laura said many others were booking for further ahead, even up to October and November.

It gave her some reassurance after several weeks of only having last-minute bookings. She said:

“I think it was just a case of reminding people. They sometimes think we’re always up to something and we will be busy, but it’s not the case at the moment.

“It was nice to tell people I’m here and we’re headed towards an unknown time.

“I’ve had so many lovely messages, some of them from people that don’t even live nearby. It’s a nice reminder as to why I do what I do.”

As well as support from customers, Laura said she has been given some tips on how to increase footfall over the coming weeks and months.

From speaking to local B&B owners about inviting their visitors to the shop, to increasing her social media posting, Laura said she is now making plans for the rest of the summer and autumn to try to keep the business busy.

Laura’s elf outfit attracted some attention during the heatwave

Along with employee Sian and two part-time shop assistants, Laura said she is not afraid to do something “silly” to get attention – such as dressing in Christmas outfits during a heatwave in order to promote the shop’s festive offers.

She said customers are still able to take advantage of early bird discounts and spread the cost of Christmas presents by shopping early.

With the cost of living crisis set to worsen over the coming months, she has vowed to keep her prices low for as long as possible – and said Knaresborough is a great place to be during difficult times.

She added:

“We’re pulling together as a community and supporting our independent businesses.”

The government has rejected plans to build 170 homes in Knaresborough.

Landowner Geoffrey Holland’s application would have seen homes built on Water Lane in the town.

The decision is the latest refusal for the developer, who has twice sought permission to build on the site.

Harrogate Borough Council rejected the latest proposal in August 2021 after planning officers said the scheme had a number of “fundamental” issues.

However, the developer took the council to appeal over its decision and said there were no “significant impacts” that would be caused by the development.

‘Unsatisfactory scheme’

Kate Broadbank, the council’s planning officer, told a planning committee meeting in August 2021 that the scheme had a number of issues to resolve.

She said:

“One of the site allocation requirements is the provision of a circular recreation route – and this has been provided around the edge of the site.

“However, it is considered to be unsatisfactory, as it is a narrow path between the site boundary and side elevations of dwellings, meaning it is not very well overlooked and would not provide a safe, attractive route.

“The same situation occurred around the open space and children’s play area where houses backed onto this.

“The applicant has tried to overcome this by turning some houses around to face onto the path and play area, however, this has led to an issue with rear gardens now backing onto the streets.

“On the whole, the scheme is considered to lack character or a sense of place.”

Cunnane Town Planning, which lodged the appeal on behalf of Mr Holland, said there were “no significant or demonstrable adverse impacts that would arise as a consequence of the development”.

Read more:

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• Knaresborough pub co-founder leaves after two years

However, Chris Baxter, planning inspector, dismissed the developer’s appeal on the grounds that the plan was outside the development boundary and would still have “significant harm” on surrounding areas.

Mr Baxter acknowledged that the scheme had “adequate affordable housing” and would not have an impact on highways safety, but added that it still had issues.

He said in a decision notice published this week:

“The proposal would not have a detrimental effect on highway safety and adequate affordable housing would be provided within the scheme. 

“However, these matters and the benefits described above would not outweigh the significant harm I have identified with regards to the effect on the surrounding area and future users.”

Watering of public flower displays in the Harrogate district could be reduced over the coming weeks after the announcement of a hosepipe ban later this month.

Harrogate Borough Council said it will be working to reduce its water use in line with Yorkshire Water’s decision, which comes into force on Friday, August 26.

However, the authority said its three public paddling pools will remain open in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, Knaresborough’s Bebra Gardens, and Borrage Green in Ripon.

A spokesperson said:

“Following the Yorkshire Water announcement about the hosepipe ban, we are looking at what measures we can and should implement to conserve water supplies.

“Unfortunately, this may result in our baskets and floral displays looking a bit the worse for wear but we hope people will understand the reasons why.

“Our paddling pools are currently filled until after the August bank holiday, and we welcome residents and visitors using ours across the Harrogate district rather than their own.”

Harrogate’s famous floral displays could go un-watered.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council said it would be following the rules when the hosepipe ban comes into force.

Council leader Carl Les, whose portfolio includes emergency planning, said:

“We are looking at our services and where exemptions may apply, and we will be conforming with the rules. We would urge all residents to follow the advice already given out nationally and regionally on how they can conserve water usage, as we will be.

“Let’s also take care in these tinder dry conditions to avoid starting fires, which not only use large amounts of water to extinguish, but can also threaten property and in some cases lives.”

Read more:

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The hosepipe ban is the first to be introduced in Yorkshire since 1995.

People are asked not to use hosepipes for domestic activities including watering plants or grass, washing cars, filling paddling pools or swimming pools, or cleaning outdoor surfaces.

The activities are still permitted if they are carried out without a hosepipe, such as with a bucket or watering can, or if a water butt is used, for example.

Blue Badge holders, people on Yorkshire Water priority services register and those on the WaterSure tariff for medical reasons are exempt from the ban.

The restrictions do not apply to commercial premises using a hosepipe for essential activities.

The co-founder and chef of popular Knaresborough pub The Bear at Carriages has left the business after two years.

Sam Pullan acquired the pub, then called the Carriages, on the town’s High Street in 2020 with business partner Josh Dixon.

Following a £100,000 investment in renovating the pub, it reopened amid multiple covid lockdowns during the summer of the same year.

After helping to open the pub back up and develop a seasonal menu with his team, Mr Pullan has now confirmed he will be leaving the business.

He said:

“After two years of success in Knaresborough, it’s time for me to seek out new and exciting opportunities elsewhere in the region whether that’s working with some of the finest chef’s that Yorkshire has to offer or staging my own public chef demos at food festivals to inspire others.

“Being creative is the foundation of what drives me to be a better restaurateur and chef and having created something really special with the Bear at Carriages,

“I now want to move in a totally new direction and start afresh with something equally unique and different that further enhances Yorkshire’s hospitality reputation and provides a new challenge for me personally. The hunt for what the future holds is already on so watch this space.

“I wish John and the remaining team all the best for the future.”

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Police are appealing for information on a missing Leeds man who may have travelled to the Harrogate area.

Jesus Moreno, 41, is described as of Spanish origin with long curly brown hair, a long brown beard and wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

He is 5ft 7in tall and has an orange octopus tattoo on his upper left arm.

West Yorkshire Police believe he may have travelled to the Harrogate and Knaresborough area.

Officers have urged the public to call 101 referencing log number 1061 02-08.

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Firefighters were called to Birstwith this morning when a drying plant in a food factory went up in flames.

Crews from Ripon and Knaresborough went to Kerry Ingredients shortly before 7am this morning.

They used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to tackle the fire.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

“There was damage to the drying equipment and pipework. The cause of the fire is not confirmed.”

Firefighters left the site by 9.18am.

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Burnt Yates beat Knaresborough to win the centenary Addison Cup final last night.

The Addison Cup, which is contested by the top 16 teams in the Harrogate and District Amateur Evening Cricket League, is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world, dating back to 1922.

Last night’s final saw Knaresborough post a competitive 143 for 6 in 20 overs at Follifoot Cricket Club. Tashmial Henry struck 64 and Toby Giddings hit 35.

But a skilful and composed unbeaten 67 in gloomy conditions from South African man of the match Byron Boshoff helped Burnt Yates to a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.

It’s the first time the village side, which was captained by Ryan Lamb, has won the district’s premier 20-over competition. They beat defending champions Harrogate in the quarter-final.

As usual, a member of the Addison family presented the winner’s medals.

Eric Wainwright, whose father played for The Gas Company, a Harrogate team that won the 1933 final, presented the runner’s-up medals.

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Last night also saw the final of the Atkinson Cup, which is contested by the teams that lose in the first round of the Addison Cup.

The final was postponed when heat stopped play two weeks ago when temperatures approached 40 degrees centigrade. It was then delayed again last week because of rain.

Yesterday at Spofforth, Pateley Bridge scored 134 and then bowled out North Stainley for 101 to win by 33 runs.

Tom Hardcastle, of Pateley, was adjudged man of the match.

Winning captain Ryan Lamb receives the Addison Cup.

Byron Boshoff is presented with the man of the match award.

The Stray Ferret has set new monthly records as it continues to reshape the face of local news in the Harrogate district.

Articles on our website attracted just over one million page views from 218,000 site users in July.

A further 574,000 page views were made by almost 4,500 people on the Stray Ferret app, which was launched at the end of last year.

The combined total of 1.6 million monthly page views is a new record, as is the number of people visiting the site.

Page views have more than doubled in the last year as increasing numbers of people tune in to our lively combination of rolling news, human interest stories and political analysis. Our social media engagement is also leading the way in the district.

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Last month we ran live blogs at the Great Yorkshire Show and during the heatwave. We led on coverage of plans to reduce the number of fire engines in Harrogate at night time to one, reported on Harrogate-born England footballer Rachel Daly’s ascent to international superstar, showcased businesses such as the re-opened Coach and Horses pub in Harrogate, covered visits to the district by celebrities including Alan Carr and Helen Skelton, and provided live footage on our Facebook page of St Wilfrid’s Procession in Ripon.

We also published daily business news a well as traffic and travel bulletins, and provided unparalleled scrutiny of our local MPs, councils and courts.

Tamsin O’Brien, managing director of the Stray Ferret, said:

“The Stray Ferret has become an unmissable read for anyone interested in the Harrogate district.

“Thank you to all our readers in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge, Masham and all points in between.

“We will continue to strive to bring the best daily news and hold those in power to account.”

You can download the Stray Ferret app by clicking on the banner below.

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Signing up to social care scheme ‘irresponsible’

In response to the county council’s pilot scheme for social care. Isn’t it irresponsible to sign up to a scheme when you know it could bankrupt you? And is this the same authority which will shortly control Harrogate’s finances? Heaven help us.

Diane Stokes, Harrogate

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Concern over new Knaresborough junction layout

Whoever was responsible for designing the new layout and the subsequent flow of traffic through the Chain Lane and Wetherby Road junction needs to be severely reprimanded for failing to think out the consequences of their actions due to a lack of knowledge on such matters.

Every time you attempt to cross the A59 from Chain Lane you are faced with trying to avoid a collision. The inside lane is for turning left or crossing the A59 to enter Wetherby Road. The outside lane is for turning right to travel in the direction of Knaresborough town centre. Due to the poor standard of the road markings, the number of vehicles that still try and cross into Wetherby Road from the outside lane is astonishingly high causing vehicles having to take action to avoid a collision. 

Horns beeped, hand gestures etc from those in the outside lane who think they are in the correct lane. Travelling the other way from Wetherby Road there is a temporary road sign that indicates no right turn. Try telling that to the individuals who have always turned right at this junction and continue to do so, 

Today I was confronted by a youth who was following the instructions of a driving instructor who insisted that you can still turn right onto the A59 in the direction away from Knaresborough. The signage needs to be much larger and clearer and needs to be rectified before somebody ends up in the cemetery that is situated at his junction. North Yorkshire Council sort it out.

Robbie Payne, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.