TikTok famous: 4 videos featuring the Harrogate district’s people and places

After a Russian TikToker racked up a million views with a scenic video of Knaresborough and a clip went viral of Brimham Rocks staff kicking out a mobile DJ, the Harrogate district is becoming a regular feature on the popular social media platform.

Scrolling through an app like TikTok, where millions post videos of dance routines and comedy lip-sync clips, you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see the likes of Harrogate town centre, Knaresborough Castle or Fountains Abbey popping up on screen.

But more and more individuals, and more recently companies, are recognising how much the platform can boost your profile, with one small clip sometimes reaching millions of people from across the globe.

There is no denying that TikTok videos featuring the area are an effective way of showcasing what it has to offer, including places, people and businesses.

DJ Zach Sabri, who is better known as SUAT on TikTok recently went viral with this video filmed at Brimham Rocks.

Harrogate marketing agency Marketing Adventures uses the social media platform to help promote clients.

Creative director Brogan Huntington said:

“As a digital marketing agency with a young, innovative team, we have used TikTok for some time now.

“It is an incredible marketing tool. We use it for the majority of our clients especially in the property and food and beverage industries.

“It has taken some time for Harrogate businesses to become accustomed to the idea of using TikTok in order to promote their business online, as their perception has been that it is a younger audience. Although this is somewhat true, this video-based platform is a great way to build a brand and speak to your clients and your future clients.

“Video is one of our favourite tools to promote business and we have seen exceptional success through via sales videos have produced on social media.”

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Global hair and beauty brand Cloud Nine, which is based in Harrogate, started using TikTok in 2020 to promote its products.

Naomi Horan, social media and influencer manager, said:

“In 2020 and the year of lockdown, people looked to social media for a sense of release from their mundane work-from-home set up.

“TikTok proved pivotal in becoming both an escape and a source of inspiration, with everything from dance challenges and duets, to food recipes and every day hacks. This month, TikTok has reported over one billion active monthly users – you can no doubt expect you’ll find a percentage of your audience on this platform.

“For Cloud Nine, TikTok is going to become a crucial part of our 2022 plans to engage with our audiences in ways we have never done before.

“TikTok themselves say, ‘Don’t make ads, make TikToks’ – brands need to entertain their audience, build their awareness and in turn, they’ll reap the rewards.”

4 TikTok videos with more than 100k views featuring the Harrogate district’s people and places

Livharlandmusic – Harrogate busking

Liv Harland is from York, but can regularly be seen busking in Harrogate on her TikToks. In fact the singer, who has 1.5 million followers, had some of the biggest live stream moments of the year on the social media site, where she broadcasts herself busking. In 2021 she was fourth, fifth and seventh on the Top 10 list of the most watched live moments by artists on TikTok, alongside Ed Sheeran, Yungblud and Coldplay.

In this live TikTok, one of the many filmed in Harrogate, she clocked up a whopping 4.1 million views singing her version of Runaway by Aurora. In the video she notices a man in the background, who appears to have confused a loaf of bread with a mobile phone. We’ve all been there. It was one of her most viewed last year and features Cambridge Street.

https://www.tiktok.com/@livharlandmusic/video/6960310322603330821?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7033698343524288005

Amealmeal  – Harrogate accent

In this Tiktok video, which clocked up 520,000 views, Mila, a student nurse from Harrogate, has clearly been having difficulty getting others to understand why she doesn’t have a broad Yorkshire accent. All down to how well spoken we are in this town of course! The struggle is real.

https://www.tiktok.com/@amealmeal/video/7023100067812773125?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7033698343524288005

Beauty.spectrum – Visit to Knaresborough and Harrogate

OK, so this one hasn’t quite hit the 100k mark at 20.6k, however this TikTok of a day trip to Knaresborough was also featured on YouTuber Molly Thompson’s weekly vlog back in September, which also clocked up thousands of views. Molly has 130k subscribers to her YouTube channel.

In the vlog Molly, from Beverley, talks about how it has recently become popular for people to go to the town and take photos on the boats while rowing underneath the viaduct. She heads to Knaresborough with her friend for an “Instagram day” — she also has 64.7k followers on Instagram — and films her trip for Youtube and TikTok.

The TikTok video features Knaresborough Castle, the riverside and of course the boats and viaduct. She then heads to Harrogate and buys some donuts from Doe Bakehouse. Filmed on a sunny day last September, Knaresborough certainly needs no filter and looks stunning as always.

https://www.tiktok.com/@beauty.spectrum/video/6873833828159425794?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7033698343524288005

 

flyingscotsgirl  – Filming locations for The Witcher at Fountains Abbey and Malhamdale

Cat Thomson’s tours around Yorkshire’s villages, towns and countryside have been a big hit on TikTok. She saw a huge spike in her number of followers after lockdown in 2020, thanks to more people looking for places to stay in the UK.

Now living in Leeds, she regularly visits North Yorkshire and is a big fan of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.

This video features a list of filming locations for season two of Netflix hit show, The Witcher, starring Henry Cavill. It includes Fountains Abbey, Plumpton Rocks near Harrogate, Goredale Scar and Janet’s Foss waterfalls in Malhamdale.

https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingscotsgirl/video/6901395697682107650?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7033698343524288005

Knaresborough chamber plans to ‘build back’ after bitter fallout over BID

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce has said it is ready to “build back” after a tumultuous two years tackling covid and the divide left following the vote against setting up a BID.

The chamber has begun the new year with a slimmed down executive board, new projects and a commitment to rebuild relationships and collaborate with businesses.

Over the past two years the organisation launched various projects to help businesses through lockdowns and encourage people to visit the town.

But it also found itself at the centre of a bitter debate over the setting up of a Business Improvement District, which divided the organisation. Businesses voted against creating a BID.

The fallout from the BID vote had a lasting effect on the chamber, executive member Peter Lacey said, leading it to reassess how the organisation is run.

Now, instead of having a board with over 10 positions and multiple titles such as chair, secretary and treasurer, the not-for-profit organisation operates with an executive board of five members taking on various responsibilities.

Mr Lacey added a few businesses had left the chamber following the BID vote and it now wanted to re-establish itself as a forum for businesses rather than being overshadowed by political divides. He said:

“There is still an overhang of bad feeling following the BID vote. Sometimes it can take time to build back but we’re happy to work with any business or group that will benefit Knaresborough.”

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Members have been sent a survey ahead of the first full meeting next month to ask what they think the focus of the upcoming year should be for the chamber.

It has also asked for feedback on ideas, such as more networking events, support for those making working from home permanent, summer events, the local banking hub and devolution.

Knaresborough residents urged to have say on future of council services

There are just two weeks left for Knaresborough residents to have their say on how the town should be run under major changes coming to council services.

Knaresborough Town Council has received hundreds of responses to a survey launched in December but is now urging more people to share their views on local government reorganisation which could see the town given greater control over services such as parking and markets.

The survey will run until January 27 and comes as the reorganisation plans are fast-approaching with Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council set to be replaced by a new county-wide authority from April 2023.

A Knaresborough Town Council spokesperson said:

“By taking part in the survey, Knaresborough residents will be able to provide their opinions on living in the town, council services, the future of the town council, devolution and tackling climate change amongst other topics.”

The running of parks and gardens, play areas and public buildings including Knaresborough House and Conyngham Hall could also be handed over to the town council under the reorganisation plans.

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Knaresborough Cllr David Goode previously said it was “vital” that people take part in the survey which he believes will build a strong case for the town’s future.

He said: 

“The more responses we get, the better view we will have of what Knaresborough residents think about our town.

“It’s important to remember though that this process of devolved powers isn’t going to happen overnight.

“This is a 10 to 15 year journey which will need small steps in the beginning and then will develop much further.”

To have your say go to www.knaresboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/resident-survey

Paper copies of the survey are also available to collect from Knaresborough Library or by contacting the town council on 01423 864080 or clerk@knaresboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk.

How to beat the Blue Monday blues: Top tips from a Harrogate life coach

The festive season is over, payday seems like a lifetime away and there is often a sense of pressure to make big life changes at this time of the year.

And all of that is made worse by the fact it is still cold, dark, wet and miserable outside, with months to go until summer comes around.

So it is no surprise that Blue Monday – the ‘most depressing day of the year’ — falls in January.

Blue Monday usually falls on the third Monday of January, which this year is the 17th.

It appears to have originated in 2005 after a press release from Sky Travel used an equation to calculate the dreaded date.

So what should we do this year to beat those Blue Monday blues?

Harrogate life coach Lisa Duffield, owner of the Lisa Duffield Centre, has four tips.

1 Comparison is the thief of joy

“I wanted to share a little insight I have found within the clients I work with.

“Individuals that are suffering from what is branded the ‘January blues’ are all so focused on comparison.

“Comparison of this month to last month, this year to last year…

“You and your family’s goals or plans, compared to the family next door, or the family who you spend all your time watching on Instagram that you will never meet. And from this insight I bring you my first pill-free prescription to beat the case of January blues.

“Comparison is the single biggest waste of your time.

“Next time you find yourself comparing yourself to others or your life to others etc. just stop take a breath and if you insist on comparing yourself at all, think about you, how far have you come, what have you learned since yesterday, last year or even an hour ago.”

Harrogate life coach, Lisa Duffield.

2 Make realistic goals

“January blues can also shine through goal setting and unrealistic expectations.

“For some reason many of us believe that when the clock strikes 12 on January 1, you change into a new person, fitter, healthier, wealthier.

“Old traditions even show that we wish our first foot “all the wealth, health and happiness” for the New Year. While this is very kind, it does not mean that you have to become an overnight fitness fad and a self-made billionaire.

“Here comes the second tip, make realistic goals that you know you are able to achieve.

“You may have a big dream and that is amazing, but break it down into incremental chunks.

“Make smaller goals that you know will get to. They could be ‘eat more green veg’ or ‘move for an extra 30 minutes per day’, rather than ‘complete a bodybuilding competition and win in three months’.”

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3 Surround yourself with positivity

“Spend time with those who make you happy.

“Over Christmas many of us spend a lot of time with family and friends, we make the effort to go and see relatives that we haven’t seen since the year previous, or we say Merry Christmas to people in the street and smile.

“This makes us happy because we have also made others feel happy. Why stop?

“You can still spend time with ones you love and you can still engage with people in the street. A simple good morning or hello will work wonders.”

4 Try something new

“Last but not least. We’ve all heard it. ‘Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results’.

“It’s time to try something new.

“If you are looking for a different result in 2022 and maybe you are feeling a little deflated, step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

“You will be surprised the paths this teeny act can lead to, you meet new people, learn and experience new things.”

4 ways to cheer yourself up on Blue Monday – by Nina Meads

1 Go for a walk

Nidd Gorge, is one of the many scenic walks that explore nature in the Harrogate district.

In the Harrogate district, we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by stunning countryside. We really are spoilt for choice and personal favourites are Thruscross Reservoir, Nidd Gorge and Hookstone Wood. You also can’t beat a walk around the grounds at Fountains Abbey or Knaresborough waterside.

So lace up those walking boots and head out into the great outdoors. Fresh air and being amongst nature will boost your mood.

If you’re at work, grab a coffee and go for a stroll on your lunch break.

2 Pamper yourself

Rudding Park Spa.

If you want to really spoil yourself, book into Harrogate’s Turkish Baths or enjoy a spa session at Rudding Park, Grantley Hall or Swinton Park.

If money or time is tight, nothing beats a good bath and a book.

3 Do some exercise and practice mindfulness at a Festival of Wellbeing in Harrogate

A 'festival of wellbeing' is set to be held in Harrogate today.

A ‘festival of wellbeing’ is being held in Harrogate.

While it’s not taking place on Blue Monday itself, OneWellness, in Mowbray Square, is hosting a second Festival of Wellbeing on Saturday, January 15, to help boost mental health.

The free festival from 9am until 4pm, which is being run in association with Mind Harrogate, Sweaty Betty and Hustle & Co, will offer a range of fitness, nutrition and health classes and talks.

From mindfulness and wellbeing, relax and de-stress yoga, to Pilates, barre, and dance cardio classes, the wellbeing experts at OneWellness have tailored each lesson to suit everyone and help boost physical fitness levels whilst increasing positive wellbeing.

4 Meet a friend for a cuppa and cake

Bettys Harrogate

Betty’s Harrogate.

The Harrogate district has some of the best coffee shops and tearooms in the country, including lots of amazing independents and the famous Betty’s.

Arrange to meet a friend for a catch-up and lots of laughs. After all, laughter is good for the soul. Oh and don’t forget the cake. That’s essential.

Andrew Jones MP welcomes pause in smart motorway rollout

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has supported the government’s decision to pause the rollout of smart motorways.

Mr Jones was a key advocate of smart motorways during his time as a minister at the Department for Transport between 2015 and 2019.

The government this week shelved any further implementations of the scheme “until five years worth of safety data becomes available” for motorways built before 2020.

There have been mounting concerns about the technology after multiple deaths and near misses have been reported.

Government figures show 38 deaths on smart motorways were recorded between 2014 and 2019, including John Mercer, who died on a stretch of the M1 without a hard shoulder in 2019.

Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on the issue yesterday, Mr Jones said:

“The pause that has been announced gives us the chance to retrofit, implement and review the stopped vehicle detection technology and perhaps improve it.

“The pace of the development is so fast that I am sure that developments will come into play sooner rather than later.

“We should expect all modes of transport to become busier as we emerge from the pandemic, and that will include our roads. As that happens, road safety must never be compromised, but enhanced.”

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During his time as a transport minister in May 2016, Mr Jones insisted that the rollout of smart motorways was not being done “on the cheap”, as opponents of the scheme had claimed. They said it compromised safety.

At a Transport Select Committee debate at the time, the Conservative MP said:

“Are these things being developed on the cheap? No, no they’re not. This is part of a comprehensive injection of capacity into our national strategic road network.

“This is a key ingredient in our first road investment strategy, that is a £15 billion budget.”

At the same debate, he later added that the government was monitoring the safety of the schemes and that he did not think it was “a question of having a back-up plan or pausing”.

The government has said pausing the rollout builds on its action plan for smart motorways, which includes adding emergency areas and upgrading cameras to detect red X offences.

Harrogate district MPs silent over Prime Minister party apology

Two of the Harrogate district’s Conservative MPs have so far remained silent after Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised for a party at 10 Downing Street at the height of the first lockdown.

Before Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday, Mr Johnson issued a public apology after coming under fire for a “bring your own booze” event during lockdown in May 2020.

The reports sparked backlash from the public as many had to abide by restrictions at the same time, including not being at the bedside of loved ones when they died and missing funerals.

Mr Johnson confirmed he was at the event and said he understood the “rage” people felt. However, he added that he believed it was a “work event” and had not seen the invitation from his principle private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

Labour leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, called for the Prime Minister to resign yesterday and alleged that he had misled parliament over the lockdown parties.

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So far, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP and Julian Smith, Ripon and Skipton MP, have yet to give their views on the issue.

Following the apology, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural part of Harrogate, retweeted a tweet from Nadine Dorries, culture secretary, which backed the Prime Minister and said he was “right to personally apologise”.

Mr Adams is also minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

https://twitter.com/nadams/status/1481342527684980740

The Stray Ferret has asked Mr Jones and Mr Smith whether they believe Mr Johnson should resign, but had yet to receive a response by the time of publication.

During an emergency debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Jones asked paymaster general Michael Ellis for a specific date when an inquiry into the lockdown parties will be published. He was told that it would be a “swift” investigation.

Meanwhile, Matt Walker, vice-chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said he has written to Mr Jones urging him to join calls for the Prime Minister to resign.

Mr Walker said:

“Yesterday we heard an evasive apology from the Prime Minister for hosting a garden party at the height of lockdown.

“This is just one of many recent allegations made about government representatives and officials breaking the rules during the pandemic, but none so clear cut as the occasion on May 20, 2020.”

Katherine Jenkins visits Knaresborough for Songs of Praise

Classical singer Katherine Jenkins was spotted in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle yesterday filming for BBC’s Songs of Praise.

The Welsh mezzo soprano took part in filming at various locations in town, including Gracious Street Methodist Church.

Gracious Street Methodist Church Knaresborough

Gracious Street Methodist Church

The weekly programme, broadcast each Sunday at 1.15pm on BBC One, is due to feature Knaresborough on February 13.

The programme, which is due out the day before Valentine’s Day, is based on the themes of love and kindness. It also explores the history of Robert of Knaresborough, a 12th century hermit who lived in a cave by the River Nidd.

Ms Jenkins visited the cave yesterday with Peter Lacey, who has written a book about St Robert and his life.

Ms Jenkins also visited the Gracious Street community food store, which was set up using funds from the St Robert anniversary celebrations in 2018.

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Flaxby modular housing developer posts £41m loss

Flaxby-based modular housing developer Ilke Homes has posted a loss of £41m in its latest annual report.

The company, which has 500 employees, builds homes at its factory on Flaxby Moor Industrial Estate near Knaresborough that are then delivered across the UK.

In the year to 31 March 2021, the company sold 199 homes, up by a third from the previous year.

The report says the company was “significantly impacted” by covid. It adds a restructuring and redundancy programme in summer 2020 led to the departure of 122 employees.

But it adds that the long-term future of the company is healthy and it aims to become a top 10 house builder within the next five years.

It adds:

“In spite of these significant interruptions to business operations and to the wider economic environment, the company continued to make meaningful process, with additional designs and approvals, factory automation and production process improvement leading to capacity growth, sales pipeline development and strengthening the senior management team.”

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Since the company was founded in 2018 it has yet to turn a profit, and has reported combined losses of over £100m.

Homes England, the government’s housing agency, has invested £60m into the company since 2019.

The Stray Ferret asked Ilke Homes for comment but did not receive one by the time of publication.

Charity Corner: being a friend to the elderly and lonely in Harrogate and Knaresborough

During the pandemic, one Harrogate and Knaresborough charity has seen a huge increase in pleas for help after some of the most vulnerable in our communities found themselves feeling lonely.

Supporting Older People helps more than 300 members combat isolation and loneliness by providing activities, trips and a befriending service.

The charity works with people over 60 and say many come to them because they often only see one person a week and need more opportunities to socialise.

Director Kate Rogata said:

“During covid the thing people loved the most was just standing at the door for a chat. It was clear when we restarted sessions last June how vital they were, the demand was enormous.

“People were depserate to see others again.”

Members visited Harrogate Bowling Club in September. The club has raised more than £1,500 for the charity.

Ms Rogata said a lot of the people the charity helps are over 75 and may live alone due to bereavement or moved to Harrogate and Knaresborough to be closer to family but don’t have a network of friends.

The charity is there to help. It holds monthly lunches, tea and talk events and weekly exercise classes. All of these are always in demand.

Ms Rogata began working for the charity in 2013 when there were just 75 members and 45 volunteers. She said the demand just keeps growing, since the pandemic they’ve seen a 60% increase in people coming to the charity for help.

“We need to make sure we keep doing all we can and stick around because the demand won’t go away.”

Ms Rogata said they are always in need of new volunteers. Currently, the charity has 150 trained befrienders but with 30 older people on the waiting list they are pleading for more people to come forward.

She added:

“There’s been some wonderful friendships formed over the years. We take our time pairing people up, they have to have similar interests for it to work. Our befrienders can make a real difference to the older person’s life, and vice versa.”

Care home resident Richard was able to go for a spin in a classic car this year thanks to his volunteer befriender Peter.

Set up in 1982, the charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and hopes to encourage more people to volunteer as befrienders and give an hour a week to visit an older person.

During the pandemic the charity has been unable to do as much fundraising as it likes. It costs around £70,000 a year to pay its three part-time staff, train volunteers and put on events.

It gets a £11,000 from North Yorkshire County Council but the rest has to come from fundraising and grants.

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It plans to host events all year to celebrate its anniversary. Ms Rogata said:

“Any fundraising is so helpful. It cost £60 to train each befriender and we need 30 new ones.

“We feel like a bit of a well kept secret and we want more people to know about us and get involved however they can.”

Caffeine boost: The rise of the independent coffee shops in Harrogate

One thing Harrogate isn’t short of is independent coffee shops.

Once associated as a trendy hangout for hipsters, now the majority of the population are queuing up to get their caffeine fix – and it better be a decent flat white.

New venues on the scene include Swedish coffee house Fi:k, in the Montpellier Quarter, which has also recently opened a branch in Knaresborough, Cortado, on Leeds Road and Heal, also in the Montpellier. There is also Bamber & Brown, a barista bar at Birk Crag, where you can enjoy an artisan coffee in a tipi, and Constellation Coffee, which opened on East Parade last month. Another Swedish coffee shop, Nord, is also set to open on Otley Road.

But what is it about these coffee shops that everyone is going nuts for? And can the town handle the increasing number?

Opening its doors on Leeds Road in August last year, Cortado is one of the new kids on the block.

Meeting spot

Manager Erin Seelig said:

“We felt like the Leeds Road area was missing the market as most of them are directed towards town and this area really needed something.

“Coffee shops are now slowly starting to expand out into the neighbourhoods, which is great.

“It’s a hub and a meeting spot for a lot of people, especially in Harrogate.”

Erin said she believed each coffee shop in Harrogate had it’s own community and offered something slightly different, with Cortado focusing on takeaways to cater for an increase in the number of people who grab one and go for a stroll.

Find your niche

She said this was a habit that had been formed on the back of the lockdown daily walks.

“We see the same people – and their dogs – every day and for us it’s lovely to serve the community.

“For us we are trying to create our own identity. You have got to find your niche.

“If you look at the coffee shops in Harrogate, some focus on the cakes, some do brunch and they all attract different types of people.”

Manager Erin Seelig at Cortado on Leeds Road.

Erin said customers cared more about the different blends of coffee than ever before and often liked to know where the beans were roasted.

Affordable luxury

She said:

“It’s an affordable luxury and it’s a part of the day a lot of people look forward to as there is also the social element.

“I think there is plenty of room for new coffee shops as Harrogate has a big population of residents, as well as tourists. It’s always nice to have choice, and if one of them is full, you can pick another.

“All the independent coffee shops support each other as well. We get massive support from Bean and Bud, Hoxton North and No.35. They have been in here lots and we go to them. We can share ideas, which is really nice.”

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Matthew Edmonds and Oliver Highland Edmonds launched HealMedical and Wellness Spa around seven years ago and last month they added artisan coffee and gift shop to their business, which is based in the Montpellier Quarter.

Coffee and chat

Matthew said:

“The vision for the coffee shop is to enhance the wellness spa with a relaxing, calm space in which having a coffee and a chat becomes an integral part of your experience.

“The retail gifting area aims to highlight independent businesses who strive to give back, whether it be working with the learning difficulties community or supporting environmental causes. This sums up the ethos of Heal.”

Matthew Edmonds, owner of Heal.

Unique experience

Matthew agreed that all new coffee shops in Harrogate should bring the community a unique experience.

He added:

“This is what we are aiming to do at Heal by also stocking quirky gifts and cards that you don’t see everywhere.”

Heal’s coffee and gift shop in the Montpellier Quarter.