There have been 633 covid infections recorded in the Harrogate district in the last seven days, according to government statistics.

The infection rate has rocketed over the last month and the current seven-day average rate is now 494 people per 100,000.

But there are considerable variations within the district.

The government breaks each district into smaller areas known as middle super output areas, each with a population of about 7,200 people.

According to the latest figures, the middle super output areas with the most current infections are central Harrogate and central Knaresborough.

The more rural Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley, which has been consistently less affected throughout the pandemic, has the fewest current infections.

Most infections

1 Central Harrogate 76

2 Knaresborough Central 61

3 Harrogate West and Pannal 59

4 Killinghall and Hampsthwaite 53

5 Starbeck 47

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Fewest Infections

1 Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley 13

2 Hookstone 17

3= Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington

3= Spofforth, Burn Bridge and Huby 19

5 Masham, Kirkby Malzeard and North Stainley 21

Work is set to begin this month to build 120 homes in Knaresborough after Yorkshire Housing purchased the site from Gladman Developments.

The 18-acre site on Boroughbridge Road is allocated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan and planning permission was granted in August last year, despite objections.

Yorkshire Housing, which is a housing association, hopes the two, three, and four-bedroom homes will begin to be ready in January next year.

Andy Gamble, director of development at Yorkshire Housing, said:

“The 120 new homes will be mixed tenure and will provide homes for shared ownership, affordable rent, rent-to-buy and market sale.

“We want to continue creating new communities that bring more, much-needed homes to Yorkshire where our customers are proud to live and call home.”

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Scriven Parish Council said the homes would result in “saturation” for Knaresborough and its facilities when the plans were submitted.

The objection said:

“Knaresborough is under tremendous pressure and the historic market town, which all the residents recognise and enjoy, is being destroyed by over development.”

The prospect of a lengthy third lockdown with no firm end date in sight is causing serious concern among Knaresborough retailers.

Knaresborough has seen a boom in new businesses lately but the current uncertainty is putting new and old shops in jeopardy.

The town’s streets have been eerily quiet this week after non-essential shops were forced to close again. Many are moving online to try to reduce financial losses.

Additional financial support has been offered by the government but shops say this isn’t enough to cover the money they would have made by staying open.

Country 2 Western, on Castlegate, sells a wide range of American-themed items from cowboy boots to belt buckles. One of its owners, Christine McLeod, said it relies on venues and music festivals to sell its niche products.

She added:

“We’ve been struggling since the first lockdown in March. We had to change what we were selling, we are keeping the American feel but a little different to normal.

“This lockdown is worrying for the future of our business. If music events are still cancelled this year we’d seriously have to re-think what we sell, it’s having a massive effect.”

Ms McLeod said she will focus her efforts on online sales but added it was vital music events were able to continue in summer.

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On the high street, The Clothing Store of Knaresborough only opened a few months before lockdown hit.

Its owner, Rebecca Lombardi, was left “devastated” by the announcement and is worried that the short amount of time she has had to establish the business will impact online sales.

She said:

“There is so much to think about so quickly. It’s scary and there are so many mixed emotions. In the other lockdown we didn’t make much from online sales so this time may not be successful but I’m going to try to build our online presence.

“I’m remaining hopeful for when we do eventually reopen.”

Bill Taylor, treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“Many businesses in Knaresborough adapted to survive where they could during the previous lockdowns and it is great to see a similar desire this time round. The town really came together to ensure everyone kept safe.

“Knaresborough chamber will continue to support all of the local businesses however it can, and continue engagement with local authorities to ensure businesses are aware of all of the support that is available.”

Libraries in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough will continue to provide books during lockdown through the select and collect service.

The select and collect service, which was introduced last year in response to the pandemic, enables customers to phone or email their library to request books and collect them from the entrance of the building.

North Yorkshire County Council, which manages the libraries, is also continuing to operate its home library service, which sees volunteers deliver books, DVDs and CDs to customers who are unable to visit a library.

The council is also allowing pre-booked library computer sessions for essential use, such as accessing services and benefits. But they must be booked in advance by phone or email.

County councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:

“We know how beneficial a connection to their library can be to people’s wellbeing and how many people rely on free library computers to access services and benefits and to apply for jobs.

“I am pleased that we are able to continue to provide that connection to some degree through our select and collect service and to support the most vulnerable with the home library service and computer access.”

To use the select and collect service or to book a computer session, contact your library or visit here.

A Knaresborough dog groomers is relocating along the high street at the end of the month — but has assured customers its much-loved dog window will remain a feature.

Carol’s Bonnie Dogs is known locally as the “one with dogs in the window”.

The owner, Carol Scanlan, doesn’t put the dogs in cages after being groomed but instead allows the animals to sit by the window as they wait to be collected.

She says the owners, as well as passers-by, like to see the dogs relaxing after pamper sessions.

The groomers is currently at 63 High Street but has been granted approval to relocate to the more spacious 44 High Street.

Ms Scanlan has been based in Knaresborough for three years and said business is going from strength to strength:

“A couple of local groomers closed down and we were being recommended. I’d say it’s tripled in the past three years.

“We needed more space and with the new place being next door to the pet shop it was a perfect match.”

Ms Scanlan hopes to move into the new shop, 44 High Street, at the end of the month.

Ms Scanlan currently employs two groomers, including one who started doing work experience from Askham Bryan College, as well as a part-time weekend member of staff.

She hopes to grow her team this year if business continues to get busier.

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Dog groomers are allowed to stay open during this lockdown. Ms Scanlan said:

“After the first lockdown I was appalled at the condition of some of the dogs. I even sent an email to the Prime Minister. It was a massive relief to hear we can stay open.”

She hopes the groomers can move at the end of this month, with minimal disruption to the business.

An Italian restaurant in Knaresborough has put forward a planning application to move into prime high street premises.

Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria is currently based in Castle Courtyard but the growing restaurant has its sights set on a new space.

The restaurant has been open almost three years and proved to be a popular spot for locals. It is hopeful its new spot will “shake things up” for them.

The Ravasz brothers, Nandor and Szilard, opened the restaurant with their wives Vivien Kovacs and Eniko Szenasi in March 2018.

The team said the current unit will not be left empty, but instead they plan to turn it into a high-end bar.

The new space is said to be better suited to a restaurant and will give the owners more storage space. The owners said it will be “cosy and elegant, and still family friendly”.

The owners hope plans will be approved to allow them to start works on the new site, 69 High Street, straight away.

Nandor said:

“It will be the same people and menu, just a new space. We needed a bigger space and being on the high street is ideal.”

If the planning application is approved by Harrogate Borough Council, work will start immediately on the new building.

Mr Ravasz said plans are constantly changing due to restrictions but if everything stays on track he hopes to have the new place open at the end of spring.

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Following last night’s lockdown announcement, the restaurant will continue to run as a takeaway. Mrs Ravasz added:

“We prefer the restaurant of course, but we are grateful to have an option B and the town is behind us. So many businesses haven’t got an option B so I can’t complain – we’re lucky to have business through the takeaway.”

The Harrogate district appeared to be much quieter today as people seemed to embrace the national lockdown rules.

With schools, shops and hospitality businesses closed, residents have been instructed only to leave home for a few essential reasons, including shopping for food and medicine, and to exercise outside.

The measures are designed to reduce the coronavirus case rates, which have spiked in North Yorkshire as well as elsewhere in the country, by significantly reducing contact between people.

It is unclear when the lockdown will end, but it will be reviewed again in mid-February.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions yesterday evening in response to an “alarming” rise in coronavirus cases.

Police have issued photos of a man they want to trace after a report that a man performed a sex act on himself near the River Nidd in Knaresborough.

The incident happened in view of members of the public in a wooded area near the river in Nidd Gorge while a number of people, including children, were nearby.

It took place on the afternoon of August 10 last year, but North Yorkshire Police has only today issued the photos.

The man is described as white and aged between 50 and 60. He was naked apart from dark-coloured hiking boots, a baseball cap and a black watch. Police said he had noticeable tan lines around his legs and was carrying clothing in his left hand.

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Officers now want to speak to the man in the photos as they believe he will have information to help with the investigation. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“The incident is one of a number of similar incidents reported over the past year and officers are looking into whether or not the incidents are connected.”

Anyone who can help to identify the man in the photos is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Alex Langley, or email alex.langley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote reference number 12200150877.

Pubs and restaurants in the Harrogate district have spoken of their frustration at the abrupt move into tier three just hours before their “biggest day of the year”.

Hospitality venues across the district would usually be buzzing with excitement on New Year’s Eve.

But instead most venues are closed, with only takeaways possible.

All the restaurant and cafe owners the Stray Ferret spoke to today agreed with the need for stricter restrictions but insisted more notice should have been given, as they have been left with unused stock.

Simon Cotton, managing director of the HRH Group whose properties include the Fat Badger, White Hart Hotel and the Yorkshire Hotel, said:

“I agree stricter restrictions are needed to get a grip on the virus but giving us such little notice is unacceptable. It’s a kick in the teeth for the biggest day of the year taken away with just a few hours notice.

“Frustration — that would be the word I use to sum up the year.”

Mr Cotton said food would be wasted this weekend as charities are unable to make use of perishable items at such short notice.

Many businesses have been trying to use up stock.

The Smiths Arms in Beckwithshaw posted on Facebook it would donate to the Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.

The Little Ale House micropub in Harrogate said it would be selling cask and keg beers at reduced prices.

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The Dining Room restaurant in Boroughbridge changed its business model this year by moving to daytime-only trade during the week and saving its fine dining for Friday and Saturday evenings.

The owners will continue with their plans to serve takeaways this evening but said yesterday’s announcement would have a major impact on trade. Co-owner Chris Astley said:

“Luckily we won’t waste stock because we can still go ahead with our takeaways but it doesn’t make the past year easier.

“I am relieved because when you have people turning up, clearly from different households, it is very difficult to manage. We just have to keep going.”

The Dining Room in Boroughbridge will go ahead with its plans to offer takeaway food tonight.

Sarah Williams, runs Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms in Knaresborough, said she was expecting the announcement:

“It’s not unexpected especially when you look at the data. Of course it’s not what you want to do but it is the right thing to do.

“We had a successful summer and have received grants, which mean we are surviving and aren’t in any danger of closing but not everyone has been so lucky.”

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for help identifying three people who may have information about the theft of scratch cards in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The force issued a statement today saying it was investigating ‘several incidents’ of stolen scratch cards in October, November and December.

The incidents involved two men and a woman and occurred in stores in Harrogate, Knaresborough, York and Northallerton. The statement added:

“Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the people in the images as they believe they will have information that will help the investigation.”

Anyone with any information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Lucy Tate or email lucy.tate@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference number 12200197512.

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