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E-cigarette shop opens in Knaresborough

An e-cigarette shop has opened on Knaresborough High Street.

Kings Lites is based in the former Yorkshire Building Society unit that has been vacant since 2018.

The e-cigarette specialist already has two stores in York and is looking at opening a fourth site, with Harrogate on its radar.

Former professional boxer Zak Collins, founder and director of Kings Lites, said the store aimed to help smokers quit and move onto e-cigarettes.

Mr Collins said:

“It is a healthier alternative to smoking and saves you a fortune. Cigarettes now cost around £17 a pack, if you switch to e-cigarettes you are saving around £120 a week if you smoke a pack a day, that can add up to a family holiday.

“It is also better for the environment and we have recyclable vape bins in our stores.”

Mr Collins said he grew up following a healthy lifestyle but his parents smoked and he watched his mum struggle to quit using replacement products.

When she eventually managed it using an e-cigarette, Mr Collins had his “lightbulb moment” and opened the Acomb store in York to help others.

‘We have received a lot of hate’

A social media post by the company announcing its opening said the Knaresborough shop would “help, serve and advise the local community on living a much healthier and finically beneficial lifestyle”.

Mr Collins said a 2021 NHS review found people who used e-cigarettes to quit smoking were up to twice as likely to succeed as people who used other nicotine replacement products, such as patches or gum.

But he added there remained a stigma around e-cigarette stores. When Kings Lites announced its new location, it received a backlash on this Knaresborough Facebook group for what it does and its colourful frontage.

Mr Collins said:

“It is completely shocking, the shops in York have always gone down really well. We have received a lot of hate opening the new shop and it is difficult to understand and quite insulting.

“There is a market for us in Knaresborough and we offer a huge selection. The shop is a big change for the High Street but things are bound to change and the colour is just to draw people in, the ones in York are the same.

“I just hope people will give us a chance to show who we are. We haven’t set out to upset anyone or be garish we are just trying to help people quit smoking and give the people of Knaresborough a healthier alternative.”

Mr Collins didn’t comment on today’s vote to ban smoking and vaping for children born since 2009 but said:

“Children vaping is horrendous and the entire industry gets tarnished because of it. We take pride in offering people a healthier alternative.”

He said the company planned to “strike while the iron is hot” by expanding, adding it was looking at potential sites in the Harrogate area to open its fourth store.

Knaresborough Halfpenny Lane closure extended

Road works on a busy Knaresborough road have been extended.

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out exploratory work to divert underground infrastructure at the railway bridge on Halfpenny Lane.

Roadworks started on March 25 and were due to end yesterday (April 12) but the work has been delayed.

The live incident map says work is now due to end on May 17, although Northern Gas Networks has not given a definitive end date.

The closure extending from the bridge to the roundabout next to Old Penny Gate, will remain closed until additional works are complete and a signed diversion is in place.

Dominic Nevison, site manager at Northern Gas Networks said:

“We are working with other utilities to carefully plan this work to minimise the impact on road users and members of the public. The road diversion will remain in place while we carry out our initial assessment and subsequent work.”

“We apologise for inconvenience caused and would like to reassure everyone that we will be working hard to complete the work so that we can reopen the road as soon as possible.”

Northern Gas Networks added there was no impact on gas supplies to homes and businesses in the area.

Knaresborough Heritage Centre to open this month

Knaresborough Heritage Centre has announced it plans to open this month.

The centre, which celebrates and showcases Knaresborough’s rich history, will open on April 27 at 12 High Street.

It will offer gallery exhibitions, heritage information, children’s activities, guided walks, talks and a gift shop.

Visitors will be asked to make a minimum donation of £2. Accompanied under-16s will receive free entry.

The opening will mark the culmination of a long-running campaign to find larger and more suitable premises to the small gallery and office space that previously operated from a converted house at 8 York Place.

The association has spent almost £30,000 on refurbishing the former Printzone premises The site has been repainted and new flooring and bespoke lighting has been installed.

Knaresborough Town Museum Group was set up in 2019 to campaign for a new museum. Plans were first put to Harrogate Borough Council in 2020 to create the space. The museum group was renamed Knaresborough Museum Association and registered as a charity in 2021.

The centre will be open four days a week, on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

£1.3m to be spent resurfacing pothole-ridden roads in Harrogate district

Anyone who has driven around the Harrogate district recently will have noted the poor state of the roads, with a prolonged spell of wet weather making the pothole problem worse.

But there are now hopes the situation could finally improve for road users after the government announced that £1.3m previously allocated for the rail scheme HS2 will be spent resurfacing roads in the area including in Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Ripon.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapped the northern leg of HS2 last year and pledged to use money intended for the scheme on improving transport in the north.

Today the Department for Transport has revealed which local authorities across Yorkshire will benefit from the latest tranche of funding for road resurfacing, which it says will result in £991 million in reallocated HS2 funding for the region.

Roads in the Harrogate district that will be resurfaced are below along with how much each set of works will cost:

Park Row, Knaresborough £128,700.
C262, Spofforth £111,540.
Duck Hill, Ripon £130,000.
Follifoot Lane, Spofforth £85,800.
Green Lane, Harrogate £243,100.
Kirkgate, Ripon £130,000.
Lancaster Park Road, Harrogate £221,000.
Roecliffe Lane, Boroughbridge £137,280.
New Road, Sharow £143,000.
Sharow Lane, Sharow £143,000.

Councils across Yorkshire will now be required to submit quarterly reports from June, announcing work which has taken place over three months.

The government says it means residents will be able to scrutinise the progress of the works as these reports will be published online.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said:

“We’re on the side of drivers, which is why this Government is getting on with delivering our plan to invest £991 million in Yorkshire and the Humber as part of the biggest-ever funding increase for local road improvements, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.

“Alongside this unprecedented funding, which is already being used to improve local roads, we’re making sure residents can hold their local authority to account and see for themselves how the investment will be spent to improve local roads for years to come.”

Meanwhile, it was announced last month that North Yorkshire Council will receive £3.5m from HS2 to put on extra buses across 20 different routes.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Reform candidate included in list of ‘unsavoury rogues’

The Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough has been included in a list of ‘unsavoury rogues’ selected by the party.

Richard Brown was one of eight candidates named in a Mail on Sunday investigation.

The article said the right wing party “has surged in the polls but the party harbours some unsavoury rogues – from a candidate who supports Tommy Robinson to a covid conspiracy theorist who likened Boris Johnson to Hitler and even another who’s a convicted animal abuser”.

Referring specifically to Mr Brown, it said he “made misogynistic remarks about Labour MP Jess Phillips, calling her a ‘bitch’ in 2022”, adding:

“Last year, Brown also shared the false claim that doctors refused to treat Boris Johnson on the basis that he didn’t have covid, and claimed the pandemic was an ‘illusion’ that had been ‘planned’ by the government ‘since 2016’.”

Reform UK polled 16% — just 4% behind the Conservatives — in a YouGov survey last week.

The party announced former chartered accountant Mr Brown as its parliamentary candidate in August last year.

He describes himself as a “passionate believer in the United Kingdom as an independent agent on the world stage, self reliance, small state, lower taxes for corporations and individuals, control of immigration and cancelling net zero” on Reform UK’s website.

The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Brown for a response to the article but not yet had a response.

A Reform spokesman told the Mail on Sunday the article was “pathetic nit-picking”, adding:

“Reform UK’s candidates are real people living real lives. Like all parties, Reform UK has had a small number of candidates who have said or written something unacceptable.

“We are proud that, when made aware of unacceptable behaviour, we act, and if necessary immediately remove candidates that have gone beyond the pale. Again, this is not something you will often see from our political opponents.

“Richard Brown was rude about a politician. He also shared claims that at the time were reported as fact.”

Moped youths arrested in Knaresborough

Four youths are being investigated for riding a stolen moped, traffic offences and possession with the intent to supply drugs.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today, a police community support officer spotted three youths riding a moped without helmets in Knaresborough yesterday (Sunday, April 7).

It added five youths were subsequently arrested following “police activity” and four are now under investigation.

The statement added:

“House-to-house enquiries were carried out in the Stockwell area yesterday, however any CCTV footage would assist with the investigation.

“If you were in the Stockwell and surrounding areas yesterday between 3.30pm and 5pm please check any CCTV or ring doorbell-type CCTV for a red Yamaha moped and a group of youths.

“If you have footage or any information please contact NYP on 101 quoting reference 12240060502.”

Brew York buys The Mitre pub at Knaresborough

Brew York has acquired The Mitre in Knaresborough.

It is one of three venues taken over by the independent brewery via an agreement with Market Town Taverns.

Brew York, which was founded in 2016 on Walmgate in York by Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham, has also acquired the Horse & Farrier in Otley and Coopers Bar and Brasserie in Guiseley.

The Mitre opened in 1923 but its future had been uncertain since it closed last year.

The pub, which is next to Knaresborough’s grade two listed train station, has a large central bar, function room, outdoor seating area and rooms to let.

According to a statement issued today, the plan is to take over all three venues this month with no significant changes,

Brew York beers will become the bar offer – across traditional hand-pull cask and keg, including lager – and the street food offer that has been a formula across existing Brew York venues will be introduced.

The Mitre

All Brew York beers are brewed in York either at the original brewery on Walmgate or at the main production facility in Osbaldwick, so the three venues will be a showcase of Yorkshire beer.

Towards the end of 2023 Brew York recruited John Hoe as bar operations director to lead an expansion programme.

As part of this, the existing four Brew York bars in York (Walmgate and Osbaldwick), Pocklington, and Leeds city centre have had their opening times extended.

Brew York managing director Wayne Smith said:

“We’ve now developed four solid Brew York venues that all offer a dynamic craft beer experience and we’ve realised a key opportunity to further strengthen and grow the business in this area.”

Business finance group Fresh Thinking Advisory advised on the deal.

7 unmissable independent bookshops in Yorkshire

Last week the Stray Ferret explored how many people are rediscovering the joy of physical books – and this reading renaissance goes hand-in-hand with an increase in the amount of independent bookshops on the UK’s high street.

In 2022, the Bookseller’s Association reported a record amount of indie stores opening their doors, a number then surpassed in 2023, with 51 shops starting to trade.

North Yorkshire has always been a hotspot for independent businesses, and bookshops are no exception to this rule – here are just some of the highlights to pop into for a browse.

Castlegate Books, Knaresborough

(Image: Castlegate Books)

Tucked into a corner of Market Place, Castlegate Books has been a firm fixture on the Knaresborough high street since 2008.

Owned by Gary Cooper, the shop stocks new books online and in store, as well as selling a range of greeting cards and postcards of the local area. National book tokens are also redeemable in-store.

According to the Castlegate Books website, there’s over 100,000 titles available online, with free UK delivery offered.

Castlegate Books is located at 13 Market Place, Knaresborough, HG5 8AL.

Reading Roots, Wetherby

Reading Roots

Reading Roots joined Wetherby’s collection of thriving independent businesses in 2022, when Kiera Andrews was visiting family and spotted an empty store in the town.

Located centrally, the shop sells a diverse selection of fiction and a non-fiction books, including travel, sport, history – and a section all about Yorkshire.

The shop even offers work experience placements, collaborating with local schools in the area to inspire the next generation.

Reading Roots is located at 29 Market Place, Wetherby, LS22 6LQ.

Little Ripon Bookshop, Ripon

The Little Ripon Bookshop

It’s Little Ripon Bookshop’s 15th anniversary this year – a true testament to an enduring love of books. A family-run enterprise, it first opened their doors in 2009, and expanded into the shop next door in 2018.

Stocking a range of new releases and old classics, as well as children’s titles and a range of stationary, cards and gifts, the bookshop is a firm fixture of Ripon’s independent retail scene.

It also hosts book clubs for adults and children, plus evening talks by local authors.

Little Ripon Bookshop is located at 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire. HG4 2AT.

Imagined Things, Harrogate

Imagined Things

Imagined Things opened its doors on Montpellier Parade in 2017 to much fanfare and rightly so; it was Harrogate’s first independent bookshop stocking new books in nearly twenty years.

A lifelong bibliophile, owner Georgia worked as a radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital for six years before deciding to pursue her passion for all things literature.

The shop stocks an eclectic range of genres to suit different tastes, and can post books to anywhere in the UK.

Imagined Things is located at 21 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate HG1 2TG.

Criminally Good Books, York

(Image: Pixabay)

Criminally Good Books is a relative newcomer to the York streets, but due to its unique twist of stocking all things crime-related, it has already built up quite the reputation.

The quirky window sticker depicting the classic chalk outline of a body – surrounded by books of course – sets the theme and is an eye-catching to the shopfronts along Colliergate.

Whether you’re a fan of a thriller, or prefer a non-fiction deep dive, there’s a diverse range of authors and subjects to choose from. The first floor boasts an events space, hosting book clubs, author meet and greets, and even a burlesque show.

Criminally Good Books is located at 14 Colliergate, York, YO1 8BP.

The Stripey Badger, Grassington

(Image: Instagram @thestripeybadger)

If you’re looking to browse the books and have a bite to eat, The Stripey Badger ticks both of those boxes.

An award-winning café and bookshop all rolled into one, it’s located in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington – or as All Creatures Great and Small reboot fans might know it, the fictious Darrowby.

The shop is filled with many different genres, including children’s books, and they regularly host open mic poetry nights, book clubs and more.

The Stripey Badger is located at 7 The Square, Grassington, BD23 5AQ.

Books For All, Harrogate

Books For All

Looks are deceptive with Books For All in Harrogate – while the shopfront gives the impression of being small, there’s actually three floors crammed with a vast array of second hand books.

First opened in 1998, the shop reports to be the oldest, and only, second hand bookstore in the town centre.

It’s estimated they have over 20,000 to choose from – alongside a selection of vinyl and CDs – but they’re always looking for new titles to add to their collection.

Books for All is located at 23A Commercial St, Harrogate, HG1 1UB.

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Knaresborough tennis club to host open day

A Knaresborough tennis club is having an open day event this weekend.

Knaresborough King James’ Tennis Club is set to have open courts on Sunday, April 7, from midday to 4pm in the grounds of King James’ School.

The club was formed in 2011 as a collaboration between Knaresborough Tennis Club and King James’ School.

Club Chair Mike Forster said:

“Knaresborough is a close community and yet we attract members from a much wider area thanks to the welcome they receive – plus of course the chance to play socially and competitively and take part in our annual John Forster Tournament. Not to mention professional coaching.

“Our commitment to a friendly but competitive environment is evident from the Fair Play Award and social sessions are consistently well-attended by players of all ages. If you fancy a change of scenery or are picking up your racket again after a break, however rusty you are do come and join us this Sunday. You might just find yourself part of a winning team.”

The club has over 90 members ranging from students to retirees and offers social tennis sessions three times a week.

King James’ is the only Knaresborough club with Starbeck as their closest tennis club, which it competes with in the local derby.

The club has seven porous macadam courts and has regular club and match play. It had a triple success last year when Its mixed, men’s and ladies’ teams all won division 3 of their respective Harrogate and York Leagues. The trophies will be displayed at the Open Day.

The ladies’ squad was also awarded the first ever Fair Play Award from the Fulford Ladies’ Invitation Tennis League.

A just for fun tournament will be held in the afternoon and there is no need to bring a partner. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors can meet club members.

Discover these quirky Yorkshire cafés for your next coffee stop

Going out for lunch really could be considered a national pastime, but with so many options it can be hard to branch out and try somewhere new.

In January, the Stray Ferret revealed there’s at least 40 places serving coffee alongside cakes, pastries and light lunches in the centre of Harrogate – and that’s not to mention Knaresborough, Ripon and everywhere in between.

If you’re looking for a place with a bit of a difference, the Stray Ferret has compiled a list of some quirky Yorkshire cafés ready to be discovered.

Falling Foss Tea Garden – Whitby

(Image: Falling Foss Tea Garden)

Nestled in the heart of ancient Sneaton Forest, Midge Hall had been derelict for over 50 years before being transformed into the thriving tearoom it is today.

Offering a rustic, al fresco lunch spot with stunning views of Falling Foss waterfall, the menu boasts homemade and locally sourced treats such as sandwiches, cakes, scones, and speciality coffees.

Seasonal opening times are dictated by the elements – so make sure you check the website before setting off on one of the many woodland routes that lead to the waterfall.

The nearest car park is the Forestry Commission Car Park at Falling Foss which is free – but very popular in the summer months.

Falling Foss Tea Garden is located at Midge Hall, Falling Foss, Whitby, YO22 5JD.

The Winehouse Café – Nun Monkton

The Winehouse Café (Image: Yorkshire Heart)

No, you haven’t crossed the channel to France – you might be surprised to learn that there’s actually a vineyard off the A59, between York and Harrogate.

Yorkshire Heart is a family-run vineyard and winery, overlooking the countryside surrounding Nun Monkton. Customers can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyard, or on warmer days sit amongst the vines themselves to have a bite to eat.

The café itself serves hot drinks, light lunch options such as sharing platters and sandwiches, an assortment of cakes, and a wide range of beers and wines.

Yorkshire Heart also offer afternoon tea packages, vineyard tours and even on-site glamping for those looking for a unique place to stay.

The Winehouse Café is located at The Vineyard, Pool Lane, Nun Monkton, YO26 8EL.

Gatehouse Coffee – York

(Image: Pixabay)

You’re certainly surrounded by history in York, but never more so than when enjoying a cake or a coffee in one of the medieval gatehouses of the city walls.

Despite being part of one of the city’s main tourist attractions, the Gatehouse Coffee is something of a hidden gem, tucked away behind a thick wooden door, up a stone flight of stairs.

Once inside, customers can enjoy a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, and toasties, in a relaxed and cosy environment.

On sunny days, you can even venture out onto the rooftop terrace for spectacular views across the historic walls.

Gatehouse Coffee is located at Walmgate Bar, Walmgate, York YO10 2UB.

High Paradise Farm – Sutton Bank, Thirsk

A view across Sutton Bank

Accessible only by foot, bike or horse, High Paradise Farm certainly makes a case for being one of the most remote cafés in North Yorkshire, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a visit.

With a large outside seating area that customers can enjoy the North York Moors scenery from, it’s a well-known pit stop for walkers and cyclists attempting one of the Sutton Bank bike routes.

The tearoom prides itself on serving locally sourced food – so local in fact, much of its produce is taken directly from the farm.

However due to its isolated location High Paradise Farm opens seasonally, so it’s definitely worth checking beforehand to avoid disappointment.

The tearoom at High Paradise Farm is located in Boltby, Thirsk, YO7 2HT.

The Stripey Badger – Grassington

(Image: The Stripey Badger)

The picturesque village of Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales plays host to The Stripey Badger, an award-winning café and bookshop all rolled into one.

Well-known for an array of breakfast options, homemade cakes, traditional cream teas and its very own rarebit recipe, customers can pop next door afterwards to peruse the books.

If you think the shopfront looks familiar there might be a reason – in the 2020 reboot of All Creatures Great & Small the shop was transformed into grocers G.F Endleby.

The Stripey Badger is located at 7 The Square, Grassington, BD23 5AQ.

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Room – Knaresborough

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Rooms is a themed café located in Knaresborough, bringing a touch of vintage charm to the historic waterside town.

The décor is an eclectic mix of eras, with a 60s and 70s theme upstairs, and a 1940s feel to the downstairs area.

Known especially for its vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, the menu boasts sandwiches, soups and a large range of cakes – all served on vintage crockery.

Scarlett’s Vintage Tea Room is located at 3a Green Dragon Yard, Knaresborough, HG5 8AU.

The Wild Plum – Harrogate

The Wild Plum (Image: Ben Bentley)

Homed above boutique dress shop Snooty Frox which is located opposite Oatlands Play Fields, being further out from the town centre hasn’t done The Wild Plum any disadvantages.

The shop staff have to call up to the café to make sure there’s a seat available, and on weekends, it can be so popular that the queue often snakes out of the front door.

Once seated, customers can expect to tuck into a frequently rotating seasonal menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers but inspired by dishes from around the world.

The Wild Plum is located at 34-36 Hookstone Road, Harrogate HG2 8BW.

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