Knaresborough’s first food and drink week to begin on Monday

Knaresborough’s first food and drink week will begin on Monday.

Twenty-four businesses are involved in the venture, which runs from March 18 to Sunday, March 24.

It is one of many events being organised this year by Knaresborough Business Collective.

The collective, which was set up by independent traders Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill in 2021, created the food and drink to showcase Knaresborough’s culinary offer.

Similar to the Harrogate and York restaurant week events, it will give people cut-price deals throughout the week.

The deals include butchers meat bundle deals, 2 for 1 deals on cocktails and meals, early bird menus and a full afternoon tea for two for £32.

The collective said in a statement:

“We wanted to allow for both day and evening eateries to participate so decided not to limit it to restaurants only.

“We have 24 businesses including cafes, restaurants, pubs and some are offering more than one deal. There is such a huge range, there are butchers, restaurants, bars, cafes, delis.

“There are so many amazing businesses in Knaresborough it is just a case of showcasing what we have to offer and drawing people in.”

The collective has also revealed plans to run two more events, a health and beauty week and a retail week in the run-up to the Knaresborough Business Awards in summer.

The health and beauty week, which will take place next month, will offer salons a chance to showcase what they have to offer, and the retail event will occur in May.

Ms Horner said:

“We had businesses approach us after Harrogate restaurant week and realised there are so many to celebrate.

“We have launched to event to show what is on offer in Knaresborough, sometimes people get stuck in a routine and need to be shown what options they have. Sometimes people don’t realise these places even exist so it helps to put them on the map.

“All the businesses are so different they have lots to offer and we had to make sure there was a mutual benefit. We have recieved really positive feedback. We had no idea what to expect but it is getting lots of interest, we are seeing how it goes and if it goes well it might become an annual event.”

Besides advertising their events on the collective’s Facebook page, participating businesses will also put posters in their window stating their offers.

The businesses involved are:

Deals will be updated daily this week and shared to the Knaresborough Business Collective Facebook page.

Collective plans

Last year there were talks of the business collective disbanding after the founders struggled to balance their businesses, personal lives and the collective.

Ms Horner said:

“We had a lot of hassle last year, it wasn’t great. It is hard when you are volunteers but we have been offered more help this year and have focused on smaller events.”

But she told the Stray Ferret there would be no spring festival this year, as the collective plans to organise multiple smaller events instead.

She added it was expected to return in April next year and was never planned to be an annual event, despite running for the past two years.

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Knaresborough hero Bruce Reid seeks help for son

A Knaresborough man who has devoted much of his life to helping others is now appealing for help to get vital medical treatment for his son.

Retired firefighter Bruce Reid is best known in the town for organising free Christmas Day meals for up to 100 people. But he has also raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for a host of other good causes in North Yorkshire.

His son Andrew, 32, underwent surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. The operation successfully removed 80% of the tumour but it continues to grow and the family has set up a gofundmepage to pay for treatment abroad as nothing suitable is available in the UK.

Bruce, who was made an MBE in 2015 for services to the Fire Fighters Charity and the community, said:

“Surgery is no longer an option but there are some potential treatments abroad and this is the reason we need to raise as much as we can to make this possible to access.”

Bruce, along with son Andrew, daughter Amanda Glennon and nephew Callum Reid, are training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon on April 7.

The fundraising target is currently £10,000 but the actual sum needed is likely to be several times higher. However, because the family is still unclear what treatment is required, or the sum, they are just trying to raise as much as they can for now.

Bruce appealed for help at this week’s Knaresborough & District Chamber AGM and said he hoped to arrange fundraising events in Knaresborough after the half marathon to continue generating income. Members agreed to do all they could to support him.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret afterwards, he said:

“We don’t know how much we will need yet. We are gearing ourselves up. All many pledged will be spent purely on treatment for Andrew.”

You can donate to the cause here.

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Councillors back plea to remove Knox Lane site from local plan

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors will ask officials drawing up a new map for housebuilding in North Yorkshire to consider removing the 53-home Knox Lane site.

Developer Jomast has seen proposals at the location repeatedly thwarted by council planning committees, most recently in September.

The plans have been controversial in Bilton and Knox with residents claiming the development will destroy wildlife and a green corner of the Harrogate suburb.

More than 2,200 people have signed a petition calling on North Yorkshire Council to remove the site, known as H2, from inclusion in the new countywide local plan it’s working on.

If the Knox Lane site were excluded, it would significantly reduce the chances of houses ever being built there.

However, Jomast could be keen to secure planning permission before the new local plan is finalised in four years as the site is included in the current Harrogate district local plan.

Campaigners Margaret Cockerill, Alison Heyward and Jill Harrison collecting signatures.

Alison Hayward, who organised the petition, addressed councillors at the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee in Harrogate this morning.

Ms Hayward said:

“This community is made of individuals and families who treasure our peaceful natural surroundings and historic value. This community has residents who care and are worried about what will happen, and what we shall all lose if housing developments are allowed in H2.

“Including the site in the local plan would contradict the principles of sustainable and community-centred development.”

Councils are legally obliged to have a local plan that sets out where houses can be built over a minimum 15-year period.

The new North Yorkshire Council local plan is still in the early stages and officers are expected to issue a call for sites soon.

Knox Lane

Site layout for the proposed Knox Lane scheme.

Councillor Paul Haslam, a Conservative for Bilton and Nidd Gorge, said if houses were built at Knox Lane residents would suffer because it was not near a bus stop or other local facilities.

He said:

“Imagine walking Knox Lane in the dark to get the 36 bus. There are other issues around adding to congestion, access to emergency services, flooding and building techniques required.

“Residents have made a constructive local-based consideration for us.”

Cllr Peter Lacey, a Liberal Democrat for Coppice Valley and Duchy, proposed a motion to ask North Yorkshire Council to give “serious consideration” to removing Knox Lane from the local plan.

Cllr Peter Lacey

The motion was backed by all councillors except Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat for Knaresborough East, who abstained because she sits on the council’s development plan committee overseeing the local plan process.

The Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee has an advisory role so any decision on whether Knox Lane is included in the local plan will be made at a later date.

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Temporary lights installed on Knaresborough High Street

Multi-way traffic lights have been installed on Knaresborough High Street ahead of six days of roadworks.

The temporary lights, which are on the A59 and Gracious Street crossroads, were put in place at 11.30am this morning.

Delays are likely as the route, which is a main route for access into the town and for school drop-offs, is one of Knaresborough’s busiest.

It comes as Northern Powergrid carries out maintenance works and utility repairs in the area.

The Stray Ferret contacted Northern Powergrid to ask what exactly the work will involve. A spokesperson said:

“The works on Knaresborough High Street relate to two high voltage faults, in three separate locations.

“Engineers have attended the site to excavate and locate the fault, which has required necessary traffic management to be put in place to safely carry out the work.

“Jointing work will take place on Thursday 14 March to repair the fault, which will require testing. It is expected that re-instatement will be completed by the weekend of 16/17 March.

“We apologise to customers and local residents for any inconvenience and can reassure that we’re working hard to complete the works and keep disruption to a minimum.”

However, according to North Yorkshire Council’s roadworks map the lights will remain until Tuesday, March 19 at 11.59pm.

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Knaresborough hotel rebrands under new name

The Newton House Hotel in Knaresborough has rebranded as Orchard Club.

The 12-bedroom hotel, which is situated in a grade II listed building on York Place, was acquired by Lamb and Flag Enterprise Ltd after former owner Denise Carter retired in 2022.

The rebrand is part of a wider plan to create meeting rooms and other facilities for guests and residents, as well as accommodation.

The Newton House Hotel in Knaresborough has rebranded as Orchard Club.

A spokesperson for Orchard Club said:

“The rebrand was prompted by a desire to see the beautiful buildings in York Place improved and utilised further. It’s part of a long-term strategy on the part of Orchard Club to provide enhanced facilities for Knaresborough.

“Over time, the hope is to create additional bedrooms, a café/bistro and spaces available for community hire.”

One of the redecorated rooms in Orchard Club.

They added:

“The car park in the former Newton House Hotel will be turned into a beautiful orchard-themed garden dining area with a dozen fruit-bearing trees, providing a haven for wildlife and customers alike.

“Car parking will still be provided at the rear of number 9 York Place, which will itself be used to extend and enhance the hotel facilities.”

Each room in the hotel, which is based on a ‘tranquil orchard’ theme, has been renamed and redecorated with a particular fruit.

Richard Venable, director of Lamb and Flag Enterprise, said:

“Orchard Club is set to be a landmark destination for holidaymakers and business people, as well as a popular cafe and bistro for hotel guests and Knaresborough residents.”

The 300-year-old building, which is rumoured to have been built with stone from Knaresborough Castle, became a hotel in 1981.

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Asda set to open new Express store in Knaresborough

Wetherby Road Co-op in Knaresborough will close today (January 8) and then reopen as a new  Asda Express store two days later.

The move is part of Asda’s long-term plan to expand into the convenience market and become the second largest UK supermarket.

Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op in a £438 million deal in 2022 and plans to open 300 sites by 2026.

The new store will become the second Asda Express in Knaresborough following the opening of the Boroughbridge Road branch last year.

Andy Perry, vice president of convenience at Asda, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our Asda value and quality to the Knaresborough community with the conversion of the Co-op site. The roll out marks an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.”

A local Asda source, who asked not to be named, said:

“We have a full team that have all moved to Asda with a pay rise. Initially it will be mostly branded products and we may experience shortages for at least 10 weeks until Asda have enough sales data for accurate deliveries.

“Asda is the only major supermarket that currently doesn’t have a convenience range, so it’s a new concept for them too. We will have teething issues as with any new business but we urge our customers to be patient and look forward to seeing them on the other side.”

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Knaresborough roadworks to resume for 10 weeks on Monday

Traffic lights will return to a main road in Knaresborough for 10 weeks from tomorrow (January 8).

The lights will enable the next phase of a £200,000 scheme to repair and maintain the wall on Briggate to take place.

A section of the wall collapsed on to the road on September 14. Nobody was hurt but the rubble remained on the carriageway for almost three months.

Traffic lights were put up and North Yorkshire Council, which had been warned about the state of the wall multiple times in the run-up to the incident, finally began repairs on November 27.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said in November some cellars belonging to residents had been impacted by the collapsed wall and consequently the “works are now more complex than first anticipated”.

Work paused before Christmas when the first phase of repairs finished.

Now the next phase is set to begin. The council posted on social media yesterday:

“We will be carrying out further repairs and maintenance work to the wall on Briggate in Knaresborough from Monday, with work due to be completed by Friday, 14 March.

“This follows the collapse of a section of the wall.

“For the safety of our team and road users, two-way lights will be in place while the work is carried out.”

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Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company acquires Newcastle financial firm

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a Newcastle-based financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired Stephen McDine Limited, which is a financial advice business.

The move comes as the Knaresborough firm completed the acquisition of fellow finance company, RMB Financial Management Ltd, in October 2023.

Niall Gunn, chief executive officer and founder of Prosperis Ltd, said: 

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business, allowing us to continue to provide clients with an excellent level of service going forward.

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will greatly benefit all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the Northeast as we continue with our growth plans.”

Council leaders to address Harrogate business event

North Yorkshire Council bosses are set to address business leaders in the Harrogate district a year on from devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the authority, will give a presentation at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on January 15.

The speeches are expected to cover how devolution has progressed in North Yorkshire since last year.

Held at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, the event will be open to both chamber members and business owners in the district.

The evening will start at 5.30pm and people can register to attend here.

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The Stray Ferret’s daily newsletter gets a fresh new look

As the Stray Ferret enters its fourth year of providing the best media coverage of the Harrogate district, we have given our daily newsletter a makeover.

The newsletter provides a round-up of what our journalists have been up to. The new look makes it easier than ever to get a snapshot of what is happening, with links to all the articles.

It includes a nightly introduction from Stray Ferret editor John Plummer as well as a round up of our daily news content, plus Photo of the Week, lifestyle features and in-depth topics.

Mr Plummer said:

“We hope the fresh new look appeals to readers. We are very grateful to everyone who reads the Stray Ferret and hope you continue to support independent local journalism in 2024.”

You can sign up here to the newsletter to keep up to date and get the latest news straight to your inbox.

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Knaresborough duck race cancelled due to high river level

Knaresborough’s traditional New Year’s Day duck race will be held online for the second consecutive year due to high river level.

Knaresborough Cricket Club, which organises the event, posted on social media today that it had acted on safety grounds.

It said the event will instead take place virtually rather than by releasing toy ducks off High Bridge on the River Nidd.

The club said:

“It is with a heavy heart that we need to tell you all that the duck race has been cancelled on New Year’s Day 2024 due to safety reasons.

“The river is very high, and with rain last night and heavy showers forecast our partners on the river think that the river will be much too high to have boats in the river and it will be unsafe for all.

“Thanks to all that have purchase tickets. The race will GO AHEAD ONLINE. A link will be posted on here. The race will start at 2.30pm, or why not join us in person at Knaresborough Cricket Club from 2pm.”

It added that all prized will be delivered and funds will go to the club’s junior cricket section and local disability charity Henshaws.

After a wet few weeks, Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for the Lower River Ure and the River Nidd at Hunsingore in the Harrogate district.

The latest update for the Ure this morning said:

“Areas most at risk include low-lying land, including agricultural land, and local roads in the areas around Boroughbridge, Aldborough, Bishop Monkton and Aldwark.”

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