Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, will re-open with new traders from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 13).

The store on Fishergate closed for a major revamp and reconfiguration in January.

Ahead of tomorrow’s reopening, the Stray Ferret was invited for a sneak peek at the new-look layout.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured above) said:

“For the next few days, entry will be via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and Hive Cafe – which has remained open throughout the reconfiguration works.”

He added:

“Following discussions with our landlord, we decided that it was safe to allow customers in to the part of the building where the refurbishment has already been completed. The remaining works on the Fishergate frontage is ongoing.”

Hedley Hall’s vintage vehicles and collectables

The reconfiguration has increased floorspace and Mr Cooper added:

“We will be reopening with new entrants including Timeless Treasures (archaeological finds) Dennis Fielding (antiques and collectables) and Signature Baby Boutique.”

Halls of Ripon’s expanded offer includes a wide range of women’s fashion.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Operations director Barry Cooper, who works alongside his father Mike and runs the Red Buttons Jewellers in Halls, said:

“We anticipated that the post-covid bounce back for Ripon retail would be led by the city’s strong mix of independent businesses and we got it right.

“The proof of the pudding can be seen in the fact that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are downsizing their portfolios and closing stores.”

Simon Richardson with his Timeless Treasure stall, is one of the three new entrants.

He added:

“We’re sure that Peacocks who opened a few doors down from us at the end of February, and Trespass who opened in the former Barclays Bank building in November, will have chosen Ripon ahead of other locations.

“This is because Ripon’s mixture of independent retailers and hospitality businesses, combined with affordable parking and £2 fares on the 36 bus all make this historic city an attractive proposition.”

Read more:

• Ripon-based property company plans further investment in the city
• Famous Halls retail name back on Ripon high street

Harrogate pub Christies has reopened after closing for a month-long refurbishment.

The watering hole on Kings Road, owned by Punch Pubs and Co, welcomed customers to take a look at the new-look pub last Thursday.

The building has had a fresh coat of paint and builders have been busy giving the bar and outside a makeover.

Despite some changes, new managers Lee and Ben say every effort has been made to ensure the pub keeps its “traditional unique character and pub-like atmosphere”.

For drinkers there is a choice of five draft lagers, four cask ales and a selection of craft beers.

There is also a finger food menu that includes burgers and hot dogs.

Previous landlords Marik Scatchard and Jo Jarvis left the pub in July after over 14 years.

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A Ripon gym that opened nearly 40 years ago has closed permanently following a dispute between the gym owner and landlord.

Intrim 24/7 opened in 1984 and was one of the longest running gyms in the Harrogate district.

It was based above discount store Yorkshire Trading Company, on Queen Street.

A notice on the building says the premises have been repossessed by the landlord due to non-payment of rent.

The gym closed its doors in June 2021 but Phillip McKay, who has owned the business since 2003, told the Stray Ferret he had hoped to re-open.

But Mr McKay said he has now been given until the end of the month to remove his equipment and has given up on hope of returning.

Intrim was based above Yorkshire Trading Company.

He said the gym initially closed following structural problems and there had been a subsequent disagreement over who was responsible for repairs. He added:

“My business has traded in Ripon for more than 38 years and I have run it for the last 20 years. It’s an important part of the community.

“It’s been an absolute nightmare. The members have lost memberships and there has been a lot of bad feeling about that.”

Phllip McKay with his son inside Intrim.

Read more:

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Mr McKay has been driving a HGV for the past year while his business has been closed.

He plans to store his equipment until he can find new premises, but added he might be forced to sell it if the right property doesn’t become available.

He said:

“After covid we were doing really well and come June 24 last year, it was just gone. It has been a nightmare.

“Hopefully we will get the equipment moved and find another premises. I just don’t know what’s around the corner.”

The notice placed on the Ripon gym.

A notice on the gym says it was repossessed on June 28 for non-payment of rent.

Mark Johnson, operations and compliance manager at Yorkshire Trading Company, confirmed the landlord, Nicholls Property Partnership, had repossessed the property.

He added:

“The lease has been forfeit by the tenant for non-payment of rent owed. This information is displayed on the notice displayed on the property.

“All other matters are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and we are not in a position to comment at this time.”

Coronavirus restrictions have been brutal on Harrogate’s hospitality sector. Marik Scatchard, the landlord of Christies Bar on Kings Road, explains what it has been like running one of the town’s most popular pubs.

New Year’s Eve last year was a busy night and at that point, we had no idea how the year would turn out.

It was terrible when we got locked down in March. We had to throw about £2,000 or £3,000 worth of beer down the drain. That didn’t feel good.

We got the £25,000 grant which the government thought would see us through, but the pub company we are with charged full rent during the closure. It didn’t help us – it just helped the pub company.

I was in favour of the lockdown because nobody knew what was going to happen. The virus is not great for some people.

Because I’ve got three children in school, I’ve had two lots of having to isolate for 14 days, and we all got covid at one point. We were all alright after two or three days. I didn’t really have any symptoms. My partner was rough for three or four days. My little lad, you wouldn’t have known he had it if he didn’t have a test.

Read more:

• Harrogate pub landlord calls £1,000 grant process an ‘absolute farce’
• Harrogate district pubs were ‘praying for tier one’

During the lockdown, I went into the pub to collect post and make sure it was secure. I’ve been a landlord at Christies for 13 years but it was horrible seeing the pub empty. It’s worse now seeing it empty because, before, everywhere was closed, so you took it on the chin.

When the last lockdown happened in November, everywhere was open except hospitality. It feels like we’ve been unfairly treated compared to other sectors. All these shops are rammed but you can’t come into a pub and sit at a distance, it doesn’t make any sense.

Christies Bar, Kings Road.

But when we reopened in July, we spent a lot of money to make sure it was covid safe. We’ve had no cases in the pub and we were very busy in summer. We thought, ‘if it carries on like this, we’ll be alright for Christmas’.

We very much depend on conference trade. There are massive ones in July and September. The British and International Golf Greenkeeping Association conference is usually in January and we can take about £30,000 in just three days. That will be gone next year.

You can’t see an end to it and I don’t think we’ll be open properly until Easter. But I think trade will be good again.

The owner of a pre-loved clothing shop has closed the doors in order to focus her efforts online. 

Carolyn Duggan has been running Still Gorgeous on Cold Bath Road since 2017. The shop offered a selection of pre-loved designer and high street womenswear. 

Having closed in March, Still Gorgeous reopened in July as government restrictions eased, but faced multiple challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The shop relied on business from tourists, which has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, and the owner said she experienced a lack of compassion from her landlord. She said: 

“I did not get any sympathy from my landlord. I was just told to pay them the money. I know others who received a 20-30% monthly rent reduction or complete rent holidays for 2-3 months.

“They also increased the rent for the new tenant, so when I was leaving I did not have the option to change my mind.” 

The business moves at a time when other Harrogate businesses like A P & K Stothard, Bookstall Newsagents and Gambaru Fitness close their doors.

Read more:

• Liquidated gym Gambaru closes its doors
• Pet shop closes after 50 years run by Stothard family

However, Carolyn still feels positive about the change of direction at Still Gorgeous. She added: 

“I’m quite excited, to be honest – it is the way forward. You have to adapt to the situation and diversify. I am changing strategy to reach a more diverse customer base. I am engaging more with different channels like social media.

“I am feeling positive about the next stage. I have already reached people down south and abroad.” 

Carolyn’s Facebook page has already received many posts from customers wishing her luck in her new venture.