North Yorkshire Council will axe the YorBus service next month nearly two years after it was launched.

The service, which operates between Ripon, Bedale, and Masham, was launched as a pilot scheme by the council in July 2021 to offer rural residents low-cost journeys on demand.

The service could be booked by residents via an app.

However, council officials have decided to axe the service as it had become too expensive to run. As a result, it will end on June 30.

The authority added that the cost per journey of YorBus was “significantly higher than the traditional, timetabled bus routes”.

The pilots costs around £230,000 to operate annually, but latest figures suggest YorBus journeys cost over twice as much as a scheduled service.

A YorBus service, which operates in Masham and Ripon.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said:

“We launched the YorBus pilot two years ago to enhance our existing public transport network.

“It has allowed us to gather valuable information about the costs and benefits of running a digital demand responsive bus service.

“Without sufficient additional funding being available to expand the service so YorBus can benefit residents across North Yorkshire, and with costs per journey remaining so high despite efforts to improve value for money, the pilot will come to an end as planned next month.”

When discussing the service coming to an end, he added:

“This will allow us to be fair to all residents and focus every penny of our limited resources on supporting bus services across the county at a time of unprecedented pressure.

“While continuing to work closely with operators to support at-risk services, we are also currently reviewing a number of initiatives to improve rural transport and asking the public for their views to help shape our future strategy.”

In 2022, the council bid for £116 million to improve bus services as part of the Government’s Bus Back Better scheme, but was unsuccessful. An expansion of the YorBus service was earmarked if the funding had been granted.

The two YorBus vehicles will be returned for use on other local bus services and drivers will be redeployed.

Earlier this week, the council launched the Let’s Talk Transport survey, asking residents to share their travel habits in hopes to develop the travel strategy for the coming decades.

Bus routes 136, 138, 138A, 139, 144 and 159 will continue to run, as well as alternative community transport operators in the area where YorBus ran.

Alternative travel options can be found here.

Read more:

• Councillor outlines plans for new train station in Harrogate
• £6m spent on transition to North Yorkshire Council so far

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Masham brewery has secured listings at 240 Asda stores for one of its popular beers.

T&R Theakston confirmed the deal with the supermarket giant to sell cans of its Old Peculiar pale ale.

The agreement will also see 140 Asda stores nationwide sell cans of Theakston Best Bitter.

The news comes as the brewery says it has seen a rise in demand for its beers.

Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said: 

“These two new listings are evidence of the continued strength of our portfolio. Theakston Old Peculier has continued to capture the attention of the country’s discerning drinkers, and we’re delighted that it is becoming more widely available as a result this growing partnership with Asda.

“Additionally, to see the increased off-trade success of Theakston Best Bitter speaks to a consumer preference for high-quality, handcrafted beers such as our own.”

Harrogate mobile company targets improved performance

A Harrogate telecommunications company is targeting improved performance amid a drop in revenue last year.

Mobile Tornado, which is based at Cardale Park, saw its reported turnover drop 12% from £2.59m in 2021 to £2.28 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

According to the company’s annual report, which was published in April, the loss of a customer in Canada accounted for 20% of total revenue and 10% of recurring revenues in the prior year comparative figures.

However, the firm said it now intends to improve its performance.

The company recently signed a deal with Leeds Bradford Airport, which will see it provide push-to-talk over cellular equipment for the airport’s workforce.

Jeremy Fenn, chairman of Mobile Tornado, said: 

“The board is fully committed to maintaining the technical advantages that have been established, at the same time driving a much deeper and wider business development operation.

“The outreach campaign that has been running since the start of the year has already generated a good flow of new partner and customer opportunities, many of them in new geographic markets. We believe that this momentum can be accelerated significantly if we can successfully deploy our solution into a public safety organisation.

“Our teams worked hard on multiple trials during the last 15 months and we are hopeful that we will very shortly see a successful conclusion with full platform deployment. This would represent a significant commercial breakthrough, and we are confident will lead to a material uplift in financial performance as we push towards profitability in 2023.”

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Boroughbridge company celebrates long-service staff milestone
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesses recognised as ‘best places to work’

A councillor who owns Swinton Park Hotel near Masham has said a new tourism body for North Yorkshire is “not in the interests” of the hospitality sector.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Masham and Fountains, said an organisation should be created for the whole of Yorkshire instead.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister was speaking at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday.

The council is coordinating a new tourism strategy to boost the county’s £1.5 billion tourism industry, which is home to popular destinations like Castle Howard, Fountains Abbey and Bettys tea rooms.

A draft destination management plan is due to be finalised by the end of June before a bid is submitted to government to become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which would open the door for funding.

LVEPs are replacing destination management organisations, such as the former Harrogate Borough Council’s Destination Harrogate, following an independent review.

Read more:

• Harrogate council spends £2.2m on new tourism body in first year
• Harrogate council agreed £222,000 in exit packages due to tourism restructure
• Bid begins to create new North Yorkshire tourism body

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire was awarded LVEP status last month and Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said having more than one LVEP in Yorkshire risked wasting taxpayers’ money as LVEPs would compete against each other to attract tourists.

The councillor also referred to Welcome To Yorkshire, the tourism body for Yorkshire that entered administration in 2022 following a high-profile expenses scandal. It still exists but is no longer funded by public money and is now owned by private business Silicon Dales.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said:

“The Yorkshire brand is well-established and well-regarded nationally and internationally. It’s not in interests of the hospitality sector that this is fragmented.

“Should North Yorkshire achieve LVEP status it will not deliver value for money if it is then used to be pitched as a competitor destination against East Yorkshire or other regions in Yorkshire.

“What is being done to establish a generic county-wide brand that all regions will subscribe to and support and what steps are being taken to co-ordinate with other councils to achieve this?”

In response, Conservative executive member for open to business, Derek Bastiman, said “work is being carried out on that” but added it will take time as the council is still only in its second month of existence.

Cllr Bastiman added that workshops were taking place across North Yorkshire for people and councillors to add their input into the new tourism strategy. 

He added:

“It’s vitally important as much work is done on the coast as is done in the Craven area to Richmondshire or Selby.“

Speaking this month, Conservative council leader Carl Les called the development of the new tourism strategy a “major milestone“ for the authority. 

He said:

“We have such a breadth of tourism businesses and attractions which we can be rightly proud of, but we want to ensure that the sector can grow and flourish in the future and help support the region’s wider economy.“

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Masham brewery has made two new appointments as part of growth at the company.

T&R Theakston has hired new recruits in its sales department.

Cameron Bell and Zak Spence have joined the brewery as sales development managers and will be tasked with focussing efforts on northern cities and North Yorkshire.

On joining Theakston, Mr Spence said:

“As a proud North Yorkshireman, I’m delighted to be working for such a well-known business which combines a strong heritage with exciting future focused plans.

“Taking over from Barry means I have some big shoes to fill but I am definitely looking forward to working with our customers to continue to deepen the strong relationships that he fostered.”

Mr Bell added:

“I’m looking forward to be working for Theakston and helping to drive forward its growth plans.

“There are plenty of exciting developments in the pipeline this year, which provide the perfect opportunity to increase awareness and availability of the brewery’s beer range across Northern cities and introduce our diverse range of products to new consumers.”

Simon Theakston, joint managing director at Theakston, said:

“We started 2023 with the announcement of growth within our team and, following a busy first quarter, we’re pleased to be further expanding as we look to deliver on our growth ambitions for this year and beyond.

“It’s wonderful to welcome both Cameron and Zak to our T&R Theakston family at such an exciting time for the business, as we prepare to launch more seasonal beers, announce new partnerships and continue to look toward to our bicentennial celebrations in 2027.”

Mercedes-Benz car dealer wins retailer award

A car dealership with an outlet in Harrogate has won an award for retailer of the year.

JCT600, which has a Mercedes-Benz dealership on Leeds Road, won the prize from the car manufacturer for outstanding performance.

The team at JCT600

The award was based on performance in car sales, customer service, approved used car sales, workshop retail hours and customer retention.

Gary Savage, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: 

“JCT600 performed consistently strongly across all areas of the business and the team’s collaboration was nothing short of outstanding, with remarkable engagement and positivity.”

Pictured above: Gary Savage, chief executive and managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK; James Knowles, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of sales; Michelle Caveney, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz brand director; James Jarman, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of business – York; Joe Tordoff, JCT600 Mercedes-Benz head of business – Harrogate; and host, broadcaster Dermot O’Leary.

Read More:

• Business Breakfast: Boroughbridge company celebrates long-service staff milestone
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate businesses recognised as ‘best places to work’

A London investment firm is in talks to buy Masham’s troubled Black Sheep Brewery, according to media reports today.

The brewery, which employs about 50 staff, said last week it intended to appoint administrators after being hit hard by covid and rising costs.

Sky News reported Breal Capital has emerged as the leading contender to acquire the company, which was founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston.

Sky News said “other bidders remained in contention to acquire the business, and that a deal with Breal was not yet certain”.

It added the brewery asked interested parties to table offers by last Friday, and cited a pre-pack administration as one possible outcome.

Breal Capital is part of Breal Group, which did not respond to the Stray Ferret’s request for comment today.

Charlene Lyons, Black Sheep Brewery’s chief executive, said last week:

Read more:

• Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery to enter administration
• Cowpat makes Masham woman £2,000 richer
• Masham businesses fear impact if troubled Black Sheep Brewery closes

A Masham woman is £2,000 the richer thanks to a special delivery from a cow called Storm Pooper. 

Kathryn Driver won Masham Community Office’s Cow Pat Competition, which was the surprise hit of the town’s coronation bank holiday celebrations. 

The competition, which was resurrected after a 25-year absence, saw four cows, named for the occasion Storm Pooper, Harry Plopper, Poo Patrol and Daisy Dung, let out at 2pm on Monday to roam around a fenced-off piece of land.

The land had been divided into squares, and tickets sold in advance at £1 per square. The winner would be whoever held the ticket corresponding to the square the first cowpat landed on.

The winner was the holder of the ticket corresponding to the square of land the first cowpat landed on.

Hundreds of hopefuls waited to see if they’d win the big prize, and after nearly an hour’s wait, it was Storm Pooper who produced the goods on Kathryn Driver’s square. She said: 

“I can’t believe it! It’s amazing. My mum got the ticket for me, so I’m going to use the money to pay for a holiday and take my mum away.”

The event raised £5,000, which will go towards the purchase of Masham Community Office’s building, The Old Police Station, retaining it as a community hub. The community office aims to reach a target of £215,000, and after months of hard work has so far raised £190,000.

Masham Community Office volunteers Gaynor Pearson, Tessa Klemz and Amanda Horsell celebrate the ‘culmination’ of the cowpat competition.

Hayley Jackson, community office manager, said: 

“Going through the process of fundraising for the community office building in the last few months has brought people together in such an amazing way, it’s been lovely to see.  

“We have seen just how much pride people have in the community office building and what a central role it has in the community. We knew it was important, but we’ve been able to see just how much it’s at the heart of the community and how much people care.

“The people of Masham see it as their building, and it’s really important to them that we retain it for the future. Who would have thought cowpats would bring the community together like this?”

Masham Community Office is a charity providing support and services to the local community, and is home to Masham Community Library, Acorns Preschool, Masham Parish Council clerk, tourist information and local art and craft shop Masham Flock.

Donations to the community office fund can be made online here.

Read more:

• Masham businesses fear impact if troubled Black Sheep Brewery closes
• Council-backed Masham project to show how rural towns can keep young people
• The snooker club in Masham with a remarkable historic claim

A three-day weekend of celebrations and volunteering saw thousands of people mark the coronation of King Charles III in the Harrogate district.

Stray Ferret reporters were out and about every day capturing the fun and numerous activities taking place to commemorate the historic occasion.

Sunday’s glorious weather attracted a huge turnout to Knaresborough Castle for Party in the Castle.

Sunday Party in the Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography

People getting into the swing of the coronation concert at Knaresborough Castle. Pic: Charlotte Gale Photography

Knaresborough Castle was lit up for the occasion. Pic: Mike Whorley Photography

The royal city of Ripon once again proved it is the little city that knows how to stage a big party as live music filled Market Place on Saturday and Sunday nights, culminating in fireworks to the sounds of a Queen tribute band.

Ripon Cathedral also provided a focus for official events marking the coronation.

Jo Ropner, Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and Dean John Dobson at Sunday’s coronation commemorative service at Ripon Cathedral

Mr and Mrs Alex Petherbridge and their daughters Tabitha, Silvia and Claudia arrive to watch Ripon cathedral’s livestream of the coronation.

Carr Close in Ripon enjoyed the best of the weather when it staged a street party on Sunday.

Fireworks in Ripon Market Place rounded off Sunday’s activities.

In Harrogate, a big screen in Valley Gardens broadcast the coronation live. Many community groups staged events in villages nearby and also organised volunteering activities yesterday as part of the Big Help Out national initiative.

Watching the coronation in Valley Gardens

Oatlands Community Centre’s coronation gathering

Community Fit’s Anna Gazier (left) and Lisa Tilburn, who work with HADCA, litter picking in Valley Gardens.

Three generations of bell-ringers took part in Saturday’s coronation service at St Wilfrid’s. Pictured are Sally McDonagh, mum Shirley and daughter Bethany, 11.

Sixteen thousand plants were woven together to create the royal cypher on Montpellier Hill.

The sun shone in Masham for its parade of floats on Sunday and nearby Kirkby Malzeard had a lunch party.

One of the Masham floats

Masham Market Square on Sunday

Flying the Union flag in Kirkby Malzeard

Read more:

• As it happened: Second day of coronation celebrations in Harrogate district
• As it happened: Harrogate district celebrates King Charles III coronation

As Masham celebrated the King’s Coronation, people in the small market town have spoken of hopes a buyer can be found for the Black Sheep Brewery.

Last week, Black Sheep announced administrators had been appointed after being “hit very hard” by the pandemic and a rise in costs.

The company, which employs around 50 members of staff, was founded in 1992 and has become a tourist hotspot bringing a significant amount of footfall to the town.

One local business owner told the Stray Ferret people are worried about a potential loss of income for their own businesses if the brewery doesn’t survive.

Tim Ledbetter, owner of Bentley’s of Masham, said:

“With it being such a big employer, there is then a big knock-on effect.

“We get a lot of trade from visitors of Black Sheep — it could be detrimental.”

The brewery reported turnover of £14.3 million as of March 31, 2022, according to its most recent accounts. However, it also stated a pre-tax loss of £1.18 million, compared to £862,871 profit in the previous year.

Read more:

• Masham’s Black Sheep ‘trading as normal’ as administration looms
• Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery to enter administration

Reports of  interest from several potential buyers has given some cause for cautious optimism.

Emily Swift, an employee of Through the Looking Glass, said:

“People were definitely concerned, but talks of a possible buyer has eased worries.”

A confirmed acquisition or sale has not yet been confirmed, and Teneo remains in place as the brewery’s financial adviser.

Coronation celebrations continued across the Harrogate district today.

Today’s events include a parade of floats in Masham, The Big Lunch in Pateley Bridge, free entertainment in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard, a picnic in Beckwithshaw, street parties and a fireworks display and Beatles tribute band at Spofforth Castle.

Our reporters were out and about capturing the fun and celebrations.

For a full list of events, visit our coronation diary here.

You can catch up with Saturday’s live blog here.

7.04pm – Big crowd for Coronation Concert in Knaresborough

Kelly Young (centre), alongside other chamber members

Nearly 400 people have gathered in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle to watch a livestream of the Coronation Concert on a big screen.

As the sun still shines, families and friends are seated with picnics and drinks waiting to enjoy the BBC concert. Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has also created a video compilation of iconic moments in the King’s life, including his christening, his crowning as the Prince of Wales, and music from the 1940s up to the 2000s.

Knaresborough Castle is part of the Duchy of Lancaster, a property portfolio owned by King Charles III himself, but the castle is predominantly run by North Yorkshire Council and the people of Knaresborough.

Kelly Young, director of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“We’re grateful to Matthew Walker and North Yorkshire Council for the funding to host this event.

“We hope to have many more events like this in the future”.

6.32pm – Coronation tea at Oatlands 

A good turnout for the coronation afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre in Harrogate. Pics by Oatlands Community Group.

4pm Carr Close Street Party, Ripon

With nearly 100 attendees, Carr Close in Ripon hosted a street party to continue the royal celebrations. Residents of the street have enjoyed a lunch in the sun, a royal raffle and lots of dancing and games.

The party began at 1pm and will end at 6pm when the road closure ends. It has been in the works for six months, after Harrogate Borough Council allowed the street closure.

The party’s royal raffle raised £100 for Harrogate Road Methodist Church in Ripon.

The residents of Carr Close gave a cheer to the new King.

Organiser Jane Lincoln, a resident of Carr Close, said:

“Today has made me feel so lucky to be part of such a lovely community”.

Carr Close resident Julie Carr said:

“It has been a great day, with lovely weather and lovely company.

“We have spent it with our friends and family”.

3.30  Ripon Cathedral begins Commemorative Service 

Whilst the festivities continue in villages across the district, the bells of Ripon Cathedral have been ringing to mark the start of a special commemoration service.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner, representing the newly-crowned King Charles III, arrived at a packed Ripon cathedral this afternoon for a commemorative service to celebrate yesterday’s coronation.

She was greeted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson. Both pictured below.

Among the 600 plus in attendance are civic dignitaries from across the county. The service will see the cathedral’s girl choristers, choral scholars and lay clerks sing with the additional accompaniment of Ripon City Band (pictured).

The service is being led by the Dean, with readings from The Lord-Lieutenant, and the commanding officer of the Royal Engineers’ 21 Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Perry Bishop. The regiment is based at Claro Baracks, Ripon.

3pm – Masham parade 

Flora has now moved from Kirkby Malzeard to Masham to cover the afternoon fun.

The coronation float parade has begun into the town’s square, featuring a performance from Elvis, a live band and the fire service. 

Richard and Sandy Cole, drivers of a Morgan in the parade, said: 

“It’s been a wonderful day. It’s lovely to be in the fresh air and always good to be in our cars. We feel we’re in good hands with King Charles III.”

The First Rainbows, Brownies and Guides won best float

Vick Greensit who’s two daughters were on the winning float (below) told the Stray Ferret:

“ It’s been a fantastic day and atmosphere. Masham has pushed the boat out and we all love a community event.”

Ellie Greensit (L) aged 7 and her 10 year old sister Jessica on the winning float

1.10pm – Kirky Malzeard’s Big Lunch gets underway

The Stray Ferret’s Flora Grafton has started her coverage of the district today in Kirkby Malzeard.

Around 300 people have gathered in the village in aid of the national Big Lunch event.

As well as a picnic lunch, visitors can enjoy maypole dancing, sword dancing and a bouncy castle.

Villager Karen Pickles said:

“People gathered together to have lunch and I’m just to glad it has brought the village together.” 

Pippa Manson chair of Kirkby Malzeard Parish Council (R), Karen Pickles and Jeni Cropper (L)

The Kirkby Malzeard Long Sword Dancers

12.50pm – weather forces change of venue in Pannal 

The earlier torrential rain has meant a change of venue for today’s festivities in Pannal to the Village Green and Church car park.

Ripon bell ringers prepare to ring for the King 

Their work high up in the south west tower of Ripon Cathedral goes unseen, but they are heard across the ancient city.

The 32-strong team of bell-ringers, whose numbers have increased recently with four new recruits, will ‘ring for the king’ once more this afternoon, with a joyous quarter peal between 2.15 and the start of the North Yorkshire commemorative service at 3.30, which celebrates yesterday’s coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Ringing master Martin Davies, told the Stray Ferret that 10 of the cathedral’s 12 bells were cast in 1932 and were rung to mark the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953.

This afternoon’s service will be attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Ms Jo Ropner, along with other civic dignitaries. It will be led by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson.

Our pictures show members of the bell-ringing team in action prior to this morning’s Sung Eucharist Service and a group photo supplied to us by Mr Davies.

Black Sheep Brewery in Masham is “trading as normal” after announcing it intended to appoint administrators.

The company announced the move, which it said was done to “protect the interests of creditors”, yesterday.

The brewery had launched a strategic review to explore funding options to develop the business, but last Friday confirmed it was no longer considering the sale of the company and then said yesterday it planned to appoint administrators.

The Stray Ferret asked the firm whether the move to give notice on appointing administrators affected jobs or trade at the company.

A spokesperson said that the “business continued to trade as normal” and that staff were being paid.

The firm added “no shares will be traded on asset match until further notice” as a result of the decision.

According to its most recent accounts, Black Sheep reported turnover of £14.3 million as of 31 March, 2022.

However, it also recorded a pre-tax loss of £1.18 million compared to £862,871 profit in the previous year.

‘Gloom’ descends on Masham

The move to appoint administrators was met with concern in Masham, where Black Sheep and Theakston breweries dominate the town.

Ian Johnson, a parish councillor in Masham, told the Stray Ferret that the news was a “difficult situation” which had caused “a bit of gloom”.

Read more:

• Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery to enter administration
• About 500 Harrogate firms set for ballot on whether to keep BID

However, he remained hopeful the brewery could turn its fortunes around.

He said:

“Masham is a brewery town. It’s a brewery town full stop.

“I hope there is still a future. We all do. I am sure someone would want the brand.”

In a post on its social media this afternoon, Black Sheep said it had received “supportive messages” since making the announcement.

Thanks for all the supportive messages since our announcement, BUT we've not gone anywhere!

We've just had 22 tonnes of malt delivered and are busily making more beer and can supply everyone as normal. So, if you’d like to help us, get out to your local and sup some Black Sheep! pic.twitter.com/CYHVR8EyIG

— Black Sheep Brewery (@BlackSheepBeer) May 3, 2023

It added:

“We’ve just had 22 tonnes of malt delivered and are busily making more beer and can supply everyone as normal.

“So, if you’d like to help us, get out to your local and sup some Black Sheep.”

Black Sheep, which was founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston, appointed Teneo as its financial advisor to support its funding review in April.

At the time, the company said it was experiencing good sales volumes of its beers, however there remained a significant constraint on funding due to economic conditions.