McColl's Archives - The Stray Ferret

Proposals to revive Starbeck’s ‘burnt-out shell’ due by Christmas

A public exhibition on plans to bring the former McColl’s building in Starbeck back into use is expected to be held before Christmas.

The empty High Street building has blighted High Street since it was ravaged by fire five years ago.

In an article on his Community News website, Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said plans for ground floor retail and flats above were finally coming to fruition.

Mr Jones, who described the building as “a burnt-out shell” that local people and residents’ groups were keen to see redeveloped, commented after meeting the owner of the site.

The article said the site owner, who was not named, “outlined the various issues they have had with developing a proposal” but “were able to reassure Mr Jones that they would be bringing a scheme forward very soon”.

It added the owner and architect hoped to run a public exhibition in Starbeck before Christmas “so that Starbeck residents can examine the proposals and have their say”.

Mr Jones said:

“This is very positive as, like many others, I have been keen to see proposals brought forward so that we can see progress on removing a building which is, frankly, an eyesore. It is important that in bringing this site back into use the setting next to St Andrew’s Church is respected.

“I was grateful to the owner for sharing his thoughts with me and I urge people to keep an eye out for the start of the public consultation.”

A five-year eyesore

The building was painted last year.

The historic building in the centre of Starbeck was originally a Harper’s grocery store and still bears the name. It continued to function as a supermarket but was vacant when fire broke out in July 2018.

It was brightened up last year when regulars at the nearby Prince of Wales pub painted it in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag.

However, its size, history and prominence lead many to regard it as a key part of regenerating Starbeck.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, approved plans submitted by Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough in November 2021 to demolish the building.

The owner hoped to build retail and housing units on the site but a formal planning application for the development did not proceed after the council asked for safety documents, which were later submitted, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.

Planning agent Pete Gleave from Zerum Consulting told the Stray Ferret in February last year the developer would “was looking to progress the redevelopment of the site as quickly as possible and will be working up a planning application in the coming months” but the building remains derelict.

Ripon convenience store to be transformed into a Morrisons Daily

The McColl’s convenience store in Bondgate in Ripon, will close at midday today (Wednesday) and reopen on September 22 as a Morrisons Daily.

The Post Office counter within the shop closed yesterday and will also reopen on September 22.

The closure will enable changes to the internal layout of the shop and rebranding to take place as part of a national rolling programme of conversion works, following Morrisons’ acquisition of the retailer last year.

McColl’s had 1,164 shops when it was bought out of administration in May 2022. Of these, Morrisons said it would sell off 132 which were loss-making, while profitable outlets would be retained and rebranded as Morrisons Daily stores.

In a second-quarter trading update issued in June, Morrisons said the 400 stores it has converted so far had seen increased sales.

Harrogate McColl’s to reopen as Morrisons Daily

A Harrogate convenience store is set to close temporarily next week for refitting and rebranding works.

The McColl’s shop on Royal Parade, opposite the Royal Pump Room Museum, will close at noon on Tuesday, September 12 and reopen 10 days later as a Morrisons Daily. The changes will include complete rebranding and alterations to the internal layout of the shop.

The new-look store is due to reopen at 7am on Friday, September 22.

A Morrisons spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:

“The new Morrisons Daily fresh food convenience store in Harrogate will offer customers a carefully tailored mix of Morrisons own-brand products alongside branded favourites.

“As well as new ranges, the store will receive a complete redesign internally and externally, incorporating Morrisons bright, modern branding. Fresh food is at the heart of the store, and we hope customers will love it.”

The revamp of the Royal Parade shop is part of a rolling programme of works, as McColl’s shops are converted into Morrisons Daily stores following the acquisition of McColl’s by Morrisons last year.

McColl’s had 1,164 shops when it was bought out of administration by Morrisons in May 2022. Of these, Morrisons said it would sell off 132 which were loss-making, including the one on Harlow Hill. The rest – such as the Bilton store, which was converted last year – are to be rebranded as Morrisons Daily stores.

In a second-quarter trading update issued in June, Morrisons said the 400 stores it has converted so far had seen increased sales. It added that it now has almost 650 Morrisons Daily stores across the UK, and expects to have almost 1,000 by the end of the year.

Councillor says Harrogate McColl’s closure has led to resurgence for independents

The closure of the McColl’s convenience store on Harlow Hill in Harrogate has led to a resurgence for independent retailers in the area, according to the local councillor.

McColl’s on Otley Road closed last year after national chain Morrisons bought the company and said it would be shutting over 100 loss-making stores.

The shop was a Co-op for many years before being sold to McColl’s in 2016 as part of £117m deal for 298 stores.

However, McColl’s struggled with competition from independent shops nearby, as well as the Co-ops further down Otley Road and in Pannal.

McColl’s was close to the greengrocer Regal Fruiterers and Harlow Stores, and the area also features Nord Coffee House and the Sandwich Deli.

But this month North Yorkshire Council spelled the end of the building as a shop when it approved its conversion into a three bedroom flat.

Independent councillor Michael Schofield, who is also the landlord of the The Shepherd’s Dog pub on Harlow Hill, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the shop’s closure has had a positive effect on independent retailers in the area.

Cllr Schofield said:

“Whilst it is not good to see people losing their jobs when a business closes I believe it has helped create a resurgence for our independent retailers.

“We have seen Regal Fruiterers move into the area and a revamped Harlow Stores with longer opening times, both of which have actually helped drive an increase in footfall on Otley Road and enrich the community spirit.

“It is a shame that no-one could see the potential in the old McColl’s site for other outlet purposes such as a chemist, however the building requires a lot of work on its internal structure and therefore probably proved to costly for any interested business.”

Starbeck’s former Harper’s could be turned into housing

The former McColl’s store ravaged by fire in Starbeck could be turned into housing.

Built on High Street as a Harper’s grocery, the building was later used as a McColl’s but closed and was derelict when fire struck in 2018.

Since then, the building has frequently been described as an eyesore, although it was brightened this year when volunteers painted it in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

An agent for the owners of the building said today there are plans for a “residential-led development”.

Pete Gleave, from Zerum Consulting, told the Stray Ferret:

“Our client is looking to progress proposals with the local planning authority and has entered into pre-application discussions with planning officers.

“This will be a residential-led development and we will shortly be commencing work on a formal planning application.

“Our client recognises the importance of bringing the site forward for redevelopment and we will now look to do so in a timely manner.”

Mr Gleave would not reveal who owned the building. He said he was “unable to pass on client details without their approval”.

Andrew Hart, founder of Starbeck Community Group and owner of Starbeck Post Office, said the building was “just rotting away” and urgently needed attention. He added:

“Anything is better than nothing — it can’t stay as it is. The building is dangerous. We know it has asbestos problems inside and is an eyesore.

“But I’ll be disappointed if they don’t put some kind of retail function in on the ground floor.

“If we can get a prestigious restaurant, bar or shop in there then we can get other businesses in. There can be housing upstairs.”

In February, Harrogate Borough Council granted an application by Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough to demolish the building.

The plans had been put on hold in December after the council asked for safety documents, which were later provided, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.

McColl’s store in Harrogate set to close

A McColl’s in Harrogate is among more than 100 of the convenience stores set to close.

The news comes after Morrisons completed the acquisition of McColl’s from administration last week.

Morrisons said in a statement it now plans to close 132 McColl’s, including the Otley Road store at Harlow Chase. About 1,300 jobs nationally are at risk.

The Stray Ferret visited the Otley Road shop this afternoon and was told it was still trading for the time being. The member of staff said she was the only person employed there and was awaiting further details.

There are currently 1,164 McColl’s stores trading, 286 of which are Morrisons Dailys.

The company said it planned to convert “the substantial majority” of McColl’s stores to Morrisons Dailys within the next two to three years but it plans to sell 28 stores and close 132 others.

It said:

“A number of McColl’s stores have been loss-making for some time and although some of these stores will be able to return to profitability over time, there are 132 stores where there is no realistic prospect of achieving a breakeven position in the medium term.

“The majority of these 132 stores will now be closed in an orderly fashion over the remainder of the year.

“Regrettably this means that around 1,300 McColl’s colleagues will be placed at risk of redundancy. Every affected colleague however will be offered alternative employment at a nearby McColl’s store, Morrisons store, logistics operation or foodmaking centre.”

Of the 132 stores to close, 55 include a Post Office counter. Morrisons will delay the closure of these stores until next year to allow them to serve communities over Christmas.

Future of Harrogate district McColl’s in question

McColl’s has been placed into administration raising questions about the future of its stores in the Harrogate district.

The McColl’s Retail Group made the formal announcement today saying that reduced consumer spending and the impact of increased costs had impacted the businesses.

The Harrogate district’s stores are on Royal Parade, Otley Road and King Edward Drive in Harrogate and Bondgate in Ripon.

Morrisons had offered a deal to save the failing company, but in the past few minutes it’s been reported that the owners have appointed administrators.

The stores in Harrogate and Ripon could face closure.

The statement from McColl’s said:

“Whilst the constructive discussions with the company’s key wholesale supplier to find a solution with them to the company’s funding issues and create a stable platform going forward had made significant progress, the lenders made clear that they were not satisfied that such discussions would reach an outcome acceptable to them.

“In order to protect creditors, preserve the future of the business and to protect the interests of employees, the board was regrettably therefore left with no choice other than to place the company in administration.”

It also said the administrators intended to sell the business to a third-party purchaser “as soon as possible.”

Read more:

Councillor welcomes go-ahead for demolition of Starbeck ‘eyesore’

A councillor who has long campaigned for action on a burned-out Starbeck shop has welcomed approval of plans to demolish the building widely considered to be the area’s biggest eyesore.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Philip Broadbank said the approval was a big boost for Starbeck High Street, which has been “blighted” by the former McColl’s convenience store ever since it was gutted and left roofless during a fire more than three years ago.

Cllr Broadbank said:

“As a resident of Starbeck myself I am pleased that at long last the site owner has now got permission to demolish this semi-derelict building.

“We need to see progress now and work towards getting a prestigious new development on the site that will help to enhance the High Street.

“It is time for some positive thinking and positive action now that the demolition issue has been decided.”

The former McColl’s store has been described as an “eyesore” and “ramshackle” by locals who have become increasingly frustrated with its unsightly appearance on the High Street.

Cllr Broadbank said he would now hold talks with the building owners Bates and Hemingbrough over their plans to revive the site by building new retail and 15 housing units in place of the current building.

These plans have already been discussed with Harrogate Borough Council, although a planning application has yet to be submitted.

The council had previously questioned whether the building next to St Andrew’s Church could be refurbished, before more recently putting the demolition plans on hold to allow for more safety documents to come forward.

‘I want to get things moving’

Cllr Broadbank had previously argued the building was beyond restoration and should be torn down.

The council’s decision to allow this finally came to the joy of residents in January and the Leeds-based site owners now have five years to complete their demolition and construction works.

Cllr Broadbank, who represents Starbeck on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said he was hopeful that progress on the site could be made at a much faster pace than has been done up until now.

He said:

“Like many Starbeck residents I want to get things moving now that demolition has finally been approved.

“Clearly as there are more than 15 homes proposed in what they would like to see on the site there will be some discussions now with the borough council over financial contributions to support affordable housing in the district and other aspects that now need to be progressed.”

Plan to demolish ‘eyesore’ Starbeck building finally approved

Harrogate Borough Council has given the green light to plans to demolish the former McColl’s supermarket in Starbeck, over three-and-a-half years since it was ravaged by fire.

Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough submitted an application in November to demolish it under permitted development rules.

This permits the demolition of a building without the prior approval of the council if it is deemed a safety risk.

The owner hopes to build new retail and housing units on the site, although these plans are yet to be formally submitted.

The plans were put on hold in December after the council asked for safety documents, which have now been provided, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.

The council says the developer now has three years to demolish the building.

Planning agent Pete Gleave from Zerum Consulting told the Stray Ferret the developer will submit a planning application for the new building “in the coming months”.

“There are currently no timescales for demolishing the building. Our client is however looking to progress the redevelopment of the site as quickly as possible and will be working up a planning application in the coming months.”

The fire-damaged building has frequently been described as an ‘eyesore’ blighting the centre of Starbeck.

Andrew Hart, founder of Starbeck Community Group and owner of Starbeck Post Office, said he hopes things can now finally move forward.

“Starbeck Community Group are pleased that demolition has been granted but we are hoping that the owners will expedite the work quickly, certainly the demolition.

“We also hope that the original stone frontage and the carved ‘Harpers’ stone can be saved and used.”

Demolition of former McColl’s in Starbeck delayed

A proposal to fast-track the demolition of the former McColl’s supermarket in Starbeck has been put on hold by Harrogate Borough Council.

Fire ripped through the supermarket in July 2018 and more than three years later, the Victorian-era building is still a burned-out shell with much of its roof missing.

Bates & Hemingborough, which owns the building, submitted an application in November to demolish the building under permitted development rules, which allows the demolition of a building without the prior approval of the council if it is deemed a safety risk.

The owner hopes to build new retail and housing units on the site.

However, planning documents reveal the council has written to the owner to say that the council must have the final say on the demolition.

It has requested the owner submits further documents, including a construction and safety plan, details of how the demolition would affect the public footpath and St Andrew’s Church and details of where construction vehicles would park on the site.

Andrew Hart, founder of Starbeck Community Group and the owner of Starbeck Post Office, said he agreed with the council asking for conditions around the demolition but wanted to see quicker progress.

He added:

“The Starbeck Community Group have been in constant correspondence with our councillor, Harrogate Borough Council and the two owners of this property for months now.

“We have been promised real progress by all concerned but in reality we are again facing delaying tactics.”