A windscreen repair ‘pod’ could be installed in the car park at Morrisons in Harrogate if planning permission is granted.

The supermarket has applied for consent to create the facility, which would be run by Autoglass, in the south-west corner of the car park close to Currys.

At 70m sq, the storage unit and canopy would take up 15 of the 875 parking spaces on the site. In supporting information submitted with the application, Morrisons’ architect Whittam Cox said:

“The reuse of just 15 spaces will have a less than significant impact on the capacity and safe function of the car park. There will be no adverse impact on the capacity of the car park including during peak trading periods such as Christmas…

“This proposal is not seeking any illumination for any of the proposed advertisements. Overall, the application site makes use of brownfield land, within the urban area.

“The proposal’s design, scale and use are appropriate for the area, and the layout and design of the windscreen-repair pod make the proposal a small-scale development.”

The proposal states that the pod can be removed and used elsewhere in future when it is no longer needed at the Harrogate store.

To view or comment on the application, visit Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03034/FUL.

A second application has been submitted for vinyl coverings on the pod, under reference 22/03035/ADV.

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Ripon motorists are paying up to 11.2 pence more per litre for unleaded petrol than their Harrogate counterparts, while those driving diesel cars, vans and lorries are paying on average 8 pence a litre more at the pump.

This morning, at the Morrisons Esso station on Harrogate Road a litre of unleaded was being sold at 179.9 pence.

But 12 miles away in Harrogate, Asda’s price for a litre of unleaded had reduced  to 168.7 pence.

It means a motorist adding 40 litres of unleaded fuel to their vehicle would pay an extra £4.48.

On Saturday the Morrisons petrol station in Harrogate was selling the cheapest unleaded in town at 170.4 pence per litre, but by contrast, the petrol station at its Ripon store site was charging 178.9.

Morrisons’ Esso petrol station on Harrogate Road, Ripon, where a litre of unleaded was 11.2 pence more than Asda and 9.5 pence more than at its Harrogate store.

Ripon resident Stewart Readman, who contacted the Stray Ferret to point out the difference in prices, said:

“I have an app that gives details of petrol and diesel costs in the area and further afield and would have thought that at a time when some  people are struggling to get by, that the petrol station operators would be a bit more even-handed when they are in a position to reduce prices.”

When asked how it justifies the price difference between its petrol stations in Harrogate and Ripon, a spokesman for supermarket giant Morrisons, said:

“In the UK petrol prices vary from town to town and even neighbourhood to neighbourhood and we will always strive to be competitive in each local area.

“Occasionally this can mean price differences between different areas open up. We continually review our prices and will look to reduce this difference as soon as we can.”

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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.”

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Morrisons supermarket in Ripon could be getting a car valeting pod.

The supermarket hopes to offer a ‘wash whilst you shop’ service in the store’s car park.

Morrisons would remove 10 car parking spaces to create the pod, which could be a prefabricated single-storey structure.

Services offered would range from a basic wash to upholstery and seat cleaning.

Plans have been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council this week and will be decided at a later date.

Documents submitted on behalf of the supermarket said:

“Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd would also add that car park valet offer a service which is highly valued by Morrisons customers and firmly aligns with their plan to bring more and more popular and useful services to the communities that they serve.”

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Switalskis, a group of three specialist law firms, has appointed Julie Guest as its head of people.

Julie Guest gained experience as a HR professional at CNG  She has also worked in positions with Morrisons, Pinsent Masons and William Hill.

The recruitment is a part of the group’s growth strategy, which has already seen an expansion with the investment of firms Atherton Godfrey and Pryers Solicitors.

Ms Guest said:

“It’s great to join a firm with such a strong focus on its people, culture and values.

“My role will involve further integration of people and systems following the acquisition of Atherton Godfrey and Pryers. I aim to enhance Switalskis’ already strong talent development and create an environment and culture in which everyone is able to flourish.”

John Durkan, managing director of Switalskis group, said:

“Julie brings a wide range of valuable experience to this role along with a proven HR leadership track record.

“She has been responsible for a number of successful change and development programmes within professional services businesses, and I’m delighted she has joined us as our first head of people.”

Julie has 28 years’ HR experience and will take on developing Switalskis’ talent, leadership and inclusion strategies.

Harrogate business leaders encouraged to sleep rough for charity

Business leaders in Harrogate will be joining a ‘sleepout’ challenge to help raise money for charity.

CEO Sleepout UK has organised the event, which will see business execs, directors and CEOs from across North Yorkshire sleeping out to raise money for local charities.

The event will take place on May 19th at Harrogate RUFC.

It is expected that around 40 businesses will participate in this years event.

Ison Harrison Solicitors, Cairns Hotel Group and Harrogate Borough Council are just among a few who will take part.

In previous years, the sleepout raised over £23,000.

Harrogate CEO sleepout at the RUFC launch

This year, the funds raised from the sleepout will be sent to YMCA Ripon, Harrogate RUFC community projects, Trussell Trust Harrogate, Walking With The Wounded and CEO Sleepout with 10% of all funds raised going to the DEC Ukraine appeal.

Bianca Robinson, chief executive of CEO Sleepout, said:

“Harrogate isn’t particularly associated with rough sleepers, but this doesn’t mean that homelessness doesn’t exist. We see people sleeping in cars with their children, on friends’ sofas, or worse; risking exploitation in exchange for a roof over their heads.

“The event is a chance for local people to learn about hidden homelessness in the area and what’s been done to help those at risk.”

CEO Sleepout UK was started in 2013 by Andy Preston, now the mayor of Middlesbrough, and has raised over £2.7m to combat homelessness and poverty.

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A man is recovering in hospital after being struck by a van driven by thieves at a Ripon supermarket.

The incident happened at 6.40pm last night at Morrisons.

According to North Yorkshire Police, a white utility van failed to stop after striking the unnamed man, who is in his 40s.

The extent of his injuries us now known.

A police statement said:

“The van did not stop at the scene and so we are appealing for information to help identify the vehicle and its occupants.

“Anyone who was in the area of Morrisons between 6.20pm and 6.50pm and has any dashcam or video footage, is asked to contact police.

“Dial 101, press 1 and pass information to the force control room, quoting reference number 12220012344.”

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Covid rapid lateral flow test kits are in short supply in Ripon, with pharmacies currently out of stock and awaiting deliveries.

Supplies of lateral flow tests are patchy at best in most of the country. Our reporter visited pharmacies across Ripon to find out what the situation is like on the ground locally.

Being unable to take tests poses problems for people requiring a negative result to be able go to work. People have also been urged to check they are negative before attending busy New Year’s Eve events.

Day Lewis Pharmacy, which has shops on North Street (pictured below) and Westgate, ran out of kits yesterday, but was hoping to receive a delivery later today.

The free kits are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but those wanting them have to provide a code, which they obtain online.

Boots, which is based in Market Place West, has a sign on its door which reads:

“Due to a surge in demand, unfortunately lateral flow tests are temporarily unavailable.”

And across the city at the Morrisons supermarket pharmacy, a supply of tests kits received yesterday was soon gone and no further delivery was expected today.

A member of staff at the pharmacy said:

“They went almost as quickly as they arrived. We are hoping that more of the test kits come in tomorrow.”

Lucy Kitching, who works for NHS England, had a frustrating evening trying to order test kits online via the government website, which states:

A Harrogate woman who found a dog tied up outside a supermarket during the heatwave today has condemned the owner.

Lizzie Meakes went to shop at Morrisons in Starbeck when she found the dog near the entrance at about 2pm.

The temperature at the time was close to 30 degrees centigrade on what is likely to be one of the hottest days of the year.

Worried about the dog’s panting, Ms Meakes asked staff at Morrisons to get water for him to drink and pat on his back to cool off.

She stayed with the dog for 30 minutes until she had to return to work, and the owner still did not return. Staff at Morrisons also helped to look after the dog.

Ms Meakes told the Stray Ferret:

“Bless him. He just look so distressed and couldn’t catch a breath without any water in sight. I held his paw which was wet through with sweat.

“I just felt so sorry for him, if I could have taken him home I would have.

“I do not understand what the owner needed so desperately from the shop to leave their dog out in this heat.”

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Lizzie with her dog Rosie.

Social media has been awash with posts by people concerned about the welfare of animals during the heatwave.

But they appear to have gone unheeded by the unidentified dog owner.

Ms Meakes put a post about her experience on the Facebook group Harrogate Host to spread the word, and more than a hundred people have so far commented.

Plans for a Lidl supermarket in Ripon have won the support of the city council.

Council leader Andrew Williams described a planning application by the German supermarket chain as a ‘win, win, win, situation’.

He said:

“It will bring 40 new jobs, increase choice for Ripon’s residents and also serve our growing population, with the new homes that we have coming on stream.”

Cllr Williams was speaking at last week’s full city council meeting at which he and fellow members supported Lidl’s planning application.

Lidl will join M&S Food at St Michael’s Retail Park if its plans are approved.

Harrogate Borough Council will decide whether to accept Lidl’s application to open a 1,100 square metre store at the £10 million St Michael’s Retail Park.

But the backing of Ripon City Council suggests there is support locally for the plan.

The Rotary Way site, off the bypass, is already home to a Marks & Spencer Food outlet, which opened last July.

Ripon, with a population of 17,000-plus and growing, is well-served by supermarkets, with Aldi, Booths, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s also trading in the city.

Lidl put forward its Ripon proposal following an online consultation.

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Following the consultation, a spokesperson from Lidl GB said:

“Many people have welcomed the proposed Lidl store, which would bring competition, increasing choice and providing a boost to the local economy through job creation. 

“Many also mentioned that a store on this site would reduce the need to travel out of the city to shop and therefore keep expenditure in Ripon.”

The supermarket has also submitted an application to open its first Harrogate store on the site of the former Lookers car dealership on Knaresborough Road.

 

Police have appealed for information after champagne and spirits worth more than £800 were stolen from a supermarket in Harrogate.

The theft took place at Morrisons on Hookstone Road in Starbeck at about 10.30am on Thursday April 22.

Officers have released CCTV footage of two men they would like to speak to. They believe the men “hold information which would be of assistance to the investigation”.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“While it’s recognised that the men in the images are wearing face masks, officers are appealing to anyone who may recognise them by their hair or clothing to get in touch.”

Anyone who has information can call the police on 101 and quote reference 12210103291.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.