Knaresborough Business Collective, which was set up to encourage more people to visit the town, has folded.
The group, which was established in the wake of the vote not to create a Knaresborough Business Improvement District, announced the news on social media today.
Founders Natalie Horner and Annie Wilkinson-Gill said “the time has come to say enough is enough”.
The duo organised numerous initiatives for the town including Christmas trees for traders, a scarecrow festival and business awards.
Their decision followed the theft of 20 Christmas trees last week, which Ms Horner described as “absolutely sickening”. Her own printing business Sid Horner and Sons was burgled six days earlier.
It prompted numerous messages of support from people saying how grateful they were for all that the two women have done for the town.
Peter Lacey, from Knaresborough Chamber, thanked the group for all its “hard work for the town”.
The collective’s demise may reignite calls for another ballot on whether to establish a BID.
Ms Horner and Ms Wilkinson-Gill said on social media:
“This was not an easy decision, and one not taken lightly by either of us. We have powered through adversity, harassment, theft, abuse, criticism, vandalism, complaints, slander, all of which has crossed the line to personal attacks on our own businesses and characters.
“We did what we did because we love Knaresborough, it’s businesses, it’s community, it’s residents, but we could only handle so much when we are doing every part of it voluntarily. We have neglected our businesses, our families, our homes and our health, both mental and physical, and the time has come to say enough is enough.
“We have achieved so much over the last few years, and while we loved it, every single thing we have done has been met with some form of negativity or been destroyed. We both have strong shoulders and thick skin but it is too much for two people to take. We have six young children between us and five businesses. It feels as though what turned from people being grateful soon became what people just expected.”
The post said Ms Horner, who runs printing firm Sid Horner and Sons, had lost lost thousands of pounds by printing items for free and Ms Wilkinson-Gill had paid her own staff to work at events.
It added the two women will still do things for town on a personal level, including the Knaresborough Business Awards.
Knaresborough Business Awards. Pic Brian King
They will also spend funds accrued on CCTV cameras for traders “as our parting gifts for town”, with any money left being split between local charities.
The post concluded:
“Thank you to everybody who has helped us, thanked us, supported us and volunteered, we are so grateful and think Knaresborough really is the best place, not just all the wonderful businesses but the people who make it what it is.
“We are proud of what we have achieved in just a few years and hope if anything comes of this it is that everybody supports each other and their businesses.”
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‘Absolutely sickening’: 20 Christmas trees stolen in Knaresborough
A trader who runs a business group in Knaresborough has said she is “absolutely sickened” after about 20 Christmas trees were stolen.
Natalie Horner, co-founder of Knaresborough Business Collective, organises the annual distribution of Christmas trees to shops in Knaresborough. The trees make the town more festive and any left over are given to charity.
The trees had been delivered and were in the process of being sent out this week when burglars struck last night.
In a social media post this morning Ms Horner, whose own commercial printing business Sid Horner and Son was burgled six days earlier, said:
“I cannot believe I’m posting this six days after my shop was burgled. Last night two men came and robbed around 20 trees.
“We are going to do our best to get as many shops done as possible but it means we will be short now and will have to refund some businesses.
“The saddest part is any trees left over every year we donate to charities and people who can’t afford a tree.”
The post said the criminals had also broken festoon lights, adding:
“I’m absolutely sickened somebody would do this and it’s just a constant battle at the moment and we are done in.
“If anybody hears of trees for sale or sees them in somebody’s garden today please message us. Also please check CCTV If you are on the High Street as we believe they left via the bottom end of the High Street.”
It’s not the first time one of the collective, which organises initiatives that boost the town centre, has suffered criminal damage.
Several scarecrows that formed part of a half-term trail for children to enjoy last month were vandalised.
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Knaresborough’s first pop-up shop to open tomorrow
Knaresborough’s first pop-up shop will open on the High Street tomorrow.
The former Sid Horner and Son unit will provide week-long premises for a wide range of businesses.
Clothing and accessories firm Martha and Bea will be the first to occupy the site tomorrow.
Jane Weston, who runs Martha and Bea, said the concept was perfect for small firms like hers that didn’t require full-time premises.
“Natalie and Rob Horner have done an absolutely amazing job with the shop.
“It’s a stunning and a fabulous addition to the High Street.”
Ms Horner said the pop-up was fully booked until the end of the year and will host a wide range of businesses selling items ranging from glass ornaments to lingeries and photographic images.
Asked about the striking design, she said:
“We just wanted to something eye-catching that was fresh and clean and the polka dots seemed to work well with the pop-up theme.”
Sid Horner and Son now operates from premises on Finkle Street.
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Pop-up shop offer proves a hit with Knaresborough businesses
A pop-up shop on Knaresborough High Street has proved so popular it has been booked up for the rest of the year.
The owners of Sid Horner and Son decided to offer their former premises as a pop-up for a week at a time to help boost the town’s independent businesses.
After offering the shop at £250 a week including all bills, the company was inundated with interest and, within two days, had filled the calendar until 2024.
Owner Natalie Horner told the Stray Ferret:
“Knaresborough is thriving at the moment, with less than a handful of empty units and lots of new businesses opening.
“We know lots of people want to open a shop in Knaresborough and so want this to be an opportunity for independent businesses to test the water before signing in to big leases.
“We think it will be a great addition to the high street as well as a fantastic opportunity for businesses to trial opening a shop, and hopefully some will go on to open full time in town.”
Mrs Horner said the people who had signed up would be offering a range of products including homeware, clothing, stationery, swimwear, and eco and sustainability items.
The shop, which was previously used by Sid Horner and Sons before becoming a chiropodist’s treatment room, is currently undergoing renovations, including colourful paintwork outside,
The first pop-up is expected to open in mid-September.
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Hairdresser’s spooktacular display wins Knaresborough Halloween contest
The spooktacular display at Claro Hair Stylists in Knaresborough has been crowned the winner of the town’s Halloween window competition.
The impressive window on the High Street includes potion bottles, cauldrons and spell books, which have been created by owner Sue Orr.
The competition, organised by Knaresborough Business Collective, is being run alongside the Halloween scarecrow trail.
Annie Wilkinson-Gill, from The Crystal Buddha, who launched the not-for-profit business group with Natalie Horner, from Sid Horner and Son said:
“Sue was thrilled to have won.
“This is our third window competition through the business collective and the turnout has been great. Lots of businesses decorated their windows in the run up to Halloween. It really creates a buzz in town and people love looking at all the displays.
They all looked spectacular, especially alongside the scarecrow trail, which has done so well and brought a lot of people into Knaresborough. We’ve sold hundreds of maps for the trail. We did have some vandalism on the first night, but since then it’s more than made up for it.”