Boroughbridge and Baldersby to welcome first Pilates studiosNew coffee and matcha bar to open in HarrogateNew gym set to open on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road

A gym company from Leeds is set to expand to a second site on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road this year.

North Studio is planning to open in Wellington House, the building that is already home to cycling brand Prologue.

Posting an image of the new premises on Instagram, the company said:

“We are super excited to finally announce our expansion into Harrogate at the end of this year.

“Keep your eyes out for more details over the coming weeks!”

North Studio’s existing Leeds venue in Roundhay offers a strength room with weights and cardiovascular equipment, and a cycling room where spin classes take place.

It also has a more relaxed studio for yoga, pilates and barre classes, and the gym sells shakes, smoothies, teas and coffees on site as well.

Classes are £15 each with discounts available for block bookings, and membership starts from £70 per month.

It is the third business this week to confirm plans to open on Cold Bath Road. A new pet shop will open in the former home of the Refilling Station, while plans have been submitted to create a cafe-bar and record store further up the hill opposite Valley Drive.

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Sneak Peek: The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough

Harrogate’s The Secret Bakery has expanded and launched a second branch in Knaresborough.

The shop and cafe, in Market Place, sells baked goods, including artisan bread, cakes and sandwiches, which are all made at the Knaresborough Road site.

The new outlet, which also serves drinks, including coffee, is being run by the bakery’s co-owner Jane Spencer, a former teacher from Keighley.

She said:

“This shop used to be The Reading Room and we used to deliver bread here from our shop in Harrogate. When they decided to close, we thought it was a great opportunity for us to open in Knaresborough

“A lot of our Harrogate customers come from Knaresborough, so it’s nice that we can be here.

“I would say our most popular product is our bread, particularly our sourdough. People come from all over to buy it. Our cakes and scones are also really popular.”

Jane Spencer (right), co-owner of The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough and Aime McNaught in the new shop and cafe.

Opening hours are currently under review, but the aim is to eventually open seven days a week, from 8am until around 4pm and from 10am on a Sunday.

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Mrs Spencer and her husband James bought The Secret Bakery in November 2020.

The business is continuing to grow, with work starting next week to develop the Harrogate site.

Mrs Spencer said:

“It will give us some more space in the back to make all the bread and cakes and everything.

“We are also going to be opening later from Thursday through to Sunday and offering things like bread and dips. We will also be serving alcohol.”

The cafe area at The Secret Bakery, Knaresborough.

Starbeck computer shop owner opens new ice cream parlour

A Starbeck computer shop owner has swapped microchips for chocolate chips and opened an ice cream parlour.

Jim Ghazani has converted part of PC City, on High Street, into his new venture, which launched this week.

Café Gelato offers 10 flavours of Italian ice cream in cones or tubs, as well as milkshakes and soft drinks.

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Mr Ghazani, who has owned PC City for 20 years, said:

“It’s a bit different to computers. I prefer working here as I can eat all the ice cream!

“People can come and get an ice cream on a walk to Knaresborough. There’s also a school near here, so we thought children might like one on their way home.

“We wanted to add something to the community and local high street and ice creams are always popular – especially in summer.”

The shop opens daily from 1pm to 6pm during the spring and summer months.

Mr Ghazani, who lives in Harrogate, said:

“My favourite flavour is the coconut Bounty one, but the kids like the bubblegum flavour.”

Sneak Peek: New cocktail bar with a ‘cool vibe’ opens in Harrogate

A new cocktail bar that opens tomorrow on Parliament Street promises to bring something different to Harrogate nightlife.

Anyone familiar with Leeds nightlife may have heard of Roland’s and Domino Club; both are popular drinking spots that have grown a cult following.

The owners are promising to bring the same “chilled out, relaxed vibe” and premium drinks menu to their new venue in Harrogate, which is also called Roland’s.

The new bar has taken over the three-storey unit on the corner of Parliament Street, at the top of The Ginnel. The Ginnel is home to several much-loved bars including Montey’s, Major Tom’s Social and Foundry Project and Roland’s is hoping to capitalise on this.

The bar is kitted out with brown leather booths and seating for up to 60 people. It’s industrial finish with sanded wood and a huge iron chandelier gives it a trendy and cool feel.

Simon Vickery, general manager at Roland’s in Harrogate, said:

“The plan is to take Roland’s Leeds and mix in some aspects of Domino as well and bring it here. In Harrogate, there are a lot of chains which are all kind of similar and I think Roland’s will become a bit of a hub for people working in the hospitality industry.

“I know I’m biased, but I think it’s what a lot of people have been looking for without even realising. We’re hoping the quality of our product and the atmosphere we will create will mean people will spend their whole evening with us.”

Mr Vickery said people can expect a premium cocktail menu, an array of spirits and draft beer.

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Roland’s also has its own gin distillery, called Wolfe Bros. Gins will be stocked behind the bar alongside beers from Harrogate-based Cold Bath Brewery.

Roland’s originated in Leeds in 2014 and if the initial launch is a success it plans to extend into the upstairs, which will offer more seating and a potential events and live music space.

Mr Vickery said:

“Roland’s is very much an independent and we’re excited to be surrounded by so many others. Roland’s has been wanting to come to Harrogate for while but we just needed to find the right spot, and when this became available it was too good to let it go.”

Mr Vickery added there were still jobs available for full-time and part-time staff.

Sneak Peek: Wild Thing promises something unique in Knaresborough

A new womenswear shop arrived on Knaresborough’s High Street this week after the owner fell in love with the town when she was cycling through it last year.

Dianne Houghton said before cycling through the town she’d never visited Knaresborough, despite being from Hebden Bridge. She instantly knew she wanted a presence in the town.

Her shop, Wild Thing, opened on the high street yesterday.

She is no stranger to running a shop after working in fashion for 30 years she has moved the brand around four different premises in Otley.

Taking up 46 High Street, across from Market Place, Ms Houghton said she is excited to get to know the people of Knaresborough and their styles.

The shop is full and ready for new customers.

As the name suggests, Wild Thing isn’t all block colours and monochrome.

Ms Houghton said her style is a little “wild” and she loves finding something no one else is wearing:

“I’ve always wanted to wear something a bit different, something I won’t see anyone else in. Everything I have is a bit different, I love statement prints but also a classic jean and leather trouser is something you can never go wrong with.”

In the store you will find a variety of clothing and accessories from jumpers, midi dresses, jeans and even a statement necklace or two. Most things range from £10 to £80.

After 30 years in the industry, Ms Houghton has built up a following online. She said over lockdown she really focused on her online presence and is grateful to have built up the community she has.

Ms Houghton prides herself on not being a pushy sales woman but instead will listen to what customers want, she added:

“Through my life, I’ve been a size 6 and gone up to an 18 so I can really help women find something they love and feel comfortable in.

“I just love fashion, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

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The former DJ said although its a new location for her she aims to bring the same unique pieces and cheery atmosphere to Knaresborough.

Fattorini jewellers to reopen under new management in Harrogate

Harrogate jewellers Fattorini is to re-open next month with a slightly different name and under new management.

The name Fattorini has been on Harrogate’s high street for 190 years. But the shop closed last month following the retirement of former owner Anthony Tindall, who is the great, great grandson of founder Antonio Fattorini.

Previously called A.Fattorini, it will now reopen as Fattorinis. The new business is being run by Wayne Beales, who worked in A. Fattorini for 20 years.

The shop will stay in the same unit on Parliament Street. Mr Beales said customers could expect similar brands as well as some new ones and perhaps a more up-market feel.

The store is currently going under a refurbishment and Mr Beales said it will open in March. He added:

“I’ve been thinking about taking on the business since Anthony announced his retirement a year ago.

“During the sale it became apparent a lot of people were upset we were closing. It would be such a shame to see the name vanish from the high street.”

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The now-closed Bradford branch of Fattorini made both the FA Cup and Rugby League Challenge Cup.

A number of staff have chosen to stay but Mr Beale has said he is looking to hire two more full-time staff members.

He added:

“It’s really nice to know its moving forward with some of the same team. The name holds such a reputation locally, customers can see this as a new chapter for the Fattorinis they love.”