Asda set to open new Express store in Knaresborough

Wetherby Road Co-op in Knaresborough will close today (January 8) and then reopen as a new  Asda Express store two days later.

The move is part of Asda’s long-term plan to expand into the convenience market and become the second largest UK supermarket.

Asda acquired 132 sites from the Co-op in a £438 million deal in 2022 and plans to open 300 sites by 2026.

The new store will become the second Asda Express in Knaresborough following the opening of the Boroughbridge Road branch last year.

Andy Perry, vice president of convenience at Asda, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our Asda value and quality to the Knaresborough community with the conversion of the Co-op site. The roll out marks an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.”

A local Asda source, who asked not to be named, said:

“We have a full team that have all moved to Asda with a pay rise. Initially it will be mostly branded products and we may experience shortages for at least 10 weeks until Asda have enough sales data for accurate deliveries.

“Asda is the only major supermarket that currently doesn’t have a convenience range, so it’s a new concept for them too. We will have teething issues as with any new business but we urge our customers to be patient and look forward to seeing them on the other side.”

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Thomas the Baker set to open new store in Boroughbridge

Thomas the Baker plans to open a store on Boroughbridge High Street, where the Cooplands bakery used to be.

Cooplands closed its Boroughbridge store last April following “an in-depth review of the business”, having opened it nearly three years ago in February 2021. The Scarborough-based chain’s closest store is now on Beulah Street, Harrogate.

Beulah Street Cooplands in Harrogate.

Thomas the Baker has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council for a replacement shopfront including new non-illuminated fascia and projecting sign.

People can comment on the application concerning the new store at 33 High Street until this Sunday, January 7. The store would add to the current number of bakeries in the market tow, which include Gilchrist’s and Havenhands.

The family-owned bakery chain headquartered in Helmsley was established in 1981. The company has 30 shops across Yorkshire and the North-East, including: Ripon, Knaresborough, Thirsk, Acomb, Easingwold, Haxby, Kirbymoorside, Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, Selby and four in York.

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Jules B to open in Harrogate in September

Luxury fashion retailer Jules B said today it hopes to open in Harrogate in September.

The Stray Ferret revealed in April the company planned to trade in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent.

The retailer sells women’s designer brands including Holland Cooper, Hayley Menzies, Stine Goya, Oska and Lurdes Bergada.

The Harrogate shop, which will be the company’s sixth store, has been empty since Jaeger cleared its stock in January last year. But it is now set to reopen in the second week of September.

The shop, which will sell womenswear only, will feature an autumn and winter collection when it opens.

An artist’s impression of how the shop will look.

Julian Blades, managing director of Jules B, has said its brands “will be perfect for the sophisticated customer demographic in Harrogate and surrounding areas”

The retailer is currently recruiting for full-time and part-time staff for Harrogate, including a store manager and assistant store manager.

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Several national retailers, including Pret A Manger and Hotel Chocolat, have announced they will join Harrogate’s high street recently.

Oliver Bonas is also due to open in September.

Mr Blades and his wife, Rhona, opened their first womenswear store in Jesmond in 1984.