North Yorkshire Police has issued CCTV images for two separate shop thefts in Harrogate.
Police are appealing after a theft involving four women from Next clothes store in the Victoria Shopping Centre.
The incident happened in February and involved four women entering the store with pushchairs.
The force issued a statement today, which said:
“They walked around the shop, piling items of clothing and hiding them on the pushchairs. They left the store without paying for the items, which are estimated to be worth more than £500. Please contact us if you recognise the people pictured on CCTV, as they may have information that will assist our investigation.”
Next CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police
Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk, call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. Quote reference 12240022674 when passing on information.
Harrogate Waitrose theft
Police have also issued a separate CCTV image of a woman they would like to speak to after a theft from Waitrose in Harrogate.
The incident happened on Saturday, March 2.
A police statement said the theft involved:
“A woman filling a basket with products worth more than £200, and leaving without paying. Please contact us if you recognise the woman pictured on CCTV, as she may have information that will assist our investigation.”
Waitrose CCTV supplied by North Yorkshire Police
Email katie.hicks@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12240038563 when passing on information
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Mint Velvet opens new Harrogate store
Women’s high street fashion chain Mint Velvet has opened its new Harrogate store today.
The company, which was previously located across the road from its new unit, has taken over the former Joules store on James Street.
The previous store closed its doors after 11 years on Saturday. The new 2,500sqft shop opened this morning.
Store manager, Suzie Poole, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were looking for a bigger unit for around two years.
“It had to have character and enough space for the customers to really appreciate the products, since we get such high footfall.”
The new store offers a range of women’s clothing and accessories and is the third-largest Mint Velvet store in the UK.
Ms Poole added:
“We’ve had a fantastic reception since opening this morning.
“It’s been lovely to see the excitement because there was a lot of anticipation around the new store.”
The company, which launched in 2009, had already taken over two former Joules store in Solihull and Chelmsford. It follows Joules falling into administration in November 2022, until Next bought the business for £34 million, plus another £7 million for the head office.
Mint Velvet in Harrogate will be open seven days a week.
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Next rescue deal set to keep Joules open in Harrogate
Harrogate’s Joules shop is set to remain open after the retailer was rescued from administration by founder Tom Joule and high street brand Next.
The deal, announced today, will see 19 Joules stores closed with immediate effect — but Harrogate’s James Street shop is not among them.
More than 130 staff across the country have lost their jobs, but 1,450 have been retained. Next paid £34 million for the business, giving it a 74% share to Mr Joule’s 26%.
He said:
“After three years away from the operational side, I’m truly looking forward to inspiring teams with clear direction to excite and recapture the imagination of the customer again.
“Our customers have always trusted us to lead, not follow, with products that reflect their lifestyle. It’s important that we live up to the high standards they desire in design, quality and… the service they expect.
“I’m so pleased that we have been able to strike a deal that protects the future of the company for all its loyal customers [and] its employees.”
Next is expected to continue to sell from the Joules website, as well as adding the brand to its own site from 2024.
Marks and Spencer has already warned of a difficult time for retail as businesses face rising costs and falling consumer spending.
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Harrogate Discount Store to close this month
A discount shop which has operated in Harrogate for the last two years is set to close its doors at the end of the month.
The Harrogate Discount Store took on prime retail space on James Street on a temporary basis after Next moved to the Victoria Shopping Centre.
It will close on Tuesday, January 25 but the owners hope to find smaller premises elsewhere in the town centre.
The company moved in when the landlord wanted a business to fill the space while seeking planning permission for a renovation.
Harrogate Borough Council approved the renovation works, which include refurbishment of the shop front and the addition of separate access for the upper floors of the building, in December.
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In the planning documents, the landlord said the proposal would improve the chances of attracting a “quality long-term tenant”.
Gavin Broadbent, who runs the Harrogate Discount Store with another employee on behalf of the owners, told the Stray Ferret:
“As far as I am aware, the landlord just needs the place back. We were only meant to be here for three months but that was two years ago.
“We have been on a rolling deal and have done quite well out of the place. We have been really busy so we are going to try and find somewhere a bit smaller in a couple of months.
“It has been great. We have really built it up to be quite well liked. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea being on a posh street in the middle of Harrogate but people like a bargain.”
