Nidderdale businesses set to regain voice following mayor’s grantNidderdale Chamber of Trade to fold after more than 50 years

Nidderdale Chamber of Trade will cease to exist at the end of next month after at least half a century of promoting businesses in and around Pateley Bridge.

Membership has dwindled since covid and there has been a lack of interest in taking up leadership roles.

Consequently the current directors have announced they will not be seeking re-election and are urging the 40 or so remaining members to take advantage of an introductory offer to join Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Ledbetter, chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and owner of Sypeland Outdoors, said the chance to join the Harrogate district group meant a “negative had turned into a positive” because it would give Nidderdale businesses a wider reach. He said:

“Things have changed in the last few years since covid. Like any voluntary organisation, it’s very difficult to get new volunteers and some have fallen by the wayside. Moving forward, we feel this is the best thing to do for Nidderdale.

“We will now be part of a bigger platform. A lot of businesses in Harrogate have heard of Pateley but don’t know about the opportunities. This will enable us to tell them.”

Mr Ledbetter said the chamber would leave a legacy of success, which included organising events such as late night Christmas shopping and a 1940s weekend and success in competitions such as the Great British High Street and Britain in Bloom.

The Harrogate district chamber is offering Nidderdale chamber members, which include hotels, shops, distilleries and galleries, discounted membership as a time-limited introductory offer.

Chief executive David Simister said:

“This a great opportunity for existing Nidderdale Chamber of Trade members to join a district-wide business organisation, one with a strong voice for business.”

Read more:

Sue Kramer, president of the Harrogate district chamber, said:

“A few years ago, we changed our name from Harrogate Chamber of Trade to Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, as we are keen to give a strong local business voice not just in Harrogate, but further afield too.

“Whilst our monthly meetings are held in Harrogate, the range of topics helping to educate and support businesses, and of course the networking opportunities are relevant to all district businesses.”

 

 

Late night shopping returns to Pateley Bridge

Christmas late night shopping is to return to Pateley Bridge and Bewerley for the first time since 2019.

A group of local businesses and community organisations have agreed to work together to bring back the event.

It will be held from 5.30pm until about 7.30pm on Friday, December 2.

Shops will stay open late to offer festive treats and community groups will operate stalls along the High Street.

There will also be Santa’s grotto, Christmas music and an angel trail.

Pat Waite, who owns the Sandwich Box in Pateley Bridge, said about 50 traders were supporting the venture. She added:

“The festivities will start as soon as it is dark, with shops staying open into the evening.

“Get your Christmas started in style, we look forward to seeing you there.”

Read more:

Pre-covid, Nidderdale Chamber of Trade staged an annual late night Christmas shopping event for about 50 years as a way of shops thanking customers.

Ms Waite said the chamber chose not to attend a meeting to discuss this year’s plans but Tim Ledbetter, chairman of the chamber, denied it had been invited.

Mr Ledbetter wished the new event well but said the chamber would not be involved because it was unsure if it would be approved by its insurers.

He also said the chamber wouldn’t revive its late night Christmas shopping event because “there clearly isn’t room for two events”.

Harrogate district business groups cautiously welcome mini-budget

Business groups in the Harroagate district have broadly welcomed today’s financial measures introduced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.

Mr Kwarteng announced a mini-budget in the House of Commons this morning.

It included cutting income tax, stamp duty and reversing the rise in National Insurance contributions and corporation tax.

Mr Kwarteng also lifted the cap on bankers’ bonuses and heralded the measures as a “new era” for the UK economy.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said he welcomed some of the measures.

He said:

“The UK’s economic situation is very fragile, we are technically in recession, inflation is putting pressure on household budgets and an increase in interest rates will put a strain on many homeowners’ budgets.

“The aim of this emergency budget is to stimulate the economy by cutting taxes and giving people more money in their pockets.

“The scrapping of the national insurance rise and reversing the increase in corporation tax is certainly good news for businesses large and small.

“Employees across the board will benefit from the NI reduction, as well as the cut in the basic rate of income tax, but the latter won’t be felt until after next April. Cutting the cap on bankers’ bonuses is a contentious issue for some, but it is designed to attract the brightest and the best in the industry to the UK.”

Read more:

Ripon BID welcomes corporation tax move

Lilla Bathurst, manager at Ripon Business Improvement District, said it remained to be seen if the planned tax cuts will work.

She said:

“Ripon BID welcomes the scrapping of the planned increase in corporation tax and the reduction of national insurance contributions  and the relief this will bring to businesses and employees.  It remains to be seen if these tax cuts will generate sufficient growth to off-set the tax the Chancellor has given up.

“Ripon BID is disappointed that the government did not follow the recommendations set out in the BusinessSOS campaign, supported by over 150 Business Improvement Districts including Ripon BID.  We asked for a package of measures including business rates relief and a reduction in headline VAT rates for retail, leisure and hospitality.

“The previous announcement of support for businesses energy bills was welcomed but as stated previously we feel did not go far enough and uncertainty remains.”

Knaresborough chamber warms of business failures

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce said it welcomed the cut in corporation tax, but added that this winter will still be difficult for many businesses.

Chamber executive member Peter Lacey said:

“I like to be positive, but can’t say I’m confident that we’ll not see business failures in the coming months.

“We’re committed to supporting the businesses of the town and its surrounding area but recognise that we’ll need to redouble our efforts in the current economic climate.”

Nidderdale chamber: measures ‘give confidence’

Meanwhile, Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said:

“We welcome measures announced by the government today, whilst reserving judgement on many of them until the finer detail has been analysed.

“The measures will hopefully give confidence to the public and businesses who understandably have had their confidence rocked by events, not just in this country but from around the world.

“I suppose with the cancellation of the planned rise in duty on beer, wine and spirits people can at least either celebrate or if disappointed with the measures drown their sorrow.”

Harrogate district businesses urge new PM to offer urgent support

Businesses across the Harrogate district have called for urgent action to support them in the face of growing pressures.

As new Prime Minister Liz Truss takes up her post, business organisations have told the Stray Ferret she must move swiftly as the cost of living and energy price crises begin to bite.

Peter Lacey, of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade‘s executive, said:

“We’re waiting for the new government to be announced later this week, but needless to say the chamber of trade are extremely concerned about the lack of any ceiling on business costs for energy, on top of previously identified cost pressures from the general rise in inflation.

“There is the real risk that without significant intervention businesses will find it impossible to afford the cost of energy and will be forced to close.

“Following so close on the heels of covid, many businesses have not had the chance to build up their reserves and are therefore particularly vulnerable.”

Mr Lacey said the rising fuel prices and the wider cost of living crisis would form part of discussions at this week’s chamber of trade meeting in Knaresborough.

His views were echoed by Lilla Bathurst of Ripon BID, who said:

“Ripon is a city of great, independent businesses who have survived the last few years of covid-induced pressure and uncertainty.

“We urge the new Prime Minister and her government to offer immediate support for businesses as they face both an energy and cost of living criss.

“We would recommend that this help package is delivered swiftly and is both realistic and fair in that it has a real impact in helping businesses of all sizes as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times.”

Read more:

Sue Kramer, president of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, added:

“Ms Truss must address the enormous challenges businesses are facing to survive from the energy crisis, staffing issues and rising costs due to inflation.

“Businesses are in an incredibly precarious position, with many on the brink. We need her to introduce an emergency package of measures that will save businesses from closure.”

Tim Ledbetter, chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said he hoped Ms Truss’s upbringing in Leeds would deliver some “good old Yorkshire common sense”.

He said local businesses wanted to see policies which delivered cuts to fuel bills and energy costs, as well as a commitment that cash would not be slowly removed from circulation.

Above all, he said she should show “strong, effective, honourable leadership, delivering change swiftly”, adding:

“I hope Liz Truss turns out to be the Prime Minister who is remembered as the leader who put a stop to the worry and suffering that so many in small and medium sized businesses are going through at the moment.

“In Truss we have no option but to place our trust.”

Christmas late night shopping cancelled in Pateley Bridge

The annual Christmas late night shopping event in Pateley Bridge has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The event, which is usually held on the Friday night of the second weekend of December, is one of the highlights of the Nidderdale town’s year.

Shops open late and serve mulled wine to customers; charities have stalls in the street and there is live music, including a brass band.

Pateley Bridge at Christmas

Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, said:

“I know the announcement will not come as a great surprise but I am sure it will still be a disappointment to the business and community of Nidderdale.

“The chamber will of course still be organising the Christmas trees, lights and decorations that help make Pateley Bridge High Street look the magical place we all know it is to visit.”

Mr Ledbetter said Pateley Bridge has staged late night Christmas shopping for at least 20 years.

He said the cancellation would be felt by shops and the wider business community, such as bed and breakfasts, which are usually busy over the weekend.

Read more:

Mr Ledbetter, who owns outdoor equipment shop Sypeland Outdoor in Pateley, said he usually took a day’s takings on the Friday night.

But he said the main loss was to the wider community, adding:

“The whole town participates in the night. It’s a real shame but realistically we can’t encourage people in vast numbers to the town and into shops.”