Harrogate accountancy firm Lithgow Perkins has promoted Stuart Abbott to partner.

Formerly the company’s trusts and tax manager, Mr Abbott will work alongside partner Joe Taylor on tax advice and planning for current and new clients.

Mr Taylor said:

“Stuart has outstanding knowledge and expertise in his specialist areas, and strong and trusted relationships with many of our clients. His promotion is thoroughly deserved.”

Local opticians recognised for sustainability

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has achieved net zero carbon status for its practices in Harrogate and Knaresborough after helping residents recycle their old eyewear and contact lenses.

The business was given the sustainability endorsement following an auditing by not-for-profit organisation Net Zero Eyecare.

Old glasses and cases, contact lenses, and packaging that cannot be disposed of in recycling bins at home can be recycled at each practice.

Megan Harper, sustainability manager at Bayfields, said:

“We’d urge anyone with an old pair of glasses to bring them into a practice and pop them in our recycling box to avoid them going into landfill and helping us contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Harrogate Chamber to focus on regeneration tonight

The May Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting will be held tonight (May 13) from 5.30pm- to 8pm at Cedar Court Hotel.

This month’s meeting will commence with the AGM, followed by guest speakers, Julian Rudd, head of regeneration (south) for North Yorkshire Council and Stuart Holland and Paul Hatherley from Harrogate Civic Society on the subject of a neighbourhood plan for Harrogate.

Harrogate care home residents celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Granby Resident Brian and his partner with Mexican musician, Rafael

Residents at Granby Care Home in Harrogate had a Mexican-themed party to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo festival.

It was the first stop on their ‘Cruise Around the World’ armchair travel activity which will see residents at Brighterkind care homes, experiencing the culture of other countries.

The care home’s magic moments coordinator, Lydia Jackson, said:

“It’s been a very exciting first port of call on our world cruise, none of us had been to Mexico before, so everyone enjoyed experiencing the culture and loved the food.”

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For years, the big nose and glasses have amused Harrogate residents and visitors alike. Now Bespoke Eyewear‘s striking window display has earned national recognition.

The shop on Royal Parade was named most engaging practice window at the three-day 100% Optical show, which attracted more than 10,000 attendees at Excel London.  It is the largest optical fair in the UK.

Bespoke Eyewear opened in 2010 as an opticians and dispensary for spectacular frames unavailable elsewhere in the UK. The nose and glasses were put up in 2012 and have become both a selfie spot, boosting the company’s social media following, and a directional landmark.

Bespoke Eyewear collects its award

Owner Jonathan Nixon said:

“In 12 years this is our first award and we have never been thanked by Harrogate Borough Council for our Christmas window even though we have had thousands of people taking pictures of it over the years.

“We dress our big nose and glasses depending on the occasion.

“We started in a recession and after covid we are still growing! It is so important to win this award as the idea is to stop an individual and get them to come and look at our stock. The polystyrene nose and glasses is iconic to the shop and recognised all over the country.”

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The most engaging practice window award was open to companies that could demonstrate how their window design had driven sales. Three practices were shortlisted.

Bespoke Eyewear optometrist speaking at 100% Optical

Bespoke Eyewear’s clients include Oscar-winning actresses and football legends. Its awards entry said:

“We have a 3D printed model of Ian Wright’s head made to his actual measurements. We send him a picture of the glasses on his ‘head’. If he likes them, they can be perfectly fitted and posted out without him coming to the practice.

“Ian’s head sits in the shop window and passers-by, whether it be local or tourist, often say ‘that’s Ian Wright!’.”