‘Large amount’ of money stolen from victim outside Harrogate bankWine café looks set to open in HarrogateFreehold on prime Harrogate retail building for sale at £5.2 millionPlans submitted to create three Harrogate town centre apartmentsAnother Harrogate retail unit could be converted to flats

A Harrogate retailer has submitted plans to convert its top floor into flats.

Documents filed with North Yorkshire Council reveal Shuropody on Oxford Street would convert its top floor into two flats, while retaining the first two floors for retail.

The application was submitted by Edward Ake, of Harrogate firm Sandtoft Properties.

The trend towards town centre living has increased in Harrogate in recent years, with numerous planning applications to convert retail space.

The Stray Ferret wrote about some of the units affected here.

Shuropody is a foot care chain. The top two floors of the Harrogate business are currently occupied by its in-store podiatrist, which advises on footcare issues.

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The public consultation on the plans is open until December 29. The council will then decide whether to accept the application.

Residents can have their say online, or by writing to North Yorkshire Council, PO Box 787, Harrogate HG1 9RW, quoting the reference number ZC23/04286/FUL.

Shuropody has been approached for comment.

Fresh plan submitted to convert Harrogate strip club into flats

Plans have been submitted to convert the former Kings Club in Harrogate into 14 apartments.

The prominent town centre building is on the corner of Station Parade and Beulah Street, close to the bus station.

The strip club closed during the first covid lockdown in 2020 and never reopened.

The fresh plans come as North Yorkshire Council approved a proposal for 12 flats at the site in September.

After being empty for almost four years, planning documents state the owner hopes to undertake a major refurbishment to “bring it back to its former glory”.

Documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council said that its current adult entertainment use caused “frequent issues”, including complaints of drunken guests leaving late at night, noise, anti-social behaviour and damage to surrounding properties.

The applicant has looked to rent the first and second floors to new club operators, however, it said the post-covid demand for nightlife has deteriorated.

The 200-capacity venue was set out over two bar levels and included 25 strip booths as well as a large dancing stage with a pole.

The entrance to the club.

But the owner said if it was to remain as a nightclub it would need considerable investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

It concluded that converting the upper floors to a selection of “high-quality” two-bedroom apartments is the only viable economic use of the building. Access for residents would be on Beulah Street.

Kings Club was run by businessman Paul Kinsey, who also ran the Viper Rooms and Moko Lounge nightclubs in Harrogate, but all three are now closed.

In a submission to the council, architect James Robinson wrote: 

“The proposed conversion of the upper floors of 1 Oxford Street will have a significant net improvement to the surrounding area and economy over the existing strip club use.

“This is an important building, located in a very prominent town centre location, and its current use as adult entertainment is not fitting for the surrounding area. As mentioned the current use attracts anti-social behaviour, and the conversion to high quality flats is a much more appropriate and viable use for the building.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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Council approves conversion of Harrogate strip club into flats

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to convert the former Kings Club in Harrogate into 12 flats.

The proposal was submitted by Harrogate developer Forward Investments LLP last October.

The move will see the first and second floor of the building on Oxford Street, known as the Villa Mercedes, converted into residential use.

The Kings Club, which described itself as ‘Yorkshire premier gentleman’s club’, offered topless pole dancing, topless stage strip tease and full nudity lap dancing.

However, the club has since closed.

The proposal will see a mixture of one and two bedroom flats created at the site.

In documents submitted to the council, James Robinson, the planning agent representing the developer, said the conversion of the building would be a “significant improvement” for the area.

He said:

“The proposed conversion of the upper floors of 1 Oxford Street will have a significant net improvement to the surrounding area and economy over the existing strip club use.

“This is an important building, located in a very prominent town centre location, and its current use as adult entertainment is not fitting for the surrounding area.

“As mentioned the current use attracts anti-social behaviour, and the conversion to high quality flats is a much more appropriate and viable use for the building.”

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Cat charity to open new Harrogate shop

Cats Protection is set to open a new shop in Harrogate.

The store, which will operate under the charity’s boutique retail arm called Cattitude, will be located at 8 Oxford Street.

The shop, which will sell fashion items and accessories, is seeking volunteers.

Sarah Jordan, retail operations manager at the charity, said: 

“We have been hoping to open a store in Harrogate for many years and we’re delighted to finally be able to make this happen.

“The final touches are being put together as we speak and we hope to be able to announce an opening date very soon. In the meantime, anyone looking for new, exciting retail positions is invited to get in touch.”

Cats Protection helps an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year through its national network, which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres. 

Its retail arm helps to raise funds to ensure as many cats as possible can go on to live happy lives.

For more information about volunteering at the charity, visit the Cats Protection website.

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Harrogate man who pulled off pigeon’s wing fails to turn up in court

A man who admitted pulling off the wing of a pigeon in Harrogate town centre failed to turn up in court yesterday for sentencing.

Martin Gilham, 53, of Bewerley Road in Jennyfields pleaded guilty to the offence on Oxford Street at Harrogate Magistrates Court last month.

He also admitted a separate charge of being drunk and disorderly on Oxford Street on the same date.

Both incidents took place on May 20 this year.

Gilham was due to be sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday but did not turn up.

Judge Simon Hickey issued a warrant for his arrest.

However, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said today the warrant was withdrawn later in the day and Gilham was no longer wanted.

He is likely to return to court for sentencing soon.

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New cafe due to open in Harrogate today

A new cafe is due to open in Harrogate town centre today.

Central Cafe is located on Oxford Street, between travel agent TUI and stationers Jespers of Harrogate.

The unit has been empty for almost two years since The Works vacated the site.

The discount books and stationery store moved over the road into the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill in October 2021.

According to signs in the window, Central Cafe will open today and specialise in gelato and crepes.

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