Harrogate men’s fashion retailer relocates to James Street

Men’s fashion retailer Lynx launched in Harrogate almost 40 years ago and opened a shop on West Park in 2003.

Now, the independent business has rebranded and relocated to a state-of-art new premises on the town’s prestigious James Street.

The new larger store boasts two floors and has a new “sleek modernistic feel” – a change from the vintage look of the previous shop.

It is based in the former Hotel Chocolat unit, which moved to a larger site on the same street last October.

Lynx Menswear on James Street.

Owner Guy Hudson said:

“It is our time for change. With an increased young and vibrant team, I want to build on what has been achieved so successfully at our previous store on West Park.”

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Mr Hudson said James Street was the perfect location for the new store, thanks to a resurgence after the challenges of covid.

He added:

“Looking to build on the very positive response after the pessimism and lacklustre of lockdown, the regeneration of independent shops and top brand names on James Street is now at its pinnacle.

“What were empty shop units two years ago are now either under negotiation or full, with the likes of Pret a Manger and Oliver Bonas clearly believing that confidence in this iconic Harrogate high street is returning and we want to be part of it.

“We look forward to welcoming our valued loyal customers and new ones to our fresh look and location showcasing our individual European edit.”

New Harrogate Pret criticised for lack of disability access

Pret a Manger has been criticised for opening a new shop in Harrogate that is currently inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Customers to the sandwich and coffee chain, which opened on Harrogate’s James Street on Friday, have to walk up two steps to enter.

Pret has said a permanent ramp cannot be fitted due “to the structure of the building”.

It added that a low-level bell has been fitted outside to alert staff to bring out a “purpose-designed portable ramp” when requested but it has not yet been delivered.

Local resident, Jeannine Fisher, contacted the Stray Ferret today after seeing a wheelchair user unable to get inside the shop. She said:

“It makes me very frustrated that we should exclude people from society.  It beggars belief that a multinational company, who must clearly be aware of the guidelines, have neglected to create inclusive access.

“With everything else that wheelchairs users have to navigate in the town it feels so unfair that they are unable to do simple things that others can do such as having a coffee with their friends.”

Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.

Chief executive Jackie Snape said:

“It is very disappointing that Pret had not consulted with disabled people, or a disability organisation, about accessibility to its new James Street outlet. We would be more than happy to speak with the local team as to what they can still do to aid disabled customers.

“We do note, however, that Pret has a digital accessibility policy on its website, it’s just a shame there isn’t a store accessibility policy to match!”

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A Pret spokesperson said:

“We know how it important it is for customers in wheelchairs to have easy access to our shop.

“Sadly, in Harrogate we’ve been unable to fit a permanent ramp due to the structure of the building and its listed status. That’s why we’ve had a bespoke portable ramp designed to give our customers step-free access into the shop.”

Pret a Manger set to open in Harrogate tomorrow

A new branch of Pret a Manger is set to open its doors in Harrogate tomorrow morning.

The sandwich and coffee shop on James Street will welcome customers from 7.30am, signs in the window reveal.

Rumours of the chain’s arrival began to circulate at the beginning of the year, as reported by the Stray Ferret.

It was not until April the company confirmed it would be opening in the unit formerly occupied by Messums Gallery.

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Meanwhile, Skipton Building Society has confirmed its new Cambridge Street branch will open tomorrow as well.

The company has moved from Princes Street to part of the building previously occupied by Topshop and Topman, which has been split into smaller units.

Part of it is now a Sainsbury’s Local, and the remaining section of the building on the ground floor is still unoccupied, but an application has been made by Cosy Club for a licence to open a bar there.

Revival for James Street as major brands set to open doors

Business leaders say one of Harrogate’s most prestigious streets is experiencing a resurgence after the challenges of covid.

James Street was for many years seen as the most desirable place to open a shop in the town, with its heritage features and high quality brands.

However, the last couple of years have seen it struggle with empty units, the temporary removal of parking spaces, and controversial plans to pedestrianise at least part of the street.

But with major national brands including Oliver Bonas and Pret a Manger set to open there in the coming months, along with popular local beer emporium Husk, could James Street be experiencing a return to its former fortunes?

Harrogate BID certainly thinks so, as manager Matthew Chapman explained:

“It is very good news to see a swathe of new business opening on James Street, including a number of well-known national brands.

“It has always been one of the town’s most prominent streets, hosting a wide variety of quality shops, and when Next moved to Victoria Shopping Centre it was a blow. In its place we had a discount store, which certainly wasn’t in keeping with other shops on the street.

“Now the unit is to be occupied by what we believe to be a top fashion brand, and coupled with Pret a Manger moving in next door, it will give James Street a very welcome boost.”

The positive news for the street comes despite fears raised by existing businesses that any pedestrianisation – and the nearby Station Gateway scheme which would reduce Station Parade to one lane for cars – could be severely damaging to retail.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate's James Street pedestrianised.

Station Gateway proposals show Harrogate’s James Street pedestrianised.

Business owners have argued that customers like to park up nearby and pop into shops for just a few minutes, rather than parking further afield and walking in. Reducing their ability to do so, owners say, will have an effect on footfall and seriously hamper their viability.

Bob Kennedy, who owns Porters on James Street, said the arrival of new businesses is a welcome sign – but does not necessarily reflect confidence in the proposed changes.

“It’s a classic case of what will happen if we pedestrianise it. Walk up Cambridge Street and have a look at the quality and you realise why people want to be on James Street instead.

“I don’t think [pedestrianisation] would lead to businesses leaving. With the larger independents and upcoming chains, it’s simply if you are in a spot and it’s making you money, you stay. If it’s losing you money, you look to leave.

“Whether the Station Gateway will lead to people taking less money and less profitability and therefore make them think about leaving, who knows?”

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Mr Kennedy said rents had come down as landlords realised demand for retail space had fallen slightly, making it more viable for businesses to open up and try to make shops viable.

This was more likely to be a factor, he said, than any proposed changes which could take a long time to come into effect.

However, he said the situation was cyclical, with low rents encouraging more demand, which would in turn drive rents back up. Larger, national brands would be more likely to be able to absorb those higher costs, he said.

Three options for James Street will be consulted on, under council plans.

Planters were used to prevent parking on James Street during the covid pandemic

For Harrogate BID, there is a clear sense of positivity across the town centre after a tough two years.

Mr Chapman added:

“It’s not just James Street that is seeing new life being breathed into empty units.

“Walking around town as I do regularly, new businesses are also popping up in a number of other locations, including Montpellier, which is good news for the town centre economy.

“Having a vibrant mix of national and independents is what makes Harrogate appealing to shoppers, both local and from further afield.”

Fashion retailer Jules B to open in Harrogate

Fashion retailer Jules B is to open a shop in Harrogate at the start of September.

The shop, which will be in the former Jaeger unit on Cambridge Crescent, will sell only womenswear.

It becomes the latest national retailer this month to confirm plans to move to Harrogate, after Oliver Bonas and Pret A Manger.

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

He added:

“We have wanted to open in Harrogate for a very long time but never found the right location but once I saw that the old Jaeger unit was available we decided the time was right.

“The store will be purely womenswear and we have some very exciting new collections that I’m sure will prove very popular with the discerning public.

“We will be looking for four full time members of staff and two part time, preferably with a good fashion retail background.”

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

The retailer offers collections by designers, including Hugo Boss, Armani, Victoria Beckham, Barbour and Vivienne Westwood.

Jackie Wilson, property manager for landlord Hornbeam Park Developments, said:

“We are delighted to have secured award-winning independent retailer Jules B as a tenant in the former Jaeger Shop on Cambridge Crescent; a great addition to the high street which will enhance the shopping experience of locals and visitors alike.”

Pret A Manger set to open in Harrogate ‘very soon’

Pret A Manger has confirmed it will open a shop on Harrogate’s James Street “very soon”.

The Stray Ferret revealed in January the sandwich shop franchise planned to open in what was at the time Messums Yorkshire, a gallery curated by artist Johnny Messum. The gallery is now closed.

Pret has now confirmed a store, creating 15 jobs, is expected to welcome customers by late spring.

Pano Christou, chief executive of Pret, said:

“We’re excited to be expanding our footprint in Yorkshire as part of our wider ambition to bring Pret to more people.

“Harrogate is a beautiful and historic town, bustling with tourists and a thriving community. We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike into our new shop, very soon”.

Pret currently has more than 450 shops in the UK, with the majority in London.

This will be the first Pret in the Harrogate district. It will sell hot drinks, sandwich and grab and go menu.

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Pret will will become the latest in a significant number of new arrivals on James Street over the past few months.

Tom Limbert, director of property consultants Central Retail, which acted for the landlord, said:

“It’s great to finally bring Pret A Manger to Harrogate. They have looked at the town on and off for a number of years but it shows national occupiers still have belief in the town.”

In partnership with The Pret Foundation, the company is also looking for local charities to donate surplus food to at the end of each day. Those interested can contact the foundation on Pret.FoundationUK@pret.com.

 

Pret A Manger set to arrive in Harrogate

The Harrogate district’s first Pret A Manger looks set to open.

The Stray Ferret understands the sandwich shop franchise will open on Harrogate’s James Street in the unit currently occupied by Messums Yorkshire, a gallery curated by artist Johnny Messum.

It is not yet known precisely when Pret will open but it is believed to be some time in March.

Besides sandwiches, Pret is also known for coffee so its arrival will add to the wide range of options available for caffeine fans.

The landlord of the unit was not available for comment but a well placed source told the Stray Ferret that Pret would be arriving soon.

Photograph: @messumsyorkshire, Instagram

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In the last six months, James Street has seen numerous retail units open and close; Hotel Chocolat opened a cafe in October; this was followed by a new yoga studio Ebru Evrim arriving in the former Laura Ashley building. Harrogate Discount Store is due to close this week.

Pret currently has over 450 cafes in England, with 310 of those in London. Currently, the closest to Harrogate is in Leeds.