This story is sponsored by Robbins Associates. 

Are you seeking a remarkable space for your business to call home?  Look no further than The Lenz, Grade A office space nestled within the heart Hornbeam Park.

A fully glazed, bow-fronted, three-storey office building, The Lenz blends modern aesthetics with functionality, suitable for many different types of businesses – as well as offering competitive rental prices and service charge fees.

Put your stamp on the second floor

The large, mainly open plan space is a blank canvas suitable for either open plan or partitioned offices; an adaptable layout which can be configured in a way that suits your business.

Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as natural sunlight exposure and LED lighting are all carefully designed additions to enhance your sustainability credentials.

Hornbeam Park offers a rare combination of easy access and high specification spaces

Convenience and accessibility built in

From the moment you arrive, either by train at the Hornbeam Park’s on-site railway station or by car, the keypad-controlled entry systems ensure security and exclusivity.

The 13-person lift provides access to the underground car park and all the upper floors.

Join the community

Apollo Capital Group is one of the businesses that rents office space at The Lenz since 2020, and its CEO and founder Andy King has expressed his satisfaction as a commercial tenant of the building.

He said:

“We considered many options when looking for a suitable office and location close to Harrogate, and without question Hornbeam Park offers the very best of both.

“At the Lenz we enjoy a spacious new office, secure, modern, adequate parking, clean and well-maintained commercial areas, internal and external.”

From independent businesses seeking retail space, to those requiring warehouse storage or corporate offices, Hornbeam Park has the capacity to accommodate a vast array of requirements.

The interior of the office space

It’s a destination for both business and leisure visitors alike, with a wide variety of on-site leisure facilities including a Premier Inn, Nuffield Health fitness centre, restaurants such as Fayre Pub, Al Bivio Italian restaurant and much more.

Andy added:

“We couldn’t find another industrial office park anywhere near Harrogate that offers all these facilities.

“The only ‘downside’ is the fantastic Italian restaurant that we enjoy a little bit too much.”

Hornbeam Park also boasts excellent transport links between Leeds, York, Harrogate and even London, due to the railway station, regular bus routes, and its close proximity to A1/M1 motorway.

Find out more: 

If you have any further enquiries, contact Chris Robbins of Robbins Associates at 01423 505501. For all available office space, visit the website or email info@robbinsassociates.net.

This story is sponsored by Kempston-Parkes.

A common form of home insulation can cause more damage than it prevents, and end up costing homeowners thousands to put right, a Harrogate property expert has warned. 

Spray foam is sold perfectly legally by insulation companies – including several in our district – as a way of stopping draughts and improving heat retention, and some vendors even claim it can act as a pest repellent. There are an estimated 250,000 homes with spray foam insulation in the UK.

But chartered surveyor Andrew Kempston-Parkes said it can seriously affect a property’s value and structural integrity. He said: 

“When I turn up to value a property, I’ll start with the exterior but once I’m inside, my first port of call is the roof void. My heart just sinks when I see that the underside of the roof has had spray foam insulation applied. 

“All too often, the foam expands and encases the timbers, so if they become wet, they can’t dry out and will rot. In the vast majority of cases, the whole roof will have to be stripped off and replaced.” 

He said as a result lenders will typically ask for full retention on the mortgage – that is, they won’t release the funds to the buyer until the vendor has carried out the remedial work. 

The alternative is for the vendor to drop the price substantially – by around £15,000 off a small terraced house, or £25-40,000 off a large, detached property. Removing spray foam insulation from one listed building recently cost an eye-watering £200,000.

Andrew, whose firm Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors sees several spray-foamed homes a year, said: 

“When I tell a vendor that they’ll have to either have their house reroofed or lower the sale price, they’re often shocked, and embarrassed that they’ve been sold a pup. It never goes down well to have to renegotiate the price.” 

The alternative to spray foam is 300mm fibreglass insulation, keeping the eaves clear to allow for air-flow. If a loft is being converted, the roof will need to be boarded and insulated, but even then, there needs to be air-flow behind the boarding. 

Andrew said: 

“There are still lots of firms going out and spray-foaming roofs, but generally speaking it’s a real no-no.  

“There are some instances where it’s OK to apply spray foam insulation, but those are rare. More often than not, it’s a delaying action – a false economy.  

“If you’re considering it, you should always seek professional advice from a chartered surveyor.”

Find out more:

Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors provide surveys and valuations for all purposes, including purchase, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, matrimonial assessments, boundary disputes and Land Registry plans.

For more information, go to www.kempston-parkes.co.uk, or for a confidential conversation about your requirements, call 01423 789111.

This story is sponsored by LCF Law.

The importance of using a quality conveyancing solicitor in a slowing property market by Lynn Wilkinson, a director at LCF Residential (pictured above). 

It’s no secret that both house prices and sales activity in the property market are under pressure, predominantly due to rising interest rates pushing up the cost of borrowing.  

However, the Bank of England’s recent decision to hold the base rate at 5.25% was a relief for mortgage holders and fuelled optimism that the market could see an autumn pick-up. 

We work with homebuyers, sellers and estate agents throughout Yorkshire and beyond, as well as with nearly every UK mortgage lender, across all price brackets.  

Although it’s certainly true that the market has been more subdued during 2023, and especially in comparison to the furore that we’ve seen in recent years around the pandemic, it’s not all doom and gloom.  

Around Harrogate and North Yorkshire there has been less of a slowdown than in many other parts of the UK. Homes here are still selling and from what we’re seeing, interest rates are having less of a negative impact the higher up the market you go.  

We’re still working on high numbers of transactions in the local area and in the same way that it’s often when market conditions become sticky that a good estate agent really adds value, the same can be said for a premium conveyancing service.  

Where some conveyancers pile it high and sell it cheap, but often with lots of hidden last minute add-on costs, our clients continually tell us that they value having a named point of contact, local offices that they can visit and crucially price transparency, which is especially true during more uncertain market conditions, when every penny counts.  

A deep knowledge of the local market also means we can provide valuable insights into current conditions, helping clients make more informed decisions. Plus, in a slowing market, the risk of a property not selling or the deal falling through can be higher. We help clients minimise this possibility by advising on contingencies and contract terms, as well as identifying and addressing any possible hiccups before they arise.  

Ultimately, in more testing market conditions, the role of a conveyancing firm becomes even more critical in protecting clients’ interests and achieving a successful property transaction. It’s often our expertise, negotiating skills and ability to manage risks that make a significant difference to our clients.  

Find out why clients value Harrogate’s leading conveyancing solicitors at LCF Residential. Click or tap here to speak to the team and get a quote today.

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

After a period of deflation, the housing market showed modest signs of stabilisation this month, the latest data from Rightmove suggest.

Property asking prices edged upwards by an average of £1,950 or 0.5% this month, but Yorkshire and the Humber saw a slightly a bigger increase of 0.6%.

This means the average asking price in Yorkshire and the Humber now stands at £248,000, which is a 1.8% increase on this time last year.

However, the national monthly increase of 0.5% is the smallest average asking price increase at this time of year since 2008, and well below the historic norm in October of 1.4%. The number of sales agreed is also 17% below this time last year, as those sellers who are struggling to adjust their price expectations to match current activity levels are finding their homes left on the shelf.

Rightmove said the number of buyers enquiring for each available home for sale is 8% higher than in the more normal, and pre-Covid, 2019 market. It also revealed that a property that receives its first buyer enquiry on the first day of marketing, rather than after two weeks, is 60% more likely to find a buyer.

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, which has 20 offices across Yorkshire, including branches in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge, said:

“Accurate pricing is vitally important in the current market to generate immediate momentum when launching a property to market. There are buyers waiting for the right homes to come onto the market, but most will steer clear of anything overpriced.

“Although it can be tempting for sellers to price high initially on the off chance there’s a buyer waiting in the wings, and then reduce the price later when it doesn’t sell, this can be a risky strategy in the current market.”

Independent school in charity tie-up

Families living in poverty across Yorkshire will benefit from a new charity link-up after pupils at Ashville Prep School in Harrogate chose Zarach as their charity for the year.

Zarach delivers beds and basic provisions to children living in poverty and was set up by Leeds primary school teacher Bex Wilson after she found that some of the children she taught didn’t have a bed to sleep in.

Pupils at Ashville Prep School donated food at their harvest festival service.

Phil Soutar, Head of Ashville Prep School, said:

“The new link-up reflects Ashville’s values of openness, respect for others and a sense of social responsibility. It is not just about raising money or gifting goods for this great charity, it’s also about raising awareness about the daily hardship faced by people in our community.

“We’re immensely proud of the thoughtfulness and empathy shown by our pupils, as we explore more ways in which we can help others and give back to our community.”

The partnership got off to a successful start at the prep school’s harvest festival service, and the Prep School Charity Club will continue to raise money for Zarach for the remainder of the academic year, helping to pay for “bed bundles” which include a mattress, pillow, duvet, pyjamas, sheets, toothpaste and other sanitary and bathroom products.

Last year, the Prep School Charity Club raised more than £2,500 for Guide Dogs.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Cedar Court managers launch new company
• Business Breakfast: Masham brewery announces leadership changes
• Business Breakfast: Harrogate environmental firm appoints director

This story is sponsored by Myrings Estate Agents .

When Colin Bonham was promoted recently to Senior Associate Director at Harrogate estate agent Myrings, it was the latest step in a rapid rise up the career ladder to the top of the district’s property industry. 

The promotion has given him a seat on the board at family firm Myrings, which is run by brother and sister Simon and Gemma Myring, but Colin’s first brush with estate agency was when he was still a pupil at Ashville College. He told The Stray Ferret: 

“I was already interested in property, so I asked to do my work experience placement with an estate agent. I spent the week at Myring & Heward, as it was then, and really enjoyed it.  

“Later, during my gap year, I bumped into Gemma and she offered me a job. I was 18 then and I’ve never looked back.” 

That was in 2010, and since then Colin reckons he’s sold well over 1,000 properties. But he has also seen a seismic change in customer behaviour as the industry has increasingly gone online. He said: 

“One of the biggest changes is how much things have gone digital. We used to have a huge rush on Thursdays after the local paper came out and people scoured the property pages, but these days more people search for properties online, so every day’s a rush now.” 

Now 32 and a father-of-two, Colin is currently working towards becoming an Associate Member (AssocRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is ambitious for his future. But that’s not to say he intends to move onwards and upwards – he’s happy where he is. He said: 

“I’ve always been very well looked after here. Because it’s a family business, its ethos is independent – it’s not like a big corporate, with 28 layers of management. I’ve always worked very closely with Simon and Gemma, which has made it very easy to learn. 

“I’m still relatively young, and one day I fully intend to run the business – but only when Simon and Gemma are ready to hand over the keys!” 

Until then, he intends to help Myrings grow its footprint – it currently has the second-highest stock level in Harrogate – and its rental portfolio, while protecting the firm’s good name. He said: 

“At the latest Estate Agent of the Year Awards (the ESTAS) we were named the best estate agent in Yorkshire, as well as winning gold awards for both sales and rentals and being named the best for sales in North Yorkshire. It was a phenomenal achievement for a family firm with just one office, but it didn’t surprise me at all. 

“Reputation is everything to us – what people think of us is of utmost importance to us. The name above the door isn’t the name of some historic founder – it’s who is here every day. And people like the fact that it’s a family firm, because they’re often buying or selling a family home, and it’s very personal to them. That’s why word has spread about how good we are, and why I’m proud to work here.” 

Find out more: 

If you’re a Harrogate homeowner or involved in the local property market in any way, call Myrings on 01423 566400 for a free no-obligation chat about its residential sales and lettings services, or visit the website: myringsestateagents.com.

A Harrogate family business has been put up for sale after 26 years of trading from its landmark location. 

Motorhouse has been selling used cars from its premises on Ripon Road between New Park and Killinghall since 1998, but now owner John Steele has decided to sell up. 

The property, called Harrogate View Grange, includes Motorhouse’s showroom with garage and workshop, a 25-car forecourt, and a three-bedroom house with undercroft garaging. 

An aerial view. Pic: Myrings

It is being sold via online auction by Harrogate estate agent Myrings, with a starting bid of £800,000. The auction is due to close at 2pm on Thursday, April 27.

Myrings’ description says:

“Motorhouse is a successful family business since 1967, and offers a unique and rare opportunity to acquire a prime car supermarket site and adjoining period three-bedroom house with undercroft garaging.”

Mr Steele started out in the motor trade in 1967, with a van-for-sale advert in his local newspaper. As his business expanded, he acquired sites in Leeds and Wakefield, before eventually moving to the current premises in 1998. 

Read more:

• Used car dealership launches in Harrogate as second hand market booms
• Safety audit to be carried out at Killinghall junction
• Killinghall awnings company wins national business award  

This story is sponsored by Myrings Estate Agents 

Accidental landlords should avoid the temptation to go it alone when letting out their property, one of the best-known names in the district’s estate agency sector has warned. 

Charles Myring, of award-winning Harrogate estate agent Myrings, said people who find themselves in the rental marketplace by chance – for example by inheriting a property – often try to do things on the cheap, but it’s a false economy. He said: 

“It’s pretty much the same as engaging in DIY dentistry – it’s not easy and it’s very likely to hurt.” 

The boom in the rental market over the last decade has seen a sharp upturn in accidental landlords, as people coming into property seek to use the rental income as an extra revenue stream. It is believed that as many as 30% of rental properties in the UK are let by accidental landlords. 

Mr Myring said: 

“The main thing to bear in mind at all times is that renting out property must be treated as a proper business – not a fascinating hobby like stamp-collecting. There have been so many changes to rules, regulations and taxation in recent years that you’ve got to take letting seriously, and the best way to do that is by enlisting the help of experts like Myrings.” 

The list of items landlords are required by law to secure has expanded in recent years to include Right to Rent checks, gas safety certificates, energy performance certificates and electrical installation condition reports. Properties also need to be inspected regularly, and repairs need to be carried out promptly. 

Mr Myring said: 

“Boilers don’t tend to go wrong at 9 o’clock on a Monday morning – they have a nasty habit of breaking down at 6 o’clock on a Saturday evening, and you need to be able to deal with that straight away. 

“Tenants are not paying guests – they are buying a clearly defined service – i.e. accommodation – as part of a two-way legally-binding contract. It’s a symbiotic relationship and you’ve got to hold up your end of the bargain. 

“But we can do all that for you. We’ve been operating successfully in Harrogate for over 25 years, and we’ve built up good relationships with lots of traders, so any work that needs to be done urgently can be taken care of without any hassle.” 

Last year, Myrings picked up four awards from TV property expert Phil Spencer at the ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2022 – the biggest awards in the UK property industry – including Best in County. 

This year it has been awarded Gold in both the Sales and Letting categories by the Best Estate Agent Guide 2023. 

Mr Myring added: 

“There is a steady stream of new laws and regulations for both professional and accidental landlords, and non-compliance to ever more legislation can have serious and costly consequences. 

“That’s why accidental landlords need to choose a very good letting agent (I recommend Myrings!) to help you manage a huge asset and do everything to optimise your income, collect your rent and help you sleep soundly at night.”

Find out more:  

If you’re a Harrogate homeowner or involved in the local property market in any way, call Myrings on 01423 566400 for a free no-obligation chat about its residential sales and lettings services, or visit the website: myringsestateagents.com. 

This story is sponsored by Myrings Estate Agents 

This year marks a special anniversary for Myrings: 25 years in the property business!

Where have all those years gone? It’s hard to say, but as a company our plans, hopes and ambitions remain focused on the immediate future and the year ahead.

We are delighted to report (especially at the start of a new year) that Myrings has never been stronger. We are recognised as a leading player in several important and growing areas, including both the rental and the ‘Land & New Homes’ sectors.

Throughout 2023, we are expecting the Harrogate market to make a significant return in both residential sales and lettings after an inevitable blow during covid. Nevertheless, we will continue to invest heavily in our clients, infrastructure and working practices – ultimately offering all associates of Myrings an even better service.

Recently, we have integrated our sales and rental departments in order to optimise efficiency and create a seamless synergy between services. In addition, we understand the importance of an aesthetic and technical workspace, and, thus, redecorated and re-equipped our Harrogate offices – including updated state-of-the-art IT systems.

The universal birth of social media has coincided with our years in business and has inhabited itself as a fundamental part of our marketing strategies. Rising to the ever-changing developments of the online world, we adapted our marketing to the necessary and hugely advantageous nature of social media – and it’s only going from strength-to-strength. Interacting with the local community has become a vital cog in our marketing functions, and we have been lucky enough to sponsor the likes of Harrogate Town FC, Ripon Tennis Club, St Michael’s Hospice, Martin House, Henshaws and more.

Employee development remains one of our core values. Over the years, we have continually trained our staff and two new apprentices, supported them in their studies for professional qualifications and recruited several property professionals to strengthen our teams further.

This story is sponsored by Kempston Parkes.

House prices may plummet elsewhere, but in Harrogate they’ll remain buoyant, the town’s foremost chartered surveyor has said. 

Andrew Kempston-Parkes was speaking as one of the biggest national lenders, Nationwide, revealed that UK house prices fell for the fifth consecutive month in January. He said: 

“I’ve seen four booms and crashes in my career, and what I know about Harrogate is that when that happens, we’re affected the least.

“Harrogate gets back to its highest values quicker than anywhere outside London. We’re very resilient. 

“There might be a contraction across England and Wales over the next 12 months, but it will be relatively shallow, at just 2 to 3%, and here there’ll be no contraction at all.” 

Nationwide also warned that “strong economic headwinds” made it unlikely that sales figures would improve soon, meaning it would be “hard for the market to regain much momentum in the near term”. 

Mr Kempston-Parkes, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the property industry, said other market indicators told a different story:

“If they were concerned, they wouldn’t be offering 95% loan-to-value mortgages.” 

January’s Rightmove data, for example, showed a slight increase in house prices nationally, and lending institutions have done little to tighten availability of loans. 

Several factors weigh in Harrogate’s favour according to Mr Kempston-Parkes, including its proximity to Leeds and York, its high levels of employment, the clean environment, good schools, and even custom from the American base at Menwith Hill. He said:  

“Harrogate and its environs are still a destination place – people come to live in a spa town in a rural area. Communications are excellent – there are six trains a day to King’s Cross. 

“I had a client just yesterday from London who is moving up here to work from home three times a week and stay a couple of nights in London. There are still a lot of people wanting to live here. Half our clients are from outside the town. 

“My experience tells me that if there’s any correction here it’ll be mild and we’ll recover more quickly and better than anywhere else. The property market will remain strong.” 

Mr Kempston-Parkes earned his professional qualifications form the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in 1997, and founded Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors in 2011. It now employs 14 people from its offices in central Harrogate. 

Find out more:

Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors provide surveys and valuations for all purposes, including purchase, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, matrimonial assessments, boundary disputes and Land Registry plans. 

For more information, go to www.kempston-parkes.co.uk, or for a confidential conversation about your requirements, call 01423 789111.