A major national plumbing and heating company opened its first branch in the Harrogate district today.

City Plumbing, which is open to trade and the public, is based in one of five units at the former Joe Manby building at Hookstone Park, Harrogate.

Councillor Victoria Oldham, mayor of the district, cut a ribbon to formally open the branch for business this morning.

The mayor cuts the ribbon.

City Plumbing, which is part of the Highbourne Group, employs about 4,500 staff at some 360 branches in the UK and Ireland. The Harrogate site currently has five staff.

Besides selling plumbing and heating products, the new branch also has kitchen and bathroom tops and a range of renewable heating products, including air source heat pumps and solar panels.

Free food and drinks are available to customers visiting today.

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Kasia Demko, City Plumbing’s regional manager who lives in Harrogate, said until today the company’s nearest sites were in Leeds and York, adding:

“We have always wanted to be in Harrogate — we have been looking for the right spot in town. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers.”

Branch manager Stuart Johnson, who has a background in the plumbing and electrical sector locally, said the company was particularly keen to promote its energy-efficiency products because that was a growing market.

Staff at today’s opening

Jackie Wilson, property manager at Hornbeam Park Developments, which owns the former Joe Manby site, said:

“We are delighted to see City Plumbing up and running as the anchor tenant at this development. There has been a lot of interest, with two of the remaining four units taken already. I am sure that City Plumbing’s presence will serve as a catalyst to attract tenants for the remaining two units.“

North Yorkshire County Council has launched its pilot on-demand bus service called YorBus, allowing travellers to book public transport at times to suit them.

People who live in Ripon, Masham, Bedale and the surrounding villages can use the YorBus app to chose a pick-up and drop-off bus stop and travel within the service area at their leisure.

There is a flat fare: adults will pay £1.20 and children aged five to 17 will pay 65p. Those under five travel for free.

Those living in the blue area can access YorBus to travel around it

The service will run from 6.55am to 6pm during the week and 9am to 6pm at weekends. There is no service on bank holidays.

The app allows the customers to keep track of the bus’s location and gauge how long it will take to arrive.

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Customers can download the YorBus mobile phone app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Those who do not have a smart phone can book their public transport over the phone on 01609 780780.

The council has assured those who struggle with mobility that the service will be fully accessible with low floor and ramp access.

This service is going to be regularly reviewed and, if successful, will inform its decision for a wider rollout within the country.