Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, is increasing its floorspace as part of a major revamp and reconfiguration.

The store in Fishergate which is home to 16 independent retailers, will be temporarily closed from Friday and is scheduled re-open in early February.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured below) whose son Barry runs Red Buttons Jewellers within the store, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s testimony to the strength of Ripon’s independent retail offer that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are closing stores.”

He pointed out:

“The demand for space remains very strong and we will be able to satisfy that demand with a reconfiguration that will create room for up to seven more independent businesses.”

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper

For Zoe Wotherspoon, who owns the ladies fashion, accessories  and gifts retailer Robin Gifts, the increased space is timely.

She said:

“We have done so well since opening our second outlet at Halls last February, that we decided to move out of Harrogate and consolidate our offer at one location.”

Ms Wotherspoon, added:

“The revamp will give us 40 percent more space in the prime location at the front of the store and we feel very confident for the future as we continue to attract new customers.”

While the work at the front half of the department store is under way, The Hive Cafe, which can be accessed from the Marshall Way car park entrance, will remain open throughout.

Keeley Buller who co-owns the business with her partner David Ward, said:

“Over the past 30 months we have built a loyal customer base and the enhancements that will come with the revamp are good news for us.”

In addition to the reconfiguration of the department store, Sterne Properties will be remodelling the building and installing a new roof to create two high quality apartments on the upper floors of the building.

Main image: Zoe Wotherspoon, whose Robin Gifts business is expanding with the increase in floorspace at Halls of Ripon

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Ken Jefferies was distraught after he lost a much-treasured item while on a visit to Ripon.

His cherished signet ring – a family heirloom with carnelian stone and intaglio depicting a Roman soldier – slipped off his wedding finger without him noticing.

When he realised it was missing, he began a desperate search, which saw him retrace his steps around the city streets and places he had visited.

The retired archaeologist and academic told the Stray Ferret:

“I was heartbroken and thought I would never see it again.”

He pointed out:

“The ring was given to me by my aunt Vivienne more than 50 years ago and I wore it as my wedding band.”

As well as being a constant reminder of his 56-year marriage to Marion, who died in 2021, the ring held memories of his aunt – a well-known actress who married into the Stevens family, owners of the former Grand Theatre in Glasgow.

The ring, with inscription, had originally been presented on November 4, 1899 to Vivienne’s father-in-law, Ernest Stevens, by members of the theatre’s band, in recognition of his writing and production of the smash-hit romantic musical For Bonnie Scotland.

Sharon Bielby, who played a part in ensuring that Mr Jefferies was re-united with the ring

Now, 123 years later, after passing down generations of the family, the heirloom was lost.

Among those in Ripon who Mr Jefferies told about the missing item, was Sharon Bielby, owner of a barber’s shop on North Street.

He said:

“I had been having my hair cut by Sharon on the day I lost it and I asked her if she would  look  out for it.”

Sharon spotted on social media that the ring, which had been damaged after being run over in a nearby road, had been found and contacted Mr Jefferies to give him the good news.

After providing the link between finder and owner, she also recommended that he take it to Red Buttons jewellers at Halls of Ripon  to see if it could be repaired.

Ring repaired and returned 

Jeweller Barry, son of Red Buttons owners Mike and Liz Cooper, painstakingly re-assembled the ring and it has now been returned to Mr Jefferies, without charge for the repair – though he insisted on making a donation to the military charity Team Endeavour, which is supported by Halls of Ripon.

Mike Cooper, said:

“The ring clearly has huge sentimental as well as historic value and we are pleased that Ken has it back in his possession.”

In a final twist to the tale, Mr Jefferies, pointed out:

“My late father Clifford was a pharmacist and was based in the shop where Sharon now has her barber’s shop – so you never know, he may have been looking after me.”