A further £212,000 of refurbishment works have been approved at Ripon Community Hospital.

NHS Property Services, which owns the building, is carrying out works to the hospital site in an effort to “bring it up to standard”.

The organisation has commissioned Middlesborough-based Maval Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Ltd to carrying out an upgrade to the hospital’s generator.

NHS officials confirmed that the move, which is a £212,262 contract, comes as part of a five-year investment into the site.

As previously reported, the hospital is already in line for a £161,000 refurbishment.

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The move will include upgrading some of the 30-year-old flooring, roofing and a range of electrical units for the building.

Health bosses added that the work had been designed with the input of staff and that the nurses’ station will be refurbished along with new kitchen facilities and a staff breakout area.

Martin Salmon, senior construction manager at NHS Property Services, told the Stray Ferret previously:

“NHS Property Services is committed to a 5-year investment plan that aims to bring Ripon Community Hospital up to the very best of standards, providing first-rate facilities for staff and patients.

“We are pleased that once these improvements have been made, they will help the NHS to deliver excellent patient care.”

A petrol station in Knaresborough is set to reopen its doors after a 10-week long renovation.

Co-op petrol station on Boroughbridge Road will open tomorrow with a new look and a much bigger emphasis on the food store.

The convenience retailer has almost doubled the size of the food store which now covers more than 2,600 square feet. The filling station also has new pumps and and a new canopy.

Due to the renovation there are vacancies for up to four staff. In total the new-look site will support 12 jobs.

Inside the store customers will find a bakery, hot food, a Costa coffee dispenser, more fresh, healthy products as well as food-to-go, wines, ready meals and everyday essentials.

A new addition to the site includes a recycle unit for “soft plastics” which currently covers Co-op’s own food packaging.

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Scott Wilson, Co-op store manager, said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to make such a significant investment in Knaresborough.

“The investment has enabled Co-op to provide a new, improved and larger food store, create new local jobs and, overhaul the petrol filling station – to better serve our community.

“We have worked to develop the range, choice, products and parcel collection services to create a really compelling offer to serve the community with its food and fuel needs, conveniently.”

Michael Calvert, Co-op area manager, added:

“Co-op is committed to connecting communities and making a difference locally, and our aim is to operate at the heart of local life.

“We also want customers to know that they can become a member of the Co-op.

“In addition to unlocking additional value and personalised offers, Co-op donates to community causes when members swipe their membership card.

“So by shopping at the Co-op our members are helping to make good things happen in their community.”

A decision on the future of Harrogate Borough Council’s former Crescent Gardens offices is still to be made, almost two years after the building was sold.

Impala Estates, a property investment company in Harrogate, bought the building in January 2020 for £4 million.

It submitted a planning application in March this year to transform the building into offices, a gym and a rooftop restaurant.

Under the plans, the empty building, which was built in the 1890s, would be refurbished and extended by adding two floors.

The Stray Ferret approached Impala Estates to ask how the plans were progressing. However, the developer did not reply by the time of publication. It has not provided an update on its Crescent Gardens website since April 1.

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Harrogate Borough Council confirmed that its planning committee had not yet set a date to hear the plans.

The council planning portal, which has 120 documents relating to the document, indicates that the developers are currently responding to concerns from consultees, such as Yorkshire Water and North Yorkshire County Council.

How the rooftop restaurant would look. Photo: S+SA Architects.

The saga of Harrogate Borough Council’s former offices

The future of Crescent Gardens, which has been empty for four years since the council relocated to Knapping Mount in 2017, has become a long-running saga.

Harrogate Borough Council announced when it moved into its new offices that local developer Adam Thorpe would buy the site for £6.31 million.

Mr Thorpe said he would spend £75 million on a refurbishment, which would include an art gallery, underground car park, swimming pool, restaurant and luxury apartments.

Two years later he said he had agreed the sale of 10 of the 12 properties but Mr Thorpe’s company, ATP Ltd, then collapsed with debts of almost £11million, including £24,394 to the council.

The site then went back on the market and was eventually sold to Impala Estates.

Owners of a historic Ripon site, which fell into a state of disrepair, have apologised to neighbours as the area is prepared for residential redevelopment.

Leeds-based Graycliffe Homes bought the former Girls’ High School Old Lecture Building, on College Road, as a development opportunity ten years ago.

Over the past decade, the two storey red brick Edwardian building has had windows broken and slates stolen while its grounds became overgrown.

Graycliffe’s managing director, Wayne Butterfield, who has been involved in a major tidy up of the area, told the Stray Ferret:

“It has become something of an eyesore and for that I would like to apologise to our neighbours.

“The new homes development here will see a transformation, that I hope is to the liking of people who live nearby.”

Planning permission was granted by Harrogate Borough Council for the former high school to be refurbished and converted to create eight townhouses.

An architect’s drawing showing how the refurbished building will look. Picture: Graycliffe Homes

There will also be five new-build homes on the site, which will be landscaped, with green spaces retained.

Graycliffe will not carry out the conversion and new build, but it is in discussions with developers who will carry forward the scheme.

Christopher Hughes, chair of Ripon Civic Society, welcomed the activity on site.

He said:

“This is an historically important building dating back to 1908 and we are pleased to see that is is being retained for conversion within the overall redevelopment plans.

“The society has taken a great interest in this site over the years and, at long last and many hold ups and frustrations, we are pleased to see it being tidied up in readiness for disposal to a developer, who will convert the former school building and carry out the other works.”

The building as it currently looks

The former school provided secondary education for girls, until its amalgamation with Ripon Grammar School in the early 1960’s.

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Afterwards, the building was used as part of the Ripon Teacher Training College and later the College of Ripon & York St John.

Following the closure of the training college, it was let to Leeds Metropolitan University whose lease on the building ended in 2012.

A well known Harrogate pub and restaurant has closed for a month-long refurbishment.

The Pine Marten, on Otley Road near RHS Harlow Carr, closed today and is planning to open again on Saturday, October 30.

When it reopens in October the pub has promised that it will have a “glamorous” new look and feel with its own personality and style.

It will also bring a new feature bar, which will be at the centre of the social space.

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As well as a new feel for the pub, the owners have also developed a new menu inspired by food trends from across the world, including a new range of small plates.

The pub dates back to the 1820s when it was the original home of Robert Wigglesworth, who created the world’s largest telescope at the time.

The Stray Ferret approached owners Mitchells & Butlers for comment. The company declined to comment but said it would share more information closer to the reopening date.

A tidy-up is underway at a central Ripon location where a sinkhole prevented new homes from being built.

The Stray Ferret understands the area in Allhallowgate will remain as green open space for the public to enjoy. Further details are expected shortly.

Grey hoardings around the site were taken down yesterday as part of the proposed makeover.

Harrogate Borough Council was set to build 17 homes to replace a block of flats in poor condition on Allhallowgate.

However, serious ground stability issues came to light during demolition of the existing properties and the project was scrapped in 2019.

The proposed scheme was backed with funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government but the sinkhole made the development economically unviable.

The site, pictured in February before the tidy-up began

The area remained dormant. Hoardings were erected and an entry gateway was chained and locked.

In February, Ripon councillor Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, told the Stray Ferret:

“The area is going to be tidied up, levelled, re-seeded and greened to improve its appearance.

“It has become overgrown and the hoardings are a bit the worse for wear.”

With the removal of the hoardings, the extent of the tidy-up operation has become evident.

Bushes and overgrown foliage have been cut back and grass is starting to grow.

Removal of the hoardings started yesterday

Residents of the demolished block were all permanently re-housed by Harrogate Borough Council and funding has been allocated for extensive refurbishment and improvement of the remaining Allhallowgate block, which is due to start shortly.

Ripon’s gypsum issue

Ground instability problems caused by the soluble nature of gypsum have been seen in many parts of Ripon.

The Stray Ferret reported in October about the evacuation of a residential block at Bedern Court, caused by subsidence in the area.

In February 2018, a sinkhole opened up on the car park of Ripon Leisure Centre, off Dallamires Lane. A further void discovered near the leisure centre entrance a year ago is under investigation.

In 2016, a dozen homes in Magdalen’s Road were evacuated after a 66-foot wide sinkhole opened up.

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Jespers of Harrogate reopened this morning following a shop refurbishment.

The pen and stationery store celebrated its 120th anniversary this year. The front of the shop has been remodelled, with the famous pen range relocated to the back of the store.

Shop manager Lynn Cummings said she was “amazed” by the transformation:

“We’re 120 years old this year, so we thought it was time to give the store a makeover and update what we have here. It has completely transformed the front of the shop.”

The luxury pen range has been given a new home at the back of the shop

The refurbishment of the Oxford Street shop comes two years after the business was taken on by new owners. The Jesper family retired and sold the company in 2019.

Ms Cummings added:

“Our new directors are very keen to keep the ethos that the Jesper family started and created, but also build on that with new products and lines.

“We’ve still got the lines we had, including an extensive range of writing implements from Montegrappa, Waterman, Parker, every brand that you can think of.

“We’ve also developed a whole new area to promote our personal care products. We deal with the likes of Bentley Organics, Watkins soap, Floris, and Edwin Jagger.”

In addition to stationery and personal care products, Jespers also has an art department and a variety of children’s creativity kits and jigsaws.

The personal care range.

When the store closed on June 25, the refurbishment was planned to take three weeks. That time was extended as it became clear more work was needed. But Ms Cummings is excited to be back open to the public.

“As these things go, older buildings spring up surprises and we were closed a bit longer than we wanted.

“We’re very much looking forward to reopening here at Jespers, and seeing our loyal customers and inviting new customers into the store.”

A Knaresborough pub is preparing to welcome back customers after it closed for eight months to do a major £160,000 refurbishment.

The Worlds End Pub closed for the work in December 2020. After a few bumps in the road, the pub will open to customers for the first time in months today.

When the customers return they will find that the venue has effectively doubled its seating offering.

Some of the most noticeable changes are outside. The pub has created a completely new outdoor seating area where the old conservatory and toilets used to be.

Indoors there is also plenty to see. The bar has been extended with a new overhang from the set of the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost film which is also called The Worlds End.

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The main seating area indoors has also had a big refresh. It is now much bigger with a stone floor, big traditional beams and bi-fold doors which lead outside.

Simon Colgan told the Stray Ferret ahead of the opening:

“Since we moved here in 2006 I knew it could be so much bigger, so much brighter and so much more Knaresborough.

“It was important that we didn’t just give it a lick of paint. We needed to erase all the bad things and create a lot more space with an extra 120 seats.

“I am absolutely over the moon. We could only dream at the beginning but people have come in and added their own ideas.

“We didn’t want to polish all of the character out of it. The pub is still quirky and olde worlde but hoepfully on a much better level now.”

With an extra 120 seats at the pub, it means that the pub has employed 30 new staff.

More pictures from The Worlds End:

The overhang from the set of the film The Worlds End.

The new seating area inside.

The new seating area outside.

The Worlds End has quite a view over the River Nidd.

An Italian restaurant and cocktail bar is reopening in Harrogate after spending £750,000 on a major refurbishment during the third national lockdown.

Lucia Harrogate, based at 3 Ripon Road, will throw open its doors to guests again on Tuesday May 18 with a bright and refreshed look. So we went for a sneak peek.

The big investment, which comes after a difficult year for the hospitality industry, has also created 21 jobs.

Lucia Harrogate’s middle floor, on street level, is bright and airy

It already seems to be paying off. Tables in the restaurant and bar are fully reserved for the next three weeks and if people keep booking, there could be scope to create even more roles.

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Lucia, which has two more restaurants in Beverley and York, has been in Harrogate since 2014.

Its restaurant in the town is set over three floors. It now has a classic Italian, 1920s look, with a modern floral twist.

There is an almost prohibition-era feel to the basement, which is kitted out in dark and rich reds and ocean-inspired decorations.

The middle floor remains as the main restaurant space and bar. It also leads into the conservatory, which has an eye-catching floral display on the ceiling.

While the top floor is where you can find even more seating to grab food and drinks. The main toilets are also on the top floor.

Soothing blues enhance the top floor’s more relaxed atmosphere

Mike Turner, general manager at Lucia Wine Bar and Grill Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are looking forward to opening our doors and showcasing this beautiful restaurant. It’s had a good overhaul and we have created extra jobs.

“People cannot wait to head out, so that is great. We are fully booked for the next three weeks and people are already getting in touch about the fourth week.”

Rich red decor gives the basement an almost-prohibition-era feel

Chelsea Talbot, the restaurant’s guest experience manager, also said:

“The money for the refurbishment is Lucia money, it comes from the success and confidence in what we can offer.

“I spoke to a taxi driver about it who thought it was daft to spend so much money, but it’s not. It’s amazing.

“We know that this is what Harrogate wants. We are confident in hospitality. People can dine and drink with us and spend a full evening here.”

A statement floral ceiling dominates the conservatory

The basement’s bar is ready for staff to serve drinks

A Harrogate restaurant will be celebrating both its reopening and Yorkshire Day with a make-shift beach this Saturday.

To mark its namesake’s day on August 1, as well as the re-launch of its Scran restaurant, The Yorkshire Hotel has created a beach at the front of the building and is offering a free glass of prosecco for those ordering food.

Its sister property, the White Hart Hotel and Fat Badger pub, installed an outdoor beach earlier this month to celebrate hospitality venues being allowed to reopen. Simon Cotton, managing director of HRH Group, said:

“Since we opened two years ago, Scran has been at the heart of Harrogate’s dining and bar scene, but with our new fresh, contemporary look, we are excited to bring a new concept to our loyal and new customers.”

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Dean Sowden and Dario Silviera pictured outside the new restaurant.

The restaurant’s food will be in the hands of head chef Dean Sowden of the former Deano’s, with Harrogate’s barman of the year, Dario Silviera, managing the bar.

Simon added:

“Dean’s food has such a good local reputation that we are delighted he is heading up the kitchen of Scran, and with head barman, Dario at the cocktail helm we have the dream team!”

Screens have been placed around the bar and more space has been created between tables to allow for social distancing. It is recommended that customers pre book.