A Polish deli in Harrogate will relaunch in new town centre premises at the weekend.
Cracovia, which used to occupy a small shop on King’s Road, will reopen on Saturday in a larger unit on Bower Street.
Owner Maciek Bujakowski told the Stray Ferret:
“Our little shop on King’s Road had become slightly too small, so we’re moving to a bigger shop where we’ll have more space. The uniqueness of our home-made products, such as pâtés, meatloaves and sausages, gives us a strength over other shops, so we’ve become quite popular.
“If you come along on Saturday between 9am and 6pm, you’ll be able to taste different kinds of Polish food and drink, and everybody’s welcome.”
The new shop on Bower Street in Harrogate.
Maciek and wife Kasia not only own the Harrogate shop, but also a restaurant in Chapel Allerton and shops in Armley in Leeds, Acomb in York and Hessle in Hull. In total, they employ 15 people, including four in the new Bower Street shop.
Originally from Krakow in southern Poland, Maciek began his career with a four-year catering degree and represented his country in international food competitions.
Kasia and Maciek Bujakowski.
He came to England in 2004, moving around the country for various chef positions, culminating in being made executive chef of the Kimberley Hotel in Harrogate. He opened his first shop, Magic Meat – a wordplay on his first name – on King’s Road in 2015 to cater to the town’s then-growing Polish community.
He said:
“When we opened our first shop eight years ago, about 80% of our customers were Eastern European and only 20% English, but now the balance is about 50/50.
“With Polish food it’s exactly the same as with other kinds of foreign food. People come here from other places, local people try our food and like it, and it becomes more popular. I wouldn’t be surprised if in 30 years’ time, you would see Polish restaurants like you see Indian and Chinese restaurants now. It’s just the evolution of knowledge of food, and it’s changing all the time.”
Read more:
Councillors delay decision on staff accommodation plan for Ripon Chinese restaurant
Councillors have deferred making a decision on a plan to create living accommodation for staff above a Chinese restaurant in Ripon.
North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton & Ripon planning committee met yesterday afternoon at Ripon Town Hall to consider an application from Mr Wang who took over The Dragon Inn in 2021.
The restaurant is part of a five-storey Grade II listed building that sits on the city’s market square.
According to planning documents, the first, second and attic levels are bedrooms for staff with a communal kitchen and bathrooms.
However, planning permission was never obtained to use the building as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) so the application was part-retrospective.
But councillors raised concerns about access to the building, the fire escape and bin collection with a request for more information before it’s brought back to committee.
Access to the residential upper floors is through the restaurant which led to fears that bins could potentially be dumped in the street.
There is also no public right of way to the rear of the building, which is on council-owned land, and the applicant has not yet received permission from North Yorkshire Council to use it.
HMO’s require a higher level of fire safety than a normal privately rented property and a condition was proposed so that a fire safety risk assessment of the building would take place but this still left councillors uneasy about fire safety in the building.
Read more:
Conservative and Independents Group councillor for Ripon Minster & Moorside, Andrew Williams, said he had reservations about the application.
He said:
“I think as elected members we should ensure applications are water-tight before we give approval. I can’t support the application today as it would not be appropriate when there are clearly significant issues to be addressed.”
However, Liberal Democrat councillor for Ripon Ure Bank & Spa Barbara Brodigan said she was in favour of the plan as it would help to reinvigorate the city.
Cllr Brodigan said:
“Look around Ripon market square and a lot of buildings are underused and we’re short of suitable affordable housing.
“If buildings are not in use they fall into decay. If we bring people into the city centre then it’s a vibrant place, they spend money and it’s a safer environment.”
Councillors voted by four to three to defer the application and asked for more information on access and refuse collection.
New bar and restaurant to open in Knaresborough todayA new bar and restaurant is due to officially open today in the centre of Knaresborough.
1858 is situated in the former NatWest bank, which closed in 2017, on the High Street. Councillors granted an alcohol licence to applicant Jaime Wilkinson last month.
The venue, which will launch at 5pm, provides lunch and evening meals and Sunday roasts as well as drinks.
It derives its name from the year in which the building was constructed.
The High Street site was formerly occupied by NatWest.
Kim Lancaster, who was manager of the town’s So Bar and Eats before working with Mr Wilkinson at the Drakes fish and chip shops that he owns, will run the venue.
Ms Lancaster told councillors the venue would feature “elegant fine dining” rather than be a “Wetherspoons quick in-and-out” type experience.
She added:
“We want people coming in not just for alcohol but for coffee and lunch. We’re trying to bring back something to Knaresborough that people can’t wait for. People are going to Harrogate [instead]. We’ve spent a lot of money and want to do it right with the right clientele.”
1858 is permitted to sell alcohol from 10am until midnight seven days a week.
Read more:
- Councillors grant licence for ‘elegant’ bar and restaurant in former Knaresborough bank
- New cafe to open in Knaresborough on Friday
- Claire Baxter gallery wins Knaresborough Feva window contest
New play barn added to attractions at farm shop near Boroughbridge
A farm shop near Boroughbridge has added a children’s play barn to its attractions for families.
Yolk Farm, which offers a restaurant and shop as well as opportunities to meet and feed its animals, opened the new Yard@Yolk facility this week.
Emma Mosey, who has run the business near Minskip with husband Ben for the last six years, said she hoped it would add another reason for local families to visit.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“It all stems back from our mission and vision here which is educating kids and young families about farming, and being reconnected with food.
“A lot of the places that already exist are amazing, and can cost quite a lot to get in, particularly for a family with more than one child.
“Our aim is to make this a place people can come regularly and spend some time with their kids.”
Milkshakes will be among the treats on offer at the new facility
Interest in the project has been high since it was first announced on social media last month.
The building where the play space is housed has been completely transformed from its original use.
Emma said:
“It was originally the hen barn. Late last year, we were told if we were to get avian flu within the hens in that location, we would have to shut the whole site, including the restaurant.
“It was a huge risk, so when the flock came to an end, we decided to move the new flock into a field a bit further away.
“It meant we had this big barn, in the middle of the car park, which was vacant.”
The barn now offers role play areas and ride-on toys, all connected to the theme of farming and food.
Visitors can buy hot and cold drinks, as well as snacks, milkshakes and ice creams, drawing on the menu from the adjacent restaurant.
Yard@Yolk is open daily from 10am to 3pm and entry is £2.50 per child.
Read more:
American diner in Harrogate appoints liquidators
An American-themed 1950s diner in Harrogate has appointed liquidators and applied to be wound up.
The Hub Caffe Ltd, which trades as The Fabulous 50s Diner, opened two years ago on the site of the former Cafe Rita on Bower Road.
An announcement on official public record website The Gazette said Richard Hunt of SFP Restructuring Limited in London had been appointed liquidator on July 21.
The Gazette also reported a general meeting of the company on the same date resolved to voluntarily wind-up the business.
The announcement, dated July 27, is authorised by director Wagdy Mansour.
The diner, which is still trading, has images of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley outside. Its menu includes milk shakes, ice-cream sundaes, waffles, burgers and hot dogs.
Mr Mansour and his wife Shirley ran Cafe Rita for eight years.
When the venue reopened as The Fabulous 50s Diner after covid, Mr Mansour told the Stray Ferret they had decided to go for something completely different. He said:
“We thought it was time for a change. So we thought about a theme and realised we didn’t have any American diners in Harrogate.”
The diner has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s requests for comment.
Read more:
- Liquidators appointed at Harrogate conference company
- Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill won’t return this year
‘Official announcement’ due on new Harrogate restaurant
An ‘official announcement’ is expected soon about Harrogate‘s newest restaurant.
The Stray Ferret revealed on Thursday the Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar was due to open on Cheltenham Crescent the following day.
The article generated more than 300 comments, with many people welcoming the opportunity to buy tacos and burritos in the spacious town centre venue.
But The Rooftop opened to mixed reviews online from customers who posted their experiences on sites such as Restaurants Harrogate Review Club Facebook page.
A social media account for The Rooftop replied on the thread:
it said:
“We know there have already been speculations circulating among the public.
“Currently we are in the process of sorting things out before making an official announcement.
“Please let’s all be kind to each others. We truly appreciate everyone.
“We are hoping to publish an announcement as soon as possible.”
Leeds-based owner Mason Elyas initially declined to comment when the Stray Ferret asked him to clarify the situation but later said the restaurant remained open as usual. It is open Thursday to Sunday each week.
Mr Elyas took control of the premises above Sukhothai on the corner of Cheltenham Crescent and Cheltenham Parade just three weeks ago.
Le Bistrot Pierre occupied the site for many years. It was then briefly occupied by Samsons and then HG1 Grill and World Bar.
Read more:
- New Mexican restaurant to open in Harrogate tomorrow
- In Pictures: Harrogate Carnival fills streets with dance, music and colour
New Starbeck chicken restaurant opens
A new chicken restaurant and takeaway has opened in Starbeck.
Chilli Chick’s, which is based on High Street, officially opened its doors today to become the fourth outlet of the restaurant chain.
The takeaway offers a range of food including chicken, burritos and rice boxes.
Farhan Murtaza, manager of the Starbeck outlet, launched the restaurant with his partner Khayyam Ifhaq.
Mr Murtaza said:
“We saw good scope for a chicken restaurant in Harrogate. Everyone seemed friendly.
“There is barely any chicken places around here.”
Read more:
- Cornish Bakery to open on Harrogate’s James Street
- Sell-out Great Yorkshire Show proves resilient in cost of living crisis
The restaurant includes seating for 15 people, but also has the option for takeaway.
It will be open from midday until 11pm every day.
Chilli Chick’s also has outlets in Bradford, Dewsbury and Birmingham.
Call for entries as In Bloom contest returns across HarrogateHotels, pubs, restaurants, care homes and communities are being called on to be part of a floral competition in Harrogate for the first time since before the pandemic.
Harrogate in Bloom (HIB) has launched its annual contest for businesses and community organisations this summer.
It will be the first time the competition has been run in full since 2019, after being called off in 2020.
HIB member Mary Mann, who helps to organise the competition, told the Stray Ferret:
“We couldn’t meet or go round to see the gardens during covid.
“We did a small competition last year, but we’re determined it’s going to get back to normal this year. We used to have masses of entries before covid.”
The competition has four categories: bars and restaurants, hotels and guesthouses, residential communities, and communal gardens.
The latter is aimed at public places such as churches which have outside space, while residential communities are often blocks of flats with communal gardens.
Read more:
- Regal floral art wows visitors at Harrogate Flower Show
- Harrogate school pupil’s flower bed design for Queen’s Jubilee wins trophy
The size of the garden is not important in any of the categories – the judges will be looking at the way the space is maintained and the use of flowers, including those in containers.
Each entrant will be judged against RHS criteria and given an award for the standard it achieves, from a certificate of merit up to a gold award. A winner will be announced in each category in September.
Judging will be carried out by Chris Beard and Roger Brownbridge, both experienced Yorkshire in Bloom and Harrogate in Bloom judges.
To find out more about the competition, or enter by the deadline of June 30, click here.
Meanwhile, Harrogate is also gearing up for judging in the regional Yorkshire in Bloom contest.
Members of HIB and other organisations have been working hard to ensure the town is shown off at its best over the summer, maintaining its long tradition of success in floral competitions.
Harrogate BID, meanwhile, has been selected for Britain in Bloom after winning gold in last year’s Yorkshire Contest. The business organisation will be supported by members of HIB to prepare for judging.
Harrogate restaurant relaunches following £30,000 refurbishmentAn Italian restaurant in Harrogate town centre is set to relaunch next Thursday (April 27) following a £30,000 overhaul.
The refurbishment of Piccolino on Parliament Street sees the return of the ground-floor bar that was popular when the site was run as Restaurant Bar & Grill.
When it became a Gino D’Acampo restaurant in 2017, the ground floor was turned into a deli, but owner Individual Restaurants rebranded it to Piccolino in January 2022 and is now bringing back the bar area in response to local demand.
Andrew Garton, CEO of Individual Restaurants, said:
“I spent 10 years of my life living in Harrogate and enjoyed every minute of it. On taking my position as CEO at Individual Restaurants, bringing the bar back to Harrogate was the top request from my friends and contacts – and this is exactly what we have done. We look forward to bringing back the buzz to the local community as well as ensuring that we continue to serve the finest Italian food and drink.
“I encourage everyone in Harrogate to come and relive the good times and experience the best venue in Harrogate.”
The re-launched bar will serve cocktails and host sets by local DJs. The roof-top terrace and private dining room will also be reopening.
The Harrogate restaurant is one of 18 Piccolino sites around England, most of which are in the North.
The venue will be led by a new general manager, Salvatore Cataldi, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, including stints at San Carlo and Grantley Hall. He said:
“I am super excited to be joining the Piccolino Harrogate team as general manager. I can already see how this will soon become the ‘go to’ place for dinner and late evening drinks in our new bar.
“I also have a strong business network within the local community, and I think our private dining room and rooftop terrace space will be a hit with local businesses looking to surprise and delight their teams and clients! I look forward to welcoming our guests to the restaurant over the coming months.”
The Manchester-based Individual Restaurants group has 18 Piccolino sites across the UK, including Harrogate, Ilkley, Collingham, Sheffield, Bramhall, Birmingham, Chester, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Stockton Heath, Bristol, London and Virginia Water. It also has restaurants operating under other brands in Leeds, Hull and Marlow.
Read more:
- Gino D’Acampo claims Harrogate restaurant rebrand was done ‘without my consent’
- New cocktail bar to open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street in two weeks
- New bar and nightclub to open on Harrogate’s Parliament Street
Leon to close today in Harrogate
Leon in Harrogate is due to close at 8pm today.
It will mark the end of an ill-fated nine-month venture by the fast food chain, which employed about 20 people on Wetherby Road.
The final meals will be served at 8pm unless supplies run out sooner.
The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.
They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.
EG Group considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before opting for Leon instead.
There is speculation it will now revert to its plans for a Starbucks, but the company has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries about its plans.
Read more: