Yo Sushi in Harrogate has closed its dining area and will only be open for takeaways ‘until further notice’.

The Albert Street chain sells Japanese food on a conveyor belt, opening in 2016 along with the Everyman Cinema.

But a notice has gone up in its window that says the restaurant will be trading takeaway food for the time being.

The Stray Ferret asked a Yo Sushi team member who said the move is likely to last until the end of the month and was due to staffing problems.

Harrogate’s hospitality businesses have faced well-documented problems hiring staff over the past couple of years, with Brexit, high living costs and low pay all previously blamed for the crisis.

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The Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant in Harrogate re-opened last night.

The restaurant, set in the Grade II listed Royal Baths, is one of the most historic and opulent places to dine in Harrogate.

It has been closed since the end of 2020 and was also shut for most of 2020 due to lockdowns.

But after extensive repair work due mainly to damp, people once again have the chance of a unique eating experience.

The building, which has a central dome and pillars down the side, was built between 1894 and 1897 and for many years was Europe’s premier destination for spa treatments. It is now owned by North Yorkshire County Council.

The restaurant has served traditional Chinese food for about 13 years and will continue to do so.

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• Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway
• 4km of jubilee bunting goes up around Harrogate

A restaurant spokesman said the 100-seat venue would be similar to how customers remembered it, with the VIP room and terrace bar and dining area back in operation. However, the party room is currently unavailable.

He added:

“We have a new team of staff starting and ask people to be patient when we first re-open.

“But it’s very much the same Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant. We have been here for 13 or 14 years now and look forward to welcoming customers back.”

The owners opened the Royal Baths Express takeaway in Pateley Bridge in February.

They also continue to operate Haks Little Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, on Harrogate’s Station Parade.

More pictures from The Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant

The bar, which leads to the outside terrace.

The terrace area.

The Grade II listed building was built from 1894 to 1897.

Inside the main dining area.

Two Harrogate 26-year-olds are opening a new restaurant and bar on King’s Road next week.

Charlie Moorby and Tom Moxham hope Frog, which will begin serving customers on Wednesday, will bring a “neighbourhood hub” to the Harrogate street.

They hope it could help King’s Road follow Cold Bath Road by becoming more of a destination hub.

Mr Moorby said renovation work is nearly complete. The site, previously Ramus Seafood and What’s Cooking, has been completely refurbished.

The large restaurant will include outdoor seating to the side and front.

Frog has been in the pipeline since last summer.

The two men, former Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College students, have worked in numerous Harrogate hospitality venues.

This is the first independent venture for Mr Moorby.

After being friends for over a decade, the pair felt they would work well as business partners. Mr Moorby has taken charge of the drinks side and Mr Moxham is overseeing the food and restaurant.

Mr Moorby said:

“We have aimed the whole thing at having a homely feel. We want people to feel like they’re at home or in their friend’s front room. We thought there was a bit of a gap in Harrogate for having high-quality food without the big price tag on it.”

Read more:

• Pret A Manger set to open in Harrogate ‘very soon’
• New Harrogate pub opens

Speaking about the choice of location on King’s Road, Mr Moorby said they wanted the venue to be more of a community venture than a late-night establishment in the town centre:

“We used Cold Bath Road as an example. Five, six years ago there wasn’t much going on but now there’s so much going on. We felt like the same is happening on King’s Road, it’s becoming its own little suburb.”

About 40 people can be accommodated and enjoy the Asian and South American-inspired menu. About 10 members of staff will be employed.

A decision on the future of Harrogate Borough Council’s former Crescent Gardens offices is set to be made this month, according to site owner Impala Estates.

The Harrogate-based property investment company bought the building in January 2020 for £4m.

It submitted a planning application in March 2021 to transform the site into offices, a gym and a rooftop restaurant.

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

James Hartley, director at Impala Estates, told the Stray Ferret in an email today that it expected the proposal to be considered by councillors on the planning committee on April 21.

‘Much-needed’ office space

Documents submitted by the developer in November said the conversion would add “much-needed” office space into the town centre.

It said:

“It has been noted that there is a significant lack of high quality office space within the centre of Harrogate along with more office buildings being approved for conversion to residential within the town centre, this being exacerbated by changes in permitted development rules”.

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In December, the public body Historic England said it objected to the two-storey roof-top extension and would prefer a “suitably designed” single-storey extension instead.

It said:

“Whilst we remain supportive of the proposals to sustainability reuse the former council offices, the revised scheme does not address our previous concerns and our position remains unchanged. Unfortunately, the two storey upward extension is still being pursued.”

The Stray Ferret asked the council to confirm whether Crescent Gardens will be on the agenda at the next planning committee meeting but we had not yet received a response by the time of publication.

The saga of the former council site

The future of Crescent Gardens, which has been empty for five 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.

It set up a website outlining its vision for the building. The ‘project updates’ section has not been updated since April 1 last year.

Mackenzies in Blubberhouses to host art exhibition

Yorkshire artist Lynda Logan and her husband Terry are to display their work at Mackenzies Farm Shop in Blubberhouses to raise money for charity.

Ms Logan, who has a studio near Harrogate, was one of the original Calendar Girls in the 2003 film. She played a model and her husband was a photographer.

Their exhibition, which begins on April 9, will donate 10% of all sales to Blood Cancer UK.

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in adults and the most common in children.

Paul Palmer, the owner of Mackenzies, said:

“We’re delighted to have Lynda and Terry exhibiting with us in the gallery. Their previous work for charity has been exceptional and we’re excited to help raise even more.”

Events company brings food festival to Pateley Bridge

A previous event hosted by Lily and Lister.

The first Yorkshire Feastival will take place at Pateley Bridge on June 25 and 26.

The event is primarily a food and drink festival but also has an inflatable village, fun fair and a mini farm.

The event will host multiple small business owners, artists and entrepreneurs from Yorkshire. The event is organised by Lily and Lister Events.

Anna Lister, from Lily and Lister, said:

“With so many amazing producers, food, drink and artists from Yorkshire we wanted to create an event celebrating the best of what Yorkshire has to offer and in exceptional countryside in the heart of Yorkshire.

“It’s a great opportunity to come and support local businesses whilst having an amazing day out.”

Two Harrogate restaurants launch charity menu and easter egg hunt 

Provenance Inns & Hotels Group is launching a charity menu and a large easter egg hunt across all its seven venues.

The venues include the West Park Hotel in Harrogate and The Punch Bowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton. Dozens of eggs will be hidden in and around each venue and customers will attempt to find them using clues posted on Facebook.

Anyone who finds one of the chocolate treats can enjoy a free drink at their local Provenance bar.

The Inns group has also launched a new menu.

Tom Patrick, head of marketing at Provenance, said:

“Our Easter egg hunt is going to be quite epic, with not one but seven of Yorkshire’s finest pubs taking part.”

£1 from each Chicken Kyiv dish sold at Provenance venues will go to the Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.

This article is sponsored by The Knox Harrogate

With Spring now upon us, the recently refurbished Knox pub on the outskirts of Bilton is an enticing choice for outdoor dining.

Simon and Katie Swannie took on the pub in 2016 and have worked tirelessly ever since to make sure it becomes the hub of the local community.

The couple’s continuous improvement led to a major refurbishment, both inside and out.

If you need to shake off the winter blues and soak up some sunshine, or just want some space to let the kids run off the Sunday dinner, The Knox has the space, and the atmosphere, for your perfect outdoor dining experience.

Great dining space inside and out

The welcoming beers garden are dog friendly and south facing, making the perfect sun trap.

Out the back the large dining area is perfect for taking advantage of the weather and large family meals. The goats and chickens in the pen just behind the pub will no doubt be a hit with the kids while the parents enjoy a drink.

The inside of the pub is spacious. There’s plenty of room in the main dining area, or if you’d prefer there is also The Barn which is quirky, cosy, and available to hire.

Revamped menu

The new menu is sure to be another hit for The Knox and compliments its steak nights and pub food classics with locally made and sourced food specially selected for outside dining.

Convenient if you’re after a quick snack while you drink. If you need a quick rest while exploring the beautiful Nidd Gorge or Oak Beck, the pub is a short walk away.

So whether you are looking for space for a family meal in the sunshine, or a picturesque corner to settle down in for the afternoon the Knox pub in Bilton is the perfect spot.

Visit The Knox on Knox Lane, Harrogate, HG1 3AP, or find more details at theknoxharrogate.co.uk.

Fast food chain Leon is recruiting staff to work at a drive thru restaurant in Harrogate.

The company, which has about 70 outlets in the UK, is to open on the Wetherby Road site that received planning permission to be a Starbucks..

The Stray Ferret revealed last month that speculation was growing that the site could host a Leon.

Now Alex Parkinson, general manager of the first Leon drive thru in Leeds, is advertising for staff.

In a post on a Facebook recruitment site, she said:

“I’m currently the general manager of the first Leon drive thru in Gildersome, Leeds — and I’m super-excited about opening our second drive thru in Harrogate.

“We are looking for team members and supervisors to join us.”

Read more:

• Could fast-food chain Leon be coming to Harrogate?
• Work starts on controversial Harrogate Starbucks

Leon describes itself as a place that sells healthy fast food that is environmentally friendly.

Options include vegan sausage muffins, Harissa chicken salad and blackberry, apple and ginger porridge

Leon was recently bought by Euro Garages group, which was awarded planning permission last year to open a drive-thru Starbucks on Wetherby Road.

This article is sponsored by Deliveree

Stray Foodie reviews are brought to you by Deliveree, and written by Michelin-starred chef Frances Atkins. Frances independently chooses which restaurants she will visit. This month, Frances visits Cardamom Black in central Harrogate.

Having spent four consecutive years in India cooking with some of the world’s greatest chefs at sophisticated dinners for charity, I came to marvel at the joy of their cuisine.

The combination of texture, colour and warmth is unique. Personally, I tend to err away from very hot and spicy foods, having considered them in the past to kill flavour. I have been wrong. It is all about technique and I would go so far as to say there isn’t another country that produces such flavour in their food made from very little.

So it was with great pleasure that I dined at Cardamom Black in Harrogate with friends. I was at first in awe of the size of the menu! Suitable for everyman’s palate but hard to execute, but they did it.

Whether you want a quick curry after a good night out, British style or you are wanting a more academic supper, it is there for the asking. Being into the creation of Vegan and Vegetarian food at the moment I decided to go with their sensational platter of vegetables. Stuffed, fried and unique – all my party had a great time sampling these delicacies.

My friends had two chicken dishes, one mild and one hot, they were very different and once again all down to the seasoning. The preparation of the rice to accompany them was sensational. One with Lime and Coriander and one with Tamarind. Beautiful flavour. The only slight difficulty I might have had was getting all these flavours together to compliment the chosen dish. It took some degree of concentration.  Having said that, the true Indian style of service was friendly and informative and made you feel at ease.

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I listened to another guest on the night we were there who boasted he had tried every dish on the menu!  He must have been going there for a very long time and he was a very happy man! 

Like all my Indian experiences, Cardamom Black reflects colour, warmth and happiness.

Well worth a visit. All taking place in a converted Methodist Church and theatre. It certainly takes central stage in Harrogate.

Star Rating: 4. This is a place to watch!

Stray Foodie reviews are written by Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins. In 1997, Frances opened the Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge, where she was the owner for 20 years. During her ownership, she held her Michelin-star status for 16 of those years. Frances now runs Paradise  at Daleside Nurseries.

Want the best of what the Harrogate area has to offer in your pocket? Download our app so you never miss a thing.

A new restaurant celebrating “exceptional British produce” is set to open at the former Le Bistrot Pierre site in Harrogate this month.

Work is underway to transform the building into Samsons restaurant and bar, dubbed a “vibrant yet elegant dining and drinking destination”.

The spacious unit on Cheltenham Parade has remained empty since July 2020 after Le Bistrot Pierre became one of the first restaurant casualties of the pandemic.

Managing director Mark Morris said:

“I am thrilled to bring the people of Harrogate and the surrounding area a unique drink and dining location in the heart of the town.”

The team behind Samsons includes executive chef Josh Whitehead, who is known for his work with the Harewood Food and Drink Project. He was also a semi-finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals 2016. Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club, Leeds, is also involved.

No opening date has been announced yet.

Roof garden

It aims to be the first carbon-neutral restaurant in the UK. This includes plans to launch a full roof garden with a wild flower meadow and bee hives next year.

The ‘design-led’ restaurant, which will offer an all-day dining space with plush booth seating, will have space for up to 182 guests across the main restaurant and bar, as well as a snug room for private wine-tasting.

Read more:

• Sneak Peek: Cheese, wine and charcuterie bar opens today in Harrogate
• Owner of Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opens Pateley Bridge takeaway

Samsons is currently recruiting staff, with a job advertisement for various positions stating:

“Samsons is unique, reflecting its heritage and location, but founded on the core values and principles. Sustainability, provenance, seasonality and traceability shines through.

“We will be striving to be the best restaurant in Harrogate.”

The empty premises were due to be occupied by Tomahawk Steakhouse, however the restaurant chain is now planning to move into Solita Food Hall’s space on Parliament Street, which closed last year after just six months.

The steakhouse had planned to open in January, but with the change of location it is now planning to launch in April.

The site was also formerly Jamie Oliver’s restaurant.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert a former pub near Boroughbridge into flats, despite objections from local residents over the loss of a community asset.

Stonefield Developments applied to the council to convert the building in Lower Dunsforth, It was most recently a restaurant called The Hideaway Kitchen. Before that it was a pub called The Dunsforth.

The village is four miles from Boroughbridge.

The restaurant closed last year. Planning documents cite a “lack of customer trade and consequent viability issues” as the reason.

Now, proposals will see the ground floor of the former restaurant converted into two two-bedroom flats, along with car parking.

Read more:

• Plan to convert former Harrogate working men’s club into apartments
• End of an era: Harrogate working men’s club folds after 108 years

The upper floor of the building already has three existing flats, so if approved the building would have six in total.

37 letters of objection

The decision comes despite objections from the local parish of Dunsforth, which said the conversion would “strip a community of a vital asset”.

Chris France, who submitted the objection to the council on behalf of the parish, added in his letter:

“The pub is the only secular amenity in the village so its removal would severely impact village life leaving nowhere for the above to take place.”

In addition, 37 letters of objection were submitted to the council pointing out that the former pub has been a community asset in the village for more than 100 years.

The move comes as other applications have been lodged to convert former working men’s and private members clubs into flats.

In January, a proposal was lodged to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Ripon City Club into a house.