A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I am a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. Just in case you don’t know how lucky you are to have this thriving town centre with its fabulous independents alongside the high street big names, I’m here to show you what’s caught my eye in the excitement of the first week of the stores reopening. The items I have picked are my personal choices – I have not been paid to feature them.  

WALKING BOOTS

Joules, James Street. £89.95

Let’s face it, after nearly three months of trudging through mud with one other person, our walking boots are completely knackered by over-use aren’t they? With lots more outdoor socializing on the agenda, spring walks will look even more tempting, and stylish, with these cute, lightweight, super comfy upgrades.

BACKPACK

Marks and Spencer, Cambridge Street. £39.50  

It’s tucked away in the menswear section upstairs – but this backpack is perfectly suitable for women too.  The rubberized finish is very cool as well as water repellent, and there’s a handy internal padded laptop compartment. My only complaint is that the Harrogate branch doesn’t stock the larger rucksack with a fold-over top in the same fabric, nor (that I can see) the range of rainwear jackets in the same material – also missing. This range is very fashionable and about a half to two thirds the price of a similar Scandinavian version which might have inspired it. Plus, from my extensive consumer research (ie going round the shops whenever I can), I know that there are other covetable items that M&S aren’t carrying in Harrogate, either. Why not M&S?

LAVADA SOAP

Hoopers, St James Street. £4.75

Editor’s choice: “The best soap in the world”, apparently.  Well, it’s an Italian, triple milled natural vegetal soap from Florence so she may well be on to something. As well as lavender they do an iris and a cedar scented version which is more masculine. Plus, it being Hoopers, there’s a whole table of other tempting soaps from this and other brands, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

PYJAMA SETS

Jigsaw, James St.  Short sleeve and shorts set £80, Long sleeve and long leg set £85

I love Toile De Jouy patterns on fabric, and blue on white is my favourite of all.  I’m immediately transported to 18th century country life: I can almost hear the harpsichord tinkling in the background. On closer inspection this particular print features punks with spiky clothes and Mohican haircuts and racing cars, which makes it even better.

STRIPEY TRAINERS AND BAG

Moda in Pelle, West Park.   Trainers £109.95,  Bag £89.95.

Strictly speaking you may not need any more trainers but the metallic rainbow stripes are just so cheerful.  The bag has an adjustable chain handle, two inner compartments, zip pocket and a phone holder. The fashion jury is out on the wisdom of full accessory co-ordination but if you want to – hell, why not?

MOTHER OF PEARL ART DECO EVENING BAG,

Antique Market, Montpelier Mews. £68.

Bear with me on this.  It’s a beautiful, glamorous piece of craftsmanship and history, in great condition, plus I reckon its big enough to fit your phone and bank cards in. Totally unique and a very fair price. I hope it soon finds a careful owner who will treasure it.

More next month!  Keep shopping and keep Harrogate great.

If you have seen something that might catch our Secret Shoppers eye please email the Stray Ferret on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and mark it for her attention. </strong

Businesses owners are set to grill Harrogate council’s leader over concern about the future of the town centre.

Cllr Richard Cooper will join an online meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce tonight, which is expected to see questions on reopening plans, sustainable transport and the town’s future.

Business owners have been left concerned over the direction of the town amid various proposals for sustainable transport and council measures to support traders reopening, which includes a buy a bike scheme.

It comes as Harrogate Borough Council revealed a plan to help retail and hospitality reopen from today as part of the Government’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.

Read more:

• Harrogate BID “urges caution” over Station Gateway project
• Independent Harrogate fears Station Gateway could damage economy
• Plans to revive Harrogate district economy after April 12 revealed

The blueprint includes a “Buy Local By Bike” scheme and a “London Tube style” app that aims to urge shoppers to get cycling and support businesses around Harrogate and Knaresborough.

But Sandra Doherty, chair of the chamber of commerce, said the plans have left businesses “bemused” about the focus on cyclists.

She said:

“It seems unrealistic to focus just on cyclists. It should have been a much broader offering.”

Further measures include shops being allowed to stay open until 10pm and pavement licences, which form part of national measures.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously, Cllr Cooper said he was optimistic ahead of lockdown being relaxed but added it must be in a safe way.

He said:

“All the statistics we see show infections and hospitalisations heading in the right direction because of the effect the vaccine is having coupled with the lockdown.

“I know it has been the toughest year for business. We all know that. That is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally where possible and to choose a local retailer where we can, if we are shopping online.”

But Ms Doherty said business owners will want to ask the council leader what the town as a whole will look like in future.

Local business organisations, such as Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, have already expressed concern over the £7.9million Station Gateway plan, which could see more cycle routes and pedestrianisation of James Street.

The project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, the borough council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Ms Doherty said of the chamber’s members:

“They will be asking what benefits this will bring the to the town.

“Most businesses will be looking to the future. It would be nice to see where Harrogate council are hoping to go.”

The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, how he would be supporting the town ahead of reopening but did not receive a response.

Retailers are hoping a new way of life could be on the horizon as they await the Prime Minister’s plans for easing lockdown.

Independent business owners in the Harrogate district say support for them over the last year has been heartwarming – and they hope it will lead to a revival in their fortunes after covid.

Among those eagerly waiting for Boris Johnson to reveal his plans this evening are traders on Harrogate’s Commercial Street. Sue Kramer, who runs Crown Jewellers with her husband, said:

“We want to get back to business so people can come to real shops and deal with real people.

“I hope people will fall back in love with going to little streets like ours and that sense of community and knowing the people in the shops they use.

“I hope it will go back to how it used to be, years ago.”

Though the last year has been tough for retail, the businesses on Commercial Street have come closer together than ever before and are working on plans to increase footfall over the coming months.

Read more:

• Third lockdown threatens Knaresborough retail revival
• Harrogate theatre boss hopes for covid clarity on Monday

Similarly, Knaresborough had been enjoying a rise in its fortunes before the coronavirus crisis hit: it currently has just six empty shops, compared to 16 two years ago.

Steve Teggin, president of the town’s chamber of trade, said he hoped businesses would be able to reopen in time to allow the newest to find their feet properly after months of uncertainty.

“The government has helped to keep them limping along, but we really need to be able to open again now.

“We don’t want another lockdown after this, so it has to be right, but in this area particularly the vaccine system has gone as smooth as silk, so hopefully Boris will safely get us back open.”

Retailers in Knaresborough hope reopening will run smoothly

While a sector-specific reopening plan could be announced, Mr Teggin said he hoped there would not be too much delay between different businesses being allowed to return to trading. A barber himself, he said many customers come into town for haircuts and go on to use other shops, so having as much open as possible will deliver the most trade for all businesses.

His view was backed up by Kala Timson, who runs children’s shoe shop Stomp in the market place. She said the business’s third lockdown had been quieter, as customers awaited warmer weather and shops reopening, but she was hopeful of a boost in trade when the doors are opened again.

“Last time, the kids wanted to come back in and see us, and the parents were saying ‘we haven’t spoken to anyone for so long!’. It’s almost a novelty to be out and browsing, so we’ll have to have appointments again to limit the number of people in the shop.

“We’ve got things set up well for click and collect at the moment, and we can get the shop open again when we’re allowed. What we don’t want to do is come out of lockdown too early and find we have to close again.”

Mrs Kramer agreed, adding:

“I just hope it’s a well thought-out plan that takes into account businesses’ needs, but also the fact that we don’t want to end up in lockdown again.

“You wouldn’t have thought a year ago that we’d still be here, being locked down again. We don’t want to keep having this situation.”

Yesterday morning Ripon Market Square was busy, but as dawn broke on a city entering Covid lockdown today the area fell silent – except for the sound of the on-going sewer repair work.

In Market Place East, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop – an earlier retail casualty of the spring and summer lockdowns – had already had its final day of trading after years of featuring on the Ripon high street.

Hairdressing salons, gyms, barbers and a bookmakers, along with all other businesses classed as ‘non-essential’ shut their doors last night and headed for weeks of uncertainty.

In Fishergate, the message from cafe owner Lou Grant was that Oliver’s army fights on. She told the Stray Ferret:

“We have decided to give it a go and see if a takeaway-only service can sustain us and carry us to safe shores when this virus is under control.”

Lou Grant, co-owner of Oliver’s Pantry

Mrs Grant, who is co-owner of Oliver’s Pantry with her husband, Tim, added:

“We are entering our ninth year and have taken every measure possible to keep our staff and customers safe, with screens, sanitisers and signs calling for people to maintain social distancing.

“Having come this far, we were not going to give up – as we feel we are in touching distance of  the end to all of this hardship that we are other small businesses have had to face.”

Business owners from the Harrogate district have given their reaction to last night’s announcement of a new national lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at 8pm last night that a new lockdown would begin from today, with a stay at home order in place.

Other than for essential trips such as food shopping, medical needs, exercise, work where it cannot be done from home and to escape an unsafe home situation, people are instructed not to leave home.

Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the measures would be difficult but were necessary to reduce transmission until the vaccination took effect. She said:

“It’s going to be incredibly tough for all businesses over the coming months, and sadly not all will survive into the spring.

“Until we can resume life as we knew it in pre-Covid days, the Government is going to have to continue its support to businesses, and extend it to those self-employed people who have so far not received any financial help at all.”

The future of Harrogate’s Jaeger store is uncertain after the company entered administration today.

Parent company Edinburgh Woollen Mill has so far failed to find a buyer for Jaeger and its sister company Peacocks.

The two companies, which between them have 4,700 staff and almost 500 stores, have both gone into administration.

No redundancies or store closures have been announced yet.

At the end of last month, ‘closing down sale’ notices were displayed on the Harrogate shop front window in Cambridge Crescent.

Today’s announcement is another example of the devastating impact of the pandemic on high street retail. Local businesses had warned of the impact of a second lockdown.

Read more:

• More than £7 million worth of grants will be offered to district businesses affected by covid.
• Knaresborough’s retailers close up shop and head online during second lockdown. 

Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Homes also went into administration this month. Both had shops on Ripon high street. They also belong to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill group.

Jaeger had not replied to the Stray Ferret by the time of publication.

The owner of a pre-loved clothing shop has closed the doors in order to focus her efforts online. 

Carolyn Duggan has been running Still Gorgeous on Cold Bath Road since 2017. The shop offered a selection of pre-loved designer and high street womenswear. 

Having closed in March, Still Gorgeous reopened in July as government restrictions eased, but faced multiple challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The shop relied on business from tourists, which has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels, and the owner said she experienced a lack of compassion from her landlord. She said: 

“I did not get any sympathy from my landlord. I was just told to pay them the money. I know others who received a 20-30% monthly rent reduction or complete rent holidays for 2-3 months.

“They also increased the rent for the new tenant, so when I was leaving I did not have the option to change my mind.” 

The business moves at a time when other Harrogate businesses like A P & K Stothard, Bookstall Newsagents and Gambaru Fitness close their doors.

Read more:

• Liquidated gym Gambaru closes its doors
• Pet shop closes after 50 years run by Stothard family

However, Carolyn still feels positive about the change of direction at Still Gorgeous. She added: 

“I’m quite excited, to be honest – it is the way forward. You have to adapt to the situation and diversify. I am changing strategy to reach a more diverse customer base. I am engaging more with different channels like social media.

“I am feeling positive about the next stage. I have already reached people down south and abroad.” 

Carolyn’s Facebook page has already received many posts from customers wishing her luck in her new venture.  

A new independent fishmonger will open on Commercial Street today.  

Tarbett’s describes itself as the largest independent fish retailer in Yorkshire and will open its fourth branch in Harrogate this morning.  

It takes over a unit formerly occupied by Save the Children, which has been empty for four years. 

Amy Shaw, the business manager, said: 

“Commercial Street is the perfect place for us because it is very similar to our location in Chapel Allerton, which also has an independent butchers. It makes sense for us to be in Harrogate because we already have a lot of customers here. Our home deliveries are popular and we regularly supply Harrogate businesses.” 

Read more:

• New Harrogate travel agent opens
• Bilton will soon get a new tea shop

Tarbett’s will start trading at a time when Harrogate town centre lacks a traditional fishmongers, following the relocation of Ramus from Kings Road earlier in the year. Ramus is now based at Fodder farm shop and café. 

Amy added: 

“Perhaps other fishmongers were too far out. We hope to encourage the public to shop with us through our convenient location.” 

The business was founded by Liam Tarbett upon leaving university. Starting his enterprise at a farmer’s market in Leeds, he now has shops in Chapel Allerton, Leeds Kirkgate Market and Wetherby. 

The fish retailer offers a wide range of products at its other locations including Shetland scallops, extra-large king prawns, Scottish salmon fillet and sashimi grade tuna. Its arrival on Commercial Street has been celebrated by neighbouring retailers.

A share of £14,000 in grants has been handed out to businesses in Harrogate town centre to help them reopen after the coronavirus lockdown.

Harrogate BID has offered a match-funded grant of £750 for vital equipment – and so far, 27 companies have taken up the offer.

The funds must be spent on signage, barriers, screens and other safety equipment. Sanitiser is not included on the list.

More than a quarter of the £20,000 of funding is still available, taken from the BID’s annual income which comes from a levy on business rates paid by town centre businesses over a certain rateable value.

Harrogate BID acting chair Sara Ferguson said:

“Businesses have been through an awful lot since mid-March’s lockdown, and I’m pleased that the BID is able to offer financial assistant to levy payers to be able to reopen.

“The town centre is home to a wide range of businesses, who employ a large number of staff from across the district.”

Submissions from levy payers must include a brief description of equipment already purchased, what they are in the process of buying, plus receipts, estimated delivery dates and expected costs. Grants are not restricted to retail and hospitality businesses.

Levy payers can apply for the funding by emailing info@harrogatebid.co.uk, and find out more by visiting the Harrogate BID website.

For many individuals and businesses, the coronavirus crisis has brought nightmares, but for Letasha Johnson it has provided a pathway to achieving her dreams.

Anxiety and sleepless nights caused by the covid 19 pandemic have seen a surge in demand for the healing, feel-good and therapeutic hand-crafted products that she makes at her Ripon home.

Orders have tripled, when compared with the same period last year.

The 24-year-old mother of two young boys, who started her business LR John Crafts four years ago, told the Stray Ferret:

“This has been a particularly difficult time for many people and they have been looking for ways to alleviate problems such as sleeplessness.”

This has brought an increase in shop and online sales for custom-designed items including dreamcatchers, inspired by those made by native American tribes and comprising a frame, webbing, ribbon, lace, feathers and semi-precious earth stones.

They are made to be placed close to beds in a position where the morning light falls on them. Legend has it that the dreamcatcher filters out nightmares and allows only good dreams through.

To catch a dream – some of the range of goods made by Letasha Johnson

Letasha said:

“In recent months, they have proved popular for people of all ages and with different needs, from those who are finding it difficult to sleep to parents whose children suffer night terrors.”

Varieties range from the more traditional round construction, to dreamcatchers in the shape of animals, whales and unicorns – which are generally custom-made for children’s bedrooms.

Read more:

• What links a shop in Ripon to India?
• See which major Ripon store has been saved from closure

Sales online through Etsy, social media and her own website are now made to 21 countries, including the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, along with orders placed by customers across the UK and other European countries.

Letasha also makes protective face masks, as well as jewellery and hair accessories including scrunchies. She supplies goods to Liz and Kevin Hill for sale in their Karma shop in Kirkgate and other outlets, including hair salons and a wellness centre in Nidderdale.

With the increasing demand for her products, she has enlisted help from her mother, sisters and friends to handle orders and, in the longer term, hopes to employ other skilled crafts people, working in their own homes and making the range of products.

Letasha said:

“When I left college a few years ago, I knew that I wanted to develop a crafts-based business and, with help from a lot of people, I am pleased to say that my dreams are becoming reality.”