Ripon’s Old Deanery Hotel is to reopen with a focus on wedding receptions and events.
The historic property, which neighbours and is owned by Ripon Cathedral, closed in March after months of lockdown due to covid.
Now it is being prepared for reopening by new occupiers Layton Hill Hotels Ltd, which operates the Galtres Lodge Hotel close to York Minster in the city’s Low Petergate.
The company was formed in May 2018 by Christopher Layton and Rebecca Hill.
In a social media post announcing their plans for the iconic Grade II listed building, Ms Hill said:
“We’re going to run it as wedding/events venue.
“It has 11 bedrooms, a huge lawn and loads of public rooms – restaurant, function rooms, reception rooms etc.
“Seems we like cathedral cities and the Old Deanery is opposite the beautiful Ripon Cathedral.”
Having obtained the keys for the property, the two Layton Hill directors are organising a deep clean in readiness for an opening date that will be announced later.
Refurbishment work in progress at the Spa Hotel
Across Ripon, refurbishment work has begun at the Spa Hotel, which was purchased in June by The Inn Collection Group.
Headquartered in Northumberland, the group now owns four sites in Yorkshire in a portfolio of 24 locations across the north of England.
The company says that the Spa Hotel:
“Will remain closed while a major but sympathetic refurbishment is carried out to enhance and repurpose the venue and bring it in line with The Inn Collection Group’s award-winning ‘Eat, Drink, Sleep and Explore’ brand.”
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Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group, said:
“The Ripon Spa is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of properties. It has huge potential which we have an exciting vision to realise. We’re looking forward to starting that journey while expanding the group’s footprint in Yorkshire.
“The Inn Collection Group excels at revitalising classic, landmark sites like The Ripon Spa and realising their full potential with significant capital spend, detailed planning and care to retain the unique, historic character of landmark sites such as this.”
In a third boost to the city’s economy, café-bar-restaurant operator The Loungers Group has confirmed that its Claro Lounge, currently being fitted out on Market Square South, will open on September 15.
Court approves emergency closure of ‘filthy’ Ripon takeaway
A court has approved the emergency closure of a Chinese takeaway in Ripon which hygiene officers found to be filthy.
Harrogate Borough Council served the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order last week and took the owners to court.
Leeds Magistrates Court has now approved the closure and ordered the takeaway to pay the council’s costs of £1967.10 within 28 days.
The court heard how the council’s environmental health team found a series of potentially dangerous hygiene issues.
Officers found the Dragon Inn was filthy throughout, had very poor structural conditions, with the kitchen and other food preparation areas in a dirty state.
The basement with toilets was also dirty with no handwashing facilities. Staff were also seen to not wash their hands after handling raw food.
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We tried to contact the owner but found a notice at the door which said the business is closed until September 8 at the earliest.
The takeaway will only be allowed to reopen once the council is satisfied it no longer poses a risk to public health.
Dragon Inn has received ‘good’ four out of five food hygiene ratings in the past five years from the council with the last inspection in January 2020.
It is the second food venue to be closed by the council under a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order in as many weeks.
Harrogate Borough Council believes that standards at some businesses have dropped since the UK has come out of the coronavirus lockdown.
Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said:
Two charged over Ripon knifepoint robbery“Since we came out of the lockdown periods the council is finding that hygiene standards have deteriorated significantly in some premises.
“It is imperative that food businesses maintain hygiene and food safety at all times, even more so during the currently covid-19 pandemic.
“Council offers work hard to provide guidance and advice for businesses so that they can operate safely.
“Any businesses who fail to act upon this advice, and the resulting inspection identifies a risk to public health, then we have no option but to consider formal action.”
Two people have been charged after a teenage boy was robbed at knifepoint in Ripon last week.
A 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man have been charged with robbery and possessing an offensive weapon and appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
They have been remanded in custody to appear again on September 17.
Three other men who were also arrested in connection with the incident remain on police bail whilst enquiries continue.
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- Police investigate spate of violence and anti-social behaviour in Ripon
There has been a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents in Ripon over the past week and police have urged the public to contact them with information on 101.
Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said:
Police investigate spate of violence and anti-social behaviour in Ripon“Violence and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ripon and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible for the events over the past week to justice.
“We have stepped up patrols in the area but we also need your help. We would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV covering Bondgate, Southgate, Mawson Lane and surrounding areas – this could be from a traditional CCTV camera, a video doorbell or dash-cam footage.”
Police investigating a spate of anti-social behaviour offences in Ripon have called on the public to help them bring the perpetrators to justice.
North Yorkshire Police said a “small group of people” were causing issues in the city and that violence and anti-social behaviour “will not be tolerated”.
The plea comes after officers arrested a fifth man in connection with a knifepoint robbery outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, in the city.
The force said today that it had stepped up patrols in the city after launching investigations into four separate incidents.
The offences include:
- On Friday, 13 August a 16-year-old boy was robbed at around 4.30pm on Bondgate Green Lane. Five people have been arrested on suspicion of committing this offence and are currently on conditional bail.
- Overnight between Tuesday, 17 August, and Wednesday, 18 August, a 16-year-old boy was chased by a group of other people believed to be around the same age. This is believed to have taken place around midnight in the Southgate area.
- Last night (18/19 August) there were two incidents which officers were called to. The first was around 10.20pm and took place on Bondgate and two men were arrested in connection with this. At around midnight there was a disturbance at a property on Mawson Lane and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of affray.
Officers have called on anyone with any information or CCTV footage from those areas to come forward to help their investigations.
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Inspector Alex Langley, North Yorkshire Police, said:
“Violence and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Ripon and we are doing all we can to bring those responsible for the events over the past week to justice.
“We have stepped up patrols in the area but we also need your help. We would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV covering Bondgate, Southgate, Mawson Lane and surrounding areas – this could be from a traditional CCTV camera, a video doorbell or dash-cam footage.
“A number of arrests have been made already and I hope this goes someway to reassure the public.
“I would like to thank those who have provided information already and continue to urge people to report any acts of anti-social behaviour or other crimes to police.”
Detective superintendent Steve Thomas, said:
Ripon takeaway forced to close after hygiene inspection“Following the success of local policing operations to reduce anti-social behaviour in Ripon over recent months these latest incidents are disappointing.
“We are determined that this small group of individuals are held to account for behaviour that harms the quality of life for everyone else. Local residents will see an increase in police presence over the coming days and we want to reassure you that we will do everything necessary to tackle this isolated problem.”
A Chinese takeaway in Ripon has been forced to close its doors after a routine inspection found serious food hygiene concerns.
Harrogate Borough Council has served the owner of the Dragon Inn Chinese Restaurant with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order.
A council officer found poor food hygiene controls, waste issues and insufficient hand washing facilities so closed the takeaway down on Tuesday.
We tried to contact the owner but found a notice at the door which said the business is closed until September 8 at the earliest.
The council will present the prohibition notice and its evidence to the magistrates court at a date to be confirmed.
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If the courts rule in favour of the council then the takeaway owner will likely need to pay costs, rectify the issues raised and then apply for a reinspection.
However, if the courts rule in favour of Dragon Inn then it will be able to apply for costs for the time it was forced to close.
Dragon Inn has received ‘good’ four out of five food hygiene ratings in the past five years from the council with the last inspection in January 2020.
A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order entitles the council to prevent the premises trading in any food-related activity immediately.
Such orders are usually granted when an environmental health officer believes serious breaches of standards are putting customers or staff at risk.
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:
Police arrest fifth man in connection with Ripon knifepoint robbery“The Dragon Inn was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice due to poor food hygiene, waste issues and insufficient hand washing facilities.
“This Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice will now be presented to the magistrates court.”
Police have arrested a fifth man after a teenager was threatened with a knife and robbed outside a pub in Ripon.
North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday that the incident happened outside the Ship Inn on Bondgate at 6.45pm on Friday (August 13).
Police arrested four men after a teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.
Now, officers have said a fifth man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with the incident.
A police statement said yesterday:
“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.
“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.
“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”
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Improvement expected for Ripon TV viewers after transmitter fire
The operator of Bilsdale transmitter has said it anticipates “significant improvement” to television coverage in Masham and Ripon.
Fire crews were called to the mast last week after reports of smoke was reported coming from the area.
The loss of the transmitter is affecting parts of Harrogate, Boroughbridge, Kirkby Malzeard, Knaresborough, Masham, Pateley Bridge, Ripon and other locations that rely on a signal that serves the Tyne Tees region.
An update issued by the mast operator, Arqiva, last night said that it now expected to be able to give better television coverage to Masham and Ripon.
It said a 15m mast was planned for Arncliffe Wood as part of the response to the fire. However, wider coverage is not expected to return until August 28.
A statement from Arqiva said:
“As per our previous update, we now expect to have completed the improvement of TV coverage from Eston Nab, and also the installation of a further 15m mast at a site in Arncliffe Wood by the weekend.
“These two developments should deliver a significant improvement in TV coverage for viewers in the areas including Darlington, Stockton, Catterick, Leyburn, Masham and Ripon. We will update viewers on any action they need to take with further updates later this week.
“Work on phase 2 of the recovery plan continues. We still anticipate the temporary mast to be effective by 28 August.”
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Meanwhile, Freeview has issued advice to TV viewers who continue to have problems with their coverage.
It includes using online streaming, such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, and on-demand services.
Freeview said repositioning aerials to pick up service from another transmitter was an option. But the company added that an accredited installer should be employed to carry out the work.
It said:
Four arrested after gang robs teenager at knifepoint in Ripon“Repositioning your aerial so that it takes a signal from a different transmitter may be an option for some viewers who wish to attempt to get some signal back in the short term.
“However, there’s no guarantee that another transmitter is available (reception is highly dependent on several factors such as local geography between you and the transmitter), and the signal quality might be variable.
“If you choose to have your aerial repositioned and pay for an installer to do this, you may wish to then have it repositioned again when service from Bilsdale is restored.
“If you wish to have your aerial repositioned, please do not attempt this yourself.”
Police have arrested four men after a teenager was robbed outside a pub in Ripon.
North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened outside the Ship Inn, Bondgate, at 6.45pm on Friday.
A teenage boy had personal possessions stolen, including a watch and an item of jewellery, after he was threatened at knifepoint. No injuries were reported.
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A police statement said:
Ripon woman with gum problems unable to see NHS dentist for two years“Police responded and launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in four males, aged 14 to 20, being arrested in connection with the incident.
“They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
“Officers made enquiries in the surrounding area but are urging people to come forward if they have information which they have not yet shared.
“Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and quote reference 12210180615.”
A woman from Ripon suffering with gum problems has not been able to get treatment at a dentist for two years.
Rachael Kimberley is a single mother on a low income so she cannot afford to go private and relies on NHS dentistry.
Her experience comes after a Healthwatch North Yorkshire report found that there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the Harrogate district.
It also comes after an investigation by the Stray Ferret found patients in the district face a minimum wait of two and a half years to register for an NHS dentist.
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Ms Kimberley has been registered with the same practice on for the last 40 years but told the Stray Ferret that she has struggled since a private provider took over.
She added:
“The provider said that the NHS patients still registered would see no change when they took over the practice.
“I have been suffering with bleeding and receeding gums so I have been trying to go for a check up.
“When I ask to be seen they tell me that I will be seen in ‘due course’ but what does that mean?
“If the problem continues then I fear I will be stumped with a big bill in the hundreds or thousands that I just cannot afford.”
Her story shows the real suffering behind the statistics from the health watchdog. Healthwatch North Yorkshire received 176 calls from the public in the last year about NHS dentists. The vast majority — 84% — were negative.
The health watchdog called in its report for action on the problem and said coronavirus has only acted to exemplify a dental system already under enormous strain and challenge.
Major triathlon race set to be held in RiponA major triathlon race is set to take place in Ripon next weekend.
The Dalesman Triathlon, which is organised by Trihard Events, will see more than 600 athletes from across the UK come to the city.
The inaugural event will take place on Saturday, August 21, and Sunday, August 22.
The longest race, called the Full Dalesman, will start at 6am on Sunday morning with a 2.4 mile swim in the racecourse lake.
It will be followed by a 112 mile cycle route in Masham, Dallow Moor and Brimham Rocks before returning to Ripon for a 26.4 mile marathon.
As part of the event, there will also be a Half Dalesman race over half the distance and a smaller Quarter Dalesman race.
A spokesperson for the organisers said:
“The hope is that Ripon’s businesses and residents will get behind the event, make the visitors feel welcome and give them support in what will for many of the athletes, be a unique experience, the memories of which will last a lifetime.”
Volunteers will be at the event to look after entrants and marshal the racecourse.
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Organisers say there will also be opportunities for people to fundraise at the triathlon.
The fundraising team from Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be at the event to help organise parking and campaign areas.
For more information on the Dalesman Triathlon, visit the website here.