A bridal boutique offering new and second-hand dresses will open its doors in Ripon on Friday.

Gail’s Wedding Boutique, which can be found in Duck Hill Shopping Quarter, will sell pre-loved dresses which have been repaired to sell on, as well as new dresses and sample cut dresses.

Owner Gail Byrne, who lives in Ripon, has been a seamstress for more than 30 years. She decided to venture into the bridal industry after paying for her daughter’s wedding dress last year, which set her back more than £2,000.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Don’t get me wrong it was worth every penny, but I couldn’t help but think how expensive it was for just a few hours of wear.

“It’s so much money which a lot of people don’t have, and I wanted to help those people.”

Ms Byrne will also offer repairs and alteration services, for both new and second-hand dresses, which would take “no longer than two weeks to turn around”.

Some of the dresses in store.

There will be a range of designer brands in stock, she added, but these will vary dependent on which dresses are brought in to re-sell.

“Brands and individuals bring their pre-loved dresses to me to repair and then sell on.”

Ms Byrne also said she has placed affordability at the forefront of her newest venture, with all dresses costing £1,000 or less.

She will also sell bridesmaids dresses and evening wear.

Gail’s Wedding Boutique will open on Friday, December 22.

It will be open Monday to Friday from 1pm – 4pm. The shop is appointment-only on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays.

Read more:

• Andy’s Man Club to open Harrogate branch
• Harrogate man to represent UK at Eurovision

This year’s Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal is to raise money for a minibus for Dementia Forward in the Harrogate district. 

The appeal is kindly sponsored by Vida Healthcare.

Please give generously to support local people and their families living with dementia. Let’s not forget who needs our help this Christmas.

Today, we spoke to Dementia Forward’s founder and CEO, Jill Quinn.

 “I sometimes feel national charities have lost touch with local communities.

“The need for dementia support was huge and the funding was usually decided in London.

“We felt we could do a better job by being rooted in the community.”

It was this realisation that prompted Jill Quinn MBE to improve local dementia support in the Harrogate district.

Jill, who previously worked for two national dementia charities, said she wasted many years in retail management before realising that the voluntary sector was where she belonged.

Dementia Forward was born in 2012 after Jill and other founding members left their previous healthcare jobs on a Friday and launched the charity the following Monday.

The team places need at the centre of the charity – something that can’t be done from 200 miles away. She added:

“People know when they put their pound in the pot, they’d be getting better services in the local area.

“You can’t design a service to be delivered in the local area from an office in London.”

It began with just seven members of staff. The team were donated second-hand laptops and worked from a small office in Ripon.

Now, with a flagship hub in Burton Leonard, 64 employees and more than 250 volunteers, Jill was right – Dementia Forward can serve the local community better.

It now covers the whole of North Yorkshire and helps more than 4,000 families.

“It was meant to a small, fluffy, local charity, but we hit a model that works.

“I like to believe every single person at Dementia Forward is just as passionate as me.”

Some of the Dementia Forward team.

Jill and her team made – and still make – it their mission to help those living with dementia and the people around them from the very early stages, all the way until end of life.

“We meet people, we gently inform them of what may come in the years ahead, and then we’re here for them going forward.

“We don’t hold hands with people because they’re independent enough, but we’re just an arm’s length away.”

The charity also educates people in the wider community on dementia, as Jill felt general awareness of the disease was very poor when it started, and has worked with transport companies, shops and churches to increase knowledge.

She has also led the charity to receive various awards for its work, including the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award and the King’s Fund Impact Award.

The Dementia Forward team receiving the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award in 2021.

Jill said:

“It’s hard to describe what Dementia Forward means to be – it’s just my life.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve done, but there’s still a lot to do, and some things are harder to fundraise for than others – like a minibus.”

Dementia Forward offers various social events and groups to combat loneliness and bring those living with dementia together. The groups go on regular trips out and many use the minibus service to access the support services.

However, Dementia Forward’s current bus is old and tired and urgently needs to be replaced. The charity would seriously struggle to afford a new one, which is why they need your help to keep this vital service going. Without it, many people living with dementia wouldn’t be able to access the help and support they need.

Every donation to our campaign will go directly to Dementia Forward, helping us hit our £30,000 target to buy the charity a new minibus and improving the lives of those living with dementia and the people around them.

Please give generously to those who need our help this Christmas. Click here to donate whatever you can – you never know when you, your family or your friend may be in need of Dementia Forward’s help too.

Thank you.

If you need urgent help or have a dementia-related enquiry, call 0330 057 8592 to speak to a helpline adviser.

The Boots pharmacy inside the Co-op at Jennyfields in Harrogate is set to close next March.

The move comes after Walgreens Boots Alliance, its US-based parent company, announced the closure of 300 UK stores in an earnings call in June.

In a separate report, Boots said it will “consolidate a number of stores” in order to “concentrate its team members where they are needed”.

It added:

“[It will] focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment.”

The report also said the stores affected are “in close proximity” to other Boots sites.

The retailer declined to comment on the Harrogate store closure, however staff at the Jennyfields pharmacy told the Stray Ferret they have been “given options” about employment going forward.

Following the closure, the nearest Boots pharmacies will be in Harrogate town centre, Knaresborough Market Place, the St James’s Retail Park near Knaresborough and at Market Place West in Ripon.

The Co-Op at Jennyfields

Twenty UK stores, including four in Yorkshire, have already closed following the announcement.

Read more:

• New plans for 146 homes in Harrogate
• Harrogate Hospital braced for winter junior doctors strikes

A telecommunications company has appealed a decision to refuse a new mobile phone network mast in Ripon Cathedral car park.

EE Limited had proposed installing the 15 metre high pole in the car park in order to provide improve 4G coverage to the area.

The new mast would have been located in the north east corner of the car park on St Marygate next to a maintenance building.

However, North Yorkshire Council rejected the plan on the grounds that the mast would be “detrimental to the visual amenity and character of the conservation area and harm the setting of the surrounding heritage assets”.

Now, EE Limited has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In a statement of case, the company said the mast was required as a replacement for the current infrastructure at Liberty Court House which is being decommissioned.

It added that the mast would not be visible from any of the heritage sites in Ripon.

It said:

“The proposed new mast will not be visible from Ripon Cathedral, nor will it form a meaningful part of views from the cluster of listed buildings to the north and east of the site. 

“In utilising a sympathetic design, with colouring designed to reduce visual impact, the proposed development has sought to mitigate any potential harm where views are possible.”

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Read more:

• Telecommunications firm appeals Harrogate 5G mast refusal
• Government rejects plan for 20-metre 5G mast overlooking the Stray

Ripon’s Spa Gardens with its stunning Mick Burns Alice sculpture and fine fir trees, has once again been transformed into a spectacular winter wonderland.

Yesterday (Saturday) was the second of three days that have seen parents, grandparents and children  flock to see a fantasia of festive decorations and imaginative displays created by community groups across the city and supported by businesses and the council.

Adding to the atmosphere, was special lighting effects that illuminated trees, the war memorial and statue of  George Frederick Samuel Robinson, the first Marquess of Ripon and the city’s most high profile politician, who also served as Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1880 to 1884.

The trees were lit.

The winter wonderland, with its free family fun and music, is run by volunteers and continues today (Sunday) between 2pm and 8pm.

Organiser Caroline Bentham, who is chair of the Friends of Spa Gardens, which organises the event, told the Stray Ferret:

“This is the fourth time that we have staged it and it has grown year on year, as we add new features and activities.

“Over the three days we will see around 2,000 people through the gates, most of them in family groups, who come to enjoy the sights and sounds of our pre-Christmas winter celebration.”

Children look at the knitted figures produced by members of the Ripon Community Poppy Project

This year has seen the introduction of an environmentally-friendly art show featuring more than 50 works created by members of the Littlethorpe Arts Group, which meets every Tuesday in the village hall,

Caroline Bentham (pictured left) and Caroline King, display some of the festive themed works featuring the Grinch, Santa and reindeer in the snow.,

The pieces have been produced on recycled roof tiles donated by Ms King,  who said:

“I had the roof on my house replaced and instead of having the slate tiles taken to the tip, I thought they could be put to good use, by providing the art group with a new medium for their work.

“They are such a good material to work with and the results have been spectacular.”

The Cheshire Cat , which is part of the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, had red light and a smile on his face.

The event, which costs around £7,000 a year to organise, is made possible by donations, grants and volunteers.

Ripon City Council, North Yorkshire Council, the Ripon Inn, and Ripon’s community scrap fund have all given money.

Crowds gathering for an evening of entertainment at Spa Gardens

Musical performances over the first two days were given by Holy Trinity Church Choir, local singer-songwriter Lily Worth, Masham Handbell Ringers, Brackenfield School Choir, and the All For One Ripon Choir.

Ms Worth will perform again today and the Spa Gardens bandstand will also provide the platform  for Yorkshire Voices, the  Jolly Wassailers, and a ukulele band.

Although the event is free, visitors are encouraged to make a donation or buy refreshments. The Sun Parlour cafe in Spa Gardens will be open

Main image: The Alice in Wonderland sculpture was looked spectacular bathed in red light.

Read more:

• Young Sappers plant commemorative tree in Spa Park
• Your guide to Christmas markets across the Harrogate district

The Labour Party has begun the process of finding a candidate for Skipton and Ripon at the next general election.

The constituency has been held by the Conservatives since it was created in 1983.

Julian Smith, who has been MP since 2010, increased his majority to 23,694 at the last election in 2019 when he won 60% of the vote.

Although the rural constituency is widely regarded as a safe Tory seat, Labour was boosted by political forecasting website Electoral Calculus recently claiming it had a 53% chance of gaining it.

Labour invited potential candidates to put forward their names on Friday last week (December 8). The deadline for applying is January 10.

Brian McDaid, a Skipton town councillor who finished runner-up to Mr Smith in 2019 with 11,266 votes, said he intended to seek the party nomination again.

With an election expected next year, Mr McDaid said he hoped a candidate would be selected quickly to allow as much time as possible for campaigning.

He said:

“Labour’s visibility in Skipton and Ripon has increased a lot. We have worked hard to show people that the Lib Dems aren’t the second party.

“We have done a lot of door knocking and the phrase ‘where is Julian Smith and what has he contributed locally?’ comes up a lot.”

Skipton Town Council has five Labour councillors, but Ripon City Council has none and Mr McDaid admitted the party needed to focus more on the city.

Keir Mather’s by-election success in Selby and Ainsty.

He said the party had been inspired by Keir Mather’s victory in July’s Selby and Ainsty by-election, when he overturned a 20,137 Conservative majority to win the seat for Labour.

He added:

“Polls are showing it could be a Labour gain but we aren’t taking anything for granted.”

Read more:

• Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development
• Labour overturns huge Tory majority to win Selby and Ainsty by-election

The festive season is fast approaching, so we’ve collated a list of all the Christmas markets taking place across the Harrogate district.

If you know of one that we have missed, please email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we can add it.

Harrogate

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

The 17-day Christmas market will return to Cambridge Street this year.

There will be a variety of traders, selling festive foods and gifts, as well as live music and entertainment.

It will run from December 1 to December 17 and will be open daily.

The market will take place from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.

Harrogate Ice Rink at Crescent Gardens

The fairground and ice rink will return to Crescent Gardens this year.

There will be a carousel and a collection of small rides for children to enjoy, as well as some market stalls.

It will run from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.

The ice rink and attractions will open from 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays and 11am to 8.45pm on weekends.

Harrogate Festive Artisan Market

The Valley Gardens will also host a Christmas market again this December.

Little Bird Market has arranged for vendors to sell a range of food and drinks, as well as Christmas gifts.

Market days are Saturday (10am – 5pm) and Sunday (10am – 4pm) between December 2 – 17.

Christmas Market at Harrogate Horticultural Nursery

The Harrogate Horticultural Nursery will run a two-day Christmas market in November.

On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, there will be a range of Christmas plants, gifts and Christmas trees on offer.

It will be open 9.30am – 3.30pm and entry is free.

St Wilfrid’s Church Christmas Fair

St Wilfrid’s Church, on Duchy Road, will host a Christmas fair.

Gifts, art, clothing and food and drink will be on offer.

There will also be a free film screening for families from 4pm, with a welcome drink and snack for children.

It will run on Sunday, December 10 from 11am – 4pm.

Entry is free.

Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the film screening.

St Wilfrid’s Church – Christingle-making

St Wilfrid’s Church is also hosting a christingle-making session.

The event will be held in the Parish Hall and will be followed by a crib service at 5pm.

It will begin at 4pm on Sunday, December 24.

Email bookings@stwilfrid.org to reserve a place at the christingle-making session.

North Bar Christmas Market

 North Bar is hosting a “keep it local” Christmas Market.

Stalls will be inside the bar with 20 traders selling a range of art, knitted and crocheted good, jewellery and more.

There will also be charity stalls to raise money for Harrogate Cat Rescue.

The event will include a table ran by Artventurers of Harrogate and Knaresborough for children to enjoy.

Mulled wine and food will be served accompanied by live music.

The event is free and will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 6pm.

Country Living Christmas Fair Harrogate

Country Living is holding a Christmas Fair at Harrogate Convention Centre.

The fair will include gift stalls which will include artisan designers, independent producers and small businesses.

There will also be workshops and a food hall.

The event will be held from November 30 to December 3.

Ripley Christmas Market

A Christmas market run by Real Markets will be held in the grounds of Ripley Castle.

The event will take place on Sunday, December 10, from 10am until 3pm.

It will include 40 independent and artisan traders, as well as festive carols from local school children and craft activities.

The market is free to attend.

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity — Outdoor Pop up Christmas Market at Harrogate Railway AFC

The Christmas market will offer a range of stalls offering arts, crafts and handmade jewellery, as well as food and drink vendors.

There will be live music, donkeys and even a Father Christmas grotto to enjoy.

The event will be held on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm at Harrogate Railway AFC.

All proceeds will go towards supporting staff, patients and families at Harrogate District Hospital.

Tickets are available now for a donation of £5 per adult and £2 for children over three — U3’s go free.

Tickets include a drink and a mince pie on arrival.

Starbeck Christmas Fair

Starbeck Christmas Fair, which will be held at St Andrew’s Church, will offer more than 30 stalls selling festive goods.

St Andrew’s Choir will be singing, followed by a performance from the Summerbell Dance Academy.

The Starbeck Christmas lights will be switched on just before 6pm, where mince pies will be handed out.

Harrogate Theatre Choir will then lead a festive sing-along.

It will take place on Saturday, November 25 from 2pm – 6pm.

St John’s & St Luke’s Churches Christmas Fair

St Luke’s Church, in Franklin Square is hosting a Christmas fair this December.

There will be a range of stalls selling jams, plants, jewellery, books, gifts and more.

Light refreshments will also be on offer.

The fair will take place on Saturday, December 2 from 10:30am – 1pm.

Admission is £3 and includes coffee and cake. Accompanied children go free.

Bilton Area Methodist Church Christmas Fayre

The church will host 16 craft stalls for its Christmas fayre.

Coffee, cake, festive sandwiches and soup will all be on offer.

There will also be a Christmas hamper raffle and a lucky dip for children.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 25, from 10am – 3pm.

West Park & St Paul’s Churches Community Carol Service

A community carol service will take place at the West Park United Reform Church, on Victoria Avenue, in December.

There will be plenty of carols to sing followed by coffee and mince pies.

Anyone is welcome.

The service will be held on Friday, December 22 at 5pm.

Ripon

Ripon Cathedral Christmas Food and Gift Fair

The cathedral will host more than 100 stalls during its Christmas fair.

There will be hot turkey sandwiches, mulled wine and Christmas gifts on offer.

The event will take place on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, from 9.30am – 4.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and U16s go free.

There is also a free park and ride available.

Little Bird Christmas Artisan Market

Little Bird will offer a variety of stalls in the Market Square.

There will be homewares, personalised gifts, toys and food and drinks on offer.

It will take place on Sunday, November 26 from 10am – 3pm.

Ripon Community Christmas Craft Fair

 A Christmas market will be on offer at Ripon Community House.

There will be handmade gifts, local produce and arts and crafts.

There will also be a visit from Father Christmas for young ones to enjoy.

All proceeds from the tombola and refreshment area will go towards the Community House.

Entry is 50p and the event will take place from 10am – 3pm on Sunday, November 19.

Late night Christmas shopping

There will also be a late night shopping event around Ripon.

Traders will stay open until 8pm.

It will take place on Thursday, November 30.

Festive Winter Warmer Cruises & Local Makers Market at Canal Basin

The Pride of Ripon will be running festive cruises on the canal this Christmas.

The boat ride, which will be 30 minutes in total, will also include mulled wine, hot chocolate and nibbles – including brownies and mince pies from The Secret Garden.

Local traders will also have stalls running alongside the boat rides.

It will take place on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17 from 11am — 3pm.

Tickets start at £8.95.

Knaresborough

Knaresborough Christmas Market and fireworks

 Knaresborough Christmas Markets will take place around the town’s Market Place.

There will be almost 60 stalls, including festive food, clothing and Christmas gifts.

Live music and entertainment will also be on offer, with performances from a Ukrainian Dance Group, Knaresborough Choral Society and Harrogate Spa St John’s Church Choir.

There will also be a free park and ride for the weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square. Buses will run from 8am to 5.30pm throughout the weekend.

A firework display at the Castle grounds will bring the market weekend to a close.

The markets will run on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3.

Nidderdale

Pateley Bridge Late Night Shopping

Pateley Bridge will hold a late-night shopping evening on Friday, December 8.

Local shops will be involved and hand out samples, while children can enjoy the santa’s grotto.

It will begin at 6pm.

St Nicholas Fair at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge

A Christmas fair will be held in Pateley Bridge on Sunday December 2.

There will be a range of stalls selling jewellery, cakes and gifts, as well as a festive tombola and a raffle.

The Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Prize Band will also be performing from noon until 1.30pm.

Admission is £3 and includes a hot drink and a mince pie.

Soup and a roll will be available from noon.

The event starts at 10.30am.

Christmas Big Sing at St Cuthbert’s Church, Pateley Bridge

To continue the festivities, a “big sing” will be held at the church later in the evening  on December 2.

Tickets cost £5 on the door and there will also be a raffle.

Tables of 4 or more can be booked in advance by emailing me.mitch@btinternet.com

The bar opens from 6.30pm and the event will run from 7pm – 9pm.

Masham

Masham Christmas Fayre

A traditional Christmas fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.

There will be a variety of gifts available to buy.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 10am .

SYD Christmas Craft, Vintage and Collectables Fayre

 An eclectic Christmas Fayre will be held in Masham Town Hall this year.

There will be two floors of handmade craft, vintage and collectables stalls.

It will take place on Sunday, December 3 from 10am.

Boroughbridge 

Late night Christmas shopping

A late-night Christmas shopping event will be held across Boroughbridge.

Shops will stay open late and will compete in a window display competition.

There will also be festive street stalls, a hog roast, choir performances and children’s rides.

Children can also expect a visit from Father Christmas.

The event, which will take place on Wednesday December 6, will be kicked off by the official light switch-on at 5.30pm.

Christmas Fayre — Minskip Village Hall

A Christmas Gift Fayre will be held in Minskip, near Boroughbridge, this month.

The event, which will be held in Minskip Village Hall, will run from 1pm – 4pm.

It will feature a wide range of local traders selling festive gifts, food and homeware, as well as a tombola and refreshments.

All proceeds will go to the local church.

The fayre will be held on Saturday, December 9.

Entry is free.

Villages

Lovingly Made in the Dales — Hampsthwaite

An artisan Christmas market will be held in Hampsthwaite village hall.

There will be more than 20 vendors selling locally-crafted gifts.

Tickets cost £10, which includes a glass of wine and a raffle ticket, and money raised will go towards the Roddy Scott Foundation.

It will take place on Thursday, December 7, from 6pm – 9pm.

Artisan Christmas Market — The Inn at South Stainley

The Inn at South Stainley will host three-days of Christmas markets in November and December.

It will host a range of local sellers.

There will be mulled wine and bratwurst on offer while shopping.

The event is free to attend and will take place on Wednesday, November 29 from 4pm, and December 6 and 13 from 8pm.

The Christmas Kitchen — The Washburn Heritage Centre

The Washburn Heritage Centre will be hosting a Christmas market in December.

There will be a range of stalls selling homemade seasonal goods, including jams, alcohol and sweet treats, baked by the centre’s volunteers.

The Tea Room will also be serving a seasonal menu with hot soup, turkey rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake to enjoy.

The Fewston Musick singers will be performing at the event.

It will take place on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 11am – 4pm.

Copt Hewick Christmas Fair

A festive market will be held in Copt Hewick village church and hall on Saturday, December 2.

There will be craft stalls, a tombola and raffle, food and drinks, and even a visit from Father Christmas on a horse-drawn sleigh.

The event will run from 11am – 3pm.

Admission is free.

Read more:

• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: Dementia Forward is a ‘godsend’ for husband, says wife
• Stray Ferret Christmas Appeal 2023: It is our ‘honour’ to be part of the journey, says Vida Healthcare

It was one of the most remarkable local business stories of the year.

Farmison & Co, which employed about 100 people in Ripon, went into administration on April 6, sparking a desperate battle for survival.

The loss of the firm, whose ‘eat better meat’ ethos had attracted clients including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, would have been a major blow not only for those losing their jobs but also for Ripon as a whole.

But after two weeks of fraught negotiations, a consortium led by former Asda chief executive Andy Clarke and Chilli Marketing founder Gareth Whittle struck a deal with the administrator to bring Farmison back to life.

In a year that has seen the collapse of other prominent local businesses with the loss of hundreds of jobs, including Flaxby housebuilder Ilke Homes and Harrogate telemarketing firm Amvoc, Farmison survived.

Farmison’s Ripon headquarters.

But what has happened since to ensure it wasn’t a short-term stay of execution?

One of the consortium’s first acts was to hire Weeton-based Andy Adcock as chief executive.

Mr Adcock’s 30-year retail career includes stints at Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and — alongside Mr Clarke — at Asda.

Farmison, he says, operated a sound business model but was operating beyond its means and the first priority was to bring down costs.

It now employs 60 staff, many of them rehires from its former life, which is just over half of its previous allocation. But after nine months, the focus is beginning to change from consolidation to growth.

Mr Adcock says:

“We have had to get leaner. We are now operating at the level we need and it’s all about growth.

“I wouldn’t have joined if I didn’t think the business had huge potential. It’s about tapping into that potential. The idea was always good but managing the cost base had become challenging.

“We are now doing it in a sensible manner and investing in growth rather than putting ourselves in a position where we put ourselves under pressure.”

Andy Adcock with some of the Farmison cuts.

Traditionally known as an online butchers, 92% of Farmison products are sold directly to customers online.

It relaunched its Cut by Farmison butchers shop at its Ripon headquarters on Bondgate Green this month and also announced plans to open more shops in a bit to diversify.

Mr Adcock says:

“We have this fabulous factory in Ripon, which is at the front end of a huge craft butchery operation. We’ve not been maximising the retail capability and the potential of this shop for local people.

“We also want to develop other channels to develop the offline business by supplying premium retailers like Harrods and Michelin-star chefs.”

Grantley Hall near Ripon is among the local hotels buying its premium meat.

Farmison has also announced a new deal with Harrods, an expansion of its home delivery service and an entry into the fish market through a partnership with online seafood business Fish for Thought.

Mr Adcock says the ambition is to increase annual turnover to £20 million.

This month’s relaunch of Cut by Farmison.

His friendly and informal style seems well suited to the business. When we arrived at Bondgate Green he was wearing a Christmas jumper and talked enthusiastically about mucking in over the festive period by packing boxes.

After three decades at national retailers, how is he finding the transition to a smaller company?

He says:

“It’s very different to a big corporate environment but that comes with a level of complexity and slowness of decision-making that we don’t need with a business like this.”

Read more:

• Revived Farmison fully reopens Ripon shop
• Ripon firm Farmison to trade again after buyout completed
• Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development

But retail and meat run through his career like streaky bacon and he talks enthusiastically about Farmison’s approach, which involves selling British dry aged, free range meat reared from heritage breeds by artisan farmers in northern England. In his opinion, Galloway cattle, produce the best quality beef.

People don’t go to Farmisons for cheap meat. The company appeals to customers who are prepared to pay for premium cuts and are supportive of the company’s mission. He talks about exporting to expats in Singapore and Hong Kong who want quality heritage British breeds.

Mr Adcock says:

“I love meat, I love retail and Farmisons is such a nice business with so many people wanting to make it a success.”

He’s far from alone in his love of meat. Farmisons’ job is about getting enough of them to buy into its model.

But after its Easter resurrection, plenty of people in Ripon and beyond will be tucking into Farmisons meat over the festive period. And that’s a local miracle worth celebrating this Christmas.

A planning expert has issued an objection to Ripon Cathedral’s plans for a £6 annex, arguing the financial benefits of the expansion have not been properly costed.

The cathedral submitted plans a year ago for a two-storey structure on part of Minster Gardens, a public open space close to the ancient building.

It said the building is much-needed and would provide a new song school for the choir, a cafe, toilet facilities and disabled access.

Ripon Cathedral said it currently welcomes 100,000 visitors a year, which could increase by 33% if the expansion went ahead, bringing in crucial revenue.

The application is yet to be considered by councillors on North Yorkshire Council but it has been controversial in the city, particularly with business owners who fear the new cafe will take trade away from them.

The plans have received an objection this month from Peter Eggleton, a planner based in Ripon with two decades of experience who has conducted more than 1,000 planning appeals as an inspector.

Mr Eggleton wrote in his objection letter that the application has left him “astonished” due its financial implications and impact on the Old Deanery hotel and restaurant which stands next to the cathedral.

The Old Deanery

After studying planning documents submitted by the cathedral, he said there is “no suggestion” of what profits the new building might make. He also questioned if the returns from the cafe would even cover the running costs of operating the new building.

Mr Eggleton said: 

“The financial ‘promise’ of this proposal is not costed. There is no supporting financial information at all. Profits simply may not happen. It may be a financial liability. The applicants have already stated how many other buildings they have that they struggle to maintain.

“In any event, unless there is a mechanism for ensuring that profits are directed back into the cathedral, they would not secure anything of benefit to outweigh the proposed harm.”

Read More: 

• Overview of the Ripon Cathedral annex application
• Heritage watchdogs disagree over £6m Ripon Cathedral annex
• Ripon City Council withdraws support for cathedral development

The planner also strongly criticised the position of the new building, which he said would be “unacceptably overbearing” on the grade two listed Old Deanery.

Mr Eggleton added: 

“This is not a heritage-led design as suggested. It is the architect providing the client with everything on their wish list without proper consideration for the surrounding heritage assets.”

Ripon Cathedral declined to respond to Mr Eggleton’s comments but it issued the following statement about the plans last month:

“Research suggests that visitor numbers to the cathedral could increase by more than a third in the first five years (as outlined in our submission on the economic impact), which will have a significant effect on visitors to the city overall – and 47% of visitors to a city referenced the cathedral as their driver for the visit.

“This will obviously have a positive knock-on financial impact on businesses within the city, as well as support the long-term financial sustainability of the cathedral. As the dean and others have made clear in public statements and in conversation with business and café owners around the city – this project is good for everyone and isn’t intended to impact anyone in anything but a positive way.”

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub hosted an event for businesses involved in its peer to peer support group this week.

Held at Ripon Cathedral, business owners heard from speakers Jack Sutcliffe, chief executive of Power Sheds, and military veteran, Goose Cryer MC.

The event was held as part of the culmination of a six-week programme which aimed to increase business growth, productivity and sustainability and safeguard jobs

Richard Hughes, owner of Manchega Tapas restaurant in Ripon, said:

“All participants were ultimately given the gift of belief in their ability and potential.

“This course can truly revolutionise collaborative working and drive business and economic development locally.”

Further peer to peer support groups are set to be held by the growth hub in January and February. Businesses can sign up here.

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Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall included in restaurant guide

Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall has been included in the Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants for 2024.

The fine dining restaurant near Ripon has been ranked at 75th in the guide.

Harden’s is a renowned guide in the culinary industry and compiled the list annually.

Chef Patron, Shaun Rankin, said:

“It’s truly an honour for Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall to be acknowledged in the Harden’s Top 100.

“This is the restaurant’s first feature in the list and is a source of great pride for both the team and I, particularly as the list is based on user-sourced ratings and reviews. It only further encourages us to continue to develop our offering of exceptional culinary experiences for our guests.”

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