Philly Butler firmly believes there is a bright future for independent retailers in Ripon.

For eight years, she and husband Mark provided a base at Wrens department store for fledgling businesses — more than a dozen of which grew and set up their own shops in the city.

‘The house of independent retailers’, as Wrens was known, closed this month after the cumulative effects of lockdown lost trade in the crucial summer and pre-Christmas periods took its toll.

Among 52 Wrens’ occupiers that had to look for a new location to sell their goods was Philly’s own fashion and accessories business Daisy Clover Boutique.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“Mark and I hoped above hope that we could continue with Wrens, but lost business along with the shut down of our tea room because of social distancing requirements were killer blows.”

But despite the disastrous impact of covid on retailers large and small, Philly remains confident of a post-coronavirus comeback for the high street in Ripon. She said:

“I think that the ‘shop local’ message has finally resonated with people who realise that independents are an important part of the community and you are being served by your friends and sometimes neighbours.”

A selection of winter hats at the Daisy Clover boutique

She added:

“Before I could find new premises, I received dozens of calls from customers asking where they were going to be able to get their winter hats.

“These are people who ask and care about my children and the family pets and these type of relationships have been built by retailers right across Ripon.”

Read more:

• Ripon retailers make joint move
• School’s Christmas greetings to elderly in Ripon

Ripon’s vacant shops are smaller than those in bigger retail centres, such as Harrogate and Leeds.

Smaller units are likely be much easier to fill than large units vacated by the likes of Debenhams, which could be to Ripon’s advantage.

Philly said:

“Units of this size don’t remain empty for long in Ripon, because in normal times, small businesses with something special to offer can rely on footfall all year round, from summer tourists, to market day visitors and loyal local customers.”

Her niche is an ever-changing display of one-off hand-selected womenswear made mostly from cotton, silk or cashmere and imported from Europe.

Philly also has another string to her bow as a perfume designer who helps people create customised aromas for themselves or as personalised gifts. She said:

“At times like these, it’s amazing how the smell of a lovely scent can raise your spirits.”

It’s business as usual for two independent retailers, following the closure of Wrens department store in Ripon.

Mike and Liz Cooper and Hedley Hall have made the short journey from Fishergate to Queen Street, after Wrens’ owner Mark Butler helped them find new premises.

Mike and Liz sell jewellery, watches, fine porcelain and furniture at their Red Buttons business; Hedley specialises in antiques, collectables and vintage models.

They had traded together at Wrens for seven years.

Mike and Liz Cooper at the newly-opened shop premises they share with Hedley Hall

With some swift action and negotiation with the landlord, the two businesses were able to make their move.

Read more: 

• Martin House open new shop in Ripon
• Lightwater Valley fined £330,000
• Ripon’s only department store closes

They look forward to successful trading in the crucial Christmas period and beyond.

Mike told the Stray Ferret:

“Liz and I have always got on very well with Hedley and it’s great that we are still working together.

“Mark was very helpful in letting us know about the vacant shop and putting us in touch with the landlord.”

Among its services, Red Buttons transforms jewellery into custom-crafted pieces.

Mike, who learnt his skills during 30 years at Goldsmiths jewellers, following 12 years in the Royal Navy, said:

“Our business at Wrens just grew and grew, alongside a good mixture of other independent retailers.”

Liz, added:

“It was a real shame when Mark reached the point where he could no longer make it work after two periods of lockdown. We thank him for what he has done for us.”

Hedley expressed similar sentiments:

“Mark is an absolute gentleman and has played a major role in helping numerous small businesses in Ripon – my own included.

“It is important for Ripon to have vibrant, independent shops and other businesses, which add to the attraction of the city for residents and visitors alike.

“We all have a part to play in its success as a retail destination.”

Ripon’s only department store has closed its doors after the second COVID-19 lockdown wiped out a crucial month of trading.

Owner Mark Butler, who set up the ‘House of Independent Retailers’ seven years ago, told the Stray Ferret:

“I’m very sorry to say that losing the month of November, was the killer for us.

“Our monthly overheads are £7,000 and we haven’t been able to make a penny at a time of year when people start buying their Christmas gifts

“We had hoped that Christmas would be our saviour, but that was not to be and we had to take the painful decision to close.”

Wrens department store, which is now closed

The Fishergate store, which provided sales space for 52 independent retailers, ranging from those selling a single product to a section dedicated to womenswear, was located in the building previously occupied by the Philip Hall department store.

Its award-winning concept, which earned  a national prize for innovative retailing, gave start-up and other small retailers low risk means of entry to the market, with affordable rents and low overheads.

Read more:

• Derelict land in Ripon blocked off
• Will Bishop Monkton lose its only pub?

Mr Butler, who has received hundreds of messages of goodwill since news of the closure was shared on social media, said:

“We are leaving with our heads held high and proud to have played a part in helping more than a dozen fledgling businesses to get off the ground and set up in their own shops.”

He pointed out:

“We are parting on good terms with all of our retailers, who are now in the process of collecting their stock and we have maintained a good relationship with our landlord.”

After the first three-month lockdown was lifted in June, Mr Butler said that survival of the business would be reliant on staycationers coming to campsites and holiday lets in the Ripon area.

He hoped that people who had not been able to go on overseas holidays, would have money to spend in the shops, but the footfall did not materialise and this, combined with the loss of day-trip customers arriving by coach, dealt another blow.

As he prepares to lock the premises for good, he had a message, saying:

“I sincerely wish all independent retailers a successful Christmas, with people shopping locally to help them make it through this very difficult time.”

Harrogate’s independent shops say they are hesitant to stay open late in case there isn’t the footfall to make it profitable.

The government is to relax rules on late night opening to help stores recover sales after lockdown.

Store owners are gearing up to reopen on Wednesday but some want to see how many people return to the high street before spending money on additional staff.

In previous years, Harrogate’s shops have opened late one night during the week but this year shops are being precautious.

What do the shop owners say?

Louise Chesters, owner of Dizzy Duck in Harrogate, said:

“We’ll have to see how we go, if we get busy I will extend them to accordingly. It’s hard to tell if we will be inundated so it’s just a case of embracing it all. It would also take extra organising to extend the hours so we will have to see how it goes on Wednesday but I’m excited.”

Georgie Roberts, owner of Georgie’s, said:

“If someone asked I would stay open of course or if someone asks for a private appointment later in the day to feel safe then of course I would accommodate it. I’ll be flexible and see what happens but because I am out of the centre late nights tend not to work for me.”

Bob Kennedy, owner of G23 and Porters, said:

“Late nights don’t always work for us. It could be different this year with people supporting the high street, but I don’t know if it would be worth it. We will have to see how shoppers react when we reopen. It has been a difficult year and we need people to support local retail.”

After another month of closure the shops were eager to reopen. They are hoping a festive boost in sales can begin to make up for lost time.

Sandra Doherty, Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, was sceptical of the impact of the new guidelines. She said:

“Permitting shops to open for extra hours will, in a few instances, allow the retailers to benefit from a potential increase in trade, however, in most cases the extra costs in staffing will actually cut into profits.

“The temptation to stay open when others are closed will be tremendous, but there is only so much money to go around, and opening more hours will just spread the ‘spend’ over a longer time frame.”

Camilla Davies started up Skin SOS in November last year with a vision of providing ‘complete relaxation and rejuvenation along with some fantastic results-driven treatments for people in Harrogate.

She has years of experience in both clinical settings and spas and has worked all over the world, including in Perth, Western Australia where she developed a great deal of her expertise. Camilla focuses on treatments that offer both ‘holistic well being and fast results’ and has partnered up with two brands ‘Comfort Zone’ and ‘Dermaquest’ as she feels they tick both boxes.

Pre-lockdown, Camilla invited me down to her salon, a relaxing haven, with basement treatment rooms tucked away on Cold Bath Road. She explained her ethos and talked me through the products she uses and why.  What was absolutely clear, is the belief that she has in the brands she uses. Camilla is a font of skincare knowledge and I felt in totally safe hands.

Whilst lockdown means Camilla is unable to do her usual hands-on ‘hormone ageing facial’ or ‘body active massage,’ she has a lot the same products that she uses in her treatments available to buy within her Christmas selection, with lockdown-friendly options of click and collect or delivery (for free to a Harrogate postcode.) So you can treat your self or someone else to a Christmas beauty set that not only looks amazing but is a total game-changer for your skin. It also means your supporting a local business… which is really important right now.

The Christmas gifts were on display in her treatment room felt and smelt just like Christmas. Here are just a few of the most perfect pressies on offer. You just need to get in touch with Skin SOS via Facebook, Instagram or the website to order:

Dermaquest essential mini cleanser- Packaged to look like a beautiful bauble for your tree! This ph balancing cleanser is great for all skin types for daily use, with papaya and pineapple eating away at dead skin cells to leave your skin glowing.

Price- £15 

Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes- The Comfort Zone Beautiful Eyes Kit contains a hyaluronic acid eye gel that provides relief to tired, puffy eyes. The high-definition lengthening mascara extends the lashes for more volume.

Price – £25, eye gel sold separately is £33 so a fabulous deal! 

Comfort Zone Remedy kit- A winter essential for everyone. The mixture of cold weather and having the heating on at home is a recipe for dry skin, so these products are perfect gifts to keep your skin hydrated. The professional, fragrance-free solution for sensitive and redness-prone skin. The intensive serum with soothing, fortifying actions is ideal for reinforcing the skin’s complete defence. The soothing cream, with a barrier-effect texture, nourishes and calms even the driest and most delicate skin. Price – £75 – products sold separately would have been £120. £45 saving with this Christmas kit.

You can also buy a voucher for a Signature Facial, perfect as a Christmas gift. Usually £50, buy one for just £25 here. 

If you have anything lifestyle related that you would like me to cover, please get in touch- ami@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Ripon City Council has defended spending £65,000 more on Christmas lights this year after a businessman suggested some of the money could have been used to help local firms.

The lights were switched on last weekend in the middle of a second lockdown that has closed the majority of Ripon’s retailers, restaurants, cafes and heritage attractions.

Local business owner John Warren said money allocated on expanding the lights, which now cover three miles of streets, could have been better spent.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I emailed all city councillors to question the appropriateness of this huge expansion, when there are so many other priorities during a national emergency.”

Ripon’s Christmas lights extend across three miles of the city this year.

Mr Warren accepts the council did not know a second lockdown would start at the start of the key Christmas trading period when it decided to spend the additional money on lights.

However, he said:

“Even without the lockdown it is stretching credibility to believe that an extension of the lights will attract significantly more people to shop in Ripon over the festive period to help the local independent traders.”

“I am not a killjoy, but feel that some of the £65,000 could have been directly channelled to help struggling local businesses, such as supplying grant aid for shop front improvements that would provide a long-term means of enhancing the appearance of the city centre.”

Ripon City Council leader, councillor Andrew Williams, said:

“Whatever decision the council takes it is not going to please everybody and you are always likely to have those who will criticise via social media — but at the same time, we have also been thanked.

“Using money from the events budget that we could not spend this year because of cancellations caused by the coronavirus crisis is, we believe, a good investment that will benefit the city this year and for years to come.”

Read more:

• Watch video of Ripon’s Christmas lights
• You’ll bear-ly believe your eyes – see video of Ripon’s biggest window attraction

The council’s events budget is normally used to support public activities, such as the Saint Wilfrid’s Day celebrations in August, Battle of Britain Sunday in September, Remembrance Sunday in November and turning on the Christmas lights.

This year, money was also set aside for the 75th anniversary celebration of VE Day in May – but it, along with other civic events, were either scaled back or cancelled to avoid large gatherings.

Councillor Williams added:

“The covid pandemic has made it a gloomy year for everybody and by making Ripon more attractive, the intention is to give our traders a boost, while lifting spirits.”

Harrogate BID and the Stray Ferret have joined forces to launch a new online shopping directory to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

The Shop Harrogate Online site will provide customers with a one-stop-shop to buy from local retailers forced to move online by the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

People will be able to find and buy from fashion, homeware, food and drink, and beauty retailers, as well as finding services such as accountants, lawyers and other local professionals.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID acting chair, said:

“We are delighted that Harrogate BID is partnering with The Stray Ferret to power this special page to encourage people to ‘Shop Harrogate Online’.

There are so many businesses that are continuing to trade during this second lockdown, and the directory will help them promote their services. For those looking to make purchases locally, it is a single point of reference.

Remember, when you Shop Harrogate Online, you are helping support the Harrogate economy and safeguard local livelihoods and jobs.

And don’t forget you can also purchase the Harrogate Gift Card, which is accepted by more than 100 local shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Every £1 loaded on to a card means £1 kept within the local economy.”

Businesses across the Harrogate district can list their website for free at thestrayferret.co.uk/shoplocal

Read More: 

• New Harrogate lockdown shops say ‘fortune favours the brave’
• Campaign launched to support Harrogate shops online