Harrogate Business Improvement District has announced it will provide grants to support businesses in making improvements to shop fronts and accessibility.
Each year, the BID provides the match funding to levy paying businesses for support with improvement work.
The organisation will provide match funding up to £750 towards these improvement works. All members within the Harrogate BID area are eligible to apply for the grant which is available on a first come first served basis.
The aim is to offer investment into repairs and redecorations of business entrances and streets as well as the refurbishment or replacement of graphics and signage to improve the appearance of the town.
The funding will also go towards making Harrogate businesses more accessible. The grants will provide improvements including the installation of ramps, handrails, and automatic doors.
The BID said the funding “helps to create a great first impression for any visitors to the town and allows residents and business owners in Harrogate to take pride in their town”.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“Harrogate is always championed as the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown, and we know that first impressions really do count. This is why we are proud to once again launch the Shop Front Match Funding Grant to support our members and this worthy representation.”
Businesses wishing to submit a request for a grant should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk with a short description of the proposed work, any equipment needed, the expected completion date and any quotations or proposals.
Further details on the terms and conditions of the grants can be found on the Harrogate BID website.
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Town centre living trend gathers pace in Harrogate
New plans have been submitted to change the use of a former Harrogate shop into flats as the trend towards town centre living gathers pace.
York-based Andrew Farr has applied to create six flats on West Park above the former Orvis store, which closed in April 2022 after 25 years of trading in the town.
It follows similar recent planning applications to change the use of town centre retail units into flats.
The former River Island shop on Cambridge Street is in the process of being converted to 15 flats and similar residential schemes have been proposed for the former main post office on Cambridge Road and the ex-King’s Club strip club on Oxford Street.
Work has begun on converting the former River Island shop into flats.
This is the second time Mr Farr has brought forward the scheme.
He withdrew plans in March to convert the upper floors of the former Orvis to six flats and create bin and bike storage. Planning documents say that application was halted “following the receipt of the comments from the council’s private section housing officer”.
They add the “revised proposal is largely identical” except for amendments to the internal layout.
It would see the upper floors of numbers 21a, 21 and 22 West Park converted.
Since Orvis closed, a bridal shop has opened on the ground floor of the premises.
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A planning and heritage statement sent to the council in support of Mr Farr’s application says future residents of the flats would be able to apply for monthly or annual parking pass for West Park multi-storey car parking.
It adds the scheme would “enhance the vitality of the Harrogate town centre” and bring vacant floors back into use “without any identified harm to the character of the host building and the neighbouring Harrogate Conservation Area”. It concludes:
“It is considered that the proposed scheme responds to the constraints of the site, planning policy constraints and its heritage context and should fall within the parameters of acceptable development.”
Harrogate’s Parliament House to be converted to flats and shops
Plans have been approved to convert a building in Harrogate’s Montpellier Quarter into eight flats and two retail units.
Parliament House on Montpellier Street is currently home to Harrogate Wines shop and a vacant gym and is spread across three floors.
North Yorkshire Council approved an application to convert the building last week.
Developer ATC Properties said the flats will be aimed specifically at young professionals and key workers who are looking to get onto the property ladder.
Each flat will have an ensuite double bedroom with an open plan kitchen, dining and living area.
Documents attached to the application described the site as an “intrusive utilitarian building” at odds with one of Harrogate’s most architecturally-appealing areas.
They added the conversion provided an opportunity to “significantly refurbish a prominent building of poor architectural quality and detailing”.
Civic society objection
A third floor extension was removed following concerns from Harrogate Civic Society, which objected to the plans.
The conservation group said the remodelling of the building “does not reflect the local historic style of the conservation area.”
Other prominent town centre buildings, including the former post office on Cambridge Street, have seen applications to convert them into flats approved in recent months. However, the civic society’s objection letter raised concerns about the trend. It said:
“In principle we are keen to see sustainable town centre living but
are always concerned that local commercial uses will not make for a low standard of residential amenity.”
Concerns were also raised by local residents and business owners about parking.
However, the council wrote in its decision report that the site
was in an accessible town centre location, close to shops, facilities and public transport connections, and secure cycle storage would be provided within the building.
The plans were ultimately approved by the new council as one of its first acts as the new planning authority for Harrogate, replacing Harrogate Borough Council.
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Keep Ukraine in your heart at Knaresborough Valentine’s Day fundraiser
A romantic event with a good cause at its heart is on offer in Knaresborough for Valentine’s Day.
A disco and supper will be held at Knaresborough Town Football Club to support Bob Frendt’s aid missions to Ukraine.
The Knaresborough resident is set to make his seventh trip to the country in March, taking much-needed medical supplies to support those fighting to protect their country from the Russian invasion.
Since his last visit in November, he has continued to collect vital equipment, including four mobility scooters, ready to transport in the spring.
He said:
“I’ve got so much to take out, I can’t fit it all in my lorry.
“Andway Medical did a stock take last week and invited me to go down and collect what they didn’t need. When I got there, I filled a van up. I’ve had to put it all in storage – I was given three months free at My Lock Up on York Road.
“I’ll have to leave the stuff that’s not essential because I can’t get it all in. I’ll have to take it the next time.”
While he is not short of equipment, Mr Frendt said he needs more funds to cover the costs of the trip.
It will be his seventh visit to the country since the Russian invasion last February, and each trip has cost him around £2,500 in fuel, ferries and insurance.
His next trip to Ukraine will be on March 22, returning in early April. He is then preparing to travel again in mid-May with the rest of the equipment.
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The pensioner has used his own funds to cover some of the cost in the past, as well as getting support from local businesses, but needs to raise more money to ensure he can keep travelling to Ukraine as long as the war continues.
Now, he hopes romantic souls across the Harrogate district will support him at the Valentine’s Disco Dance on Friday, February 10 from 7pm.
Tickets are £20 each, including a pie and pea supper. A raffle will be held on the night with prizes donated by many local businesses, including Slingsby gin, Woodlands car valeting, Fair Deal Motors and his beloved Manchester City Football Club.
The grand prize will be a romantic night for two at the four-star Newton House Hotel.
Tickets are available from Sherri Shirley and Prudams cafe on the High Street, and River and Rose florist and Supernews in the Market Place.
Alternatively, call Mr Frendt on 07836 514952.
Hundreds gather for Ripon’s Christmas lights switch-onHundreds gathered on Ripon Market Square yesterday evening as the city council signalled the beginning of the festive season with its Christmas lights switch-on.
With heavy rain relenting by early afternoon, the crowd, largely made up of family groups, grew throughout the day, visiting the square to see Santa and his reindeer and enjoy the free fairground rides and musical entertainment.
Families met with Santa and his reindeer Alfie, Dancer and Izzy
Among the early visitors to see Santa were two-year-old Taylor, her 12-year-old brother Toby and their mother Catherine (pictured above).
The three free fairground rides proved popular throughout the afternoon and into the evening
Live musical entertainment was provided from 2pm by local singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary, and tribute acts Tamsin and Kaylie and Jersey Beyond (pictured below)
By 5pm when the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke performed the switch-on, the large crowd was in festive mood, joining with him in singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The Christmas lights on Kirkgate
Among those hoping that Ripon’s traders have a happy and successful festive season is city council leader Cllr Andrew Williams.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“This is going to be a very challenging end of year for the vast majority of people with the cost of living crisis meaning they have less disposable income to spend.”
He added:
“We hope, however, that the lights will help to attract increased footfall and provide a festive boost to the city’s economy with local residents, as well as visitors, supporting Ripon’s independent shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs by spending their money here.”
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Refilling Station eco-shop in Harrogate to close
The Refilling Station is to close after three years of trading in Harrogate.
The plastic-free shop attracted a lot of goodwill when it opened because of the way it promoted sustainable shopping.
Customers bring their own containers for products to reduce packaging waste.
The business initially welcomed customers on Grove Road before moving to larger premises on Cold Bath Road.
Owner Kirsty Dodds said it had a core of loyal customers, but wider support had dwindled over the last two years.
She said the Refilling Station did well during covid when people were reluctant to go to supermarkets and it was able to source products, such as flour, which were in high demand.
“When covid was at a peak people described us as a lifesaver but unfortunately many people didn’t stick with us.
“As soon as the supermarkets caught up they went back to their old shopping habits.”
Ms Dodds said she had really enjoyed running the business but the outlook was bleak for independent shops. She said there was a misconception that supermarkets were cheaper and this, combined with their convenience, made it difficult to compete. She said:
“A lot of people have supported us in concept and on social media but not in person. It is sad but we do have staff and overheads to pay.
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Ms Dodds, who lives in Leeds, said the Refilling Station will probably close mid-September but she had yet to finalise a date. She will then focus on another business venture outside Harrogate.
She said she still thought Cold Bath Road was the ideal location for a business like hers. But she feared for the future of independent shops in Harrogate.
“I walked through the town centre recently and yes it was bustling but the shops weren’t that busy and the rents would be far more expensive than Cold Bath Road.
“I find it difficult to imagine a world where independents will survive. A lot will find the next 12 months tricky.
“The outlook is terrifying. I have family too and I feel the pinch. It’s a bleak picture if things keep going the way they are.”
Wheelchair user praises Harrogate restaurant for buying ramp
A wheelchair user has praised the owner of Harrogate restaurant Oliveta who personally went out and bought a ramp so she could dine inside.
Now, Nichola Emmerson is calling for other businesses in the town to follow suit in a bid to make eating out more accessible.
Ms Emmerson, who is a campaigner and advocate for disabled access, said she believed any public service should be available to everyone.
She said:
“I’m finding in Harrogate that as much as I love the town, there are an awful lot of businesses that aren’t accessible. I think there are a lot that could be.
“I feel a bit let down by society. I want it to change. The legislation in this country is not good enough for access and there are ways and means of getting around it. So companies get away with not providing access.”
Ms Emmerson, who lives in Harrogate, said she enjoyed going to restaurants, but often ended up being limited to chains, which usually provided access.
A few weeks ago, she spotted Oliveta, on Station Parade, which she saw had steps but decided to call the restaurant to see if there was another entrance.
She said:
“The owner was extremely polite and whilst informing me that he didn’t have wheelchair access, it was something he was working on.
“In the meantime, he suggested that he would put a table and some chairs outside. A great idea I thought, so the following evening, the sun was shining and I met my friend at Oliveta’s. We had a wonderful evening and the food was sublime.”
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Since that evening, Ms Emmerson spent time working with the owner, Kole Lleshi, in an effort to get a ramp, doorbell and signage installed to make it wheelchair accessible.
She said:
“To my absolute delight, Kole has now got a ramp, which he funded himself, following an attempt to get help from the local council and failing.
“I am now able to access the restaurant, which has the most wonderful interior and the icing on the cake is knowing there is also a fully accessible disabled toilet. These adjustments make such a different the lives of disabled people.”
Kole Lleshi, who opened the Mediterranean restaurant with his wife Bukurie, in December 2021, said he had tried to seek support from Harrogate Borough Council, but did not get a response.
He said:
“Nichola will be my customer now forever, so I checked the legislation and it said we could use a safety ramp.
“I found a ramp in Doncaster on a website. So I went with my wife, we bought it. I called Nichola and told her to come back and we tried and it’s working. She came in and that night she was supposed to stay only one hour and stayed for three.”
Ms Emmerson explained that there was a huge potential spending power from the country’s disabled people, known as “the purple pound”. This is thought to contribute around £249 billion annually to the economy.
She said:
“Our money is as valuable as anyone else’s. If we can’t get into services to use it, then it’s not good for the economy.”
“The fact that this has happened is very close to my heart. When I went into the restaurant I just felt free. It has also got a disabled toilet. Quite a lot are full of changing tables and they are an after thought, but this is a nice environment.
“I now want other disabled people to come here to enjoy the food and use the facilities and I want other businesses to follow suit.
“Of course Harrogate is hilly and full of old buildings, but I’m finding that retailers are either not bothered about trying to make what in most cases could be a simple change to their premises. Or they are unaware of the the purple pound and the pieces of equipment that are available.”
The disabled toilet at Oliveta.
Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.
A spokesman for the charity said for some businesses it was impossible to adapt the premises and make them fully accessible. However, he said there were ways of making them more welcoming for disabled people.
He said:
“For someone to buy their own ramp, that’s absolutely fantastic. Now wheelchair users can go and have a meal there.
“If anybody wants advice on this issue, please contact Disability Action Yorkshire. We can work with businesses to help them operate in a disability-friendly way.”
A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council commented:
“Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses should ensure they do not discriminate against individuals with a disability. Further guidance, including all statutory requirements for businesses, can be found on the government’s website.
“Any eligible individuals who may need financial support to help adapt their home in order to meet the needs of any disabled children or adults living there can apply for a disabled facilities grant (DFG). Further information is available via our website.”