Sneak peek: Artist Lucy Pittaway’s new Harrogate gallery

North Yorkshire-based artist Lucy Pittaway is ready to open the doors at her debut Harrogate gallery this weekend.

The gallery, which sells original works of art as well as prints, homeware and stationery, had a preview night last night.

The shop replaces the former menswear shop Austin Reed on Prospect Place, which had been empty since 2016.

It’s been a long wait for Ms Pittaway, who has had her eyes on a site in Harrogate for five years.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret ahead of tomorrow’s official opening, she said:

“We have been wanting to be in Harrogate for some time now but we are finally here, and in an absolutely fabulous location.

“The response we have had from local businesses and shoppers has been amazing. We are absolutely thrilled with the interest we have seen already.

“It wasn’t easy but we have managed to get this space turned around in just three weeks which is a testament to our amazing team. I feel very proud looking around.”

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Ms Pittaway’s best known works are her signature sheep art and her work on the Tour de Yorkshire and UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate.

The Harrogate store will be open Monday to Saturday from 9.30pm to 5.30pm and from 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

A number of promotions are in the pipeline for Christmas and various other initiatives are also on the horizon, including a meet-the-artist event and debut showings of original pieces of art.

More pictures from the preview evening:

Lucy Pittaway with husband Neil and the rest of her team.

The new store looks ready for Christmas.

The gallery also sells homeware, stationery and more.

You can also find some of Ms Pittaway’s original work.

Harrogate town centre Sainsbury’s to open in next two months

Sainsbury’s is planning to open its new Harrogate’s town centre store in the next couple of months.

The supermarket chain had hoped for a late summer opening but only managed to get permission from Harrogate Borough Council in late July.

When the new Sainsbury’s Local shop opens it will create 25 new jobs and also bring the former Topshop unit at 33-37 Cambridge Street back into use after four years.

While there’s not been too much movement at the store in recent weeks, the internal fit out is due to start before the end of November.

The developer plans to split the building into three seperate units. Sainsbury’s would occupy the largest on the left side.

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Skipton Building Society is also planning to move in but it is unclear at this stage which business will take on the third unit.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said:

“We’ll soon be moving to the next stage in the fitout of our new convenience store for Harrogate and I’m looking forward to seeing it take shape as it really starts to look like a Sainsbury’s Local.

“It won’t be long now until residents, workers and shoppers in the town centre will be able to enjoy great value, high quality products as well as the improved convenience and choice that a new Sainsbury’s store will bring.”

Mr Dunne added that his team is also in the process of finding a charity to donate excess food to.

Sainsbury’s already has four stores in Harrogate: a large store on Wetherby Road and smaller Local stores on Leeds Road, King’s Road and Cold Bath Road.