Starbeck KFC submits plans to expand

KFC in Starbeck has tabled plans to expand its premises to offer more seating.

Under proposals submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the fast-food chain would take over and convert the former Age UK shop next door to create more space for seating.

An area for 14 seats would be created and a new disabled and unisex toilet installed.

The conversion of the unit would also see a new main entrance built.

The current KFC is mainly used as a takeaway.

In documents submitted to the council, development consultants Pegasus Group, which has lodged the plan on behalf of KFC, said the proposal would mean the takeaway could operate as a restaurant.

It said:

“The proposal seeks to utilise it as a seating area directly associated with the existing KFC premises next door. The existing KFC is a Sui Generis takeaway use.

“The proposal will allow for a seating area to be introduced meaning that the existing KFC could operate more as a restaurant.”

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The proposal becomes the latest fast-food plan for Starbeck High Street.

A proposal to convert a former laundrette in the area was submitted to the council earlier this month.

The premises at 47 High Street had been a launderette since the 1980s before being used as an off licence and a clothes shop in recent years.

A new application by owner Mark Leicester could see it changed to a takeaway.

Takeaway plan for former launderette on Starbeck High Street

A new takeaway could open on Starbeck High Street if planning permission is granted to convert a former launderette.

The premises at 47 High Street had been a launderette since the 1980s before being used as an off licence and a clothes shop in recent years.

A new application by owner Mark Leicester could see it changed to a takeaway.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council said:

“The applicant, Mr M Leicester is the owner of numbers 41 to 47 High Street, Starbeck. These properties are retail units with residential accommodation above.

“The only changes to the property resulting from the proposal are internal and in themselves do not require planning permission. It is simply the changing of the use of the floorspace that is proposed.”

The application has had a mixed reception from Starbeck Residents’ Association. The group said local residents do not want empty premises, but they are also keen to have a more diverse range of shops.

A spokesperson said:

“In particular, it would be great to see a greengrocer selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

“We recognise however, that we cannot change the planning system, nor force particular businesses to move to our area. That’s why we consistently promote the fact that Starbeck is a wonderful area and a great place to do business.

“The Starbeck Residents’ Association is also working to see what else we can do to encourage a wider range of businesses to our area.”

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In early 2018, the shop began to be used as an off licence. Four members of the public objected to a retrospective application for the change of use as well as the retention of roller shutters and shop frontage.

The council’s planning officer found the roller shutters were out of keeping with the conservation area and were visually intrusive, and the application was declined.

A request to retain two illuminated signs outside the premises was also refused.

Harrogate restaurant to do takeaways only due to staffing issues

Yo Sushi in Harrogate has closed its dining area and will only be open for takeaways ‘until further notice’.

The Albert Street chain sells Japanese food on a conveyor belt, opening in 2016 along with the Everyman Cinema.

But a notice has gone up in its window that says the restaurant will be trading takeaway food for the time being.

The Stray Ferret asked a Yo Sushi team member who said the move is likely to last until the end of the month and was due to staffing problems.

Harrogate’s hospitality businesses have faced well-documented problems hiring staff over the past couple of years, with Brexit, high living costs and low pay all previously blamed for the crisis.

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YouTuber raves about Knaresborough and Harrogate takeaways

A YouTube star with nearly 500,000 subscribers has given glowing verdicts to two takeaways in the Harrogate district.

Danny Malin, the man behind Rate My Takeaway, visited the The Roast Inn, which is a roast dinner food truck at Knaresborough’s St James retail park and Starling Independent Bar Cafe Kitchen in Harrogate last week.

Mr Malin’s reviews can have a significant impact on trade, as occurred when he recently visited Harrogate’s Thug Sandwich.

His video review of The Roast Inn went live on Friday and already has 124,000 views. He gave it a glowing endorsement, describing the food as “a solid 10 … heavenly”.

The food truck, which has been based on the retail park for 17 years, sells roast sandwiches and roast dinners. Mr Malin opted for a turkey and stuffing sandwich and a roast pork loin dinner with a side of pigs in blankets for £14.

Sitting on his signature camping chair, he said:

“If you’re like me and you like a roast dinner, this is spot on. The gravy is beautiful, nice and thick, the pork is cooked to perfection and absolutely gorgeous. The whole dinner is smothered in gravy with bit of apple sauce, just delicious!”

“To me it’s just like eating heaven, my kind of meal.”

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Moving onto the sandwich, he said the proportion of turkey to sauce and stuffing was “spot on”:

“That’s the one, you know what the thickness of the turkey is bang on, it’s not dry with all those sauces. Oh wow that is spot on, just amazing.”

Giving his final verdict on the Roast Inn, Mr Malin said:

“For me it’s probably one of my favourite takeaways for a while, a solid 10. I’m going to be coming back next time I’m here.”

Rate My Takeaway reviews Starling

On Saturday, his review of Starling went live and by today had 118,000 views. Mr Malin ordered a meat sweats pizza, Philly fries and a Mars bar slice for £22.50.

Mr Malin tucks in at Starling Bar and Kitchen last week.

Starting with the pizza, he said:

“That meatball topping is absolutely quality and the sauce is spot on. I’m getting a proper Italian vibe from those meatballs.

“The only thing is because the base is so thin the toppings can slide off but the flavour, oh my god. I’d describe it as a messy one.”

Whilst sat outside Mr Malin was approached by lots of local fans all keen to know where he’d been to review locally.

The Philly fries, which are skin-on fries topped with pulled pork, gherkins, barbecue sauce and cheese, also won praise:

“Ooh they’re nice them, the chips have got a bit of a crispiness and with the sweet barbecue sauce and the pulled pork its a beautiful flavour buzzing around my mouth.”

Describing the whole meal as “delicious “he gave Starling a 9.5 rating and said it only missed out on the 10 because the toppings fell off.

Authentic food and coffee served with a smile at Hustle and Co

This post is sponsored by the food app Deliveree

Great food and a welcoming atmosphere make Hustle and Co one of Harrogate’s best eateries.

Jo Bradshaw and Nici Routledge set up Hustle and Co cafe to fulfil their lifelong ambition of running a sustainable and ethical café in central Harrogate.

Staff are famously welcoming and often greet regulars by their first names. If you are having a coffee to go or sitting upstairs for a meal the atmosphere is friendly and warm. The outside space at the back has plenty of seating, including undercover for those wet days. If you are a bit chilly, don’t worry, the staff will happily provide you with a cosy blanket!

Located on the fashionable Prince Albert Row on Station Parade, the café is the ideal location for a bite to eat or for a delivery to enjoy at home.

Ethically sourced food

Hustle and Co’s menu is ethically sourced from local high-quality providers. The kitchen’s offer changes often, so there is always something new to experience. Seasonal dishes are a speciality and take advantage of the freshest ingredients all year round.

Café favourites such as Golden Waffles and French Toast are served alongside Build-Your-Own Mezze Salad Bowls and Prime Beef Burgers for a menu that is as varied as it is mouth-watering.

Side Hustles

You can customise plenty of orders with added extras and “side hustles” for your perfect dining experience. For those with special dietary requirements or anxiety, staff are there to reassure and talk you through the menu.

This personal touch and a desire to make your experience as enjoyable as possible are the hallmarks of Hustle and Co’s attitude.

Get Jo and Nici’s Hustle and Co delights delivered to your door today with the local foodie app Deliveree.

Giggling Squid sets Harrogate opening date

A Thai restaurant chain known for fresh dishes and bright interiors has revealed the month when it plans to make its Harrogate debut.

Giggling Squid is currently renovating the former Las Iguanas unit on John Street in anticipation of a March opening date.

The restaurant started in the basement of a fisherman’s cottage in Brighton but has since developed into a business with more than 40 restaurants.

When it opens there will be the opportunity to eat indoors, outdoors as part of the alfresco experience or take the food home with click and collect or delivery.

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Andy Laurillard, Giggling Squid co-founder, said:

“Thai mealtimes are energetic, informal, adventurous and where food is celebrated. It’s relaxed and there’s no standing on ceremony.

“We simply want people to have a great time over something tasty. Every Giggling Squid has its own personal touch to it, and this restaurant is no different.”

Giggling Squid Harrogate will be open Monday to Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10.30pm and Sunday from 12pm to 9.30pm.

A few restaurants already specialise in Thai food in Harrogate, including Sukhothai, Tah Chang and takeaway service Nakhon.

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:

“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.”

Harrogate delivery drivers in turf war with rival outsiders

Self-employed delivery drivers in Harrogate say tensions are rising with rival drivers coming into the area to make money during lockdown, despite the risk of spreading covid.

The Stray Ferret has spoken to four Harrogate delivery drivers about the issue. One said the situation has led to drivers coming to blows.

The local drivers say about 30 drivers from areas such as Leeds and Bradford are coming to Harrogate each day for work. They added this didn’t occur before lockdown.

Delivery drivers are able to travel during lockdown but the ones we spoke to in Harrogate said this posed covid risks, as well as threatening the earnings of locals.

The drivers are self-employed and work on apps to find takeaway deliveries near to them. Whoever responds first to the notifications on the app gets to deliver the order.

They are paid per job and Harrogate is regarded as a better location to make money than many larger nearby places.

The drivers have reported their grievances to Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Police. Both told the Stray Ferret it wasn’t a matter for them.

‘Spreading the virus’

One local driver, Christian Mihailpo, said:

“I am afraid for Harrogate because they could be spreading the virus.

“I have spoken to some of the drivers and they have just said they don’t understand the issue. We can travel for our jobs but they shouldn’t be doing this in the lockdown.”

Another of the drivers, who wished to remain anonymous, said:

“I have health issues myself so it is a worry. We just want to work safely. I would say I’ve lost between 60-70 per cent of earnings because there’s not enough to cover everyone that is working here now.”

He added it was causing tension and a clear divide was emerging between local and outside drivers.

All the drivers said this issue has worsened during the current lockdown and that they were losing income because of it.

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Losing money

They added some of the drivers from outside Harrogate often call family or friends to work here.

Local driver Ali Mahyrt said:

“We aren’t happy about what is happening and we want to try and stop it. We are losing money but our health is impacted too.

“I understand they need to make money but they should take into account local people’s health.”

Victor Foca, who is also based locally, added:

“The regulations should mean they stay in their home city. The risk is when they go to houses to deliver food.”

Six workers rescued from Ripon takeaway

Six workers have been rescued from a takeaway in Ripon after residents raised concerns about their living and working conditions.

Representatives from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Harrogate Borough Council, the police, fire service and Immigration Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, swooped on the takeaway, which has not been named, on Wednesday last week.

The six people safeguarded during the visit have been placed in temporary accommodation.

Officers noted several possible indicators of labour abuse but could not find any signs of modern slavery offences, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority,

The council and the fire service will now investigate a number of housing and fire safety issues at the property.

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The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority works in partnership with other agencies to investigate labour exploitation.

Contact Crimestoppers anonymously if you suspect someone is being exploited for labour on 0800 555111.

Harrogate chippy surviving despite major roadworks

Despite major roadworks happening outside a fish and chip shop in Harrogate, the owner said it is still surviving.

Harrogate Fisheries on Skipton Road remained open throughout lockdown. However, major roadworks lasting 14 weeks have now started right outside the shop.

Despite parking issues during the day affecting lunch time service, owner Tim Phillips told the Stray Ferret that it “could have been a lot worse.” He said:

“Parking is difficult here at the best of times so people are just not coming during the day, its chaos. In the evenings though the traffic dies down so business becomes much better.”

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inside takeaway shop

The fish and chip shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30am – 8pm.

Tim said that they were given a warning a week before, but it didn’t highlight the extent of the work taking place. During lockdown, the fish and chip shop has been delivering meals to the elderly and care homes. He is optimistic the shop will survive

“We are heading in the right direction; we just aren’t there yet. We are surviving, the team are getting paid and the elderly are getting their food. We have a very loyal customer base and it’s great to see people coming back to the shop again.”

Despite Harrogate welcoming the Eat Out to Help Out scheme this week, Tim says it has not had an impact on his takeaway business. He told the Stray Ferret that he has seen record numbers this week from Monday to Wednesday.