Police release CCTV image following assault at Harrogate bar

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following an assault in Harrogate.

Officers said the incident happened at Manahatta bar, which is situated on the Ginnel, off Parliament Street, between 11.30pm on December 3 and 12.59am on December 4.

It involved the suspect punching the victim a number of times to the face while in the bar.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Police are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the male in the image as they believe he will have information that will help the investigation.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Dryden or email leon.dryden@northyorkshire.police.uk

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210254998.”

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Could the Ginnel closure be permanent? Decision looms at end of month

A decision will be made at the end of the month on whether to keep the Ginnel in Harrogate closed to traffic.

Traffic was barred from the narrow road last year from 5pm until 9am each day as part of social distancing measures and to support the nighttime economy.

More than a fortnight after lockdown restrictions ended, the route remains closed to vehicles for 16 hours a day.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, when it would reopen or whether the closure would be made permanent.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager at the council, said:

“The closure of the Ginnel supports a number of local businesses with outdoor seating.

“While we recognise that customers can use indoor space, we feel that the continued support for outdoor space should remain in place over the summer months to help businesses and to enable customers to meet in the open air.

“This closure will be reviewed at the end of August.”

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James Street planters in Harrogate could be gone today

The planters on James Street in Harrogate and the cones in Knaresborough are to be removed imminently as part of today’s lifting of lockdown restrictions.

However, the Ginnel in Harrogate is to remain closed to traffic for an unspecified period of time to support outdoor hospitality.

The planters and cones were introduced last year as social distancing measures for town centre shoppers.

However, they have proved unpopular with some businesses, which say the loss of parking spaces has affected trade.

Traders opposed to the cones in Knaresborough.

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is the highways authority, said:

“It is our intention to remove all the social distancing measures and parking suspensions next week.

“I cannot confirm that it will happen on Monday since there may be some clearance work needed on the highways after the Great Yorkshire Show, which closed on Friday evening, but I do hope it may all be completed on Monday.

“The closure of the Ginnel in Harrogate is the only social distancing measure likely to remain in place.”

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Asked why the narrow street would stay closed to traffic when the government is lifting all social distancing measures tomorrow, Cllr Mackenzie said:

“The Ginnel is a very narrow, little-used street where closure will remain a little longer to support outdoor hospitality.”

Lucy Gardiner, co-founder of Harrogate Residents Association, said it was “extremely pleased” to hear the planters were going. She added:

“After months of writing to the councillors and expressing the many concerns from the retailers and residents it is absolutely the right thing for them to do, to actually show they are listening.

“Convenience is an integral part to the high street, which was highlighted by Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association in his recent presentation to the chamber of commerce.

“There is still demand for traditional shopping methods and Harrogate needs to lead the way for the high street — not became like every other pedestrianised place.”

‘Sneak peek’ at new bar and pizzeria in Harrogate

Hidden bar and pizzeria will take the place of Porco Rosso in The Ginnel when it opens its doors for the first time tomorrow.

The bar will only stock drinks from Yorkshire companies and the kitchen will serve hand-stretched, stone-baked pizzas.

It has been a tough year for the hospitality industry so the owners of Hidden have made a bold move opening now.

Tier two restrictions, which began yesterday, forced many wet bars to stay closed but Hidden is among those permitted to open because it serves ‘substantial’ meals.

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Hidden co-owner Jay Rennard said:

“I have always wanted to have a bar or a restaurant. This is both: very boutique, niche and classy. It brings a different vibe to Harrogate, very laid back and casual.

“I hope that people understand that we are trying to do something different. Something you don’t get in chains, a more unique and bespoke approach.”

Louise Robertson-Rennard, who is a joint business partner at Hidden, added:

“It has been a crying shame seeing businesses fold. We think people need hope so we are going to make the experience as normal as possible.

“I think that the hospitality industry has been through enough this year.”

Would you like to spread the word about your shop opening? No matter how small the shop get in touch with the Stray Ferret.

Pedestrian injured in Harrogate town centre collision

A pedestrian was left with a serious ankle injury after a collision with a black BMW X6 in the centre of Harrogate.

It happened at the junction of The Ginnel and Montpellier Street on Tuesday at around 4pm.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses, or anyone with CCTV footage of the area, to help establish the full details of what happened.

Anyone with information can call the force on 101, select option2 and ask for Chris Storey, or email chris.storey@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12200143779.

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