Sneak Peek: New-look Halls of Ripon reopening tomorrow

Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, will re-open with new traders from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 13).

The store on Fishergate closed for a major revamp and reconfiguration in January.

Ahead of tomorrow’s reopening, the Stray Ferret was invited for a sneak peek at the new-look layout.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured above) said:

“For the next few days, entry will be via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and Hive Cafe – which has remained open throughout the reconfiguration works.”

He added:

“Following discussions with our landlord, we decided that it was safe to allow customers in to the part of the building where the refurbishment has already been completed. The remaining works on the Fishergate frontage is ongoing.”

Hedley Hall’s vintage vehicles and collectables

The reconfiguration has increased floorspace and Mr Cooper added:

“We will be reopening with new entrants including Timeless Treasures (archaeological finds) Dennis Fielding (antiques and collectables) and Signature Baby Boutique.”

Halls of Ripon’s expanded offer includes a wide range of women’s fashion.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Operations director Barry Cooper, who works alongside his father Mike and runs the Red Buttons Jewellers in Halls, said:

“We anticipated that the post-covid bounce back for Ripon retail would be led by the city’s strong mix of independent businesses and we got it right.

“The proof of the pudding can be seen in the fact that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are downsizing their portfolios and closing stores.”

Simon Richardson with his Timeless Treasure stall, is one of the three new entrants.

He added:

“We’re sure that Peacocks who opened a few doors down from us at the end of February, and Trespass who opened in the former Barclays Bank building in November, will have chosen Ripon ahead of other locations.

“This is because Ripon’s mixture of independent retailers and hospitality businesses, combined with affordable parking and £2 fares on the 36 bus all make this historic city an attractive proposition.”

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Halls of Ripon to expand through major reconfiguration

Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, is increasing its floorspace as part of a major revamp and reconfiguration.

The store in Fishergate which is home to 16 independent retailers, will be temporarily closed from Friday and is scheduled re-open in early February.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured below) whose son Barry runs Red Buttons Jewellers within the store, told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s testimony to the strength of Ripon’s independent retail offer that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are closing stores.”

He pointed out:

“The demand for space remains very strong and we will be able to satisfy that demand with a reconfiguration that will create room for up to seven more independent businesses.”

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper

For Zoe Wotherspoon, who owns the ladies fashion, accessories  and gifts retailer Robin Gifts, the increased space is timely.

She said:

“We have done so well since opening our second outlet at Halls last February, that we decided to move out of Harrogate and consolidate our offer at one location.”

Ms Wotherspoon, added:

“The revamp will give us 40 percent more space in the prime location at the front of the store and we feel very confident for the future as we continue to attract new customers.”

 

While the work at the front half of the department store is under way, The Hive Cafe, which can be accessed from the Marshall Way car park entrance, will remain open throughout.

Keeley Buller who co-owns the business with her partner David Ward, said:

“Over the past 30 months we have built a loyal customer base and the enhancements that will come with the revamp are good news for us.”

In addition to the reconfiguration of the department store, Sterne Properties will be remodelling the building and installing a new roof to create two high quality apartments on the upper floors of the building.

Main image: Zoe Wotherspoon, whose Robin Gifts business is expanding with the increase in floorspace at Halls of Ripon

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Caffe Nero doubles the size of its Ripon premises

Coffee shop Caffe Nero has doubled the size of its premises on Market Place North in what is described as “vote of confidence” in Ripon.

The expansion was made possible after Sterne Properties Limited acquired the lease of the existing Caffe Nero and the adjacent property, which had been vacant since Leeds Building Society closed its Ripon branch in November 2020.

Tom Limbert, director of property consultants Central Retail, who acted on behalf of the international coffeehouse company, said:

“This is a prime corner site location and it’s a very positive move by Caffe Nero to double its size.”

Robert Sterne, director of Sterne Properties, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are delighted to have negotiated a ten year lease covering the newly-expanded premises and see this as a vote of confidence in Ripon from Caffe Nero.”

He added:

“This adds to our portfolio of investments in Ripon, where we have injected new life into empty properties by introducing leisure and hospitality uses.”

The company’s portfolio includes The Claro Lounge on Market Place South, Curzon Cinema on North Street and Coffee at Number 10 on Queen Street.

Sterne Properties, which has been investing in Ripon for 30 years, also owns the Halls of Ripon premises on Fishergate – where The Hive Cafe is located – and Appleton’s butchers on Market Place East.

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