Business Breakfast: Loungewear brand founder gets national recognition

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

The Harrogate founder of a loungewear brand aimed at pregnant women and mums has won silver in a national awards scheme.

Sophie Baldwin, who set up The Mum Collective earlier this year, was runner-up for the title of young business woman of the year at the National Business Women’s Awards in London.

She set up her business to offer the luxury yet comfortable clothing she felt was missing from her wardrobe while she was pregnant and breastfeeding.

Sophie said:

“To be awarded silver at such a high level is incredible.

“Having met some amazing female owned and led businesses at the awards night, it’s safe to say the community of women who are taking the business world by storm is a powerful one.”

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New owner for holiday park near Harrogate

A holiday park near Harrogate has changed hands for an undisclosed sum.

Cardale Estate, on the edge of Beckwithshaw, has been bought by Cardale Escapes, owned by John Brooksbank.

The park has 50 static caravans, with a licence for a further 27, and a four-bedroom detached home within its 85 acres of woodland. It had been listed for sale at £3.75m.

Cardale Estate has been acquired by Cardale Escapes

Mr Brooksbank was advised by a team from law firm Gordons, led by commercial real estate partner Joanne Fearnley. She said:

“Cardale Escapes has exciting plans for the holiday park and being so close to Harrogate offers residents the best of both town and country.”

Mr Brooksbank added:

“Cardale Estate is a premium holiday park with huge potential in beautiful rural surroundings just three miles from the centre of Harrogate.

“Joanne and her team at Gordons were instrumental in enabling this complex deal to complete with practical and effective advice.”

Chamber meeting to focus on business support

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Chamber meeting to focus on business support

Practical and financial support to businesses across the Harrogate district will be in the spotlight at a meeting on Monday.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will focus on the routes to support with three speakers at its July event.

Steve Bolton is a lead consultant with Harrogate Borough Council and will discuss the Welcome Back Fund, which works collaboratively with SMEs and partners across North Yorkshire.

Amrit Choda of Aspire2lead will outline how the project works, with part funding from the European Social Fund. It aims to offer free support to women to boost their skills and confidence, and help them to contribute to the growth of businesses in the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Area (LEP).

Finally, Danny Wild, pictured, principal of Harrogate College, will introduce its new student-workers programme, which helps employers to fill vacancies while also giving work experience to students.

Chamber chief executive David Simister said:

“For Harrogate businesses seeking information about what financial grants, practical support and staff training they can access, then our July meeting is a must attend event.

“And I’m delighted to say this meeting is open to non-members too. The aim of our meetings is to educate and inform, and this is what July’s speakers will do.”

The meeting takes place at Harrogate College on Hornbeam Park on Monday, July 11, from 5.30pm, and is open to members and visitors.

To book a place, visit the chamber website.

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Maternity brand achieves double award listing

A luxury maternity and nursing loungewear brand based in Harrogate has been shortlisted for two awards.

The Mum Collective, founded by Sophie Baldwin, has been named a finalist in the small business category of the Yorkshire Blogger Awards.

Meanwhile, she has also been shortlised in the young businesswoman category of the National Business Women’s Awards.

As well as catering to mums’ needs for comfortable and practical nursing and maternity clothing, The Mum Collective is focused on sustainability.

Every item purchased is wrapped in recycled tissue paper and delivered in recyclable paper bags. For every order placed, the company plants a tree in support of partner Tree Sisters’ reforestation goals.