Ripon Business Improvement District will begin an initiative tonight to light up alleys and ginnels in the city.

The BID, which aims to increase footfall in Ripon to help businesses, will switch on festoon lighting in Lavender Alley, which links Fishergate with Old Market Place and Queen Street,

It will be the first alley and ginnel around the city to be lit up, as part of a BID-funded programme designed to make Ripon a more attractive place to visit.

Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said:

“Lighting up these key routes throughout the city has been a priority.

“Businesses want all our tourists and the local community to enjoy the most convenient routes as they navigate and explore the city.

“We have been pleased to work with local to Ripon lighting contractor, Fusion FX to deliver this project.’’

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In December, Kirkgate, a key gateway to and from Ripon’s iconic cathedral and location for hospitality businesses and a strong mix of retailers, received a pre-Christmas deep clean, as the BID-managed work progressed.

Six months after Ripon’s only department store shut its doors, a comeback is just weeks away. The pre-Christmas closure of award-winning Wrens, was a body blow to the city.

But the building, in its prime footfall location, will reopen next month as Halls of Ripon.

Like Wrens, the new venture will be home, to a wide range of independent retailers.

Mike Cooper who owns Red Buttons Jewellers with his wife Liz, is spearheading the new enterprise with Hedley Hall.

Mr Hall, who owns an antiques, collectables and vintage models business, has traded alongside Mr and Mrs Cooper for many years.

Wrens department store pictured before its closure in December

First they were together at Wrens and then they relocated to temporary premises on Queen Street.

Mr Cooper told the Stray Ferret:

“Between us, we kept the dream of returning to our former base alive. Now it’s becoming a reality.

“There is tremendous demand for space. That makes us confident that once covid is behind us, we will can return to Fishergate by popular demand, ready for a successful summer and beyond. In addition to a strong and complementary range of retailers, there will be a cafe.”

Mr Hall, pointed out:

“My namesake, Philip Hall ran a highly-successful department store in Ripon for 50 years. It later became Wrens, under Mark Butler’s ownership and innovative management.

“Now, we are preparing for the next chapter in the story.”

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Among the independent retailers taking space at Halls of Ripon, is Lloyd Sheard, with his home furnishings goods.

He said:

“There has always been the demand for a department store of this nature in Ripon.

“It’s a fantastic location for footfall, in a city with a depth of history and attractions ranging from the Cathedral to the canal.”

Mr Sheard, added:

“As well as being a magnet for tourists, the kind of goods sold here by the independent retailers also attract local shoppers.

“That guarantees year-round trade – something all retailers need.”

While looking to the future, Mr Cooper believes that a little nostalgia will be appealing to customers.

He said:

“We decided on the Halls of Ripon name because of the association with Philip Hall and his famous department store.

“It was founded here in 1950 and to celebrate our opening we are creating the Halls of Fame competition.

“We will award prizes to people who can provide us with memorabilia relating to the former Philip Hall store.

“The items received will be used to create a display showing the history of department store shopping in Ripon. “