A new refectory that could be built as part of Ripon Cathedral’s £6m expansion plans is intended to “prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using the various cafés in the city”, according to planning documents submitted by the cathedral.

A proposal to house a song school, café and toilet in a two-storey building on Minster Gardens was submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in December. But some business owners have said they fear the refectory – a term originally used for monastic dining halls – could “funnel” tourists away from city centre.

This month, campaigner and retired chartered engineer Stanley Mackintosh unearthed in planning documents a reference to the proposed refectory, which he said confirms the fears of traders and café owners in Ripon.

The design and access statement, submitted by the cathedral in December 2022, said:

“Cathedral Refectory: for this to be a financially viable part of the cathedral business plan it needs to be a certain size, to accommodate a coach party, and be very close to the cathedral. This is required to prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using the various cafés in the city.”

The comments are likely to further anger traders who have long argued that the expansion will harm businesses in the city centre.

Ripon Cathedral viewed from the air.

A Ripon Cathedral spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the statement was written by an architect and has been “taken out of context”.

At a Ripon City Council meeting in February, the Dean of Ripon Rev John Dobson, said he believed the proposals would “deliver more business” for businesses in Ripon.

However, Mr Mackintosh told the LDRS that the cathedral’s own design and access statement confirms the scheme would damage livelihoods.

He said:

“Such unfair competition was plainly intended to deprive local cafés and traders of income, irrespective of the damage to the very livelihoods of those who serve the Ripon tourist economy.

“The dean and chapter and their supporters have flatly denied this repeatedly in public meetings and in written materials and have even claimed that they envisioned the visitor increases of around 30 per cent would increase business for local traders.

“That disgraceful ambition has now been exposed in their own words in their design and access statement as submitted with their planning application: ‘This is required to prevent visitors drifting away from the cathedral and using the various cafés in the city’.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

Ripon Cathedral’s response

A Ripon Cathedral spokesperson told the LDRS the design and access statement that refers to the refectory would be updated to “ensure it’s much clearer”. They said:

“The project has been designed from the very beginning to benefit the whole of Ripon and the wider area. Ripon Cathedral exists to serve the people of the city, the Diocese of Leeds, and the wider region. And we need the new building to ensure that continues to be the case. The sentence to which you refer, when taken out of context of the wider planning submission, could misrepresent what we’re planning.

“As would be expected, the design and access statement was written by our architects and may not express clearly enough the aspirations of the project. The refectory – which we hope will be run by local business people or existing café owners – would enable us to extend the attractiveness of the cathedral to coach companies who are not currently bringing coach parties to the cathedral because of a lack of toilets and refreshment facilities that can cope with 50-60 people.

“With this as an integral part of the plan, research suggests that visitor numbers to the cathedral could increase by more than a third in the first five years (as outlined in our submission on the economic impact), which will have a significant effect on visitors to the city overall – and 47 per cent of visitors to a city referenced the cathedral as their driver for the visit.

“This will obviously have a positive knock-on financial impact on businesses within the city, as well as support the long-term financial sustainability of the cathedral. As the dean and others have made clear in public statements and in conversation with business and café owners around the city – this project is good for everyone and isn’t intended to impact anyone in anything but a positive way.

“As a result of your question, we are in the process of updating the design and access statement to ensure it is much clearer, and we ask anyone who has any concerns or would like to discuss specific aspects of the project to get in touch with the cathedral directly at cathedraladmin@riponcathedral.org.uk.”

Harrogate Wedding & Events have been awarded the Regional Wedding Award for the Décor category.

Its partner business, DJMikeRobson, won the Regional Wedding Award for the DJ category.

The business, which provides wedding services in Harrogate, won the award for within the Yorkshire and North East region.

It was presented by the Wedding Industry Awards for the year 2022.

The awards bring together businesses in the wedding industry from across the UK and are held every year in London.

Ina Robson, owner of Harrogate Wedding & Events, said:

“We are delighted to receive the award and pride ourselves on excellent customer service. To know this award is also driven from customer feedback, means a lot to us.

“The industry itself has had a very difficult few years, but we are now looking forward to a bright future.

“I would like to thank all our clients and DJs for all of their support over the last year, and for helping to make our businesses a great success.”

New managing director appointed at Ripon BID 

Lindsay Elizabeth Mcphearson Austin has been appointed as managing director at Ripon BID.

News of the appointment was recently published on Companies House.

The appointment replaces former directors Sheila Webb and Sarah Blenkinsop.

There are currently twelve active directors as a part of the Ripon BID.

BIDs, which are funded by a levy on local firms,  aim to increase visitor numbers to towns and cities.

Real Food Harrogate asks for local food producers to join market

Real Food Harrogate market, Crescent Gardens

Real Food Markets is looking for independent food producers to join its Harrogate market.

The not-for-profit organisation operates in both Harrogate and Ilkley and supports local, independent and speciality producers.

Real Food Harrogate is run by a selection of traders and volunteers on Crescent Gardens on the third Sunday of each month from 10-3pm.

Set up in 2022 with the support of Harrogate BID and Harrogate Council, the market has gradually expanded in size.

Now, organisers are looking for local food producers to take part in Real Food Harrogate.

To join their group of traders and volunteers, you can find out more information here. 

Read more:

• Bettys and Taylors win Queen’s Award for Enterprise
• ‘Right’ for commons to investigate MPs, says Harrogate MP

Send us your firm’s business news and we’ll publish it.  Business Breakfast is a daily round-up of all things related to business and the economy in the district. Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Harrogate Christmas Fayre began today with residents and visitors alike heading to the town centre to enjoy the festivities.

Market Place Europe is running the event in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District from today until December 12.

Andy Pidgen, operations manager at Market Place Europe, told the Stray Ferret:

“Everyone has been very helpful, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, all the businesses Harrogate BID all need a public thank you.

“From what I understand the Harrogate Christmas Market was very successful. We do four big Christmas markets. I think the wooden chalets give a festive feel, we dress everything up.

“It’s a toe in the water but from what I understand people are pretty pleased so far but we are just at the start of the 10 days.

“Hopefully if the Harrogate Christmas Fayre is successful we can come back next year with some extra additions as well.

“This latest variant is of concern but coronavirus was still there before that. We are all outside but we do have to be mindful of that.”

Can you spot yourself in our gallery?

Lots of visitors to Cambridge Street today.

Panto stars Cinderella and Prince Charming (bottom left), the mayor Trevor Chapman (back, left) with the mayoress, council leader Richard Cooper (back, middle), Matthew Chapman and Sara Ferguson (back, right) from Harrogate BID. Christmas elves flank on either side.

The Candy Cane Express road train.

Operations manager from Marketplace Europe, Andy Pidgen.

Jason Walker, of Gourmet Jay, selling sausage rolls and pasties.

Quite an array of cheeses to nibble on.

A hog roast.

Covid measures are in place.

A variety of cuisines.

Anna Lister (left), founder of Lily and Lister.

L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.

Elves welcome visitors to the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Plenty of food to enjoy, including Lincolnshire sausages.

Traders and visitors have welcomed the first ever Harrogate Christmas Fayre, as the 10-day event gets underway in the town centre today.

The hot chocolate is flowing, Christmas gifts are flying off the shelves and people are enjoying the rides ahead of a big weekend for the town.

The fayre marks a big change for Harrogate’s festive offering, which used to centre on Montpellier Hill.

This event has organisers in the form of Market Place Europe, which is operating in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District, as well as a new town centre location for stallholders — so what do people make of it?

L&N Candles founders Laura Berryman and Natalie White.

Laura Berryman and Natalie White, from Bilton-based L&N Candles at a stall on Cambridge Street, told the Stray Ferret:

“We were planning to attend the old Harrogate Christmas Market but when that was cancelled, we thought we would seize the opportunity and get involved here.

“So far we have been really busy, so we are really pleased and excited for the next 10 days.”

The founder of Mama Doreen’s is enjoying the experience.

Jessica Wyatt, founder of Mama Doreen’s Emporium at a stall on Station Square, added:

“It is just great to get involved in Harrogate Christmas Fayre, see a lot of my regular customers and spreading the word.

“I haven’t been here long but I am loving it, it’s great. This is how I started Mama Doreen’s with a market stall so it really takes me back.”

Fancy a coffee?

Anna Lister, the founder of Lily and Lister, is selling coffee and treats on Cambridge Street. She said:

“We converted a horsebox and sell our own blend of coffee. We also do luxury hot chocolates and brownies.

“So far lots of people have said this version of the Christmas market in the town centre is much better.”

Not only are the stallholders enjoying the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre, the visitors also seem to welcome the changes.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre starts today: here’s the lowdown
• Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district
• New covid guidance as Ripon prepares for another big weekend

Helen Nash, a Harrogate resident who went straight out to take in the atmosphere, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think it’s a really good idea to have it in the town centre. It’s all on a level, it’s not muddy and there seems to be a good selection of stalls including some locals.

“So I hope people can come out and support it. This is really good for the town, the weather has been kind so far too.”

Nick Jackson, from Skipton, visited the Harrogate Christmas Fayre. He said:

“We always went to the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill, so it’s nice to see a bit of a change.

“It’s a great experience, especially coming into the town centre with all of the festivities in place.”