The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm.
The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Independent Harrogate restaurant Farmhouse is set to open a second venue in Leeds.
The breakfast and brunch destination, owned by Jordan Aspinall, opened in Harrogate four-and-a-half years ago.
It has now acquired the site formerly occupied by ASK Italian on Lands Lane in Leeds.
It is due to open on September 8 and will cater for 110 covers — slightly more than the 90 in Harrogate.
Area manager Nicole Mangnan said the two restaurants will be run on similar lines, serving customers from 8am to 5pm. She added:
“Harrogate has been doing well and we always wanted to open in Leeds.”
Turkish Baths Harrogate gets national recognition
Turkish Baths Harrogate has been recognised by the Sunday Times.
The newspaper included the venue in a list of the 21 best things to do in the UK when it rains
The Victorian baths, which date back to 1897, were praised for its “eucalyptus-scented steam room” and the “sharp shock of the plunge pool”.
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Harrogate Turkish Baths accused of discrimination for halving women-only sessions
Turkish Baths Harrogate has been accused of discriminating against women by halving the number of single-sex sessions.
From May, the baths will reduce the number of women-only and men-only weekly sessions from two each to one.
Staff have said in emails to customers it is a business decision based on low numbers at one of the men-only sessions.
They say the decision to cut one of the men-only sessions means it’s necessary to do the same with one women-only session to maintain fairness.
Consequently, the daytime session devoted exclusively to females will no longer exist — even though it is popular.
Regular customer Francine Holroyd said the decision was “fundamentally wrong” and unfair on women.
She said female-only sessions were consistently well attended and provided a safe space for women of all backgrounds.
Ms Holroyd said:
“I’m very worried for a lot of Muslim ladies and others like myself who go on their own and would not go to a mixed session. It is fundamentally wrong.
“I do believe it is discriminatory as it means there will only be an evening session available to women. The Turkish Baths offers a safe place for women of all ethnic backgrounds to meet together and relax.
“If one of these sessions is removed it means that it reduces by 50% women’s access to spaces for women only. Women travel from all over Yorkshire to enjoy the Turkish Baths in a safe, female friendly environment.”
The Turkish baths on Parliament Street
Ms Holroyd, who is chair of governors at Harrogate Ladies’ College, said the loss of the daytime single-sex session would particularly affect women because, as they provide most childcare, they had more free time during the day to attend such things before school pick-up rather than in the evening. She added:
“Surely the decision should be a commercial one — i.e. the two ladies-only sessions are full so keep them.”
Read more:
- Harrogate Turkish Baths bans nude bathers
- Inspectors says Harrogate hospital maternity services ‘ improvement’
Katie Summersall, Turkish Baths manager, said:
“Following a successful trial, a new operational model is set to be introduced at Turkish Baths Harrogate.
“From May 1, guests will be able to book a timeslot set for every 30 minutes and will be able to spend up to two hours in the baths. This will mean there will be less of a wait at the start and end of each session as guests will no longer all need to arrive and leave at the same time.
“Two single-sex sessions will also be removed (on Thursday and Friday), meaning more customers will be able to access the baths throughout the week.”
Nude ban remains
Ms Summersall also said the baths had “decided that swimwear will remain compulsory at all public sessions”.
Clothing-optional sessions ended last month after a complaint was made to police about “inappropriate behaviour”. No further details were released.
North Yorkshire Police said at the time enquiries were at an early stage and ongoing.
The Stray Ferret asked for an update. A police spokesperson said:
Harrogate Turkish Baths nude ban: police probe ‘ongoing’“There’s no update, enquiries are ongoing.”
North Yorkshire Police has said an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” at Turkish Baths Harrogate is ongoing.
Harrogate Borough Council banned nude bathing at the Victorian baths last week after it received a complaint.
Until the decision, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.
But the council, which runs the venue, made swimwear compulsory for all sessions without consulting users following the complaint.
In a statement, it said the complaint was of a “serious nature”, adding:
“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”
North Yorkshire Police confirmed today it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said:
“Police received a report of an incident of inappropriate behaviour at the Turkish Baths earlier this month. Enquiries are at an early stage and are ongoing.”
The baths opened in 1897 and with its restored Moorish design is one of Harrogate’s premier attractions.
Read more:
- Harrogate Turkish Baths bans nude bathers
- Inspectors says Harrogate hospital maternity services ‘ improvement’