A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. This month, I’ve chosen a small selection from Harrogate’s home wares specialists that I hope you’ll like.  From the chains to the independents, from budget to bijou there are plenty of purchases to tempt you in town. 

The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.  

POCKET BLUETOOTH SPEAKER, The Luxe Company, 20 West Park.  £49.99

Editor’s choice: “It’s quite retro and very stylish. This is a great shop for gifts – and there’s a lot in the store that’s very reasonably priced as well as high end treat purchases.”

The boss, as ever, is right.  I also spotted a lovely water carafe and glass (24.99) and an elegant range of white ribbed ceramics (£20 for a dinner plate) that won’t break the bank. In the back of the store there’s a beautiful selection of night and beach wear, plus some fancy (but still very tasteful) cashmere lounge gear that will break the bank. But that’s what shops like this are for, once in a while.  Luxe started out online-only, but they’re convinced the high street has a future and customers like looking and touching in a shop like this – so they opened their flagship store a couple of years ago. I’m glad they did.

Naturally hand crafted, the speaker comes in bamboo, walnut and cherry wood.  Handy for use around the house, for travelling of course, and for all the outdoor socialising to come this summer…

HOME OFFICE STORAGE, Paperchase, 40 St James St. From £6.

Working from home looks set to stay for many of us, at least for the forseeable future.

So if you’re operating a study/office in the spare bedroom this ‘Kraft’ range from Paperchase offers a tasteful (and affordable) way to keep the place organised.

There are boxes, box files, expanding files and concertina wallets, and they come in black, too.

PICQUOT WARE TEA AND COFFEE SET, Space, The Ginnel. £68

Not all covetable design is Scandi you know: this quintessential mid century must-have is English and dates from 1947.  Picquot ware was manufactured in a metal works that had made aircraft parts during the second world war and is made from a special aluminium alloy, ‘Magnailliuman’, that polishes up beautifully whilst retaining its vintage patina. The handles are sycamore.  Space has a really good range of mid century furniture (besides vintage clothes, bric a brac and great jewellery): I also spotted a nest of teak tables in perfect condition for £95 and a telephone table with integrated padded seat (remember them?) for £170.

I already have one of these Picquot sets and can vouch for its non-drip pouring, so at a very fair price, this one is yours for the taking.

QUEEN BEE VELVET CUSHION, Woods, 65/69 Station Parade £220

I know I know, it’s very expensive, so not for everyone and not an everyday purchase.  A focal point to a room maybe.  But it is really nice – what more can I say?

Woods of Harrogate is a five-generation family business that first opened as a fine linen store in Harrogate at the end of the 19^th century, so its clearly getting something very right. It’s since broadened its offer which now spans bathroom accessories, home fragrance, even children’s toys. And they’ll do your interior design, too.

RE-USABLE SANDWICH BAGS, Lakeland, 48 St James St. £9.99 for a pack of 8.

Definitely an everyday item, I was very happy to come across these. Lots of people will be used to shopping from Lakeland online, but for those really committed gadget-inclined shoppers amongst us, nothing satisfies like a find you make when you have a real life root round a shop.

These re-usable sandwich bags are freezer and dishwasher safe, and they’re free of all the bad stuff you’d get in lots of plastics: BPA, PVC, phthalates and latex. There’s a snack size, too. Next I’m tempted to a flan tin with a detachable perforated base – the way to finally prevent a soggy bottom? (£11.99 and wondrously named ‘PerfoBake’)

DINNER SET, ProCook, 7-11 Princes Street.

Everything for the serious cook is to be had here: from top of the range knives to a bean slicer you never knew you needed.

This ‘Oslo’ stoneware dinner set is £129 for 16 pieces.  It’s substantial yet still stylish and the grey will work well in lots of contemporary kitchens.  There are some elegant white bone china sets too, including the ‘Harrogate’ range which will have you overflowing with civic pride.  Plus, the staff at ProCook are really helpful: I bought a heavy cast iron casserole as a gift, and, since they didn’t have the colour I wanted in store, they ordered it from the warehouse and delivered it direct to my friend, for free.

Another triumph for Harrogate as it delivers, yet again, for your committed consumer champion.

Yorkshire based auctioneers Tennants are preparing to auction ‘a century of fashion.’

Tennants Auctioneers’ costume, accessories and textiles sale will offer a selection of outfits from the Victorian Era to the present day.

Classics by Chanel, Gucci and Chloe will all be going under the hammer as well as many vintage costume pieces.

The auction will take place at Tennant’s flagship site in Leyburn, North Yorkshire on Saturday 22, August.

Tennant’s ‘ A Century of Fashion.’

Sarah White, Costume and Textiles specialist at Tennant’s told the Stray Ferret that there will be over 200 lots on offer:

 ‘It’s a different sale to usual this time… it’s got more bulk to it in the costume, but we also have a fantastic selection of modern Chanel, leather goods, 20’s daywear and 30s and 40’s costume which people like and want to buy.’

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So what sort of price can you expect to pay for these pieces?

‘The Chanel items tend to go for between 300 and 500 which is a fraction of what you would pay in the shops, the other items anywhere from £200 upwards, but there’s always bargains to be had so it’s best to come and have a look.’

Have you changed the way you run the auctions due to COVID restrictions?

‘We have had to change the way we work, so the way we set out the room for viewing and the saleroom for bidding, but with regards to selling the items the prices have been strong and the market is very strong. This is our second costume sale since lockdown, but with the online bidding, it is a really good platform for buying, as people can still see photos and we provide condition reports.’

People will be able to go and view with items at Tennant’s on Thursday and Friday between 10-4 and on Saturday before the auction from 7.30 am, the sale starts at 10.30 am.

Alongside live bidding in person, there are also digital alternatives for browsing and bidding. A fully illustrated catalogue is available where bidders will also be able to bid live online or leave commission bids.