Harrogate dealership switches car brand after owners sign new contract

One of Harrogate’s most prominent car dealerships is rebranding and restocking after its owner changed supplier. 

The Citroën showroom on Wetherby Road is in the process of becoming an MG Motors dealership; the premises are being repainted, staff are being trained on new software and a fleet of brand new cars arrived this morning. Managers expect the change to be completed over the coming week. 

Just Motor Group, the Keighley-based firm which took over the dealership 10 years ago, has invested about £50,000 in revamping the premises. All employees have kept their jobs, and the business has taken on two more, bringing its headcount to 15. 

Kevin Tyrrell, sales director of Just Motor Group, told the Stray Ferret the move had come about because Stellantis – the automotive multinational that owns Citroën, as well as Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, Vauxhall and others – had terminated all dealership contracts and then offered new ones on different terms. He said: 

“It just wasn’t going to be financially viable for us. Historically, we’ve sold about 300 new cars a year from that site, but that wasn’t going to be possible under the new contract they offered.

“Fortunately, it was then that MG Motors stepped in with a better offer – it was perfect timing for us. They offer a seven-year warranty, they’re affordable, and they’re up-and-coming. Citroën has a 1.6% market share in the UK, whereas MG Motors have a 4.6% share, and it’s growing – so we’re definitely going in the right direction.”

Photo of the Citroen garage on Wetherby Road in Harrogate, which is currently being transformed into an MG Motors dealership by owner The Just Motor Group.

The change from Citroën to MG Motors is expected to be completed over the coming week.

But he said the garage’s existing Citroën customers need not worry that they are being left in the lurch. He said: 

“We’re still a Citroën authorised repairer, so we can still do warranty work, servicing and MOTs. In fact, we can even supply new vehicles and will have some parked outside. So we’re not just closing the door and forcing Citroën customers to find somewhere else – from an after-sales point of view, we’re still a Citroën garage.”

MG Cars was founded in Oxford as Morris Garages Ltd in 1924, later becoming part of British Leyland and then the MG Rover Group. It is now owned by SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, China’s largest state-owned car manufacturer, and the cars are made in China. 

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Former Harrogate Leon site to become Starbucks

The former Leon drive-through restaurant in Harrogate is set to become a Starbucks.

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans to change the signage around the Wetherby Road site to Starbucks branding.

Permission has been given for a total of 20 signs, just over half of which would be illuminated, including ‘totem’ signs, menus and directional signs around the drive-through.

Leon, which opened last June, closed its doors on April 2 with the loss of around 20 jobs.

It was operated by Blackburn-based EG Group, which also runs Starbucks franchises as well as brands including KFC and Greggs.

Currently, the building has been empty for four months and has been stripped of its Leon branding and signage. No date has been given for it reopening as a Starbucks.

The coffee brand has only one existing presence in the Harrogate district, on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

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Following the closure of the fast-food restaurant, speculation mounted over whether a Starbucks would open at the site.

The company initially considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 proposed a drive-thru “to be operated by Starbucks Coffee Company” on the site.

However, following planning approval on appeal, EG Group announced a Leon would open instead.

Residents near to the drive-thru raised concern that the scheme was not as advertised in the initial plan.

The Stray Ferret asked the borough council in April 2022 how the company was able to build the scheme as a Leon drive-thru when the original approval for the site showed a Starbucks coffee shop.

At the time, a council spokesperson said:

“Permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate for a ‘coffee shop to include a drive-thru’, not specifically for a Starbucks.

“The Inspectorate did not add any conditions to the permission they gave restricting the use of the premises solely to a coffee shop, so it can legally be used for any other use within the same use class, which includes a drive thru food and drink establishment.”

LeonThe former Leon restaurant

Eight ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points activated at Harrogate Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has activated eight ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points at its supermarket on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

‘Ultra-rapid’ is the fastest type of EV charging available on the market. It means people will be able to charge their electric vehicles in as little as 30 minutes.

The 150kW charging points, which are located in the car park near, are available to all drivers, not just those shopping in-store. They were activated on Friday.

Sainsbury’s said in a statement the charging points are designed to be easily accessible for disabled customers, as well as those with young children, thanks to the additional space around and between bays.

The new charging stations at Harrogate Sainsbury’s.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures, said:

“We know that demand for speedy, efficient EV charging facilities in the UK continues to grow and that’s why we’ve brought this great new service to the people of Harrogate.

“We hope customers enjoy the speed and convenience it offers and we look forward to hearing their feedback.”

He added the charging points would help the company achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2035.

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There are currently four generally recognised speeds of EV charging available in the UK, classified by the level of power or “flow” of electricity that the chargers are able to provide, in kilowatts. They are slow – 3-6kW; fast – 7-22kW; rapid – 25-99kW and ultra-rapid – 100kW+.

More information about EV charging at Sainsbury’s is available here.

Sainsbury’s to close Harrogate store all next week for refurb

Sainsbury’s supermarket on Wetherby Road in Harrogate will close its doors all next week to make improvements to the store.

It traditionally closes for the duration of the Great Yorkshire Show, which this year runs from Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, July 14.

However, it is going to be closed from Monday to Friday, to allow more time for changes inside and to its petrol station.

The work will include updating the signage and fixtures, improving the fresh food and produce areas, relocating the sushi bar, and extending the clothing department.

Behind the scenes, staff areas are also being improved “to help foster a more interactive and inspiring workplace”.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said:

“We hope our customers in Harrogate enjoy their new look store once the works are complete. We’d like to thank everyone for bearing with us while we complete this extensive project and we look forward to hearing what our customers think.”

After closing as usual at 4pm tomorrow, the store will reopen at 7am on Saturday, July 15.

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Cyclist seriously injured in Harrogate after collision with a car

A cyclist has been seriously injured after a collision with a car in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for witnesses to the incident, which involved a silver Vauxhall Insignia and a woman cyclist.

It happened on Wetherby Road, at the junction of St Nicholas Road, at around 6pm on Monday (May 15).

The cyclist, a woman in her 60s, was taken to hospital by ambulance for serious injuries, including a fractured arm. She has since been discharged.

A police statement said:

“We are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who recalls seeing the car or the cyclist prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

“In particular, we are appealing for any dash-cam footage of the collision.

“If you can help, please email gary.dukes@northyorkshire.police.uk , or contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Tc 1266 Dukes.

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230088421.”

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Harrogate woman jailed for hammer threat

A woman from Harrogate has been jailed for six months for threatening a person with a hammer.

Angela Gromett, 53, of Wetherby Road, pleaded not guilty to the offence, which occurred at her home in December last year.

But Gromett, who also uses the name Angela Bennett, was found guilty following a summary trial and was sentenced on Thursday at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Court documents say she was jailed because it was “an unprovoked attack of a serious nature”.

Gromett was also ordered to pay £156 towards victim services.

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New crossing on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road ‘on track’ to be installed this year

A new crossing on Wetherby Road in Harrogate is “still on track” to be installed this financial year, say council officials.

North Yorkshire Council has proposed the crossing to encourage walking and cycling at the junction with Slingsby Walk.

The plan was first revealed in December and officials now say the scheme is in “the design stage”.

It will be the fourth set of lights in less than a mile between the Empress roundabout and the Woodlands junction, which is already one of the most congested stretches of road around Harrogate.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the authority, who approved the crossing last December, said the scheme was still on course to be installed this year.

He said:

“We remain on track to install a toucan crossing on Wetherby Road at the junction with Slingsby Walk during this financial year in a bid to encourage walking and cycling.

“A feasibility study has been carried out and we are now in the design stage of the scheme.

“This is a key and popular route, and the crossing will make journeys on foot and by bike safer and more convenient.”

Council officials have estimated the crossing could double the number of cyclists using the Slingsby Walk route, which runs alongside the Stray.

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However, officers at the authority also admitted the crossing is likely to cause further delays for drivers.

In a report outlining the proposal, Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation at the council, accepted the move would likely increase pressure on the road network.

He added there were also officer concerns over “existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road”.

However, he said these concerns had to be balanced against the benefit that it would offer to pedestrians and cyclists.

Funding of £75,000 for the crossing was secured from the former Harrogate Borough Council sustainable transport budget last year.

Leon to close today in Harrogate

Leon in Harrogate is due to close at 8pm today.

It will mark the  end of an ill-fated nine-month venture by the fast food chain, which employed about 20 people on Wetherby Road.

The final meals will be served at 8pm unless supplies run out sooner.

The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.

They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.

EG Group considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before opting for Leon instead.

There is speculation it will now revert to its plans for a Starbucks, but the company has not replied to the Stray Ferret’s enquiries about its plans.

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Harrogate Town plans new terrace and merchandise kiosk

Harrogate Town has lodged plans to install a new terrace and merchandise kiosk at its Wetherby Road ground.

The club has tabled the proposal, which would see a new 100-person terrace built near to the north stand turnstiles, to Harrogate Borough Council.

Meanwhile, a kiosk is also planned in order to serve fans refreshments and Harrogate Town merchandise.

The club said the new terrace is required because the English Football League will no longer accept perimeter standing at stadiums.

In planning documents, it said:

“The proposed terrace will accommodate spectators which use the existing perimeter standing areas and will therefore not increase the overall ground capacity.

“The small kiosk building will be used for the club shop selling on site merchandising on match days, as well as a replacement (non-alcoholic) drinks servery to replace a kiosk within the AON Terrace that was recently converted to WC’s.”

The location for the terrace and kiosk at the Envirovent Stadium.

The location for the terrace and kiosk at the Envirovent Stadium.

The council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

The club recently saw its proposal to upgrade its Envirovent Stadium approved.

It will see almost 1,000 seats installed to bring the ground up to EFL standards.

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To the south of the ground, the Myrings terrace will see 264 seats installed and the 1919 bar will be demolished and replaced with a new standing terrace.

A total of 603 seats were installed in the Black Sheep Brewery stand a few weeks ago.

The changes will not increase the overall capacity of 5,071 but will see the number of fans that can be seated rise from 1,193 to 2,060.

Harrogate Leon site owners silent over future plans

The owners of Harrogate’s Leon site have remained tight lipped over its future amid speculation it could become a Starbucks.

The Stray Ferret revealed this month the Wetherby Road fast food venue would cease trading, with the loss of about 20 jobs, on April 2.

The site is operated by EG Group, which has a chain of forecourts across the country.

They include franchise partners such as Starbucks, Greggs and KFC.

The Stray Ferret approached EG Group to ask for an update on the site and if any replacement had been found for Leon, but we did not receive a response.

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However, a source within Leon have told the Stray Ferret that a Starbucks drive-thru is the likely option for the site.

The company considered opening a Starbucks on Wetherby Road before Leon was announced instead.

Initial plans for Starbucks

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council back in 2019 proposed a drive-thru “to be operated by Starbucks Coffee Company” on the site.

However, following planning approval on appeal, EG Group announced a Leon would open at the site.

Residents near to the drive-thru raised concern that the scheme was not as advertised in the initial plan.

The Stray Ferret asked the borough council in April 2022 how the company was able to build the scheme as a Leon drive-thru when the original approval for the site showed a Starbucks coffee shop.

At the time, a borough council spokesperson said:

“Permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate for a ‘coffee shop to include a drive-thru’, not specifically for a Starbucks. 

“The Inspectorate did not add any conditions to the permission they gave restricting the use of the premises solely to a coffee shop, so it can legally be used for any other use within the same use class, which includes a drive thru food and drink establishment. 

“So permission is not required for any change of use. However, the building being built differs from the one given planning permission. Therefore, a planning application has been submitted for these changes and is under consideration.”