Business owners on a parade of shops in Harrogate are getting ready for a rare royal visit.
Anne, Princess Royal will be dropping in on Prince Albert Row – which is named after her great-great-great-grandfather – at the top end of Station Parade.
The Grade II listed buildings are home to some of Harrogate’s longest-established and respected businesses, including Woods Fine Linen, which has supplied royal households since it was founded in 1895.
William Woods, of Woods Fine Linen, said:
“Prince Albert Row is such a beautiful part of Harrogate and somewhere we are incredibly proud to be a part of. It is truly is a great honour to be welcoming Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and to be sharing this experience with our neighbours and friends.”
In preparation for the visit, which will take place on Wednesday, September 20, retailers led by Woods have produced a leaflet highlighting the businesses on Prince Albert Row, which has been distributed to hotels and tourist information centres across the region.
The Harrogate BID and Harrogate Chamber of Commerce have also been ensuring the row of shops looks its best, sprucing up exteriors and giving street furniture a new lick of paint.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
“We’re pleased to be supporting the royal visit through our in-house street ranger repainting street furniture, presenting additional floral displays on Prince Albert Row, as well as helping the businesses distribute their new leaflet.
“The royal visit is certain to further shine a spotlight on Prince Albert Row and Harrogate as a great place to visit, for its beautiful buildings as well as fantastic shops.”
Martin Mann, acting chief executive of Harrogate District. Chamber of Commerce, added:
“We are all looking forward to welcoming the Princess Royal to Harrogate and working together to ensure she gets to see Harrogate at our best.”
Pictured above: Left to right: Helen James of Helen James Flowers; Jonathan Woods, director of Woods of Harrogate; Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID; Francesca MacLaverty of Woods Fine Linen; Martin Mann of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce; Gillian Vincent of Rigby & Peller; Stephen Gee of Stephen Neall Interiors; Sarah Woods, director of William Woods Interiors; Richard Staples of Bang & Olufsen; and Jesper Callisa, owner of Jespers Bar & Kitchen.
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Business Breakfast: Executive women’s peer group to be established in Harrogate
Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers. At the next Stray Ferret Business Club we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy.
The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
A new business group for women in leadership roles is to be set up in Harrogate. The aim of the Female Advisory Board (aka F.A.B) is to help executives from non-competing organisations come together and problem solve collectively.
The group is the brain-child of Samantha Addy who says she has big ambitions for the women who have been ‘hand-picked’ to attend- not only to help female entrepreneurs but also to help them invest and support women and girls in the arena but find funding difficult or don’t know where to start. The first meeting is a Rudding Park next Wednesday.
Samantha’s said her mission is to empower female trailblazers:
“Why is that so important? Because research has shown that women generate higher returns for society, are more likely to address social needs and according to Harvard Business Review – women score higher than men in key skills such as leadership, problem-solving and innovation.
“There are so many possibilities and I want to connect these brilliant leaders with other brilliant leaders using Napoleon Hill’s “Mastermind Principle”.
“I’m so excited to launch F.A.B. in Harrogate – there has been such a lovely response to my invitation, even those unable to attend – there is definitely a demand for a more niche community like this and the possibilities it’s going to bring.”
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Harrogate luxury linen store Woods has announced a return to stocking the Italian linen firm, Pratesi.
Established in 1895, Woods is one of the town’s oldest businesses. In recent years it has expanded into Woods Fine Linens and William Woods Interior Design.
William Woods CEO at Woods Fine Linens said:
“We are both thrilled and deeply honoured to announce our partnership with the iconic Pratesi, renowned for its exceptional quality bed linens. Woods has the distinguished privilege of being one of the first exclusive retailers selected by Pratesi..
“Pratesi’s decision stands as a testament to the reputation we’ve meticulously built over 128 years at Woods Fine Linens, a unique family business recognised by Pratesi as one of the finest global linen stores. We take immense pride in our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional products, informed knowledge, and unparalleled customer service. This partnership represents a significant milestone for both Pratesi and Woods.
“As we embark on this exciting journey together, we eagerly anticipate introducing the epitome of luxury linens to our discerning customers.”
Michelle Klein, Global CEO for Pratesi said:
“We are thrilled to be entering into this partnership with Woods Fine Linens.
“Pratesi and Woods Fine Linens have a history together of over 75 years, a very special and strategic partnership between our brands which we are excited to continue as we look to grow our network of selected partners around the globe”.
Woods of Harrogate, one of the town’s oldest businesses, had a celebration today to mark its 127th anniversary.
Since the company was set up in 1895, it has expanded into Woods Fine Linens and William Woods Interior Design.
The family business began with William Ernest Woods, who opened the first linen shop after watching his father, George Woods, weave linen at the local flax mill in Knaresborough.
Since then it has been managed by multiple members of the Woods family. William Woods, grandson of the founder, currently runs the venture alongside his daughter and son-in-law.
The shop has been on Prince Albert Row since 1927
The shop, which describes itself as one of the finest linen shops in Europe, has supplied the royal family since 1923.
William Woods said:
“The quality that we have and the range makes us the finest. You can have over 100 different bed linen colours made to order in in three weeks and not many shops can do that.”
Inside is a vast array of goods from around the world including a selection of showrooms arranged by interior design director Sarah Woods.
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Some of the old traditions remain intact. For example, the building on Prince Albert Row has workshops where all furnishings and designs are produced in-house and purchases are still wrapped in brown paper and string.
The building itself hosts the oldest lift and exterior clock in Harrogate. The clock was installed on the building when Woods moved from Princes Square in 1927.
These days Woods has an online presence, allowing customers worldwide to purchase traditional and modern styles.
The company employs 16 staff and plans to keep the family’s history and reputation at its centre.