Read more:
- Major refurbishment at Halls of Ripon will create space for more independents
- Investors at the heart of Ripon's retail revival
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13
Feb
The finishing touches are being made to Yorkshire Trading Co's Ripon premises, which have undergone an astonishing and rapid transformation.
Based next to the bus station and on the busy corner of Moss's Arcade and Market Place East, the store that stocks a vast array of goods from clothing to dish cloths and paint to patio plants, is probably the city centre's most visited retailer.
It's position as the find-what-you-need trader has been strengthened recently with the demise of Wilko, particularly the closure of the store on Northallerton High Street.
The husband of a couple from Northallerton who were in Ripon as Yorkshire Trading's doors opened on Saturday, said:
He added:
News that Ripon's independents-led retail and hospitality offer is booming through multi-million pound investments in the city centre appears to have spread to the neighbouring hinterland and further afield.
On both Saturday and Sunday, car park and on-street spaces were at a premium from 10am onwards and the 36 buses between Harrogate and Ripon were packed with passengers throughout both days.
This, on top of the Thursday market that acts as a magnet for visitors are indicators that city traders are recovering from losses suffered through covid lockdowns.
Ripon BID manager Lilla Bathurst told the Stray Ferret:
Main image: Yorkshire Trading Co's smart new frontage
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