Business

Business stories in and around Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Best friends set to open ‘dream’ health-focused cafe in Harrogate next week despite lockdown challenges  

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Jo and Nici

An innovative new cafe offering healthy, unprocessed food is set to open its doors in Harrogate next week, despite ongoing challenges faced by the hospitality industry during the pandemic.

Hustle & Co, which is based at the old Filmore & Union restaurant on the prestigious Prince Albert Row, on Station Parade, is aimed at serving local, fresh seasonal produce in a relaxed, contemporary environment.

The cafe, which will see up to 15 new jobs created, is being launched on Monday (December 7) by two best friends, Nici Routledge and Jo Bradshaw, who have reunited to realise their lifelong dream of owning their own cafe in Harrogate.

Dishes, which have all been personally created by the pair and are “rooted in the seasons”, will include everything from matcha waffles with broccolini and house hummus, through to in-house gluten-free toasted banana bread topped with homemade roasted nut butter.

They will be served alongside refreshments, including fresh juices, smoothies and Fairtrade house blend coffee, from 8am until early evening.

Nici said:

We just want to offer something healthy and unprocessed that still feels like a treat.

Despite many restaurants and cafes struggling as a result of two national lockdowns and reduced opening hours, Nici said although opening a new venture in the current climate was scary, she and Jo remained “glass half full people”.

Nici said:

Uncertainty I see as an opportunity. All my life I’ve embraced change, I’ve lived abroad, I’ve moved around, I’ve done lots of new challenges, from start-up businesses through to house renovations in different areas. So the only constant has been change in my life. Similar for Jo.

We can only do our best, follow the guidelines and take no chances. We are living with this – maybe for a long time to come – so you start as you mean to go on.

We are really fortunate in that we have an outdoor space at the front and back, so if there is a threat of closure, or we have to do takeaway only, we could turn it on its head.

We will also be doing the full menu as a takeaway option for those who prefer to remain at home to make people feel as safe and secure as possible.



The pair have fought hard for the Grade II listed premises, which have remained empty ever since its occupying restaurant closed suddenly last spring.

Nici said:

As a local resident and a member of the gym around the corner, myself and my friends were upset when Filmore closed its doors. We thought it was such a shame and we joked about running it as a community venture. But I actually meant it.

Last December Nici spotted a sign in the window which said the landlord had taken back possession.

After contacting the managing agents and agreeing to move forward, Nici got in touch with her best friend Jo to tell her the news.

The pair, who describe each other as “sisters”, had been on the cusp of opening a cafe together 20 years earlier, but the timing hadn’t been right due to them both having young families.

Nici said:

We said one day we might get a chance and wouldn’t it be great if we did. And two decades later, I rang Jo and said the perfect place had become available for rent and I think there’s a chance, but I don’t want to do it on my own. I don’t want to do it with anybody else, I only want to do it with you. Would you be up for it?

However, Jo had established a life abroad and it would have meant a major lifestyle change.  But after giving it a lot of thought, Jo agreed and the duo pulled a business plan together and Hustle & Co was born.

Despite having to battle some major hurdles, the green light was eventually officially given in mid-October and it has been non-stop for the pair ever since.

Nici said:

Jo is just like me. We are two women in our 50s whose raison d’etre is basically to please on a plate. It’s how we show we care. We have always cooked really well for our friends and family and our passion is about cooking a really good plate of food.

We have always eaten healthily and incorporated the rainbow into our dishes and everything we cook is always fresh and from scratch.

This was to form the basis of the Hustle & Co ethos and help the business to stand out from the crowd.

Nici added:

There is a really cohesive message, from our brand, right through to the food that’s served on the plate, as just being nothing added, but the passion in which it is given to you.

From the passion in the branding, through to the people on our team that adopt our whole philosophy, right through to the ingredients that go into every dish and the inspiration that’s delivered on the plate. Every aspect is important to us. We just want to inject life and passion. “So our strapline, ‘nothing added but passion and purpose’ is just a mantra for every aspect of our business model.

The name Hustle & Co is inspired by Nici’s “hustle and bustle lifestyle”, which sees her always having something on the go, with ‘co’ stemming from the word community.

Nici said:

We want to work with as many people as we can in the town to collaborate and provide a quality community space.

Changes to the building include new interior decoration featuring the brand’s colours – aubergine, avocado and cauliflower – which represents the natural element of the food, as well as improvements to the rear cosy courtyard.

Nici said:

We don’t want to emulate anyone else’s style. Yes it’s in the building of a previously successful brand, but hopefully people will walk through the door and say ‘it’s really different’.

Everything about us is just passion and purpose and that’s our big mantra. We are so excited to open and share our dream with everyone.



Jones Myers scoops a high-profile Family Law Firm of the Year accolade

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‘Northern powerhouse’ l to r partners Kate Banerjee and Andrew Fox, partner and director Richard Peaker and founder Peter Jones

Harrogate-based Jones Myers has scooped a high-profile Family Law Firm of the Year North award and been applauded as a ‘Northern powerhouse’.

Celebrating excellence in family law, the Family Law awards – spearheaded by Lexis Nexis – took the form of a virtual event attended by representatives from family practices, barristers’ chambers and sponsors across the country.

Peter Jones, who founded Jones Myers as the first family law firm of its kind in Leeds in 1992, said:

We are tremendously proud to be selected for this esteemed accolade which reflects our relentless commitment to achieving the best solutions for our clients.

Jones Myers has a strong reputation for attracting the best lawyers in its field and this award is testimony to the dedication and extensive expertise of our family law specialists.

The only law practice in Yorkshire to be shortlisted in the North category, Jones Myers has consistently retained its top tier regional rankings in Chambers and Legal 500 for over two decades.

The firm’s specialists include an in-house counsel, mediators, collaborative law experts, an  arbitrator, the current national chair of Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation Committee, a former national chair of Resolution – and an ex Deputy District Judge.

Jones Myers Director and Partner, Richard Peaker:

We are honoured to receive the award and would also like to thank our ever growing client base and referrers for their support and role in this achievement. Well done to all the finalists and winners.

Jones Myers attracted particular praise from the judges for its extensive expertise in alternative dispute resolution processes of mediation, collaborative law and arbitration which avoid a lengthy court process and can lead much more quickly and cost effectively to a successful resolution.



During the lockdown and increased restrictions, the firm’s offices at Windsor House in Harrogate and its offices in Leeds and York are remaining open to offer urgent advice and support to those who most need it.

  • Jones Myers is a niche family law firm based in Leeds, Harrogate and York whose lawyers are leaders in their field
  • The practice is consistently ranked in a joint Top Tier position by the Legal 500 and Chambers guides alongside national practices
  • The 2020 Chambers guide praises the firm’s “exemplary professional standards, prompt response time, and transparency throughout,” in addition to its “well-balanced approach to all proceedings.”.
  • The latest Legal 500 guide highlights the firm’s expanded offering in family law with the arrival of Nicki Mitchell as practice head in mid-2019, working in the firm’s York office. Partner and Director Richard Peaker and Partner Kate Banerjee – who heads the Children’s Department – are named as Leading Individuals.
  • Jones Myers has been shortlisted in the Northern category of the Family Law Awards 2020 for the outstanding quality of service the firm delivers to its clients
  • The firm’s approach is based around providing professional advice whilst maintaining a sensitive and caring relationship with clients.
  • The practice’s departments comprise divorce and financial remedies and children departments. The team acts for clients on divorces, pensions issues, trust work and pre-and post-nuptial agreements. The children department handles national and international issues and specialises in private residence and contact disputes, care proceedings, adoption work, special guardianships, relocations and education matters
  • Jones Myers lawyers include a number of collaborative experts, an in-house barrister and a former deputy judge.


Success on the menu for Harrogate restaurant after bank funding support

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Cattlemens Grill is a steakhouse

Harrogate-based independent restaurant, Cattlemens Grill, has secured six-figure funding from NatWest to purchase the Freehold of the premises and support the future of the business.

Cattlemens Grill was first established in 1975. Front of house staff Rob Watson and Andy Buckley and head chef Paul Waddington became shareholders in 2017, after each working at the restaurant for over 10 years.

The support from NatWest has enabled the trio to purchase the premises on Cheltenham Crescent where the restaurant has built a strong customer base over the last 45 years.

Cattlemens Grill is a steakhouse, serving premium cuts of meat and pork ribs as well as Mexican cuisine, burgers and a range of vegetarian options. The restaurant is best known for its infamous steak challenge where customers attempt to eat a 72-ounce rump steak with a 20-ounce portion of fries and onion rings in under an hour to win the meal for free, as well as securing a place on the winner’s wall.

Over the initial lockdown period, the restaurant adapted to meet coronavirus guidelines by enabling social distancing and enforcing the rule of six for customers. Hand washing and sanitisation stations have also been installed throughout the premises for both staff and customers to use.

Rob, Andy and Paul will continue to invest back into the business after purchasing the building Freehold, to maintain the success of the historic independent restaurant. The business currently has over 15 employees and can accommodate 70 covers for food.

Rob said:

Since taking over ownership of Cattlemens Grill in 2017, we have focused on developing the business and protecting its 45-year legacy. The funding from NatWest has enabled us to purchase the premises the restaurant has been in since it launched, something we wanted to do to strengthen the future of the business.

It has been a difficult time for the hospitality industry over the last six months, but we are proud of the success we have maintained thanks to our loyal customer base and by continually adapting the restaurant to meet government guidelines. We are now looking forward to the future of the business and being a culinary staple in Harrogate for years to come.

Cattlemens Grill is a steakhouse

Peter Beresford, Broker at RedSky Corporate Services introduced the business to Broker Development Manager, Simon Steer and Jarrod Hoole, Relationship Manager at NatWest

Jarrod said:

The passion Rob, Andy and Paul have for the business is clear to see, from working in the restaurant for 10 years to becoming business owners. Supporting the purchase of the Freehold will help to further strengthen their success and we look forward to working with the restaurant in the future as its customer base continues to grow.



 

The Yorkshire Hotel secures accolade in White Rose Awards

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The Yorkshire Hotel

This week, central Harrogate hotel, The Yorkshire, has been hailed as one of the winners in the White Rose Awards, securing Silver in the Large Hotel of the Year category and beating off stiff competition from large 5 star properties across the county.

Shortlisted from a number of large hotels from across the Yorkshire region, The Yorkshire Hotel was awarded the accolade last night for its impressive transformation over the past two years, creating one of the most popular hotels in the town for tourists and business guests alike.

Purchased by the HRH Group just over two years ago, The Yorkshire Hotel has gone from strength to strength following a multi-million pound investment to renovate all of the 81 bedrooms and bathrooms, and update the aesthetics of this historic Harrogate town building. In addition, the team at HRH Group have updated the public areas and created a restaurant and cocktail bar, has become a favourite eatery in the town since it opened two years ago.

During the first lockdown, the team at The Yorkshire used the time wisely by continuing the renovation plans, making use of the closed building to their full advantage and getting ahead of building works. And, it seems to be a trend as during the current lockdown, the work is progressing even further with a brand new, larger restaurant soon to be unveiled to the public in the forthcoming weeks.

As a direct result of the renovations and the teams hard work in putting customer service at the top of the agenda, The Yorkshire has also seen its customer feedback hit new heights moving an impressive 18 places up the TripAdvisor rankings, something that certainly impressed the judges.



Talking about The Yorkshire hotels entry Elaine Lemm, Chair of Judges said:

The submission from this iconic hotel in the heart of Harrogate showcased a significant ongoing investment, with improving occupancy and a rising income and their commitment to staff welfare is exemplary. A very worthy Best Large Hotel 2020 silver winner who are definitely making Yorkshire proud.

Hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire, the White Rose Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in hospitality and usually gather over 1,000 guests at a glitzy black-tie event, but last night’s awards ceremony was broadcast virtually with members of Yorkshire’s hospitality donning black tie in the comforts of their own homes.

Simon Cotton, MD of the HRH Group said:

We are absolutely delighted that The Yorkshire Hotel has been recognised in the White Rose Awards. To be shortlisted alongside a number of five-star properties from across the county it already felt like a huge achievement, so to be handed Silver in these awards is fantastic for the whole team who have worked so hard and I am so incredibly proud of every single one of them.

 

Talking about the current renovations he continued:

Our new restaurant is launching soon, and it offers something Harrogate has never seen before, which is very exciting. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but let’s just say we can’t wait to open our doors again and show Harrogate what we have to offer.



NorthEdge supports management buyout of Lights4fun

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Private equity firm NorthEdge has supported the management buyout of Lights4fun, one of Europe’s leading e-commerce retailers of decorative lighting, to further expand the business’ existing market presence internationally.

The direct-to-consumer Harrogate-headquartered business has been operating since 2003 and sells more than 700 decorative lighting products online, which include indoor and outdoor fairy lights, festoon lights, and seasonal lighting. The business now employs more than 40 people and generates revenues in excess of £20m. With a highly efficient supply chain and logistics capability, Lights4fun sells its products online internationally across the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the US into a market worth some £3 billion annually.

The majority investment from NorthEdge backs Lights4fun’s high quality management team, led by Managing Director Kieran Eblett who joined the business in 2018.

The deal will see NorthEdge working with Kieran and the Lights4fun team to further expand the business’ growing product range, accelerate market share growth in the UK, enhance the company’s established international presence in Germany and the US and invest in its marketing and data analytics capability to create long-term, sustainable customer relationships.

Kieran Eblett said:

We’re ending our year on a real high. Our sales this year have been some of the strongest yet, up 35% year-on-year, and this investment puts us in a fantastic position as we enter 2021. The shift to online is continuing at pace. NorthEdge’s investment will help us to capitalise on our current success, enhance our strong technology platform, expand our leadership team and realise our vision of building the market leading decorative lighting business.

The team at NorthEdge quickly demonstrated to us that they understood our vision for the future, and we have complete confidence in their ability to help us achieve it at pace.

The investment was funded from NorthEdge’s £315m Fund II and was led out of the Leeds office by James Marshall alongside Andy Ball, Tom Rowley and Mani Minhas. James Marshall and Andy Ball will join the board.

Tom Rowley, Director and Head of Yorkshire & North East said:

This is NorthEdge’s fourth consecutive TMT investment, building on our growing portfolio of high-quality, resilient technology businesses and allowing us to utilise our sector experience to maximise value creation. Our completed investments reflect the exciting high growth opportunities that pervade across the UK regions.

 

James Marshall, Investment Director said:

Lights4fun have a proven track record of creating products that are loved by their customers and delivering market-leading customer service. This, coupled with the management team’s ability to build a strong and resilient technology business, has already enabled Lights4fun to play a market-leading role in the UK market and expand internationally. We are really looking forward to working with the team to build on this success and help them to accelerate their growth plan.

 

NorthEdge’s advisors included EY (Mark Clephan) who provided corporate finance advice, Addleshaw Goddard (Rich Hunt, Carly Gulliver, Ben Collins, Caera Loughran, Shannon Hardcastle (Corporate) and Andy Fordham and Jen Hanson (Banking)) who provided legal advice and Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services (Jonathan Steed) who provided financial due diligence.  Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank provided debt facilities to support the deal and was advised by Squire Patton Boggs.

The Shareholders and Management team of Lights4Fun were advised by Andrew Barlow and John O’Gara of Sentio Partners (corporate finance), Nasim Sharf of Wilkin Chapman (legal) and James Fraser of Mazars (tax).



INFUSE Scents teams up with Inter Ceramica to help promote each other

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Beth Deighton, Infuse.Scents

While we enter our second lockdown, Inter Ceramica are doing everything they can to support local businesses and work together throughout lockdown.

Harrogate’s INFUSE.Scents is working with Inter Ceramica to help promote each other.

  • Inter Ceramica are a local family run business in Harrogate, on Hornbeam Park, who have over 30 years’ experience in bespoke kitchen and bathroom design alongside showcasing the best Italian porcelain title manufacturers
  • Infuse Scents was created in 2020 during the first lockdown

Infised Scents concept was to create a gift that can be personalised and sentimental with a chose of your own scents that are inspired by well-known fragrances as well as including handwritten personalised messages.

Beth Deighton said:

I was working for High Street TV working on new products. Initially I was furloughed, like so many, but then made redundant.

Having time to hand, I found myself looking for ideas and particularly trying to answer the question, what do “people like”.

I have a friend that runs a candle business, so came across the idea of setting up reed diffuser and wax melt burner business.

Often we associate scents with memories and experiences, but to do that we can personalise a fragrance.

Initially we have just launched on Instagram and Facebook, but have already developed a strong following.

Infuse Scents said they wanted to do a collaboration with Inter Ceramica as they believe in businesses supporting other local business and shopping local.

Beth said:

It’s about a more sustainable lifestyle and we feel that Inter Ceramica’s style and designs coincides well with the style and look we have created for INFUSE.scents and believe we will look as a great collaborative team to create something special for the local area.

INFUSE Scents
INFUSE Scents
Joseph Murgatroyd from Inter Ceramaica
Joseph Murgatroyd from Inter Ceramaica

Joseph Murgatroyd from Inter Ceramaica said:

The kitchen is the heart of any family home and the heart of Christmas, by collaborating with Infuse Scents Christmas range this can provide the greatest scents and family feel you can get when you enter our showrooms.

We are about providing the experience and service for our customers not like another showroom.

We valued the local authenticity of Infuse Scents and the passion they have for providing top quality products and service for their customers.



Beth, talking about setting up a new business:

It was a big thing for us to try to do our part towards the environment trying to create a conscious business, especially in times when everything is so disposable.

As well as our products being kinder to the planet, we have also tried to do the same with our packaging, using recyclable boxes, packing filler, our labels made from recycled paper and even postal bags made from plant-starch.

INFUSE Scents Harrogate
INFUSE Scents
INFUSE Scents Harrogate
INFUSE Scents

 

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Going once, going twice…. going online

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selection of lots coming under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers this Autumn

Although the nationwide lockdown means Tennants Auctioneers have had to close their doors to the public, the North Yorkshire auctioneers are set to sell nearly 7,000 lots of fine art, antiques and specialist collectors’ items online throughout November and December. Tennants have offered internet bidding to clients around the world for several years, and for the duration of lockdown all their auctions will now only be taking place live online.

Director and auctioneer Jane Tennant said:

The auction world has been moving increasing online in recent times, and we are ready to make the switch to purely online sales until we are able to welcome buyers back into the building. Even if you are not planning to bid, you can watch all our sales live online to experience the excitement of an auctioneer selling to bidders around the world.

There is a whole host of auctions offering something for everyone – from affordable period furniture for the home, to vintage toys and rare bottles of whisky – just in time for Christmas. All the lots going under the hammer at Tennants will be photographed and listed in online catalogues, and the team will be on hand at the end of a phone to provide extra images and video or answer questions.

Christmas presents with a difference on offer at Tennants this Autumn include a chic Louis Vuitton ‘LV’ Monogrammed Canvas Suitcase (estimate: £700-1,000 plus buyer’s premium), a Meccano No.2 Constructor Car (estimate £500-700), and a bottle of Bunnahabhain XXV Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky (estimate: £150-250).

For further details call 01969 623780 or visit www.tennants.co.uk



CNG Energy partners with Caxton Business to provide their customers with a fast and efficient payments solution as the UK enters a second lockdown

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gas flame

CNG Energy partners with Caxton Business to provide their customers with a fast and efficient payments solution as the UK enters a second lockdown

Harrogate-based commercial energy supplier, CNG, has partnered with Caxton Business (Caxton) to offer customers a free automated bulk payment facility for their business outgoings, in order to save time and money.

The business world looks extremely different to that of less than 12 months ago, COVID-19 has had a detrimental effect and as we move into a second lockdown, the majority of business owners are trying to do all that they can to survive. Tasks such as Payroll and paying suppliers are all part of the day to day running of a business but can become time consuming and expensive if not done efficiently.

Tech enabled payment solution provider, Caxton, offer many different payment tools to enable the smooth running of businesses, one of which being an automated bulk payment facility.

The partnership will enable customers to streamline their payments, paying multiple UK or international suppliers in one go with a single file upload. It will allow for payroll, supplier, domestic and international payments all to be submitted directly to the system, saving businesses not only time but money on bank charges too, which at times like these could be a lifeline.

Ellis Hall, Head of Partners at CNG said:

CNG is evolving as we look to broaden our offer to SMEs beyond energy supply. Working alongside trusted partners, with similar values and focus on customer service, we are thrilled to have Caxton on board. In a really difficult time for businesses, we want to do all that we can to make things that little bit easier for SMEs. Our partnership with Caxton will provide a free service to customers, to reduce time spent on those ‘needs must’ essentials of running a business such as managing and completing payments.

 

Jane-Emma Peerless, Chief Commercial Officer from Caxton added:

We are delighted to be working with CNG in order to offer their customers a smart payments solution. The facility allows users to streamline multiple payments and reduce manual processing, delays and queries by automating mass payments. It also may result in a monetary saving for businesses through reduced bank charges, and in a time where many businesses are looking to improve operational and cost efficiency this is proving an essential service for many business owners.

 

For more information, visit https://www.caxtonfx.com/business/cng-bulk-payments/



Initial local reaction on the second lockdown

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The government have announced a further England-wide lockdown.

  • From Thursday, 5 November 2020
  • For a period of 4 weeks (3 December to re-open)
  • People are being told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as work
  • Allowed to leave home for exercise medical reasons, food and other essential shopping and
  • Allowed to provide care for vulnerable people or for volunteering
  • Meeting indoors or in private gardens will not be allowed
  • Pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential shops will have to close
  • Schools, colleges, nurseries and universities can stay open
  • Can meet one other person from another household outside in a public place
  • Furlough job retention scheme to be extended for the period the lockdown
  • Construction sites and manufacturing workplaces can remain open
  • Can still  form support bubbles
  • Children can move between homes if their parents are separated
  • Clinically vulnerable people are asked to be “especially careful” but people are not being asked to resume shielding

An initial reaction has shown disagreement with the decision, support and concern it will have for local retail coming up to the key Christmas spending period. The extension to the Furlough scheme has been broadly welcomed.

Stephen Teggin, Knaresborough Chamber of Trade said:

Obviously this is a massive blow to all Knaresborough traders particularly the 9 new shops that have opened recently.

However if the government give some kind of support again and we have good months trading before Xmas and the local community makes the effort to safely support shopping locally they might be in a reasonable place to start the new year.

It’s down to the community spending locally in December.

 

Joseph Ferraro, owner of Joseph Ferraro Hair:

I think the government have lost all sight on what the general public need and the affect this will have on all of us will far out way the actual virus itself.

 

Claire Thomas owner of Wharefdale Grange (reopening this week as also a restaurant) said:

I am absolutely gutted!

However, we will be opening on Tuesday and Wednesday for a final hurrah before December opening!

 

Stewart Moss, Group Director of sales,Cedar Court Hotel said:

Despite our obvious disappointment at having to adapt and limit our offering yet again, we remain resolutely confident in our own Covid-safe procedures and that we’ll see better days again in the run up to Christmas.

For now as we look towards another difficult month, we are truly happy to see the extension of the furlough scheme and hope to see the issuing of more support packages for our industry nationwide.

 

Paul Kinsey, Managing Director of Harewood Entertainment (Viper Rooms Harrogate) said:

It had a feel of inevitability about it. The reality is it not going affect us further as we’ve been closed since March anyway.

But it does look like a compromise solution if schools and colleges are still open though.

Ironically I’ve been selling off a lot of bar equipment from my lock up and every buyer had been someone building their own pub in their gardens!



Julie from Harrogate said:

I’m not surprised at all, it was coming and needed to be done.

If it isn’t done, the NHS will be crippled.. we need a break to help them and try to slow down the spread situation.

 

Sharon Colgan, co-owner of Blues Bar, Empress and Worlds End, said:

It was inevitable – our government has been forced into this.

Just last week I was talking to a head nurse for a covid ward in Manchester I asked her are you afraid she said not in the slightest we now know how to treat this.

She told me that in March it went 2 ways, one way to die one way to be incubated.

Now it’s a course of antibiotics and the HIV drug that will suppress the immune system and most people going  home 2 days later.

My Partner contracted covid only 4-weeks ago he was told to self-isolate, but given no medication – that’s just wrong everyone and I believe everyone who tests positive should be given this medication then they just might not ever have to get to the stage of hospital.

 

Sue Kramer, Crown Jewellers of Harrogate said:

The announcement of the second lockdown will have a devastating impact on so many businesses, which is absolutely heartbreaking.

On Commercial Street, all our 20+ shops are independently owned, and the majority will be forced to close, causing immense upset, frustration and worry.

For many in retail, November marks the start of the vital Christmas trading period, so removing the opportunity to ‘shop local’ is a nightmare.

When shops do reopen, with only 3 weeks or so to Christmas, there is a real threat that in the meantime consumers may feel they have little choice but to turn to internet shopping.

Having just established our retailers group to promote our unique street, we will continue to look the future as positively as we can, and now plan to attract both visitors and locals to come back to Harrogate and Commercial Street as soon as they can.

 

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

After months of sacrifices for residents and businesses across North Yorkshire and York, it is clearly disappointing that there is a need for even tighter restrictions and I know the pain and worry they will cause for so many.

As in the spring, I know that communities will come together supported by their emergency services who will engage and encourage and only enforce as a last resort. Please help our brave frontline officers and staff who are there to protect us – but they can only do that if we all abide by the rules.



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