Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, will re-open with new traders from tomorrow morning (Wednesday, March 13).

The store on Fishergate closed for a major revamp and reconfiguration in January.

Ahead of tomorrow’s reopening, the Stray Ferret was invited for a sneak peek at the new-look layout.

Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured above) said:

“For the next few days, entry will be via the Marshall Way Car Park entrance and Hive Cafe – which has remained open throughout the reconfiguration works.”

He added:

“Following discussions with our landlord, we decided that it was safe to allow customers in to the part of the building where the refurbishment has already been completed. The remaining works on the Fishergate frontage is ongoing.”

Hedley Hall’s vintage vehicles and collectables

The reconfiguration has increased floorspace and Mr Cooper added:

“We will be reopening with new entrants including Timeless Treasures (archaeological finds) Dennis Fielding (antiques and collectables) and Signature Baby Boutique.”

Halls of Ripon’s expanded offer includes a wide range of women’s fashion.

Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.

Operations director Barry Cooper, who works alongside his father Mike and runs the Red Buttons Jewellers in Halls, said:

“We anticipated that the post-covid bounce back for Ripon retail would be led by the city’s strong mix of independent businesses and we got it right.

“The proof of the pudding can be seen in the fact that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are downsizing their portfolios and closing stores.”

Simon Richardson with his Timeless Treasure stall, is one of the three new entrants.

He added:

“We’re sure that Peacocks who opened a few doors down from us at the end of February, and Trespass who opened in the former Barclays Bank building in November, will have chosen Ripon ahead of other locations.

“This is because Ripon’s mixture of independent retailers and hospitality businesses, combined with affordable parking and £2 fares on the 36 bus all make this historic city an attractive proposition.”

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Halls of Ripon department store has welcomed three new independent retailers to its Fishergate premises, while two other businesses have doubled their size.

Operations manager Barry Cooper told the Stray Ferret:

“We now have 16 independents under one roof selling goods ranging from clothing to customised works of art.”

Mr Cooper, (pictured below) added:

“This is the strongest mix of retailers that we have had since we opened in the summer of 2021 and we are looking forward with confidence to our third Christmas of trading here.”

The new entrants include Crazywood, which sells the original works of contemporary pyrography artist Simon Wright, whose wife Tricia (main picture) said:

“The art and craft of burning images into wood is an ancient practice of skill and patience.

“With these skills, along with modern styles and the use of watercolours, stains, textures and oils, amazing reproductions of literally anything can be created.”

Also new to Halls is Janey Mays, a business run by Jane and Mark Coombes, which specialises in steampunk, goth and fantasy goods, including giftware made from upcycled materials.

Jane Coombes, pictured at the Janey Mays stall she runs with husband Mark.

Neighbouring the Janey Mays stall is third new entrant Kimmy Gowland, an artist whose original patterns are printed onto fabric, wallpaper and other materials.

In addition to the businesses taking space for the first time at Halls, Red Buttons Jewellers, run by Mr Cooper and his father Mike, has doubled the size of its presence, as has Robin Gifts, which sells ladies fashion and accessories

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Ken Jefferies was distraught after he lost a much-treasured item while on a visit to Ripon.

His cherished signet ring – a family heirloom with carnelian stone and intaglio depicting a Roman soldier – slipped off his wedding finger without him noticing.

When he realised it was missing, he began a desperate search, which saw him retrace his steps around the city streets and places he had visited.

The retired archaeologist and academic told the Stray Ferret:

“I was heartbroken and thought I would never see it again.”

He pointed out:

“The ring was given to me by my aunt Vivienne more than 50 years ago and I wore it as my wedding band.”

As well as being a constant reminder of his 56-year marriage to Marion, who died in 2021, the ring held memories of his aunt – a well-known actress who married into the Stevens family, owners of the former Grand Theatre in Glasgow.

The ring, with inscription, had originally been presented on November 4, 1899 to Vivienne’s father-in-law, Ernest Stevens, by members of the theatre’s band, in recognition of his writing and production of the smash-hit romantic musical For Bonnie Scotland.

Sharon Bielby, who played a part in ensuring that Mr Jefferies was re-united with the ring

Now, 123 years later, after passing down generations of the family, the heirloom was lost.

Among those in Ripon who Mr Jefferies told about the missing item, was Sharon Bielby, owner of a barber’s shop on North Street.

He said:

“I had been having my hair cut by Sharon on the day I lost it and I asked her if she would  look  out for it.”

Sharon spotted on social media that the ring, which had been damaged after being run over in a nearby road, had been found and contacted Mr Jefferies to give him the good news.

After providing the link between finder and owner, she also recommended that he take it to Red Buttons jewellers at Halls of Ripon  to see if it could be repaired.

Ring repaired and returned 

Jeweller Barry, son of Red Buttons owners Mike and Liz Cooper, painstakingly re-assembled the ring and it has now been returned to Mr Jefferies, without charge for the repair – though he insisted on making a donation to the military charity Team Endeavour, which is supported by Halls of Ripon.

Mike Cooper, said:

“The ring clearly has huge sentimental as well as historic value and we are pleased that Ken has it back in his possession.”

In a final twist to the tale, Mr Jefferies, pointed out:

“My late father Clifford was a pharmacist and was based in the shop where Sharon now has her barber’s shop – so you never know, he may have been looking after me.”