‘Good riddance’ to Knaresborough high street cones, say traders

Knaresborough traders have said they are overjoyed by the news that the town’s social distancing cones are due to be removed this evening.

Harrogate’s social distancing planters were taken away this morning and parking bays were restored.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council‘s executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret the cones would be removed by the end of today.

The cones were put up to give shoppers more space to spread out but the loss of prime parking spaces on High Street has upset some traders.

Carol Scanlan, the owner of Carol’s Bonnie Dogs on the high street, said:

“They should have been removed yesterday. Lockdown has finished, according to the government so why are they still there? I want them gone. It’s frustrating when my customers have nowhere else to park, we’ve had enough now.”

Martin Sturdy, the owner of card and gift shop ZigZag said:

“They have served their purpose now. People haven’t really been using the extra space recently. The high street has suffered because people can’t park up so they end up missing shops. Good riddance to them, I shall welcome their removal.”

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The planters in Harrogate town centre were removed from about 9am this morning, prompting questions about where they will end up.

People have called on social media for the flowers not to go to waste and suggested they were planted elsewhere, such as in Valley Gardens, or given to local community groups.

Andrew Hart, a businessman from Bilton, suggested they could be donated to Starbeck in Bloom or other similar groups.

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council what had happened to the planters but has yet to receive a reply.

Knaresborough businesses call for social distancing cones to go

Three Knaresborough businesses have united to call for the removal of the social distancing cones in the town centre.

The traffic cones have been in place on the High Street since the start of the pandemic but some traders and residents feel now is time for them to go.

The government is due to drop all social distancing measures next month in the final step of the roadmap out of lockdown.

However, three business owners told the Stray Ferret the cones should be removed as soon as possible so disc parking spaces can be restored.

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Hairdresser Kelly Teggin, who owns a shop on Castlegate, told the Stray Ferret:

“The car parking spaces are needed more than the room they provide for social distancing.

“When I have stood on the High Street and watched, I do not see anyone using the cones to walk around others anymore.

“But in the last few weeks when it has been busy in town, nearly all of my clients were 20 minutes late because they could not find a parking space.”

Jordan Thompson, who owns Harriets Clothing, also said:

“We need normality back and we need parking available so people can come and spend their money in time like they used to do.

“Now is the time for them to go. They are very ugly and people drive into them all the time.”

The president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and barber shop owner, Steve Teggin, added his frustration:

“If you look at the High Street and the rest of town, it is still very quiet. A lot of people are still affected by the lack of parking.

“Unfortunately, we are losing customers to Harrogate so we have got to stop that now.”

The businesses called for people who agree to reach out to councillor David Goode, who represents Knaresborough on North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, by emailing him here.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire County Council whether it was considering the removal of the cones but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

Harrogate social distancing measures to be reviewed next month

The use of planters on James Street in Harrogate for social distancing purposes is set to be reviewed as lockdown restrictions ease.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council‘s executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret the issue would be reviewed next month.

June 21 is the date in the roadmap when the government is due to lift all limits on social contact.

At the start of the pandemic North Yorkshire County Council closed off parking bays to give pedestrians more room to spread out, in a move that upset some businesses.

A year later, planters and traffic cones remain on several streets in Harrogate and Knaresborough and it’s unclear how long they will stay.

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The measures continue to be a bone of contention. Harrogate Residents Association has set up a petition calling for their removal. So far, 561 people have signed.

Anna McIntee, one of the association’s founders, said:

“Please remove the planters that are blocking parking for customers on James Street and Albert Street in Harrogate town centre.

“It’s vital customers have convenient access to our shops as they try to recover from the pandemic.”

 

Harrogate’s mixed reaction to James Street planters

Few topics, it seems, generate more debate in Harrogate than the planters on James Street.

The Stray Ferret put a picture of the new car parking blockers on our social media feeds late last night and more than 150 people have already posted comments.

The council had promised to provide “eye-catching” planters to replace the cones it had installed as part of covid social distancing measures on the popular shopping street.

But the reaction, it has to be said, was distinctly mixed. Some approved, albeit with caveats:

“I like them, better than seeing those orange cones everywhere.”

“Better than cones but a bit small, look dwarfed by the space around them.”

But there were concerns about everything ranging from the impact on parking to whether they might be trip hazards or even attract the attention of thieves. Here’s a sample:

“I have just walked through town and I am utterly shocked at how many streets these complete waste of money have been put on. Surely it is not beyond the common sense of the council to realise there are many businesses in town that are not shops and are reliant on this parking for staff and customers?”

“These stupid pots of weeds (well they will be weeds in a couple of weeks) are another nail in the coffin of retail.”

“I’m sure they’ll drag thousands in and increase footfall.
The shop owners must feel so thankful that they have such a far sighted council.”

The social distancing cones on James Street, Harrogate.

The social distancing cones on James Street, Harrogate.

“Trip hazard, hope the council’s insurance policy is up to date.”

“Hazard, someone is going to end up running into them. Are they even visible at night?”

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One person suggested the road should be cobbled like York and parking restricted to maintain the character and encourage social distancing.

Some people have been having fun with the planters and photoshopped Bill and Ben, the Flower Pot Men, into the picture.

Some people have been having fun with the planters and photoshopped Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men into the picture.

The issue of cost inevitably was raised.

“Were the cones not working? Shame the money wasn’t spent helping the other streets in Harrogate that have independent businesses all trying to survive.”

It has to be said the majority of comments were not of approval. But some did acknowledge that flowers were better than cones.

“It’s better to have some natural cheer than the typical plastic misery.”