Harrogate accountancy firm Lithgow Perkins has promoted Stuart Abbott to partner.

Formerly the company’s trusts and tax manager, Mr Abbott will work alongside partner Joe Taylor on tax advice and planning for current and new clients.

Mr Taylor said:

“Stuart has outstanding knowledge and expertise in his specialist areas, and strong and trusted relationships with many of our clients. His promotion is thoroughly deserved.”

Local opticians recognised for sustainability

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists has achieved net zero carbon status for its practices in Harrogate and Knaresborough after helping residents recycle their old eyewear and contact lenses.

The business was given the sustainability endorsement following an auditing by not-for-profit organisation Net Zero Eyecare.

Old glasses and cases, contact lenses, and packaging that cannot be disposed of in recycling bins at home can be recycled at each practice.

Megan Harper, sustainability manager at Bayfields, said:

“We’d urge anyone with an old pair of glasses to bring them into a practice and pop them in our recycling box to avoid them going into landfill and helping us contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Harrogate Chamber to focus on regeneration tonight

The May Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting will be held tonight (May 13) from 5.30pm- to 8pm at Cedar Court Hotel.

This month’s meeting will commence with the AGM, followed by guest speakers, Julian Rudd, head of regeneration (south) for North Yorkshire Council and Stuart Holland and Paul Hatherley from Harrogate Civic Society on the subject of a neighbourhood plan for Harrogate.

Harrogate care home residents celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Granby Resident Brian and his partner with Mexican musician, Rafael

Residents at Granby Care Home in Harrogate had a Mexican-themed party to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo festival.

It was the first stop on their ‘Cruise Around the World’ armchair travel activity which will see residents at Brighterkind care homes, experiencing the culture of other countries.

The care home’s magic moments coordinator, Lydia Jackson, said:

“It’s been a very exciting first port of call on our world cruise, none of us had been to Mexico before, so everyone enjoyed experiencing the culture and loved the food.”

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It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Two new partners have been appointed at Harrogate accountancy firm Lithgow Perkins, a decade after they joined as apprentices.

Tom Rhodes joined the firm in 2012 after completing his A Levels at Rossett School, while Tom Lowry, a former student of St Aidan’s and Rossett schools, joined a year later after changing tack part way through a sports degree.  Both progressed through their training and a series of demanding industry exams to become fully qualified chartered accountants in 2020 and 2018 respectively.

Their latest promotion will see them work alongside current partners to help develop the firm’s services and grow its client base. They will also help train the five apprentices currently at the firm.

Tom Rhodes said:

“We’re delighted to be recognised with this promotion which is the culmination of a lot of years of hard work. Lithgow Perkins is a great place to work and we’re very grateful for all the support we’ve had from everyone as we’ve developed our careers in accountancy.”

Tom Lowry added:

“Over the past ten years, we’ve been given some great opportunities to expand our knowledge and skills across all areas of accountancy, as well as developing the softer skills needed for client-facing work. We’re looking forward to helping strengthen and grow Lithgow Perkins for the future by taking a proactive and innovative approach that will add value for our clients.”

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Harrogate hotel’s art helps hospital charity

Harrogate’s Cedar Court Hotel has displayed two paintings by local artist Jos Haigh’s- both purchased from Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity‘s art event held in February.

The Exclusive Art Event took place at Cedar Court Hotel and raised in excess of £4,000 for HHCC.

The paintings, Falling (below pictured left) and Forever ( right) continue to raise money for the charity through a featured QR code that encourages guests to donate to HHCC.

All donations to HHCC go towards enhancing the facilities and environment for patients, their families and colleagues across the whole of the trust.

Wayne Topley, Managing Director at Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate said

“Cedar Court Harrogate was very proud to host the charity auction and very pleased to see such a positive response and turn out for the event.

“We went as hosts, but when we saw the quality of what was on offer at the event we soon became customers.”

“We refurbished our lounge last summer and still had left a couple of key spaces in the area for additional artwork, but up to that evening we had not been able to find the perfect fit.

“The quality of Jos Haigh’s collection of work and of course the opportunity to further support HHCC, made the entries into the auction for the two canvas’s a very easy decision.

“The two paintings ‘Falling’ and ‘Forever’ now sit very favourably in our lounge area, and we receive positive feedback on them daily.”