Business News in Harrogate

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Strengthening compliance support for Harrogate businesses

Think Compliance partners with Product Partnerships Ltd (PPL)

Harrogate-based Think Compliance has entered an exciting new chapter, joining forces with national compliance specialist Product Partnerships Ltd (PPL) following the acquisition of a majority stake.

For local businesses, this means the same trusted Think Compliance team, now supported by a larger group with deeper resources, broader sector experience and long-term growth plans.

What this means for Harrogate and North Yorkshire firms

✔ Local expertise stays local
Think Compliance continues to operate from Harrogate, working closely with regional clients who value accessible, relationship-led support.

✔ More backing, more capability
Behind the scenes, the team now has access to wider group expertise across regulated sectors and national markets.

✔ Future-proof compliance support
The partnership creates a stronger platform for ongoing investment in people, systems and specialist knowledge.

The focus remains on helping businesses meet their Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) obligations in a way that is clear, practical and proportionate — without unnecessary complexity.

A Harrogate team with real-world experience

Think Compliance’s strength lies in its people.

The Harrogate team includes experienced advisors and consultants who have worked across:

• Banking and financial services

• The Claims Management Regulator

• Lloyd’s of London

This breadth of experience allows them to support local firms with practical, commercially aware compliance guidance — not just box-ticking.

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Why partner with PPL?

PPL is a Leeds-headquartered compliance specialist that supports businesses across the UK, from growing SMEs to household-name brands.A quick snapshot:

• 🏢 Founded 11 years ago in Yorkshire

• 📈 Client base quadrupled since management buyout

• 💷 Over £350m in credit transactions overseen in the past year

• 🤝 Works with brands including Aston Martin, Hyundai, JD Sports and Scottish Power

By welcoming Think Compliance into the group, PPL adds more than 200 clients and strengthens its presence across regulated sectors — while keeping local teams at the heart of delivery.

Part of a wider Yorkshire growth story

The acquisition follows a £10m investment round in early 2025 and sits alongside a series of strategic partnerships, including a recent agreement with Mac Tools, part of the Stanley Black & Decker Group.

Retail industry veteran Peter Cowgill has also joined PPL as a non-executive director, supporting the business as it scales responsibly.

Looking ahead for Harrogate businesses

This partnership brings national capability with a local mindset — giving Harrogate and North Yorkshire firms access to deeper compliance expertise without losing the personal service they rely on.

Based in Harrogate

Backed by a national group

Focused on sustainable, compliant growth

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Another Blow for Harrogate Russell & Bromley shoppers in Harrogate and York could see a well-known footwear brand disappear from the high street after Russell & Bromley was sold in a £2.5 million rescue deal.

The 150-year-old British shoe brand, Russell & Bromley, has been bought by retail giant Next — but only three UK stores are set to remain open under the new ownership.

That puts the Harrogate shop and York concession among dozens of locations now facing an uncertain future.

Which Russell & Bromley Stores Are at Risk in North Yorkshire?

Russell & Bromley currently operates:

• a standalone store in Harrogate town centre, and

• a concession inside Fenwick in York.

Next has confirmed it will retain only stores in Chelsea, Mayfair and Bluewater in Kent, leaving the remaining 33 stores and nine concessions under review.

No decision has yet been made on the future of the Harrogate or York locations, but both fall outside Next’s retained estate.

Administration Confirmed as Review Continues

Administrators have been appointed to Russell & Bromley Ltd and Russell & Bromley Online Ltd, according to notices published in the London Gazette.

The 147-year-old business employs around 440 people across the UK and Ireland. Administrators Interpath said all remaining stores and concessions are continuing to trade while options are explored.

What Has Been Said About the Takeover?

Next said the acquisition was aimed at safeguarding the long-term future of the brand.This acquisition secures the future of a much-loved British footwear brand and provides the operational stability needed to support its next chapter.”

Russell & Bromley chief executive Andrew Bromley described the sale as a difficult but necessary step.This is the best route to secure the future of the brand, and we would like to thank our staff, customers and partners for their continued support.”

If the Harrogate store or York concession were to close, it would mark another loss for North Yorkshire’s high streets, which have already seen several national retailers scale back physical stores.

For now, shoppers can still visit both locations — but their long-term future remains unclear.

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New senior role announced as Knaresborough looks to reshape future of its historic market

A major new role has been announced as Knaresborough Town Council moves to strengthen the local economy and secure the future of one of North Yorkshire’s best-known market towns.

The Council is recruiting a Town Development Manager — a newly created position that will play a key role in supporting local businesses, revitalising the town centre, and shaping the next chapter of Knaresborough Market.

A turning point for Knaresborough Market

The announcement follows the Town Council’s successful move last October to take over the running of the historic market, which operates under a Royal Charter granted by King Edward II.

The decision came amid fears the market could be “slowly killed off” after proposals that would have required traders to fund and erect their own stalls — a move widely criticised by traders and residents.

With responsibility now firmly in local hands, the Council says the new role will help unlock the market’s full potential through strategic leadership, commercial development, and rebranding.

“A chance to make a real difference”

Mayor of Knaresborough, Councillor Helen Westmancoat, said the role offers a rare opportunity for someone to help shape the town’s future.This is an exciting opportunity for someone with vision, commercial acumen, and a passion for place-making. Knaresborough is a vibrant and much-loved market town, and we are looking for a community-minded Town Development Manager who can build on our strengths, support local businesses, and help shape a sustainable and prosperous future for the town.”

What the role involves

The Town Development Manager will lead work to:

• Strengthen Knaresborough’s town centre economy

• Support independent traders and local businesses

• Develop a Town Economic Strategy and Market Business Plan

• Deliver events, partnerships, and regeneration projects

• Secure external funding to support economic and community initiatives

The Council is seeking a proactive and commercially minded individual with experience in economic development, markets, regeneration, or town centre management.

Salary and contract details

The role is being offered on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the potential for extension, and includes membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. The salary range is £40,000–£45,000 pro rata.

How to apply

Applications are now open. Full details and application information are available on the Knaresborough Town Council website:
https://www.knaresboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk/Vacancies_49390.aspx

The deadline for applications is Monday, 23 February 2026.

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Black Sheep Brewery in a £6.5m rescue and restoration deal.

At a time when Britain’s brewing industry has been buckling under rising costs, squeezed margins and faltering consumer confidence, the rescue of Black Sheep Brewery feels like more than just another distressed deal. It is, arguably, a statement of intent.

The £6.5m acquisition by the newly formed Great British Drinks Company is being framed not as a quick turnaround or asset strip, but as a restoration project — one that aims to preserve Yorkshire’s brewing heritage while giving it the financial backing it has recently lacked.

Backed by the family entrepreneurs behind Paramount Retail Group, Great British Drinks Company was only established this month, yet it has moved quickly to secure a portfolio of well-known craft brands that had found themselves on increasingly unstable ground. Alongside Black Sheep, the deal safeguards breweries including Purity Brewing Co, Brew By Numbers, Brick Brewery, North Brewing Company, Magic Rock Brewing and Fourpure Brewing Co.

In practical terms, the numbers matter. Black Sheep is being acquired for around £4.5m, with more than £2m earmarked for future investment. But the human cost matters too: 145 jobs have been secured at a time when redundancies have become an all-too-familiar feature of the hospitality and brewing sectors.

The deal follows a turbulent period for Keystone Brewing Group, which filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last year amid intensifying financial pressure. Administrators from FRP Advisory moved swiftly to complete a pre-pack sale, advised by Shoosmiths, ensuring continuity for the businesses and their brands.

What makes this intervention particularly interesting is the long-term posture being adopted by the buyer. Ravi Sharma, co-founder of Great British Drinks Company, has spoken less about rationalisation and more about pride, relationships and rebuilding — language that stands out in an industry increasingly shaped by consolidation and retreat.

There is, of course, irony in the background. Paramount Retail Group already owns Saltaire Brewery, a rival Yorkshire brand acquired in 2024. Yet rather than undermining the narrative, it reinforces a broader point: heritage breweries still have value, but only when paired with capital, operational discipline and patience.

Founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston, Black Sheep Brewery has long punched above its weight, with strong supermarket distribution and national recognition. That it found itself needing rescue is less a failure of the brand than a reflection of how unforgiving the current trading environment has become.

For now, this is a rare piece of good news for a sector that badly needs it. Whether the restoration succeeds will depend on execution rather than sentiment — but for Yorkshire brewing, and for British craft beer more widely, this feels like a foundation being shored up rather than another landmark quietly lost.

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Harrogate Organics Begins New Chapter Following Local Acquisition

Harrogate-founded wellbeing brand Harrogate Organics Company Limited has entered a new phase of growth after being acquired by Harrogate-based Strive Group Brands Limited.

The acquisition, completed on 6 June 2025 following a period of administration, secures the future of the business and sets out a clear plan for stabilisation and sustainable growth under local ownership.

Rooted in Harrogate’s heritage of health and wellbeing, Harrogate Organics is known for solution-led products supporting everyday needs such as sleep, stress, and relaxation. The brand has built a strong national following, particularly for its award-winning Magnesium Spray.

Since the acquisition

The focus has been on strengthening the foundations of the business, including:

• Closing the town-centre retail shop

• Improving operational efficiencies

• Strengthening supplier relationships

• Returning the company to profitability (achieved in November)

The business now operates as part of Strive Group Limited, which marks its 25th year in business and works with brands including Honda and Papa Johns.

About Strive Group Ltd –  Strive Group (Strive Group Limited/Brands) is a UK-based brand experience and development agency that creates brand strategies, employee experiences, and customer journeys for major clients like Papa Johns and Honda, working across sectors like automotive, retail, and wellness, with a notable recent acquisition of The Harrogate Organics Company in 2025 to expand its wellness portfolio. They are known for delivering immersive brand activations, virtual showrooms, and digital experiences, aiming to build emotional connections for brands.

Managing Director Alistair Grant said the priority was stability before growth, with plans to streamline the product range and improve the customer experience while maintaining quality and sustainability.

What’s next

Over the next 12 months, Harrogate Organics plans to:

• Refresh its website and brand identity

• Invest in staff training

• Launch new products across Magnesium, Skincare, and Supplements

With renewed local ownership and a clearer strategic direction, Harrogate Organics is positioning itself for a stable future—further strengthening Harrogate’s reputation as a home for quality wellbeing brands.

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Spirit of Harrogate into administration

An award-winning Harrogate gin retailer has entered administration, blaming rising costs and prolonged difficult trading conditions.

Spirit of Harrogate, founded in the North Yorkshire spa town in 2014, is the company behind the popular Slingsby Gin range.

Lewis Business Recovery and Insolvency confirmed it has been instructed to place the firm into administration, with Gareth Lewis and Matthew Russell appointed as proposed joint administrators.

Gareth Lewis said the business is now being actively marketed for sale as a going concern, with the aim of preserving jobs and maximising returns for creditors.

“Unfortunately, like many businesses in this sector, Spirit of Harrogate has struggled with rising costs and challenging trading conditions in recent years,” he said. “It remains one of Harrogate’s iconic independent retailers, and the Slingsby Gin brand is highly respected both locally and nationally.”

The company currently employs five staff.

Spirit of Harrogate was founded by local entrepreneurs Marcus Black and Mike Carthy, who set out to create a premium gin brand celebrating Harrogate’s spa-town heritage. The business quickly established itself as a high-street destination, combining retail with immersive gin experiences that attracted visitors from across the UK.

According to the company’s website, Slingsby Gin is inspired by the discovery of the Tewit Well in 1571 by Sir William Slingsby — a pivotal moment that helped establish Harrogate as a spa destination. The brand sought to capture the “Spirit of Harrogate” by reflecting the area’s restorative history and natural character.

Slingsby Gin is made using water drawn from an underground aquifer in Harrogate and botanicals grown at the nearby Rudding Park Hotel, although the distillation process takes place in Birmingham.

The brand has received national recognition, with its rhubarb gin winning a gold medal at the World Gin Awards in 2023.

Administrators say efforts are ongoing to secure a buyer for the business and its assets.

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Got a business idea? York & North Yorkshire’s own “Dragon’s Den” could fund it

If you’re running a business in York or North Yorkshire and have an idea that’s been sitting on the back burner, a new funding programme could help you bring it to life.

The Mayor has launched Great Ideas — a Dragon’s Den–style business support programme offering grants of up to £60,000, alongside expert mentoring to help ambitious businesses grow.

Who is this for?

Great Ideas is built for real businesses at real stages, whether you’re:

• Testing a brand-new product or service

• Looking to scale an idea you’ve already proven

• Struggling to secure funding to move to the next stage

• Ready to pitch an investment-ready proposal

If you’re based in York or North Yorkshire, this programme is designed with you in mind.

What support can you access?

Successful applicants can benefit from:

• 💷 Grants of up to £60,000

• 🧠 Expert business advice from regional specialists

• 🎯 Intensive one-to-one support

• 🗣️ A chance to pitch your idea to a panel of experts

• 🚀 Practical help turning ideas into commercial reality

The strongest proposals will be invited to present their ideas in a format inspired by Dragon’s Den, where funding decisions are unlocked and tailored support begins.

A clear signal: the region is backing business

David Skaith says the programme is about removing barriers holding back innovation:York and North Yorkshire has always been home to creators and entrepreneurs, but too many brilliant ideas never get the support they deserve.

Great Ideas gives businesses access to world-class advice and meaningful financial backing. It’s the most ambitious support package we’ve delivered and shows this region is open for business.”

Who’s delivering the programme?

The programme is being delivered by UMi, a national business support organisation with a strong track record in innovation funding and investor readiness.

UMi will run Great Ideas over the next two years, helping businesses navigate funding, refine ideas, and prepare for growth.

Part of a bigger support package

Great Ideas is one of five programmes within the Business Innovation Fund, alongside:

• Sector Activity

• Spin-Outs and Start-Ups

• Get Exporting

• Get Funded (launching soon)

Together, they form a joined-up support pathway for businesses across the region.

Ready to explore?

If you’re curious, considering applying, or just want to see what’s available, the full programme prospectus is available online:

👉 https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/project/business-innovation-fund/

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