This year has been a challenge for everyone and as we leave Lockdown 2 behind us, we are pleased to see that Harrogate is well and truly open for Christmas Shopping!
The Christmas Lights were switched on mid-lockdown and are bringing a festive feel to the town centre, ably assisted by the Yorkshire Hotel who have transformed the front of their building into an Advent Calendar, celebrating finalising a massive interior refurbishment this year. This is coupled with an outbreak of igloos at their sister hotel The White Hart‘s eaterie, The Fat Badger, which provide sheltered outdoor dining right next to the Harrogate Christmas Market site. They are certainly setting the festive bar high for the rest of town!
For the past few months we have been browsing, sharing and re-tweeting posts of our Harrogate Christmas Market traders and Harrogate businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We always knew there were communities in Harrogate like Commercial Street and Cold Bath Road who have worked together to support their independents and help each other navigate their way through this tough trading climate, but we have been amazed at their camaraderie and we take our Christmas hats off to them for their tenacity!
Many local businesses have adapted to offer online shopping as well as a new click and collect service, not to mention the many restaurants who have literally brought their delicious takeaways to our houses during the recent Lockdowns. This highlights the determination of our fantastic independent shops, restaurants and cafes and we are truly proud of what they have achieved in the face of such adversity.
We have selected four retailers that we’ve got to know more via social media and who re-opened their doors to shoppers on 2nd December to finalise their Christmas Shopping, but there are so many more right across the Harrogate District, all offering a huge array of products. It’s worth taking some time to look them out and we hope our shares help you do this.
John Atkinson Fine and Rare Books recently re-located to Royal Parade in Harrogate and are now within sight of the Harrogate Christmas Market site!
This is a family run business with 15 years’ experience, selling highly collectible rare and signed first edition books from £25 to £60,000. They also sell private collections of books and offer access to a book search, for those trying to find that elusive first edition for your collection.
As well as the shop in Harrogate, they operate online where every book on their website is a first edition (unless stated otherwise). Why not pop in for a browse when you are next in the area?
The Crystal Buddha is an Award winning independent globally inspired Crystal & Rockshop, based in the nearby market town of Knaresborough. They specialise in sourcing rare, unusual and hard to find crystals and as well as their unique carved designs created by master carvers using a selection of gemstones and minerals, they also carry a stunning selection of precious & semi-precious gemstone jewellery set in sterling silver, most of which they have ethically crafted for them.
In addition there is a wide range of holistic products from Tarot cards to Singing Bowls and other meditation items. Why not browse their website from home if you are self isolating or why not pop down to browse in person when you are in Knaresborough?
You may recognise the name from the Harrogate Christmas Market, where they have had a stall for the past couple of years. As they say on their website, The Crystal Buddha is not just a shop its a way of life, Mindfully Trading since 2012.
Tiger Fifty 7 is a kids boutique located on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate, just up the road from the Harrogate Christmas Market site. It offers a fabulous selection of goodies ranging from toys, books, games, clothing and accessories for newborns to teens.
It’s a funky and modern independent, with a striking shop front which represents the wild side and it covers two floors of exciting brands.
Tiger Fifty 7 is also online offering pre-loved Tiger Threads along with a taster of what’s in store.
Follow them on Instagram to get a feel of what Tiger Fifty 7 is all about.
Prey Four Store is a Men’s and Women’s clothing boutique located on Parliament Street in the very heart of Harrogate. From glam accessories to the warmest winter coats they are here to help with all your styling needs. Prey Four is a family run business with over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry.
Pop in store to treat yourself or even find the perfect Christmas gift. Customers are their main priority and they are dedicated to making sure they leave their store with a smile on their face.
If you are having to self-isolate for whatever reason, you can also browse the wide selection of shop online at Prey Four Store.
We hope you’ve enjoyed following our shares and re-tweets on social media over the past few months – do let us know if it has helped you to find an elusive Christmas Present! We have had many requests via social media for particular Market Traders and shops in town, which we have been happy to answer and put people in touch with their favourite trader.
Don’t forget to browse our stories on Instagram, check out our post shares on our Facebook Page and scan our Re-tweets on Twitter, where we also have Twitter lists you can follow of: 2020 Christmas Traders, Eat & Drink Harrogate, Shops in Harrogate and Stay & Play Harrogate.