The menu centres on elevated small plates intended to be mixed and matched across the table. Standout additions include Baked Feta with hot honey, Beef Brisket Tacos with gochujang, and Karaage Sticky Chicken. For those looking for something more substantial, large plates like Teriyaki Duck Breast and Roasted Aubergine with som tam join long-standing favourites like Pad Thai and Miso Salmon.

The innovation continues behind the bar with a revamped cocktail list featuring adventurous serves like the Banana Jungle Bird (using discarded banana peel rum) and the Hot Honey Bee with Patrón Silver. For wine enthusiasts, the bars are also introducing wine tasting flights, allowing guests to explore premium labels by the glass or carafe.

All Bar One also continues to champion the social brunch scene. Their Brunch Club Sharing Board for two is a highlight, with the option to upgrade to bottomless drinks. Selected bars will also feature the Saxy Bottomless Brunch, where a live saxophonist provides a jazzy backdrop to the weekend.

For those looking for a midweek treat, the popular Tapas Tuesday offers four small plates and a bottle of wine (or two cocktails) from £32, making it an affordable day-to-night destination for any occasion.

Reservations are now open at www.allbarone.co.uk.

The clinic offers advanced diagnostics for concerns including fatigue, hormones, fertility, and cardiovascular risk. This science-led model allows for earlier investigation and reassurance, aiming to identify potential issues before a person becomes symptomatic.

Founder Sam Naughton launched Cocoon in 2024 as a pregnancy and women’s wellness clinic. In a previous interview discussing how pregnancy after loss comes with anxiety, she spoke about her determination to create compassionate support for difficult healthcare journeys. Her decision to expand into cancer screening was further shaped by the personal loss of a loved one to cancer in their 40s.

Sam Naughton said “What began in 2024 as a pregnancy and women’s wellness clinic has naturally evolved into something much bigger. We are seeing more and more people who do not want to wait until something becomes a crisis before they are taken seriously. What makes this different is our ethos of science-led diagnostics, soul-led care. Losing somebody close to me to cancer made the need for earlier answers feel even more urgent.”

The leadership team is strengthened by Consultant Radiologist and Medical Director Dr Adam Culverwell and Clinic Director Kate Ward, who brings 27 years of NHS experience.

Dr Culverwell said “Earlier insight can make a meaningful difference, whether that is providing reassurance, identifying an issue that needs further investigation, or helping someone better understand their long-term health risks.”

Kate Ward said “For many people, understanding what is happening in their body can feel overwhelming. Our focus is on combining timely diagnostics with calm, compassionate care, so people feel supported, understood and confident in the next steps of their health journey.”

Visit www.Cocoon-Hgt.com for more information.

For the first time, Bettys has announced it will introduce daytime reservations at its Ilkley café and at The Spindler Gallery in Harrogate. This is a significant shift for the family-owned business, which has traditionally operated on a walk-in basis for its main café service.

Nicky Sellers, Director of Operations at Bettys, explained that the move is all about making the experience more accessible for everyone:

“This is a milestone for Bettys and reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience while preserving the timeless charm that has made Bettys a Yorkshire institution. We realise that the queue can be a barrier for some customers and we want to be able to offer everyone the Bettys experience that suits them best.”

In Harrogate, the new booking system applies to The Spindler Gallery, located on the café’s lower level. It is a stunning spot that houses the world’s largest single collection of Spindler marquetry – essentially “paintings in wood” made from intricate veneers. The collection was started by Bettys’ founder, Frederick Belmont, in the early 1930s and remains one of the town’s most impressive cultural gems.

Over in Ilkley, the café is also opening up its diary for daytime bookings. This site has a rich history dating back to 1896 and is home to the massive La Chasse (‘The Hunt’) marquetry panel, which is the largest ever produced by the Spindler studio. Following a 2016 refurbishment, the café features hand-carved sheaves of corn by local artisans.

Whether you are a local who has been avoiding the queues or a visitor planning a special trip, this change means you can finally guarantee your spot for a Fat Rascal or a signature blend without the wait. These new daytime slots sit alongside the existing reservation options for Evening Dining and the traditional Afternoon Tea.

Among the competitors was former England men’s football manager and Martin House ambassador Sir Gareth Southgate. The event was split into competitive and social leagues, with Richard Watts and Alexis Twigg taking home the competitive trophy, while Matt Welsh and Dan Ross won the social tournament prize.

Pamela Newby, partnerships development manager at Martin House, said: “We’re thrilled with the success of our first Padel Open – everyone who took part had an incredible time, and we received so much positive feedback from the players. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone for making it such an enormous success, and to our trustee Will Linley for supporting the event from the outset.”

The hospice provides specialist palliative care, symptom management, and end-of-life support for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North, and East Yorkshire.

Pamela added: “Families rely on the specialist support our clinical team provide 24/7, 365 days a year. That’s why it’s so important that events like these not only raise money for Martin House, but give us the opportunity to talk to businesspeople from around Yorkshire about the impact they can have when they partner with us.”

The event was sponsored by Apollo Capital Group, with additional support from Yorkshire Tea and Padel 4 The People. David Moss, managing director of Apollo Capital Group, said: “We are proud to continue our support of Martin House and were delighted to sponsor their first Padel Open. It was a great evening and nice to see everyone enjoying themselves whilst at the same time supporting a local charity.”

Young visitors can take on the role of an Easter Detective in the brand-new trail, “Who Framed the Easter Bunny?” Families will follow clues linked to eight sneaky suspects, solving puzzles and cracking clues to uncover the truth behind the missing chocolate. Every successful detective will be rewarded with a chocolate treat to take home.

Adventure and Discovery in the Garden

Beyond the mystery trail, children can explore the world of The Wind in the Willows. Inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel and featuring E.H. Shepard’s original illustrations, this trail brings characters like Mr. Toad, Ratty, Mole, and Badger to life. The experience includes:

• Character Sightings: Discover beloved characters hidden among the plants and pathways.
• Interactive Fun: Enjoy sensory boxes and garden games scattered throughout the landscape.
• Photo Ops: Capture family memories with themed photo opportunities.

Spring in Full Bloom

Easter marks one of the most spectacular moments in the Harlow Carr calendar. As the gardening season begins, visitors can enjoy glorious displays of spring bulbs, camellias, rhododendrons, and magnolias. It is an ideal time to explore the wide-open spaces and gather inspiration for the year ahead.

Planning Your Visit

• Admission: Adult entry starts from £16.85, while children’s tickets (ages 5–16) are £5.00. RHS Members and children under five enter for free.
• Detective Packs: The special Easter Detective activity packs cost £3.00 per child.
• Booking: Pre-booking is strongly advised to guarantee an activity pack on arrival, as walk-up purchases are subject to availability.

The RHS Shop will also be open, offering a range of plants, gardening tools, and seasonal gifts for those looking to take a piece of the garden home.

The project is expected to cost in the region of £9.4 million following final design refinements. This investment is forecast to be repaid within a decade through the additional income generated by the enhanced venue, with the new facilities expected to generate an extra £1.7 million annually.

The planned upgrade will provide breakout conferencing facilities for approximately 1,200 delegates. Currently, the absence of sizeable breakout spaces has limited the centre’s ability to host the larger, more lucrative UK association conferences that significantly benefit the local economy.

North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said:

“The Harrogate Convention Centre brings thousands of visitors to North Yorkshire every year and contributes more than £45 million for our economy through the retail and hospitality sectors.

“Developing Studio Two by creating larger breakout conference rooms to complement the existing 2,000-seater auditorium can ensure the venue stands alongside the very best centres of its kind in the country. It can only strengthen the centre’s economic impact while allowing us to reduce our subsidy and protect taxpayers’ money.”

Projections show that without this investment, the council would need to provide an annual subsidy of around £1.1 million just to keep the ageing building operational.

Paula Lorimer, Director of Harrogate Convention Centre, added:

“The creation of dedicated breakout conference rooms in Studio Two will open up new revenue opportunities that in turn benefit the town’s hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.

“This investment will deliver 1,200 extra breakout spaces to support the venue’s magnificent auditorium, enabling the venue to attract larger conferences.”

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive will receive an update on the scheme on Tuesday 17th March, following the completion of procurement. Subject to approval, the construction contract will be awarded, with building work potentially starting as early as this summer.

Weetons secured both the top accolade and the Shops category award thanks to its showstopping Grinch-themed display at its West Park store. The handcrafted installation, created entirely by Store Manager Jess Upson, features a life-sized Grinch alongside Cindy-Lou and Max the dog. The design continues Weetons’ tradition of detailed, handmade festive windows that have become a beloved part of Harrogate’s seasonal landscape.

Jess, who has designed every Weetons Christmas window since 2021, said:

“It means the world to see this year’s display recognised in such a special way. Every Christmas window is a real labour of love, from the early sketches right through to handcrafting the final details. Knowing it brings joy to customers and adds to Harrogate’s festive magic makes it all worthwhile.”

Harrogate BID’s Operations Manager, Bethany Allen, praised the increasing enthusiasm surrounding the competition:

“It is really great to see this competition growing each year, beating the number of entries from previous years. It shows how much the businesses love to get involved. Without a doubt, the shop window displays complete Harrogate’s festive offer and truly add to the festive feel of the town.”

Alongside its award-winning West Park display, Weetons is celebrating the season at its flagship Leeds Road store, where its renowned Christmas hampers have returned for 2025 and are proving especially popular nationwide.

Weetons’ festive windows have long been a highlight of Harrogate’s Christmas calendar, drawing visitors from across the region. This year’s win further cements the retailer’s status as one of the town’s must-see festive destinations.

Visitors can enjoy the award-winning Christmas display throughout December.

The facility will provide education for up to 80 pupils aged 11 to 19, including those with communication and interaction needs. It will offer a broad curriculum in a specialist environment alongside a formal academic programme.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We want to provide the very best education for all children in North Yorkshire. We have a coordinated strategy across the whole county to meet the special educational needs of children. This includes strengthening practice in mainstream schools, developing SEN resource bases and investing in fabulous new facilities such as this one where they are needed. The Lighthouse Learning Trust’s existing work gives us real confidence in its ability to deliver high quality specialist education and will be a welcome addition to our community of schools in North Yorkshire.”

Emma Sullivan, principal of the Lighthouse Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted to be confirmed as the academy trust for the new Harrogate special school, bringing more specialist support to young people and their families across the region.”

Katie Parlett, founder and chair of governors of the trust, commented: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with the local authority, families, and stakeholders to create a school that meets needs of young people and inspire the brightest of futures.”

The trust will work with the Department for Education to convert to a multi-academy trust while coordinating with the council to meet technical requirements. An opening date will be announced in the coming months.

The number of children in North Yorkshire with Educational Health Care Plans has risen from 1,700 in 2015 to more than 6,000 in 2025.

The sold-out event attracted 6,000 fans for 11 hours of house music across three stages, featuring performances from international stars including Armand Van Helden, Shapeshifters, Ultra Nate and Marshall Jefferson.

The Stray was transformed with a food village, fairground rides, dancers in costume, stilt walkers, fire breathers and large-scale audio-visual production. A VIP and Ultra VIP offer added premium facilities such as pamper stations and a club-style service.

Following a debut in 2024 which sold out at 4,000 capacity, organisers expanded this year’s festival to 6,000, making it the brand’s biggest event to date.

Love to be… co-founder Marc Dennis said: “It was amazing to see generations coming together to create a day that exceeded all of our expectations. From start to finish, every DJ across every stage delivered an unforgettable masterclass, while our loyal festival family brought energy and atmosphere in abundance.

“We set out to go bigger than last year, and all the months of hard work paid off when we saw thousands of people having the time of their lives. This was without doubt one of the greatest parties the Love to be… brand has ever hosted in our 30-year history, and we’re already excited for what next year will bring.”

The Love to be… Festival will return to The Stray on 6 September 2026. More information and pre-sale sign-ups are available at www.lovetobeevents.co.uk/festival

Developed in partnership with Yorkshire-based premium tequila brand Hacien, the Ultra VIP Experience is limited to just 250 guests. It is a tailored package for those who want to enjoy the music, atmosphere and energy of the festival with added comfort, exclusivity and service.

Guests will enjoy access to a private area within the festival site designed with a club-like atmosphere, complete with elegant décor, seating, table service, exclusive viewing platforms and more. For those booking an Ultra VIP table (for up to 10 guests), a full selection of Hacien tequilas, premium spirits, beer and soft drinks is included, along with a dedicated server on hand all day.

Ultra VIP ticket holders will also benefit from fast-track artist entrance, reserved seating and tables, luxury toilets, a private bar, on-site parking and access to the VIP Pamper Room. The space includes luxury toiletries, feather plumes and a glam team for those wanting to freshen up throughout the day.

Seb Francis, co-founder of Hacien, said: “This collaboration is a natural fit, uniting our shared passion for celebration, bringing people together, and creating truly memorable experiences. Festival-goers are in for an unforgettable day, and we’re especially excited for the Ultra VIPs to be the very first to sample our brand new, exclusive flavours!”

The launch of the Ultra VIP Experience follows a strong 2025 run for the Love to be… brand, which has seen packed daytime house music events across the country. Co-founder Marc Dennis said: “This is more than a festival. This is a celebration of house music, culture and style, done the Love to be… way. Our new Ultra VIP Experience is designed for those who appreciate great music but also value comfort, exclusivity and premium service.”

This year’s line-up includes some of the biggest names in house music, including Armand Van Helden, Shapeshifters, Ultra Naté and Marshall Jefferson. They will be joined by a wide range of DJs and performers across the 11-hour event.

The festival will once again transform Harrogate’s iconic park into a house music haven, with a reimagined main stage offering an indoor and outdoor experience and the return of the Music Factory Classics Big Top. This stage celebrates Love to be’s Sheffield roots, blending 90s house nostalgia with full festival production.

Also on site will be a high-end food village featuring street food from around the world, with options including Greek dishes, South Indian vegetarian specialities, gourmet chicken and stone-baked pizza. All food can be ordered directly to Ultra VIP tables using the festival app.

Festivalgoers can also expect a packed programme of entertainment, with fairground rides, fire breathers, stilt walkers and performers from Ibiza and Dubai’s superclub scenes.

With the event’s capacity increasing from 4,000 to 6,000 this year, even more fans will get the chance to be part of what is shaping up to be one of the UK’s standout house music festivals.

Ultra VIP tables are extremely limited, and we recommend booking early. To find out more or secure your place, visit www.lovetobeevents.co.uk or search for Love to be…Festival on Skiddle.