Chamber has worked with Renaissance Knaresborough and the Civic Society, supported by funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund, to commission a report that seeks to understand opportunities for tourism development in Knaresborough.
As a market town with great appeal for visitors, on whom many businesses rely, this data provides invaluable intelligence for future developments in the town. It also reflects the perspectives of local residents who also want our town to be a great place to live as well as visit.
We’ve put together a handy guide to some of the independents which will be staying open later for pre-Christmas late night shopping on Thursday 12 and Thursday 19 December. Why not combine some Christmas shopping with a drink or bite to eat in one of Knaresborough’s fantastic local bars, pubs or restaurants.
There are lots of other great independents in town too, some of which are unable to stay open later, but who would still love your support this festive season. Follow Knaresborough’s Christmas List on Facebook for festive food and gift inspiration from a wide range of local businesses.
Sheer Bliss Lingerie
Independent lingerie, swimwear and leisure wear boutique Sheer Bliss Lingerie – Knaresborough will be open will be open until 6pm on Thursday 12 December and Thursday 19 December. Finalists in the ‘Best Shop’ category at the national Stars Awards 2023 (the Oscars of the lingerie industry!), they offer a full fitting service. You can find them on the High Street opposite the Bus Station.
Twig & Ink
Independent women’s clothing, gift and accessories shop Twig&Ink will be open later on Thursday 19 December. You can find them in the former Wild Orchid premises on the High Street, just down from Hirsts Bakery
Zigzag Cards & Gifts
Independent card and gift shop Zigzag Cards & Gifts will be open later than usual for Thursday late night shopping. With a wide range of cards and gifts for all ages, you’re sure to find some great festive shopping ideas. Zigzag Cards & Gifts are stockists of the popular Jellycat and Orange Tree toy ranges, as well Joma Jewellery, Pom Jewellery and scarves and cards and calendars by local photographers and artists. They have some great gifts for men too. You can find them on the main High Street pedestrian crossing opposite Tesco Express.
The Music Bank
Spread over 2000sq, and packed floor to ceiling with stock, The Music Bank has a great range of new and pre-owned guitars, ukuleles, amps and accessories to choose from, including all your favourite band merchandise. They also offer music tuition. You can find them on the High Street in the former Barclay’s Bank building.
Wild Thing’ Clothing
Alternative ladies clothing store, WILD Thing’ will be open later on Thursday 12 and Thursday 19 December. Here you can find usual women’s clothing and accessories which you wouldn’t find in any high street store. You can can find them on the High Street opposite the Music Bank.
Yorkshire Glass Fusing Studio (Knaresborough Pop Up)
The Yorkshire Glass Fusing Studio will be in the Knaresborough Pop Up Shop from the 9 – 15 December. Selling a range of glass ornaments, gifts and gift vouchers, you can find them down the High Street just near Wetherspoons.
The Wine Shop and Next Door (Wine Bar Cafe next to The Wine Shop)
Whether it’s drinks for a festive meal or party, or a gift for a special someone, The Wine Shop, Knaresborough have you covered. Why not treat yourself to a mulled wine or Italian coffee and pastry from their newly opened sister company ‘Next Door’ too. Both will be open for Late Night Shopping on Thursday 12 and 19 December.
The Olde Chemist Shop
The Old Chemist Shoppe sells a wide range of Yorkshire produce and gifts, including festive chocolates, biscuits, Elizabeth Botham biscuits and cakes, jams, preserves and soaps. Perfect for stocking fillers or secret santas. The Olde Chemist Shoppe will be open later on Thursday 12 and 19 December.
Natural Choice
Located opposite Prudames fruit shop, Natural Choice offer a wide range of health foods and natural products and supplements. They also have a great range of non alcoholic drinks for the festive season. They will be open later on Thursday 19 December.
Castle Creamery
If all that Christmas shopping is leaving you in need of a treat for yourself, then why not call into Castle Creamery for a pancake, waffle or delicious hot chocolate. Located on the edge of the Castle Courtyard shopping centre opposite the Police Station, The Castle Creamery’s selection of sweet treats is hard to resist. Castle Creamery will be open until 7pm during late night shopping on Thursday 12 December.
Castlegate Books
Books make great Christmas presents and Castlegate Books in the Market Place have a wide range of titles, including children’s books, fiction, biographies, cookery books, travel and walking guides and local interest books. They have a fantastic ordering service too if the book you want isn’t in stock.
Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Company
Stocking a wide range of hand made Yorkshire Honey, Beeswax candles, wax melts, cosmetics and gifts, The Yorkshire Beeswax Candle Company will be open later for Thursday Late Night Shopping. You can find them next to Scarlett’s Vintage tea rooms in Green Dragon Yard. Pop in and grab a taste of fresh honey, direct from Hive to Jar.
Painting Pots
Painting Pots is a fun, relaxed, friendly pottery painting and craft studio. They also have a great range of crafting kits for all age groups. You can find them on Castlegate opposite Brymor Ice Cream.
Kelly Teggin Hair and Beauty
Kelly Teggin Hairdressing and Beauty have some great Christmas packs of Milkshake hair products for sale, in addition to a full range of hair and beauty treatments. You can find them on Castlegate opposite Hutton’s Butchers.
Boujee
Newly opened luxury beauty and aesthetics salon Boujeė offer gift vouchers against treatments. You can find them on the High Street just up from the Post Office
Orchis Escape
Orchis Escape are a small and friendly beauty salon offering a wide range of treatments in a calm and relaxing environment. You can find them on the High Street above Twig & Ink, just down from Hirsts.
Vital Beauty Aesthetics & Skincare Clinic
Vital Beauty is a CPD accredited clinic, offering a range of non surgical treatments and semi permanent make-up. You can find them on the High Street next to the Brow Bar.
Swish
Swish offer a range of beauty treatments, including gel nails, manicures, pedicures, brows, lashes and tans. You can find them on the High Street next to Zigzag Cards & Gifts.
Divine Hairdressing
A Friendly and comfortable salon that offers all aspects of hairdressing. You can find them on the High Street opposite the bus station.
Aurum Hair
Aurum hair and beauty salon specialise in cutting, styling, colouring, special occasion hair, weddings, hair extensions and mens hairdressing. You can find them on the corner of Castlegate, opposite The Market Tavern.
Aimes Health & Beauty
A bit further out of town, but award winning Aimes Health and Beauty on Aspin Lane offer gift vouchers for treatments and massages. The perfect Christmas pamper gift.
Post Shopping Food and Snack Ideas (all open late on Thursday)
1858 Restaurant & Bar Zolsha Berry’s Tavern Drakes Fisheries So Bar & Eats Two Brothers Next Door Cafe Bar Dil Raj Six Poor Folk The Castle Inn The Groves Inn Castle Creamery (pancakes, waffles and hot chocolate) Lawai Spice Carriages Zolsha The Mitre The World’s End The Knaresborough Inn Mother Shipton Inn The Half Moon Fisharama
A recent survey undertaken by Knaresborough Chamber of Trade suggests that the town may be bucking the national trend. 3 out of 4 traders said that conditions were either the same or better than pre-COVID suggesting that all the efforts to support local during the pandemic are bearing fruit. However, they also reported growing pressures on costs of both stock and overheads, which were the top concerns of traders impacting on profitability.
Chamber Committee member Charlotte Gale says “whilst we’re obviously pleased that most traders in Knaresborough are positive about current conditions there is also a real concern about the impacts of rising prices for both business costs and people’s spending power over coming months.”
When asked what would further support recovery Traders said that most effort should be put into encouraging existing and new residents from the town’s local housing developments to continue to shop local. This message was part of the joint initiative between Chamber and Knaresborough Connectors, the Lions and Rotary with the ‘Welcome to Knaresborough’ booklet distributed free to all new residents.
Peter Lacey, another Chamber Committee member, says “everybody in the town wants to see a thriving business community for convenience, recreation, jobs and ensuring an attractive visitor experience. It’s only by working together in that goal that we can weather whatever the cost of living crisis sends out way.”
Some of the comments by traders in the survey responses reflect the cautiously optimistic mood reflected in the survey.
“We need to keep working on making the High Street tidier.”
“The recent Spring Fair was brilliant because it supported business and didn’t compete with them.”
“Never seen Knaresborough so busy its fantastic. Town is buzzing”
The loss of all seven banks and building societies, as well as all but two of Knaresborough’s town centre ATMs, had a significant impact on the town. Not only due to loss of local amenities, but also reduced footfall and other challenges for the local business community.
Knaresborough Chamber campaigned against banking closures and more recently has worked with local councillors to help address the needs of local businesses and work towards solutions to the town’s banking problems.
Current banking projects include a multi-bank Banking HUB, the re-instatement of a Market Place ATM and a community branch of Newcastle Building Society in the library. Both the Banking HUB and Newcastle Building Society projects will include provision for the business community.
Newcastle Building Society are also looking to recruit staff to join their Knaresborough team. For more information, visit https://www.newcastle.co.uk/careers.
Chamber Sponsors New Civic Society Market Blue Plaque
We were delighted to contribute to a new Market Place blue plaque, commissioned by Knaresborough Civic Society to commemorate the town’s historic Wednesday market.
The market is one of the oldest in the country, with King Edward II granting Knaresborough a Royal Charter to hold a market in 1310, and is an important asset for our community.
Chamber have played an active role in its preservation over the past 5 years and we hope that it will continue to thrive at the heart of our historic market town for many years to come.
Roger the town crier expertly announced the unveiling at today’s market, with photos taken on behalf of the town by Chamber Member Charlotte Gale.
One of the key things which has been highlighted by Chamber surveys and group discussions is the importance of local trade for many businesses in the town.
Whilst some do rely heavily on tourists, many are almost entirely dependent on local residents or businesses. The new housing developments on the outskirts of the town will bring many new residents to Knaresborough, many of whom may struggle to feel part of the community due to geographical location.
Chamber recognised an opportunity to engage with this new potential customer base and have worked with Knaresborough Town Council, Knaresborough Connectors, Knaresborough Rotary and Knaresborough Lions to produce a ‘Beginners Guide to Knaresborough’ booklet, ably narrated by Roger the Town Crier.
These booklets have been delivered to new residents and also distributed to local estate agents. New residents can also find out more information on the knaresborough.community website, managed by Knaresborough Connectors.
With just over two weeks to go until its popular Christmas Market Weekend, Knaresborough promises to offer visitors a Yorkshire Christmas experience to remember this year. Centred around the imposing Christmas tree in the town’s historic Market Place, this traditional Yorkshire market is a firm favourite with residents and visitors alike.
The market opens at 10am on Saturday 4 December, when the town centre will be filled with almost 50 stalls selling seasonal goods, gifts and the best of locally sourced produce. Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by a wide variety of local dancers, brass bands and choirs will add to the festive atmosphere, as shoppers browse the brightly lit stalls and local independent shops.
Elsewhere in the town, visitors can take in the picturesque viaduct river view, explore Knaresborough’s Castle Keep and Tudor Courthouse museum (Saturday only) and visit the stunning Christmas Tree festival at St John’s Parish Church or Mother Shipton’s Christmas Experience (pre-booked tickets only).
Market Chair, Hazel Haas, comments:
“Sadly we had to cancel last year’s market, so there is a real buzz in the town about its return. It’s been a difficult 18 months for Knaresborough residents and businesses and we wanted to give everyone something to look forward to. We are also keen that this year’s event benefits the town as a whole. Members of our volunteer committee from Knaresborough Chamber, Rotary and Lions’ have been liaising with other local organisations to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend. We are also supporting Air cadets, Lions, Rotary, Hearing Dogs for Deaf people and Knaresborough Cricket Club, who are our charitable partners for this year.”
Committee member Charlotte Gale from Knaresborough Chamber adds, “we have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street. We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. The businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.”
As always, the market weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday 5 December with a fantastic firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s famous viaduct and the Nidd Gorge. This is best seen from any viewpoint which overlooks the river area.
The centre of Knaresborough is largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free Park and Ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the market square.
Great North Auto Services offers a wide range of vehicle services and repairs across all vehicle makes and models, including MOT, services and tyres. Located just outside Knaresborough on the A168 at Rabbit Hill Business Park, we are well placed to serve all the local surrounding areas and offer courtesy cars or a free collection and delivery service.