Welcome to the Harrogate and Knaresborough page of the Business North Yorkshire newsletter. Here you will find details of local networking groups, events in the area, and business news from around the constituency.

To feature your business news or events, contact us by email.

Networking events in your area

In Group Networking

The Balcony, Harrogate Cricket Club

• Monday 17 November, 9.45am to 11.30am

Get ready to connect and grow with like-minded individuals at the In Group Networking Group event.

For full details and to book a place on the In Group Networking event, please visit Eventbrite.

News and events in your area

Export Roadshow

Wednesday 15 October from 9.30am to 12.15pm at Cedar Court, Harrogate.

Are you a business in York and North Yorkshire wanting to start exporting or find ways to grow your exports? The Export Support Roadshow can help you do that.  

Delivered in partnership with Department for Business and Trade and the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, this roadshow will introduce you to export experts who will share practical guidance.  

Businesses attending will receive practical advice from experts as well as local business owners who have already started their export journey with positive results.    

Register for the Export Roadshow roadshow here.

The Ultimate Sales Masterclass

Business owners and sales professionals are invited to attend The Ultimate Sales Masterclass, a free two and a half hour session taking place on Friday, 21 November from 9.30am to 12pm at the Balcony Sports Bar, Harrogate. Led by certified business coach and sales expert Andy Joy, this interactive workshop is packed with actionable strategies to boost sales performance, overcome common challenges, and develop essential sales skills. Attendees will learn how to refine their sales process, qualify prospects, handle objections, and build strong customer relationships. The session is ideal for anyone looking to elevate their sales results and drive business growth. Free venue parking is available.

Register for the Ultimate Sales Masterclass here.

Building Connections

Small and medium sized builders are invited to the Federation of Master Builders breakfast meeting at the Harrogate Convention Centre on Saturday 1 November, from 8.30am to 9.30am. This free networking event offers a relaxed, informal setting to connect with fellow builders, share experiences, and discover how the Federation of Master Builders can support your business with advice, training, and new opportunities. Whether you’re an Federation of Master Builders member or simply interested in learning more, all are welcome to attend. Enjoy coffee and a bacon roll while growing your network and finding out how being part of a trusted community can benefit your business.

Register for the Building Connections event here.

Business Spotlight

Yorkshire Appetite

Eight years ago, Yorkshire Appetite was founded with a simple but powerful idea: to bring the concept of food tours to Yorkshire, celebrating the region’s rich food heritage, independent eateries, and fantastic local produce.

Today, Yorkshire Appetite runs tours in York, Harrogate, Leeds, and Ripon. Each three-hour experience takes small groups to four or five independent food spots, where guests sample delicious dishes and hear the stories behind the food, the people, and the county itself. From dales cheeses to street food influenced by global flavours, every tour is a true celebration of Yorkshire’s culinary diversity. The business is supported by a passionate team of seven guides, all dedicated to sharing their love of Yorkshire and its food.

The business’s commitment to quality and customer experience has not gone unnoticed. Yorkshire Appetite was recently awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, placing it in the top 10% of experiences worldwide. Guests regularly praise the tours, describing them as “the best way to discover York,” “the highlight of a birthday weekend,” and “a brilliant team experience—far better than a meeting room!”

Like many in the tourism and hospitality sector, Yorkshire Appetite has faced its share of challenges, from raising its profile to navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic. Throughout, the business has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, finding new ways to grow and engage with customers. North Yorkshire Council has been proud to support Yorkshire Appetite on its journey, providing advice, sharing information, and signposting opportunities that have helped the business to thrive. This support has given the team the confidence to innovate, expand their offering, and continue showcasing Yorkshire at its best.

Looking ahead, Yorkshire Appetite is committed to spreading the word about Yorkshire’s incredible food scene. Plans include launching new tours, building more partnerships with local independents, and creating even more opportunities for groups and businesses to experience something different.

The Japanese Shop

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The Japanese Shop, founded in 1998 by Jez and Hiromi Willard, is a thriving business in Harrogate inspired by the couple’s experiences living in Japan. The shop offers a unique selection of authentic Japanese gifts, both online and in their new Harrogate showroom. With a focus on exceptional customer service - mirroring the high standards found in Japan. The business has built a loyal customer base, including individuals and well-known corporate clients.

As The Japanese Shop’s popularity grew, the team quickly found themselves limited by their original office and warehouse space. The restricted premises made it difficult to expand their product range and keep up with increasing demand. By negotiating with their landlord, they were able to double their office space, which allowed for a more efficient warehouse setup and significantly increased their operating capacity. The addition of a new showroom has also opened up opportunities to welcome more visitors and generate additional revenue.

The support provided by North Yorkshire Council has been a key factor in The Japanese Shop’s recent success. The council helped the business access a range of training courses for staff, ensuring the team could continue to deliver excellent service and adapt to new challenges. They also identified strategic business and finance seminars for the leadership team, helping to strengthen the company’s management and planning. The council also facilitated valuable connections with other local business owners, enabling The Japanese Shop to share experiences, ideas, and support within the Harrogate business community.

Founder and Managing Director, Jez, said: ““I am extremely confident that with continued support from North Yorkshire Council, The Japanese Shop can continue to grow both as a company and in the wider contribution that it makes to the local economy. We are very proud to live in Harrogate, and we want to continue to build a business that Harrogate can be proud of!”

With this combination of determination and support, The Japanese Shop achieved a significant increase in annual sales last year and continues to grow. The business now employs a dedicated team and is aiming to reach even greater heights in the coming year.

Stuzzi

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Founded in 2014 by four English guys with an Italian obsession, Stuzzi delivers an authentic taste of Italy beyond the tourist traps. After cutting their teeth in the Leeds hospitality scene the crew undertook a 'Grand Tour' of Italy, driving across the country meeting local producers, learning traditional cooking techniques and immersing themselves in Italy's 'stuzzicchini" culture.

On returning to Leeds, they hosted a series of sell out pop ups at venues including Belgrave Music Hall before opening their first restaurant in Harrogate in 2014, followed by Merrion Street in Leeds in 2019.

Stuzzi's obsession with all things Italian has evolved into the creation of their own line of products including Stuzzi Gin Per Negroni, Nduja ketchup, Napoluzzi sauce, handmade pastas and crocante snacks that they sell in store and at artisan markets and independent retailers across Yorkshire.

Stuzzi has received critical acclaim from the independent food and drink industry, attracting visits from top chefs including Nadiya Hussain, and listings in The Good Food Guide and Harden's Guide.