Business news in Skipton and Ripon
Welcome to the Skipton and Ripon 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
Co-working Days in Ripon
The Ripon Inn, Park St, Ripon HG4 2BU
- 2, 3, 9 and 10 December 9:30am to 5pm
Bring your laptop, enjoy a free coffee or tea, work, network and create
For full details and to book a place on the Co-working Days in Ripon, please visit Eventbrite.
Skipton Business Social
Elsworth at the Mill, High Corn Mill, Chapel Hill, Skipton
- 2 December 6.30pm to 9pm
For full details please visit the Skipton Business Networking website.
"FORE" Business Golf and Networking
Rudding Park Golf Club, Rudding Lane, Follifoot, HG3 1JH
- 10 December 7:20am to 2pm
Skipton Business Breakfast
Coopers Cafe and Bar, Skipton
- 15 December 8am to 10am
Bring your laptop, enjoy a free coffee or tea, work, network and create
For full details please visit the Skipton Business Networking website.
Second Business Bees - Quarterly Networking Quarterly Networking, Building Professional Networks
Cross Hills Near Skipton
- 7 January 2026 8am to 10am
Complimentary breakfast courtesy of The Good Food Story. Hear from inspiring speakers!
For full details and to book a place on the Second Business Bees event, please visit Eventbrite.
Training
Getting Your Story Out There
1 December 6pm to 9pm, Skipton
This workshop is designed for local artists, creatives, and freelancers who want to improve their media presence. It is suitable for anyone looking to get coverage in local news, whether they are new to PR or want to sharpen their existing skills.
For full details please visit the Craven Arts website.
Building Community in our Workplaces
4 December 10:30am to midday, Flasby near Skipton
We’re wired to connect – yet so many workplaces are struggling with disconnection, disengagement, and dwindling energy. In this powerful and practical session, April-Joy Serrant, Co-director at The Workplace Collective, will unpack the neuroscience of human connection and reveal why belonging isn’t a “nice to have” - it is a performance multiplier. Email to book jane@fortempeople.co.uk
First Aid at Work training
16 January 9am to 4pm, Masham
Ready to boost your skills? Join this accredited First Aid at Work Training Day in Masham! This in-person session is perfect for anyone wanting to learn how to handle emergencies with confidence. Whether you are new to first aid or need a refresher, we have you covered.
For full details and to book a place on the First Aid at Work training, please visit Eventbrite.
News and events in your area
Pateley Bridge Christmas Market
Friday 5 December from 4pm to 8:30pm
Lots to do including a Lantern Parade (with Santa on a tractor), St Cuthbert’s Christmas Tree Festival, Santa, Summerbridge and Dacre Band, Nidderdale Community Choir, Nidderdale Museum (free entry), Christmas children's trail, artisan market (Pateley Makers Yard, King Street Art Workshops), Kind Roots Collective pop-up café, bar and craft market (Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall), late-night market and café (Pateley Auction Mart), Spirit of Christmas Magical Ghost Trail.
And finally, community photo competition display, family soap making (pre-booking required); Christmas card printing drop-in workshop all found at Thread Nidd.
Nidd Plus shuttle bus will be running continuously from 5pm to 8 pm to aid travel.
For more information, visit the Thread Nidd website.
The Pateley Bridge Christmas Market
Continues Saturday 6 December 10am to 4pm
Featuring Nidderdale Museum- special all-day opening, St Cuthbert’s Church Christmas Tree Festival and Santa, artisan market (Pateley Makers Yard, King Street Art Workshops), Kind Roots Collective pop-up café, bar and craft market (Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall), Spirit of Christmas Magical Ghost Trail. And finally, community photo competition display, Christmas baubles and bunting workshop (pre-booking required).
For more information, visit the Thread Nidd website.
Skipton Town Hall Christmas makers market
Sunday 7 December 11am to 4pm, Skipton
Discover handmade gifts and support local artists and makers. Explore original art, stylish homeware, ceramics, fashion, bath treats, and plenty more. With over 30 stalls, there is something for everyone on your Christmas list.
Wellness Walk – Mountain Boardroom
12 December 12:30pm to 3pm, Ilkley Moor
The Mountain Boardroom is heading to Ilkley Moor this December for our traditional end of year Wellness Walk, followed by drinks in Ilkley town centre. This is a lovely day to end the week on a (literal) high, whilst taking time to reflect on the year that has passed and connect with other like minds. Get away from your desk, out of the office, and give yourself some time and space for you, away from all the distractions, all while getting the steps in and chatting with like-minded professionals and business owners.
For full details and to book a place on the Wellness Walk event, please visit Eventbrite.
Mashamshire Community office annual general meeting
16 December 1pm to 4pm, Masham
Trustees will be providing an update on what has been achieved during 2024 to 2025, sharing the charity accounts and future plans. Following the formalities, you are invited to stay to enjoy a drink and bite to eat with us, so come along in person to catch up with fellow community members, hear updates, and share ideas.
Business Spotlight
Thread CIC
Based in Pateley Bridge, Thread CIC is a creative community hub providing young people across North Yorkshire with a place to learn, explore and belong. With huge thanks to the North Yorkshire Business Department for their help and support in getting us started, Thread has quickly grown from a small idea into a vibrant space where creativity and opportunity meet. Set in three practical learning rooms, we offer different art and creative skills. These include printing, painting, stop motion, 3D, and crafts.
We work with children and young people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with SEND and SEMH needs, those who find mainstream education challenging, and families who home educate. Our aim is simple – to offer a flexible, supportive environment where every young person can build confidence, develop new skills and gain recognised qualifications while enjoying what they do.
Thread began by running creative workshops and upskilling sessions in art, printmaking, and crafts, and has since become a registered Arts Award Centre, enabling students to achieve nationally recognised qualifications from Discover through to Silver (GCSE equivalent). From January, we will offer Functional Skills in English and Math's, as well as Business and Employability courses, giving students practical skills and clear pathways to further education or employment. It is vital that recognised qualifications are available to support the skills that are developed.
Challenges
We are now developing ways to engage children across North Yorkshire, secure funding to develop our school offering both at Thread and within schools themselves.
Support Provided by North Yorkshire Council
Thread CIC has been fortunate to receive incredible support from our local North Yorkshire Council Senior Business Advisor and other departments, whose guidance and encouragement have helped Thread develop and continue to develop. From the very beginning, we benefited from practical advice, connecting us with the wider North Yorkshire Council and helping us navigate the different funding streams available to community interest companies like ours. Through regular check-ins and introductions, they have helped us build valuable connections and networks with other local businesses, schools, and community organisations. We hope to continue to work together, facilitating Thread to grow and enabling more young people to be supported across North Yorkshire
Results
Beyond the classroom, Thread runs a packed programme of community and family events, from after-school clubs and weekend workshops to pop-up creative sessions during holidays. Every activity is designed to build confidence, connection, and joy – whether it is through painting, podcasting, or making something brilliant by hand.
At Thread, we believe every young person deserves to feel capable, valued, and confident about their future. The arts give them that chance – to stand tall, to express themselves and to be proud of what they can do.
Some feedback from some of our learners
“My kids had an amazing time creating at Thread- we will be back”
“Both my children came out absolutely full of it. They get so excited about going. This is the first time my child has managed to stay anywhere without me (other than his grandparents) since school (which he left nearly 3 years ago). “
“A real confidence boost for my child, has really enjoyed learning a new skill and to be given a chance to try new things”
Medley Ripon
Business Overview
Medley Ripon was founded by local entrepreneurs Sarah Lewis and Katie Reeves after both experienced the challenges of working independently without access to a professional, social workspace in Ripon. Having each recognised the same need, they met by chance at a networking event and soon realised they shared a vision - to create a welcoming, flexible co-working community for local professionals, freelancers, and small business owners.
The pair launched Medley Ripon with a series of co-working pop-up sessions in Ripon in partnership with hospitality businesses. Offering people a productive place to work, meet others, and build local connections. In October, they hosted four pop-ups with over 25 attendees (and more events planned in November and December). Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming strong demand for a regular co-working hub and already inspiring collaborations between participants.
Early challenges include a lack of local awareness, funding options, and finding a permanent location to house the co-working business long term. Introducing a new co-working concept to a smaller city centre requires building awareness and community trust from the ground up.
The North Yorkshire Council Business Advisor and Economic Development Team have provided mentoring, business advice, and valuable introductions to local property owners. Plus, they have helped get the word out about the pop-ups and longer-term plans. This support helped refine the business model, establish key relationships, and progress plans for a permanent co-working space in Ripon.
“The support from the North Yorkshire Council has been invaluable - it gave us both the structure and confidence to turn an idea into a growing community project.” — Sarah Lewis and Katie Reeves, Founders, Medley Ripon
Medley Ripon is quickly building momentum, receiving positive survey feedback, steadily increasing attendance at the pop-up events, a lot of local support and press coverage in The York Press. The project shows how small, community-driven initiatives can work to boost local economic growth, support local business owners through the economic ripple effect and improve professional wellbeing by fostering collaboration and keeping professionals connected.
“Medley was exactly what you wanted from a co-working space - a nice buzz, a warm welcome, and the chance to get work done while connecting with other freelancers.” - Alice Madill, Triple Crow Digital For further information contact katie@medleyripon.co.uk and sarah@medleyripon.co.uk
Your local Senior Business Advisor
As Senior Business Advisor for Skipton and Ripon, Michaela’s primary role is to promote and support business growth and the economic potential of North Yorkshire, and she works with colleagues, partners and key stakeholders to help deliver our Economic Growth Strategy. Michaela takes the lead responsibility for delivering a bespoke one-to-one business engagement and support service to the businesses of the Skipton and Ripon constituency.
During the last 33 years, Michaela has held leadership positions in a number of businesses, including manufacturing and engineering, construction, retail and the charity sector. Her particular strengths include skills and business planning, funding applications and business development. Outside of work, Michaela is a keen gardener and enjoys the great outdoors.
To book an appointment, contact us by email.