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.
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.