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Popular Ripon business celebrates decade on Kirkgate

Wednesday, 2 September 2026 07:37

Liz Hill outside the Karma premises in Kirkgate. (Images: Tim Flanagan)

An independent Ripon boutique is preparing to celebrate ten years of trading on Kirkgate.

Liz and Kevin Hill opened Karma in October 2016 after Liz visited Ripon and fell in love with the city.

The bohemian boutique and gift shop sells a range of ethically sourced own-brand clothing and accessories.

Liz said:

“The shop was offered to me and I hadn’t been into Ripon for a long time.

“I came to look and fell in love with Kirkgate and Ripon in general.”

The business survived the challenges of the Covid pandemic with the support of its customers, who continued to place orders online and by telephone.

Liz said:

“Being closed for so long was a bit scary, but the people of Ripon were amazing and kept us going by ordering online or by phone.

“I would drop off their goodies. It was so lovely to see regular faces, albeit behind masks and two metres away!”

Alongside running the shop, Liz is a practitioner of Yoga Nidra guided meditation and has developed a worldwide following through her YouTube channel.

One of her 20-minute meditation videos has attracted more than 18 million views.

Karma has also worked with other independent businesses to organise events in the city, including Ripon’s Yoga and Wellness event.

More than 800 people attended this year’s event at the Old Deanery, with plans already being developed for its return in 2027.

Liz said Ripon’s independent business community had played an important role in Karma’s success.

She said:

“The business community of Ripon is very supportive and I love the way ideas are shared and then events created off the back of them.

“We have such a varied selection of amazing businesses and we can direct people to where they will find what they are looking for. Visitors love that.”

Ripon BID Manager Lilla Bathurst said Karma attracts regular customers from across Yorkshire, the northeast, Scotland, Lancashire and Derbyshire, as well as overseas shoppers online.

She added:

“As a destination business, Karma attracts people who visit Ripon specifically to go to Liz and Kevin’s shop, bringing spin-off benefits to other businesses in the city.”

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