My Yorkshire: Businessman Martin Allison on Dales walks, loyalty and 'missionary work from Yorkshire'

I have fond memories of digging with a lollypop stick for gold doubloons on Treasure Island after venturing on the Hispaniola pirate ship in Scarborough. I can recollect the excitement my brother and I had running and looking for buried doubloon having travelled down from the North-East in our father’s pea green Hillman Hunter – now that’s dating me!

What's your favourite part of the county and why?

The East Coast from Saltburn to Filey. I was born and raised in a small mining village in the North-East, and our house had views over fields to the sea. You can’t beat breathing in fresh sea air and of course, enjoying lobster and chips.

What's your idea of a perfect weekend/day out in Yorkshire?

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales with friends and enjoying a wonderful pub lunch. For years our New Year's Eve has been walking from Burnsall and back to the Red Lion for soup, sandwiches and chips, then home and Jools Holland!

Do you have a favourite walk, or view?

During Covid, we all had a chance to learn so many new walks, and the Leeds Country Way was fascinating. My favourite walk still remains Hardcastle Craggs and the water reflection of Gibson Mill – so typically Yorkshire and a National Trust treasure.

Which Yorkshire stage or screen star would you like to take for dinner, and why?

Jodie Whittaker, the Yorkshire version of Gladys Althorpe from the Boddington’s advert but I’d bet she’d buy ‘er own! Jodie came across really well on a cookery programme with Jamie Oliver and I loved the fact she was the first female Doctor.

Name your Yorkshire “hidden gem”.

I’ll declare an ‘interest’, but I have to say looking out of the window of the Bike & Boot Inn overlooking the South Bay at Scarborough is spectacular. I’ve witnessed wonderful sunsets, electric storms and some of the finest cocktails from the Bareca bar!

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

The people of Yorkshire have a loyalty to their neighbours and places more than to their country. Also, differences in perceptions and backgrounds are valued (even between t’ Ridings!), along with persistence to get things done, despite a few Luddites who might try to get in the way of progress.

If you could own one thing in Yorkshire for a day, what would it be?

Sheffield Cutler’s Hall and I’d invite as many people as possible to a charity dinner to raise funds for local charities. The Cutler’s Hall is an amazing venue, and the Cutler’s Feasts are a privilege to attend. I have great memories of various events over the years.

How do you immerse yourself in Yorkshire's cultural life?

When I boarded the train at Durham station to go to University, my mother said, ‘Get some culture’.

I listened for once and now love going to brass band concerts, the Leeds International Piano Festival, and the many outside venues and festivals (how I miss the Grassington Festival). Christmas would not be complete without a visit to the Bradford Alhambra for the Billy Pearce panto and a curry. I’ve tried hard with ballet and opera, but I definitely prefer my monthly Film Club with my mates.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

My historic favourite was Leodis, as I provided some finance to help Martin Spalding and Steve Kendell to set it up. Kendell’s Bistro is still very high on my list, but having recently celebrated my 60th in the back room of Sous Le Nez (with claret), which is still my choice on a Friday lunchtime.

Do you have a favourite food shop?

Yorkshire is blessed with so many that this is so hard. However, I always return to Lewis and Cooper in Northallerton to fill various hampers and gifts.

Do you ever find yourself “selling” Yorkshire to others?

When I worked in the City of London, they used to say the Guvnor is on ‘missionary work from Yorkshire’ as bankers trained in Yorkshire came with a reputation of preaching prudence and firmness. Actually, I sat on the board of the Yorkshire and Humberside Development Agency, and we attracted several international companies to Yorkshire, including Bemis Packaging (to Brigg) and several Samsung and Nissan suppliers from the Far East to South Yorkshire.

How do you think Yorkshire has changed in the time you’ve known it?

It wasn’t ‘dark satanic mills’ in the 1980s when I arrived, but there was definitely a sense of former glories and the need to regenerate and rebuild. Older industries were being phased out, and some utilities were sold off. The county has cleaned up and become more marketing savvy, with economic clusters and specialisms also developing in specific regions.

However, over decades much power has been centralised to London and, indeed, other countries. Fortunately, Yorkshire continues to have a large proportion of multi-generational family businesses, which provides more longevity, resilience and stability. Yorkshire has always had confidence, but I am getting a little worried that it may be more style than substance … living here for over 35 years plus means I can say it how I see it!

Has Yorkshire influenced your work?

My banking career and education directly resulted from moving to Leeds, studying at the Polytechnic and then working in most Yorkshire towns and cities. Realising the importance of SMEs to the economy, I specialised in this area and, upon returning from London, wanted to work with private business owners again. Some great friends and I set up a business coaching and peer learning board franchise, and since then, I’ve helped entrepreneurs to increase the value of their businesses and aided their exit plans. Yorkshire folk appreciate hard work and those who genuinely have an interest in supporting them through good times and bad.

Name your favourite Yorkshire author/artist/performer.

Corrine Bailey Rae playing at Leeds Town Hall or the Olde Town and Country Club (now O2 Academy) is just amazing, and she has rightly become an international superstar. However, my favourite artist/author/director is definitely the inspiration named Jude Kelly, who has done so much for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the wider Arts Sector in Leeds and the country.

If a stranger had time to visit only one place in the county, where would you send them?

On a stormy night, sailing a ship into the harbour at Whitby with a classic Bram Stoker novel to enjoy!