Mr Holdgate was a resident of Emmerdale and the builder and owner of Holdgate Farm until his death in 1995.
During his life, Mr. Holdgate provided produce for the holiday village shop which the Glovers continued after renting it from the Tates.
Wishing Well Cottage was a barn belonging to the estate of Holdgate Farm, which Mr Holdgate rented out to the Dingles. Upon his death, the new owner Frank Tate tried to evict them as it was his property. Wishing Well became unaffiliated to Holdgate Farm in December 1995, three months after Mr. Holdgate's death.