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15
Sept
Council gives update on abandoned Harrogate hotel
After our previous article on the state – and mystery – of the Kimberley Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire Council has provided an update on what’s going on behind the scenes.
In July, the council and North Yorkshire Police met with the property owners and requested that they implement a range of safety and security measures at the premises.
After the meeting with local authorities, the owners have agreed to undertake security works, and these are currently ongoing.
This request comes after continuous spates of anti-social behaviour, including drug-taking and arson, in the abandoned hotel since it closed in 2020.
As recently as August 29, police were called to the former Kimberley Hotel, on King's Road, after two children gained access and were found exploring the dangerous site.
Police warned that the building presented ‘significant dangers’, including holes in the floors and the presence of asbestos.
The boarded-up Kimberley Hotel in 2025.
A local resident also contacted the Stray Ferret to express concerns, including reporting that he saw two young boys going into the basement on September 13. He said that he has contacted the council and ward councillor without response.
North Yorkshire Council has the power to buy property without the owner’s consent when it poses a risk to the public or is not adequately secured against unauthorised access, called a Compulsory Purchase Order.
While the council have not confirmed if this action is being considered, it did say that the situation will continue to be monitored closely.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
Work is ongoing with community partners to address this issue by liaising with the owners to make the site more secure.
No response was received when contacting four different people involved in the Kimberley Hotel, who had previously communicated with the Stray Ferret on the matter.
The Stray Ferret also contacted Councillor Peter Lacey regarding the premises but we are yet to hear back.
We will continue to ask questions and update readers on developments at the former hotel that has been a blight on King's Road for six years.
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