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23
Aug
Harrogate considering bid to host cycling's Tour of Britain
Town councillors are to hold talks this week on whether Harrogate could host a stage of the 2027 Tour of Britain.
North Yorkshire will host stages of the Lloyds Tour of Britain men’s race in 2026 and 2027.
This year’s event, on Saturday, September 5, will see many of the world’s best cyclists race through Ripon, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge.
Harrogate has been overlooked, but Harrogate Town Council will discuss on Wednesday (August 26) whether it should “proactively express interest” in being considered as a host location next year.
It is not yet clear how this would be funded.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council agreed to pay British Cycling £550,000 to host stages in 2026 and 2027.
As a parish council, Harrogate Town Council’s entire budget for 2026/27 is £740,639.
Paul Forster, the town council’s new events and culture lead, said in a report ahead of Wednesday’s meeting that any financial, operational or legal commitments can be brought back for approval once detailed information is available.
Mr Forster said:
Harrogate is well placed to make a compelling case. It has a strong visitor economy, an attractive and recognisable town centre, established hospitality infrastructure, access to green spaces, a proven events culture and a local community that regularly supports outdoor civic events.
The event could also be used as more than a one-day sporting spectacle. It could become a platform for a wider ‘cycling, wellbeing and town celebration’ programme involving schools, cycling clubs, businesses, community groups, cultural partners, local hospitality and active travel partners.
The Tour de Yorkshire 2018 in Leyburn Pic: swpix.com
He added that the council does not currently “need to commit to full event delivery”, adding:
The immediate requirement is to agree a clear position: Harrogate should be proactively put forward for consideration.
Local economy
The Tour of Britain is one of the world’s leading cycling competitions, attracting elite international teams and broadcast to more than 100 countries.
Organisers claim each stage can generate £2 million to £12 million for the local economy. The Tour of Britain Women took place in Cumbria and Wales this week.
Talks on the 2027 route design are expected to begin early next year.
Harrogate successfully hosted the Tour de France in 2014, but the 2019 UCI Road World Championships were marred by torrential rain.
Mr Forster said:
North Yorkshire Council are under the impression that Harrogate and its residents are bike event fatigued. This is due to past events being held in town as well as an incident which led to the Stray being damaged. North Yorkshire Council are NOT currently considering Harrogate to be part of the race route.
Mr Forster recommended the town council’s events, culture and heritage committee agree in principle to support Harrogate being explored as a potential start, finish, featured route location in 2027. He added:
Harrogate Town Council’s potential financial exposure should therefore be carefully limited at this early stage. A prudent approach would be to approve officer exploration only at this point.
If Harrogate is shortlisted or invited to play a more formal role, a detailed budget should be brought back to Committee before any commitment is made.
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