Businesses owners are set to grill Harrogate council’s leader over concern about the future of the town centre.
Cllr Richard Cooper will join an online meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce tonight, which is expected to see questions on reopening plans, sustainable transport and the town’s future.
Business owners have been left concerned over the direction of the town amid various proposals for sustainable transport and council measures to support traders reopening, which includes a buy a bike scheme.
It comes as Harrogate Borough Council revealed a plan to help retail and hospitality reopen from today as part of the Government’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.
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The blueprint includes a “Buy Local By Bike” scheme and a “London Tube style” app that aims to urge shoppers to get cycling and support businesses around Harrogate and Knaresborough.
But Sandra Doherty, chair of the chamber of commerce, said the plans have left businesses “bemused” about the focus on cyclists.
She said:
“It seems unrealistic to focus just on cyclists. It should have been a much broader offering.”
Further measures include shops being allowed to stay open until 10pm and pavement licences, which form part of national measures.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously, Cllr Cooper said he was optimistic ahead of lockdown being relaxed but added it must be in a safe way.
He said:
“All the statistics we see show infections and hospitalisations heading in the right direction because of the effect the vaccine is having coupled with the lockdown.
“I know it has been the toughest year for business. We all know that. That is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally where possible and to choose a local retailer where we can, if we are shopping online.”
But Ms Doherty said business owners will want to ask the council leader what the town as a whole will look like in future.
Local business organisations, such as Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, have already expressed concern over the £7.9million Station Gateway plan, which could see more cycle routes and pedestrianisation of James Street.
The project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, the borough council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Ms Doherty said of the chamber’s members:
“They will be asking what benefits this will bring the to the town.
“Most businesses will be looking to the future. It would be nice to see where Harrogate council are hoping to go.”
The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, how he would be supporting the town ahead of reopening but did not receive a response.
