Harrogate tourism body makes health and wellbeing top priority

Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism organisation has identified health and wellbeing, events and responsible tourism as its priorities over the next three years.

The council set up Destination Harrogate last year as its new ‘destination management organisation’ to showcase the Harrogate district and to grow the visitor economy and attract inward investment.

Destination Harrogate has now unveiled its three-year plan to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment”.

The plan was approved by senior councillors at a cabinet meeting yesterday.

According to a council press release, the visitor economy makes up 14.3 per cent of the economy in Harrogate district.

The plan cites health and wellbeing as its top priority. It says it wants to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice health and wellbeing destination”.

Read more:

Its second priority is to “position Harrogate district as a first-choice events destination by attracting, hosting and delivering exceptional events”.

The council press release said:

“A year-round festival, conference and events programme will ensure a lift in the visitor economy and enable sustainable growth.”

Responsible tourism is the third priority. The press release says:

“As we become more conscious of and conscientious about green travel and sustainable tourism, the DMO will work with partners to develop a responsible tourism strategy in order to be recognised as a destination for responsible tourism by 2030.

“In doing so, the DMO intends to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of tourism, and enhance the economic and cultural benefits for visitors, businesses, and residents.”

Worth £600m to economy

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the council, said:

“The visitor economy plays a huge role locally, underpinning 8,000 jobs and bringing £600 million in to our economy. Without it our district would be a very different place with fewer shops, businesses and job opportunities. That is why it is important that we seek to grow the visitor economy.

“This plan is the culmination of a number of interviews and surveys provided by people and businesses that have a direct input into the success of our visitor economy and who have shared their ideas and suggestions to take us forward.”

Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said: 

“To attract business and investment, a destination must be distinctive, attractive and well managed and we have developed this destination management plan to set out the vision, priorities and actions, we – as a destination – need to put in place to meet that vision.

“Key stakeholders from visitor attractions and restaurants, independent hotels, conference venues and event organisers from across the district have contributed towards the shared goals of our ambitious plan to achieve the long-term vision of a visitor economy worth around £835 million per annum by 2030.”

Victoria Shopping Centre value falls by more than 80% in 10 years

When Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre opened in place of the old Market Hall in 1992 it came at a time of hustle and bustle on the high street.

Two decades later, things are now very different with the rapid emergence of online shopping and the covid pandemic dramatically changing people’s shopping habits for good.

This changing state of the high street has been highlighted by new figures which show the shopping centre is worth less than 20% of what it was valued at a decade ago.

The figures from Harrogate Borough Council – which owns but does not run the shopping centre at Station Square – show its estimated value has fallen from £4.8 million in 2011 to just £925,000 last year.

And the latest evaluation is an even bigger drop from when the building lease was bought by developers for £23 million in 1998 ahead of a revamp of the building, which was initially inspired by the famous Palladian Basilica in Italy.

Read more:

The council has this week confirmed it has no plans to sell the shopping centre and also said it believes the building will play a key role on the high street for years to come – especially with the £11 million Station Gateway project, which will get underway this year. It is part of the wider Transforming Cities Fund project.

A council spokesperson said: 

“Like all high streets up and down the country, the demand for and value of some commercial properties has declined over the last few years.

“There are numerous reasons for this, not least the increase in online sales as well as the introduction of out-of-town retail parks and the global pandemic over the last two years.

“We aspire to continue this drive in footfall by working with colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the £11 million Transforming Cities Fund project.

“This project, which has been supported by government funding, will begin later this year to improve sustainable travel options and provide a better town centre environment to help support the local economy.”

The council also said its new destination management plan – which was approved yesterday and aims to boost the value of the district’s visitor economy from £600 million to £835 million by 2030 – will also help drive footfall on the high street.

It said the plan will “position the Harrogate district as a first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment.”

The council added: 

“The visitor economy makes up 14.3% of the economy in Harrogate district and tourism plays a significant role in helping to ensure this continues.”

In numbers: how the Victoria Shopping Centre’s value has declined

The company that runs the Victoria Shopping Centre declined to comment.

15,000 Harrogate district households could miss out on council tax rebate

Around 15,000 Harrogate district households could miss out on a £150 council tax rebate because they do not have a direct debit set up with the borough council.

The government announced the support last month to help ease the impact of huge rises in gas and electricity costs.

The payment will be made in April directly into the bank accounts of households with council tax bandings of A – D, but only if they have a direct debit set up with the council.

Anyone paying by any other means will need to make a claim or risk missing out on the £150.

Harrogate Borough Council has this week confirmed it is reaching out to around 15,000 households in this situation to urge them to sign up.

A council spokesperson said: 

“We’re still going through the government guidance for the scheme but we can ensure we’ll do everything we can and make every effort to ensure all eligible residents receive the rebate.

“The easiest way to ensure residents will receive this rebate is by signing up to pay their council tax by direct debit as it will be paid automatically.

“If you do not pay your council tax by direct debit you will be contacted by email or letter in due course so that this information can be provided.

“Please note, we will not contact you by telephone for this information.”

Read more:

Some concerns have been raised about the way the payments will be distributed, with Harrogate’s Liberal Democrats describing the approach as “complicated” and “divisive”.

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition party on Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Surely the best way to do it is just to reduce everyone’s council tax bill by £150 at source.

“The bills have not gone out yet, so there is time to do it.”

Cllr Marsh also echoed calls for a one-off windfall tax on big profit oil and gas companies to “raise money to support millions of families facing soaring energy costs”.

This comes after figures from the Liberal Democrats showed Harrogate residents will be among the hardest hit by the energy crisis, with households in the district paying around £796 more this year.

Cllr Marsh said: 

“For years the Conservatives have ignored this problem and failed to take the bold action we need to reduce fuel poverty.

“Boris Johnson cannot look the other way any longer while families face an impossible choice between heating and eating.”

The government has argued that a one-off tax like this would put jobs and investments at risk – something Harrogate MP Andrew Jones previously said would be “very dangerous” and a “potentially hugely damaging blow to British industry.”

As well as the £150 council tax rebate, the government has also announced a £200 discount on energy bills for all domestic electricity customers from October, with the government meeting the costs.

However, unlike the council tax rebate, this discount will be automatically recovered from people’s bills in equal £40 instalments over a five year period from 2023, when it is hoped global wholesale gas prices will have come down.

For more information on the council tax rebate go to www.harrogate.gov.uk/council-tax.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Diesel spill reported near Menwith Hill

Drivers are urged to take care after police have reported a diesel spill near Menwith Hill following a crash.

Roads affected include Meagill Lane, A59 towards Harrogate and Hardisty Hill.

North Yorkshire County Council highways is on its way to treat the surface. Police say no injuries have been reported.

*Traffic Alert* Reports of a diesel spill near #MenwithHill Roads affected include Meagill Lane, #A59 towards Harrogate and Hardisty Hill. @northyorkscc are on their way to treat the surface but please take care in the area. Thankfully no injuries form this RTC pic.twitter.com/jXrpnbAN9K

— Sgt Paul Cording BEM (@OscarRomeo1268) March 2, 2022

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Welcome to Yorkshire enters administration

Troubled tourism organisation Welcome to Yorkshire has been placed into administration.

In a statement this afternoon, Sir Peter Box CBE, chair of the organisation, said it was with “deep regret” that the board had taken the decision.

He said the impact of covid and the “task of securing sufficient funding” had made the situation at the tourism body “increasingly challenging”.

Sir Peter Box said in his statement:

“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for Board members and staff as we have endeavoured to deal with well-publicised legacy issues.

“These matters, coupled with the impact of covid and the task of securing sufficient funding from the public and private sectors to place WtY on a sound financial footing, have made the situation increasingly challenging.

“The de Bois review of Destination Management Organisations could have created the opportunity for WtY to be given the structure and long-term funding required to move on, grow and develop into the organisation we believe it should be on behalf of Yorkshire and its people.

“Sadly, the decision of the Yorkshire leaders not to commit to a multi-year funding package, whilst understandable, removed that pathway and means that WtY cannot continue in its present form.

“Most importantly, I want to pay tribute to the team of talented and dedicated professional staff who have continued to do remarkable work in the toughest of circumstances to promote Yorkshire’s many attractions to the world.  I offer my heartfelt thanks and wish them well in their future careers.

“I must also place on record my gratitude to those board members who have remained with WtY, working selflessly in a collective effort to save the organisation from closure.

“It is my sincere hope that the public sector will recognise the value of a new regional Destination Management Organisation to build on the many achievements of WtY.

“This can offer our tourism industry the chance to move forward with a focused approach, deliver on regional priorities, and secure the best outcomes for everyone who visits, lives, works and studies in Yorkshire.”

Rob Adamson, Michael Kienlen and Daryl Warwick of Armstrong Watson LLP have been appointed as joint administrators of Welcome to Yorkshire.

Controversy and cashflow problems

The decision follows a troubled few years for Welcome to Yorkshire.

In September, James Mason resigned as the organisation’s chief executive and the body had to approach local councils to help bail it out financially during the covid pandemic in 2020.

Both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council gave Welcome to Yorkshire £31,000 and £290,000 respectively to plug its £1.4 million funding gap.

The body also had to take out a £500,000 loan in September 2019 from North Yorkshire County Council to keep it afloat.

Read more:

It also faced allegations from Sir Thomas Ingilby, owner of Ripley Castle and Gardens, that the body had become “completely unaccountable”. Its former chief executive defended the allegations in an interview with the Stray Ferret.

The tourism body’s worries stem back as far as March 2019 when it was hit by controversy after former boss, Sir Gary Verity, resigned on health grounds. He later faced allegations of bullying and inappropriately claiming expenses, which he denied.

Two inquiries carried out after Sir Gary’s resignation cost the tourism body £482,500.

Paul Scriven, a former leader of Sheffield City Council and a Liberal Democrat peer, told the House of Lords Welcome to Yorkshire had a “culture of toxicity” and misused public funds.

LIVE: 24-hour vigil continues as Harrogate district responds to Ukraine crisis

The Harrogate district is continuing its response to the war in Ukraine with a 24 hour vigil being held this morning.

If you know of an initiative to provide help or support run by a person, charity, church, community group or business, let us know by calling the newsroom on 01423276197 or by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

5.30pm – Donation collectors say “no more” after filling unit 

Joanna Papros, Kinga Goldsmith and Adam Goldsmith are behind the donation collection park at Claro Court Business Centre. The group have said they have been overwhelmed with donations in the past few days.

The unit is now full, with items ready to be packed up tomorrow to send to Ukraine on Thursday.

Local people have donated clothes, bedding, sanitary products and long-life food to try and help those forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.

In a Facebook post they said:

“We cannot physically take any more donations. Our storage unit is full. We are really sorry to anyone planning to still come down but unfortunately (in a good way) we will have to turn you away.

“The donations we have received so far is nothing short of amazing. we cannot thank you all enough.”

12pm – Harrogate charity shop accepts monetary donations for aid in Ukraine 

The British Red Cross charity shop on Beulah Street in Harrogate has set up a fund for customers to donate to which is sent directly to its aid workers on the ground in Ukraine.

Charity shop manager, Caroline Knowles, told the Stray Ferret the fund was only set up last week and has already had several hundreds of pounds donated to it.

Ms Knowles said:

“There are workers from the Red Cross on the ground in Ukraine now helping people who need it. Each country has it’s own society which then relays what it needs to other Red Cross societies.

“We’ve had lots of people come in and simply donate and others add more to their bill after buying in the shop, it’s amazing to see how many people want to help.”

She added people can simply come into the shop to donate to the fund with no obligation to buy items.

11.30am – Vigil starts at Harrogate War Memorial

A 24 hour vigil for people in Ukraine has started outside Harrogate’s war memorial.

Around 10 people were outside the memorial, which is expected to last until 10am tomorrow morning.

Lindis Percy, organiser of the vigil, told the Stray Ferret:

“We just felt helpless and I just thought we need to do something. It’s horrific what is happening but we can stand here in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.” – thoughts of making the vigils weekly.”

Meanwhile, Kirsty Hallett, one of those who attended the vigil, said:

“I just feel what is happening against people in Ukraine is completely devastating, people are dying and their human rights are being stripped away.

“There’s so many heartbreaking stories coming out from the country and I wanted to show solidarity with these people. There’s nothing practical we can do other than support charities so I thought it was better to come out and stand here for a bit rather thank sitting at home thinking about what is happening.”

9.50am – Former Ripon student flees Ukraine

Lewis Edwards (pictured left) who has fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Lewis Edwards (pictured left) who has fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

As the Russian bombardment of Ukraine continues, former Ripon Grammar School student Lewis Edwards and his partner Tanya Bogdanovska are safe in Slovakia, but constantly thinking about family and friends facing the horror of war.

Lewis, whose family live in Ripon, has been providing regular updates, spoke the Stray Ferret this morning about his experience.

Read more on his story here.

8.40am – Profits from flower delivery to be sent to Ukraine

A Knaresborough florist is to send profits from its flower delivery to help those in Ukraine.

4 Seasons Florists on Boroughbridge Road will donate its profits to Choose Love Ukraine, which is raising money to support projects for those fleeing the war.

8.30am – 24 hour vigil to be held in Harrogate

A 24-hour vigil will begin at the war memorial in Harrogate this morning to show support with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The vigil, which has been organised by Christopher and Lindis Percy, will start at 10am and finish at 10am the following day.

Anyone is welcome to stay for as long as they want. Warm clothing is advised.

Ms Percy, who has been a well-known peace campaigner in the district for many years, said:

“The news is very dire and we thought we must do something. It is a very dangerous situation in Ukraine. We hope people will join us.”

Developer submits 181-home Kingsley Drive plan

A developer has lodged revised plans for 181 homes on Kingsley Drive after previous a previous proposal was rejected.

Persimmon Homes has lodged the fresh plan after Harrogate Borough Council rejected a development for 217 homes on the site back in August.

It is the third time that the developer has submitted a proposal at the location, which used to form part of Kingsley Farm.

The Kingsley ward area will eventually see more than 600 homes built, including developments at Granby Farm and 149 homes on Kingsley Road.

The new application would see a mixture of one, two, three and four bedroom properties built.

Read more:

Persimmon have also allocated 72 homes on the site for affordable housing.

The developer said in its documents submitted to the council that the scheme would help to “create a sustainable and mixed community”.

Residents will ‘fight tooth and nail’ to stop development

Last month, 100 residents packed into St Andrew’s Church in Starbeck for a meeting on the proposed scheme.

Three Persimmon employees attended, as did two highways consultants and a planning consultant, Paul Butler, who spoke on behalf of the developer.

(Left to right) Paul Butler (PB Planning), Graham Whiteford (Persimmon), Josh Popely (Persimmon), Cllr Philip Broadbank, Catherine Maguire (KWAG) and Chris Watt (Starbeck Residents’ Association)

Mr Butler told residents that the site is allocated for development in the Harrogate district Local Plan, a council document that outlines where new housing schemes can be built until 2034.

However, John Hansard, from Kingsley Ward Action Group, said residents “will fight tooth and nail” to stop it from happening.

He said:

“People lived here for decades and have had this beautiful view, how do you think they will feel [when it’s gone]?”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Former pub near Boroughbridge to be converted into flats

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to convert a former pub near Boroughbridge into flats, despite objections from local residents over the loss of a community asset.

Stonefield Developments applied to the council to convert the building in Lower Dunsforth, It was most recently a restaurant called The Hideaway Kitchen. Before that it was a pub called The Dunsforth.

The village is four miles from Boroughbridge.

The restaurant closed last year. Planning documents cite a “lack of customer trade and consequent viability issues” as the reason.

Now, proposals will see the ground floor of the former restaurant converted into two two-bedroom flats, along with car parking.

Read more:

The upper floor of the building already has three existing flats, so if approved the building would have six in total.

37 letters of objection

The decision comes despite objections from the local parish of Dunsforth, which said the conversion would “strip a community of a vital asset”.

Chris France, who submitted the objection to the council on behalf of the parish, added in his letter:

“The pub is the only secular amenity in the village so its removal would severely impact village life leaving nowhere for the above to take place.”

In addition, 37 letters of objection were submitted to the council pointing out that the former pub has been a community asset in the village for more than 100 years.

The move comes as other applications have been lodged to convert former working men’s and private members clubs into flats.

In January, a proposal was lodged to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Ripon City Club into a house.

Bid to open scuba diving pool in Knaresborough

A businessman has resubmitted plans for a bespoke scuba diving training pool in Knaresborough.

Tim Yarrow, owner of Harrogate-based DiveShack UK, has lodged the plans in a bid to give the district a “truly unique” facility.

The plan would see the training pool built at land at Thistle Hill in Knaresborough and see the site changed from agricultural land to a deep water diving centre.

Mr Yarrow, who has been a a scuba instructor around the world for 30 years, said the move would help to draw people in from the area and improve access to the sport.

He added that his club, which has been open since 2018, currently trains young and upcoming divers. He said the facility would help to expand this.

He said:

“Our youngest diver is now 11, having completed her course at 10 and is currently spearheading an environmental charity campaign.

“This involves eight of her school peers coming and doing try dives with us and all money is going toward the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Association. These guys are the future and the potential saviours of our planet.”

Read more:

Mr Yarrow added that he hoped the proposed facility would be sympathetic to the local area. He has resubmitted the plan after withdrawing a previous proposal following concern from Knaresborough Town Council.

He said:

“The facility proposed will allow access for Diveshack to promote courses tailored to individual needs and timings, taking very little of the land for change of use and no negative impact on the close neighbours of whom all have been consulted and are in support.

“It has been drawn up in a sympathetic way to the environment with materials and energy usage and aims to be the best, most eco designated scuba training facility in the North.

“It will allow access to an amazing sport to numerous people who would maybe never have thought they could ever give it a try.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Drainage concerns at Goldsborough housing site following Storm Franklin

Residents in Goldsborough have raised concerns over drainage on land earmarked for 36 homes following Storm Franklin.

Heavy rainfall last week caused puddles to appear on a site off Station Road in the village (pictured above), which is a mile from Knaresborough. This has renewed concerns from residents of water run off into nearby properties.

The development was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in October 2021.

However, residents say they are concerned that the surface water may affect nearby homes and that they have repeatedly warned Stonebridge Homes, the developer, and the council over flood risk.

Noel Evans, who lives next to the site, said:

“Residents have frequently over the past four years stated that the change of this field from agricultural land, where there has been recorded flooding problems, will be immensely worse once the site is filled with hard surfaces such as roofs, pathways and roadways.”

In a letter to the council, local resident Beverley Jackson added:

“These heavy rainfall events now occur every year so we cannot treat them as occasional hazards.”

Read more:

Since the heavy rainfall last week, multiple residents have submitted comments via the council’s planning portal about their concerns.

The developer lodged a drainage plan as part of its proposal, but is still awaiting approval as part of its conditions with the council.

Mr Evans said the plan would need to be “superlative” in order to reduce the risk of flooding.

New sewer system

The Stray Ferret asked both Stonebridge Homes and its parent company, Henry Boot Ltd, for comment on the concerns raised by residents at the Goldsborough site, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

However, in a letter to the council in January this year addressing public comments on drainage, Katie Purdam, senior planner at Stonebridge Homes, said drainage at the site would “not contribute to the flood risk noted by residents”.

She said:

“We have carried out the detailed technical analysis and soakaway tests to the required standards by an independent consultant, which has shown that we can provide sufficient permeability rates and therefore the development can be accommodated.

“The cause of the historic flooding noted by residents is likely the old-style sewage system which runs through the gardens on the west and east sides of Station Road, which may be poorly maintained.

“We will be providing a new sewer system, which will bypass the existing unadopted sewer system in the gardens of properties either side of Station Road. Our new foul sewer will be laid down the site access, north along Station Road and then east to connect directly into the adopted sewer at Princess Mead. 

“The drainage from our site will therefore not contribute to the flood risk noted by residents.”