A Starbeck business owner has called for urgent action on a derelict high street building that he says is damaging the image of the area.
A fire ripped through the former McColl’s supermarket in July 2018, but almost three years later, the Victorian-era building is still a burned-out shell with much of its roof missing.
Andrew Hart is the owner of Starbeck’s Post Office which stands opposite the building. He said he has grown frustrated with progress to refurbish it and said it’s holding the wider area back from redevelopment.
He said:
“Anyone driving to Knaresborough or visiting Starbeck are looking at this great eyesore. It’s a shambles.”
“We are being rejuvenated in Starbeck with new shops and bars opening but this is putting off investment.”
Mr Hart said the building reminds him of a World War II bomb site and has become “the disgrace of Starbeck”.
He added:
“We have customers coming to the post office who say the building looks disgusting. It’s having a detrimental impact on my business.”
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Mr Hart called on Liberal Democrat councillor for Starbeck, Philip Broadbank, to push the landlord of the building to submit redevelopment plans.
Cllr Broadbank told the Stray Ferret that pre-application talks between the landlord and Harrogate Borough Council took place last week.
He said architect drawings involve creating new retail space on the ground floor and flats above it.
He said:
“I’ve been in discussions with planning enforcement at Harrogate Borough Council if the plans don’t progress. This would involve tidying the site up so it looks better.”
Cllr Broadbank expects a formal planning application to be submitted by the landlord imminently.
