Exclusive: Council spent £1.9m on consultants for scrapped Harrogate Convention Centre plans

Almost £2 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent on consultants to come up with plans to upgrade Harrogate Convention Centre that have now been scrapped.

North Yorkshire Council and its predecessor Harrogate Borough Council have hired various consultants since 2016 as part of the long running saga to redevelop the convention centre.

So far none of the work has been carried out and last month North Yorkshire Council revealed it had abandoned previous plans drawn up by Harrogate Borough Council and recruited another firm of consultants called 31ten to carry out ‘soft market testing’ on the future use of the events and exhibition complex.

North Yorkshire Council refused to reveal at the time how much it had paid the 31ten — prompting the Stray Ferret to submit a freedom of information request.

We asked not only how much had been awarded to the London firm but also how much had been spent on consultants for all work involving the possible upgrade of the convention centre.

The response said 31Ten had been paid £23,000 plus VAT for work that is expected to be concluded by ‘late spring’. This figure pales in comparison to the overall sum awarded to consultants since 2016.

The freedom of information response said besides funding awarded to 31Ten “the remaining £1,948,590 relates to historic spend committed by Harrogate Borough Council”.

Harrogate Borough Council was abolished a year ago and succeeded by North Yorkshire Council.

The response added:

“It is North Yorkshire Council’s intention to use internal resource to support future proposals for Harrogate Convention Centre, and minimise spend with external consultants, wherever possible.”

‘More affordable’ way forward

North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative-controlled executive agreed last month to scrap a two-phase development plan for the building drawn up eight years ago after being told the cost of the first phase had soared to £57.2 million.

Instead it agreed to come up with a “more affordable” way forward. Centre director Paula Lorimer, who last year called for the refurbishment, said she had now changed her mind and agreed with the new approach.

The way forward will be guided by 31ten’s findings. The freedom of information response said:

“The aim of the soft market testing is to assist North Yorkshire Council in assessing the options for the future development and operation of Harrogate Convention Centre. Options may include, but are not limited to, alternative delivery and funding models, partnership working, alternative uses for parts of the site, and asset ownership.”

North Yorkshire Council currently subsidises the convention centre to the tune of £2.7 million a year.

The centre opened in 1982 and has a 2,000-seat auditorium and 13,000 square metres of exhibition space.

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The Stray Ferret to move to a subscription service

The Stray Ferret is to introduce a small subscription fee shortly after we launch our new website and app in May.  

The new website and app will include many features that readers have asked for — more investigations, notifications, more lifestyle content and the ability to comment on stories on the website rather than just on social media.  

Subscribers will also benefit from exclusive discounts from local businesses which aim to cover subscription costs and will not be offered anywhere else. 

Since 2020, we have taken pride in covering the stories that matter most to residents across Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge.

We passionately believe that a quality, local news service for the area provides an important, trusted platform for debate and information for local people.  

The media landscape is financially tough and while we’ve previously adopted an advertising only model, it has not been enough to meet our costs.  

We have watched as other local news organisations have cut the number of  journalists, lowered the quality of the stories they publish and covered pages with pop-up ads which make it unreadable. We didn’t want to do this.  

By paying a small fee you will be investing in an improved news service. By keeping adverts, we can keep the subscription price to readers as low as possible.  

We did not take this decision lightly, but we feel this is the only way to keep serving the area to the standard it deserves, by providing a platform to raise awareness about issues that affect local people.  

We’ve also moved into Harrogate town centre, so we can help anyone who has problems with signing up to the subscription service, the app or newsletter.  

So from May we will be asking readers to subscribe to the Stray Ferret for £4.99 a month. Or you can pay annually at £49.99 which would save you about £10 a year.

In the coming weeks, we will be explaining how the subscription service will work and how to sign up, as well as tackling any frequently asked questions.  

We hope you subscribe — by doing so you will be investing in quality, local journalism.  

Harrogate and Ripon crime gang jailed after police uncovered robbery and firearms plot

A group of Harrogate and Ripon men linked to serious and organised crime have been jailed today (Monday, April 8) for a collective 25 years and 11 months.

The court heard how the following gang members were linked to an organised crime group who’d been involved in a dispute with a rival group.

Between Friday 6 and Monday January 9 2023,  North Yorkshire Police organised crime unit carried out an investigation into a suspected organised crime group that was active in the Harrogate district.

Image from footage captured during the arrest

According to a North Yorkshire Police media release today, police gathered intelligence suggesting a man had been kidnapped and held against his will.

It was established Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were preparing to kidnap the victim and extort him for money, believing that he had a large amount of cash stashed in two addresses in Harrogate.

Information was obtained that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were planning to use force against the victim. At the time Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan, Philip Wilson and two other gang members had located and taken the victim using force. William Davy visited the two addresses and recovered cash from where the victim had it stored.

Philip Wilson allowed his vehicle to be used to kidnap the victim and commit the offence.  Following the kidnap Philip Wilson arranged for the disposal of his vehicle to destroy any forensic evidence.

After recovering the cash, William Davy communicated the news with Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and the victim was then released. Intelligence indicated that the amount of cash stolen from the victim was approximately £70,000.

The investigation found evidence to show that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan subsequently and unknowingly at the time had robbed a rival organised crime group from West Yorkshire.

Further intelligence led officers to believe that Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were arranging to source a sawn-off shotgun and live ammunition. They then jointly sourced the firearm and ammunition in order to cause fear to those who sought retribution having had their cash stolen by the gang.

The shotgun found by North Yorkshire Police

A police helicopter was deployed and used to track the gang as they were travelling with the firearm and live ammunition and believed they were getting their ‘crew’ together in readiness to confront the rival gang.

At this point, armed response officers actioned a hard stop of one of the vehicles and detained three members of the gang which included Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and recovered both their vehicles.

Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were ordered to get out the vehicle at gun point and were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to kidnap.

Both Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan’s vehicles were forensically examined, and a long package was recovered in the back seat of Fuller McMillan’s vehicle. Examination of this package showed that it contained a sawn-off shotgun, with four live shotgun cartridges.

The shotgun was heavily wrapped in a bin bag and paper. In a further search, seven more shotgun cartridges were found wrapped in a balaclava within a boxing glove in the vehicle.

NPAS police helicopter footage

Detective constable Helen Quaife, of North Yorkshire Police’s serious and organised crime unit, said:

“We have seen nationally how the use of weapons used by feuding gang members can devastate families and communities. This type of crime will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire.

“The sawn-off shotgun was viable and along with its ammunition was intended to be used.

“This investigation was conducted meticulously with a large number of enquiries conducted dealing with witnesses, forensics, CCTV and specialist expert evidence. The sentences imposed on these gang members illustrates just how serious these offences are taken. I hope this will be a warning to others who think the use of weapons will be tolerated within our communities.  We will intervene, and people will be punished, to keep our communities safe.”

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Harrogate hotel bar named best pub in North Yorkshire

The Harrogate Inn has been named the best pub in the county at the Pub & Bar Magazine’s 2024 awards.

The inn opened after a multi-million-pound renovation in July 2023. One of the major changes from its previous incarnation as the St George Hotel was the new Barking George bar within the Ripon Road venue.

Owned by Newcastle-based pub company the Inn Collection Group, Barking George hosts live music on Friday nights and has an outdoor terrace overlooking the hustle and bustle of Crescent Gardens.

Inside the Barking George

General manager Henry White said:

“We’re naturally delighted to have picked up the award for North Yorkshire. To be named best in a county where there is some serious competition is humbling. Since opening in July, it has been great to see the bar establish itself and the team settle into providing a welcoming place for people to come and we’re looking forward to our first full summer this year.”

The Inn Collection Group, which also owns the Ripon Inn and the Knaresborough Inn, won three accolades at the National Pub and Bar Awards.

The Bull’s Head Inn and The Swan Grasmere were named as the best pubs in Gwynedd and Cumbria respectively.

Tristan O’ Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine said award winners “represent all that is great about the modern on-trade”.

The winners will now go on to the National Pub & Bar Awards in London this June, where 15 regional winners and an overall champion will be revealed.

Barking George bar

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Famous crime author announced for Harrogate writing festival

Harrogate International Festivals has announced its final special guest for the 2024 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

Peter James is a globally bestselling author and the creator of the much-loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now an ITV drama starring John Simm.

He joins authors Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee, Liz Nugent and Richard Osman in an all-star lineup of special guest headliners.

Mr James will be celebrating his milestone twentieth Roy Grace book at the Festival with an exclusive preview of One Of Us Is Dead, published by Pan Macmillan in September 2024.

He will discuss his new standalone novel, They Thought I Was Dead, with a long-awaited reveal of what happened to Roy Grace’s missing wife Sandy in conversation with TV presenter Louise Minchin.

This will be his eighth appearance, having been a special guest twice before and programming chair in 2016.

Mr James said:

“This year I am celebrating my 20th Roy Grace novel and where better to do this than at Harrogate, the jewel in the crime festival crown. I had a wonderful time as Programming Chair in 2016 and I look forward to returning as a Special Guest this year, spending a delightful summer’s evening with my fans and fellow authors.

“I’ve no doubt a pint or two of Theakston Old Peculier might be involved.”

Returning to Harrogate for its 21st year it offers fans from around the world a unique opportunity to hear from the biggest stars of the genre, discover exciting new talent and enjoy a packed programme of panels, talks and inspiring creative workshops.

Simon Theakston, chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said:

“Peter James has been hugely popular with the Festival audience over the years, and we can’t wait to welcome him back to hear more about his twentieth Roy Grace book.

“Peter completes a stellar line up of Special Guests in a stunning programme that truly reflects the strength, breadth and diversity of the genre.”

The three day festival curated by 2024 Festival Chair Ruth Ware, is set to take place July 18-21. The full programme for this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will be announced on May 14, 2024.

Tickets are on general release on 15th April. More information about tickets and packages can be found here.

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New software improving local gully maintenance, says council

North Yorkshire Council says a new software has helped to improve maintenance of the county’s gullies.

A council report, which was written by Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at North Yorkshire Council, will be presented to the transport, economy, environment and enterprise overview and scrutiny committee next Wednesday.

It says maintenance has reportedly improved since the roll-out of a pilot scheme using software from a company called Kaarbontech in 2021.

The Stray Ferret is often flooded with messages expressing concern about the infrastructure of local gullies. These only increased during the sodden winter.

But the council has said the new software helps to determine the number of gullies that need to be attended each year and where they are located based on the previous year’s figures.

Mr Smith said:

“The analysis of this data ensures that the gully crews only need to attend gullies that require attention, therefore saving time and costs associated with gully maintenance.”

The report says the previous system was “much less reliable”, adding when some locations were attended the crews would find the gully was “silt-free and water in the pipework running freely”.

But, since using the software, it adds the attendance-to-gullies figure increased to 85% in 2022 and 2023, which was a 10% increase from the year prior.

The report also says of those gullies attended in the same period, a total of 93.2% of gullies needed cleaning, which suggests the “data-led programme was working”. It adds:

“Our surveys show that there are 164,171 gullies on the highway network.

“Data collected and sense-checked indicates that as of March 11, 2024, the total number of gullies attended was 92,554 based on information to the end of the previous week. This represents 87.11% of the programme, meaning the 2022/23 figure (85%) has already been exceeded.”

Mr Smith also notes the data collected was taken “against a backdrop of ten named storms during the winter season”, adding more than 10,000 gullies were attended in addition to those included in the Kaarbontech programme.

The report forecasts the attendance figure to increase to 93% by the end of this year.

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Business Breakfast: Masham brewery partners with snooker pro

Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery has announced a partnership with professional snooker player, the ‘Tyneside Terror’ Gary Wilson.

Mr Wilson is world number 12 and the brewery will be his sponsor for the Tour Championship, which ended yesterday, and this month’s World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. Mr Wilson won the first Welsh Open in February, as well as back-to-back Scottish Opens in December.

He said:

“As a fan of northern beers, being sponsored by Black Sheep Brewery holds special significance for me. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds with an iconic Northern brewery now supporting me, game after game.”

Jo Theakston, executive director at Black Sheep Brewery, added:

“We always seek to collaborate with individuals who resonate with our commitment to excellence, which is precisely why we are sponsoring Gary, as he looks to continue his remarkable run of form into the next major tournament.”

Black Sheep Brewery also sponsors local teams such as Harrogate Town AFC and Otley RUFC, as well as England’s inaugural Long Course Weekend, set to be hosted in Masham this summer.

Salon and academy opens in Harrogate 

Sarah Verity (right) and Alex from Harrogate laser clinic 

Northern Beauty has opened on Tower Street in Harrogate. Owner Sarah Verity has been self employed in the beauty industry for eight years after having an epiphany during pregnancy working as an events manager.

The salon employs multiple businesses under one roof and is set to begin training fully accredited beauty courses. Ms Verity said “big things happen when women support women and that’s what I am trying to do here”.

The business began as a chair in a lodge in Ms Verity’s back garden. She said:

“Lockdown is the best thing that ever happened to me. It gave me the push to create something amazing.”

The salon is set to get a halo head spa in the next few weeks. Ms Verity said:

“It is very exciting. I believe it is the first outside of Manchester and people love a new beauty treatment.”

Harrogate law firm plant a tree for every will created 

Senior associate Hana Gwyn and head of personal law Neil Shaw from LCF Law.

LCF Law is set to plant a tree every time a client makes or updates a will. The initiative aims to encourage more people to make a will, whilst also having a positive environmental impact.

It is part of a partnership with Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust, a charity that helps people, landscapes and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding urban areas.

The law firm has already planted 1,000 trees, which will capture an estimated 160 tonnes of carbon over the next 50 years. LCF plans to plant another 1,000 this year.

Neil Shaw from LCF Law said:

“New research from The Association of Lifetime Lawyers shows that almost half of UK adults don’t have a will in place, which is as an alarming figure. The only way to ensure a person’s wishes are carried out is by properly communicating them legally through a will.

“By working with YDMT to plant a tree in the name of every person making or updating a will with us throughout 2024, we will not only be protecting their assets, but creating a sustainable legacy for future generations.”

He added that once a client has made or updated a will they will receive details of the woodland’s location, so they can visit it and see it grow.

Richard Hore, a development officer for Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust said:

“Our growing partnership with LCF Law will play a key role in our woodland creation efforts that help to tackle climate change and nature loss.”

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Harrogate woman to take on major sporting event in memory of late partner and mum

A Harrogate woman will take on a three-day sporting challenge in memory of her late partner and mum.

Julia Sharpley, whose partner Adam was in a fatal collision just a day before her mother’s funeral, is taking part in Masham’s inaugural Long Course Weekend.

The event involves three different disciples, including a 1.2-mile swim across Grimwith reservoir, a 56-mile bike ride through Nidderdale and a 10km run.

Ms Sharpley, who now lives near Pateley Bridge, said on social media she has “no prior swimming ability, talent or experience”, but told the Stray Ferret she has taken up swimming lessons at Nidderdale Leisure and Wellness Centre in preparation.

She added:

“I’m getting more confident but still have a lot to do. I’m trying to build up my distance. I could do with a spell of decent weather to tackle some local hills on the bike and also get out into open water.

“I feel daunted but determined. Adam would have been very excited about such a large international multi-sport festival of swim, bike and run coming to the area.

“I’m doing it to celebrate his legacy and love of sport and, also, for my Mum who dedicated her time to her local Nidderdale community. The amazing support I have had for Memory Makers will, I hope, help something really positive happen.”

Ms Sharpley also said she’s not only taking part in the event in memory of her mum and late partner, but also for those “who, in a heartbeat, found their lives changed for ever – who suddenly need help to live just a normal life”.

She is raising money to buy local charity Memory Makers – Care and Dreams an accessible vehicle and has already exceeded her £1,000 target.

Ms Sharpley will take part in the Long Course Weekend on September 6,7 and 8.

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Readers’ Letters: Harrogate ‘feels like Narnia’ compared to where I’m from

Readers’ Letters is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

This letter is in response to two stories. The first being about recent vandalism on Harrogate’s Parliament Street, which prompted a letter from a reader feeling ashamed of the town’s appearance.

Vandalism anywhere is wrong. I can’t understand why the Parliament Street building was vandalised and it makes me annoyed.

I moved here from Bradford in December 2022. Where I used to live, there was constant noise from balaclava-wearing youths riding quad bikes or off road bikes with no lights or reg plates and boy racers driving their cars down my road like it was a racetrack.

Bradford and Harrogate are like chalk and cheese when compared. I felt like I was in Narnia. The trees on the Stray were lit at night and not just for Christmas. Everywhere I walked I was in awe, and still am, of the magnificent buildings, the history and the open green spaces.

In addition, the ever changing flower displays; the shopping and hospitality choices; Harry’s walking tours and the events organised by the Harrogate BID and Harrogate International – and so much more – are brilliant.

I take pride in Harrogate, and I wasn’t even born here. I wonder how many residents, whether born and bred here, or incomers like me, either take it all for granted or don’t even notice the great things that surround them. If only they were to take their eyes off their mobiles for a minute and look up.

I can appreciate that the roads are not paved in gold (I am not going to rant about the potholes) and not everything is wonderful, like anti-social behaviour, county line drug dealing, homeless and street beggars.

I know these issues can be seen in towns and cities throughout the UK, but I find it sad knowing and seeing how much wealth there is in some areas of Harrogate and yet so much poverty in other areas. More social affordable housing needs to be developed and not just another conversion of a former office building.

Richard Coulter, Harrogate

Harrogate’s overflowing bins give a ‘dire impression’ of the town

The following two letters are in response to a story published this week about overflowing bins in Valley Gardens. North Yorkshire Council denied the claims, but the images were pretty damning.

How indescribably irritating it is to hear that as far as the council are concerned “there are no reports of bins overflowing”.

Frankly, it’s a routine sight in Harrogate, despite the new bins being installed. People are trying their level best to dispose of waste appropriately, but the number of times I’ve seen bins crammed to the hilt is too often to count. It’s now the norm, not the exception.

At the risk of sounding vicious… your staff are clearly lying. Because the fact of the matter remains that we constantly see bins overflowing in and around the town. It creates a dire impression and clearly indicates whatever measures are in situ are wholly inadequate.

Don’t rely on staff to report their own efficacy – go out and see the mess for yourself!

Mark Fuller, Harrogate

I have just read the article concerning rubbish bins in Valley Gardens. We are currently in Japan where there are no litter bins and no litter.

Everyone takes their litter home for disposal. We are simply a dirty and uncaring people.

Yes, the bins should be larger and emptied more frequently but we need to take some responsibility for our lovely town and gardens.

Cheryl Johnston, Harrogate

Perhaps the Dean should focus on Ripon residents – rather than one-day tourists

This letter is in response to the ongoing Ripon Cathedral annexe saga. The Stray Ferret has covered the topic extensively.

What’s wrong with the present toilet facilities which are a few yards away from the cathedral that would benefit from a smartening-up? The Dean appears to be the only person who is embarrassed about the cathedrals facilities that appear to have been accepted by most Ripon people for many years.

And if there is a concern with the running costs of the cathedral, why don’t they make an entrance charge as does York Minster?

A previous knowledgeable correspondent asked how do they expect to cover the overheads of the new annexe – which are bound to be very large.

Why wasn’t the Old Deanery, which is right on the doorstep and stood empty for many years, considered for the cathedrals expansion? It is such a magnificent building inside and out, and now leased as a restaurant.

Maybe it should have been time to give up when Historic England refused to back the south-side proposal for the new annexe – rather than ruin Minster Gardens with a huge carbuncle. It is beautiful, restful area with mature trees.

Rather than gaining funding from extra tourism from people who will be here one day and gone the next, maybe the Dean should be more concerned about looking after Ripon‘s city and its people, and invest its £8 million into more rewarding projects.

Gordon Lund, Sawley

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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Tree falls on Harrogate road as strong winds continue

A tree crashed down on Fulwith Mill Lane in Harrogate today as strong winds continued to affect the district.

Yesterday’s warmest day of the year so far was accompanied by Storm Kathleen.

Although the worst of the winds hit Scotland, there was widespread disruption in England as flights were cancelled at Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham.

The Harrogate district has been relatively unscathed and winds are expected to abate this afternoon.

Besides the fallen tree, Little Bird Markets cancelled artisan markets in Knaresborough yesterday and Harrogate today because of the weather.

Further gusts of over 40mph are forecast on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo: The tree blocking Fulwith Mill Lane at about noon today (April 7).

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