Harrogate Convention Centre has confirmed it will not bid for the Eurovision Song Contest to return to the venue at next year’s UK event.

Several cities and towns have already expressed an interest in hosting the event which organisers yesterday confirmed would not be held in last year’s winning country Ukraine due to the ongoing war.

But Harrogate Convention Centre – which hosted Eurovision in 1982 – has announced it will not be making a submission as the contest has outgrown its capacity.

Organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) say host venues should be able to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators and 1,500 journalists.

Yet the convention centre’s auditorium has a capacity of just under 2,000 which was enough 40 years ago, but now falls well short of today’s requirements.

A convention centre spokesperson said: 

“Eurovision 1982 put Harrogate on the world map.

“We are very proud of that history and are always delighted to host major events in our beautiful spa town.

“To put things into perspective, 18 countries participated in 1982, and in 2022, 40 countries competed for the awards.

“The scale of Eurovision has more than doubled over the years and understandably it will require a hosting city with the capacity and infrastructure to match.”

Included in the cities bidding to host the 2023 event is Leeds which has received the backing of Harrogate Convention Centre.

Also in Yorkshire, Sheffield was among the first to announce a bid for the song contest.

The country which wins usually stages the following year’s competition, but the EBU opened talks with the BBC last month after assessing the situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Read More:

• 40 years on: Jan Leeming’s memories of when Harrogate hosted Eurovision
• 40 years on: Remembering when Harrogate hosted Eurovision
• Eurovision fans sing outside Harrogate Convention Centre to mark 40th anniversary

The BBC and EBU said they will consider all official approaches and publish a list of bidding cities and towns later this summer.

BBC director general Tim Davie said it was a “great privilege” to host the music competition, but regretful that Ukraine was not able to host.

He said the broadcaster would make the event “a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity”.

Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s executive supervisor, also said: 

“We know that next year’s contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

Remembering when Harrogate hosted Eurovision – and the future of the town’s convention centre 

The UK has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other nation or country, with seven events in the cities of London, Edinburgh, Brighton and Birmingham since 1960.

But in 1982 it was a major coup for Harrogate which showcased the town’s newly-opened convention centre to millions across the world.

Eurovision 1982 held in Harrogate.

It was Germany which was crowned the champion of Europe at the then state-of-the-art venue.

But 40 years on, there are now warnings that the convention centre is in “critical need” of an upgrade in order to keep its appeal.

Harrogate Borough Council has proposed a major redevelopment of the venue which in total could cost around £47 million. Yet there are questions over how it could be funded and the plans have yet to be approved by councillors.

Temporary lights on Harrogate’s Wetherby road and Knaresborough road will remain in place until Thursday, Yorkshire Water said this afternoon.

Yorkshire Water is working to repair pipes near Harrogate Town AFC on Wetherby road and near Drake’s Fish and Chip Shop on Knaresborough Road.  Both have caused traffic delays.

The work comes as the problem was first identified by the company yesterday, when it said customers in the area could be experiencing low water pressure as a result.

The company issued a statement:

“Both bursts caused significant consequential damage to the road surfaces, which will need to be repaired before the roads can reopen.

“We are expecting both roads to reopen on Thursday.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and are working hard to keep the disruption to a minimum with manned operation of the lights throughout the day”.

Read more:

• ‘Asian hornet’ spotted in Harrogate garden
• Four dogs rescued from hot car in Harrogate given back to owner

Work on the water main on Wetherby Road.

North Yorkshire’s first permanent knife surrender bin is set to be installed in Harrogate as part of a drive to tackle rising crime and take deadly weapons off the streets.

The county saw an 80% rise in reported knife crimes from 2020 to 2021 – and police have linked the increase to peer pressure, gang culture and cross-border criminals moving into the area.

In the Harrogate district alone, there have been more than 2,700 knife-related incidents since the start of 2020.

This included two murders on Mayfield Grove, and a man being left with life changing injuries after an attack near the Victoria Shopping Centre.

Other incidents included a man being arrested with 10 knives and a sword on Skipton Road, and three young people pulling a knife on a milk man in Knaresborough.

The increasing trend is being mirrored across the country and knife surrender bins are used by police forces during week-long campaigns.

Read More:

• North Yorkshire Police reveals scores of detective vacancies
• Police investigate Harrogate Empress roundabout robbery

But not every area has a permanent drop off point where people can discard knives or any other bladed weapons.

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council have proposed to install a permanent knife surrender bin at the Dragon Road car park as part of a 12-month pilot which if successful could see more bins rolled out across the county.

A joint report from the authorities said “early prevention is key” and that “every knife deposited in the bin is one less that could cause injury to others”.

The report said.

“There is an increasing need for an all year round facility to enable people to safely, and anonymously, discard any knives/weapons found, not just during police campaigns at police stations.

“The vast majority of police intelligence submissions are in relation to young people carrying knives for protection from other young people with whom they are ‘feuding’, to protect themselves from being attacked whilst carrying drugs and also to ‘tax’ known drug dealers or those in debt to drug dealers.

“North Yorkshire Police’s aim is to roll out the bins across the entire force area subject to their evaluation of the pilot project.”

Harrogate has been chosen for the pilot because it makes up for more than half of knife-related incidents in the local command area which also includes Craven, Hambleton and Richmondshire, the report added.

It also said the proposed knife bin was designed to prevent break-ins and that residents in the Dragon Road area had been contacted about the plans.

A decision to proceed with the pilot is due to be signed off by the council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, councillor Mike Chambers, at a meeting next Tuesday.

Temporary lights on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road continue to cause delays for drivers as work enters a second day.

Yorkshire Water is working to repair a pipe in the area near to Harrogate Town AFC and said it has to put up the temporary lights in order to do so.

The work comes as a problem was first identified by the company yesterday, when it said customers in the area could be experiencing low water pressure as a result.

Temporary lights were also in place on Knaresborough Road, but the company said it expected to complete work in the area by today.

Read more:

• ‘Asian hornet’ spotted in Harrogate garden
• Four dogs rescued from hot car in Harrogate given back to owner

The Stray Ferret asked Yorkshire Water for an update on the works, but has yet to receive a response.

Last night, the company issued the following statement:

“We’ve experienced two burst water mains in the centre of Harrogate over the last few days.

“Our teams are working hard to minimise disruptions, but to allow them to work on the repairs safely, traffic management will be in place on Knaresborough Road and Wetherby Road.

We apologise for the inconvenience while we carry out the work.”

The leader of North Yorkshire County Council has spoken of his hope that the government will agree a devolution deal this Monday on Yorkshire Day.

Councillor Carl Les said while it had been hoped devolution for the county and York would be agreed before the parliamentary summer recess started last week, work was continuing to finalise a deal after almost 20 months of negotiations.

He told a meeting of the authority that the Department for Communities and Local Government had launched a process known as a “write-round”, to get the consent from other ministries, such as the Treasury, and Department of Transport, without having to hold a cabinet meeting.

It is understood if all the government departments are happy, a devolution deal could be announced within days.

Cllr Les said he was hopeful a deal could be reached by August 1.

Cllr Les has repeatedly emphasised the county has no right to devolution and that North Yorkshire and York have had to develop a case for the government giving up some of its powers.

If there is an objection from any ministry it could delay the deal until September.

A meeting of the authority heard concerns over the potential consequences of the government missing the target date.

The concerns follow Michael Gove’s departure as communities secretary prompting fears within local government that devolution might be postponed.

However, local government analysts have reported Mr Gove’s replacement, Greg Clark, is determined to keep to his predecessor’s target of getting nine devolution deals signed before the autumn.

There have also been concerns the deal could be delayed by an unwillingness to ratify major decisions during uncertainty over who will become the next prime minister.

Read More:

• ‘Asian hornet’ spotted in Harrogate garden
• Four dogs rescued from hot car in Harrogate given back to owner

It is believed the deal for York and North Yorkshire could potentially unlock around £2.4bn of investment over 30 years, with a focus on improving economic prosperity, creating more affordable housing and lead to the area becoming England’s first carbon negative economy.

Key to the asks which were put forward in December 2020 are wishes to take charge of delivering improved digital connectivity and the amount of “gain share” or extra funding from government.Gain share is being viewed as a key part of the devolution deal as it will remain the same flat rate for the next 30 years, whereas the devolvement of powers could continue to be negotiated at a later date.

No trains will run from Harrogate to Leeds and York as rail staff stage a mass walk out on Wednesday.

More than 40,000 Network Rail staff are set to strike on July 27 over jobs, pay and conditions, the RMT Union has confirmed.

The move comes as the UK saw one of its biggest industrial actions by rail workers in June, which saw no trains run through Harrogate and Knaresborough for two days.

On Wednesday, no trains will run between Harrogate and Knaresborough to York and Leeds.

Read more:

• Transport chiefs urged not to lose focus on improving Harrogate bus services
• Cabbies angry over plans to shorten Harrogate taxi rank

Meanwhile, Network Rail has confirmed that a reduced timetable will be in force elsewhere.

Leeds station will close at 7pm due to the industrial action. Only 14 train services will run in and out of the station each hour on Wednesday compared with the usual 50.

Matt Rice, North & East route director for Network Rail said: 

“Unfortunately, ongoing industrial action will once again cripple train services for passengers in Yorkshire and the North East on Wednesday.

“I can only apologise for the impact this will have on people’s plans and on their daily commute. I’d urge those who absolutely need to travel by train to plan ahead, check their journey and expect significant disruption.”

Last week, Northern urged passengers not to travel due to the industrial action.

LNER has also confirmed its direct service to London King’s Cross will not be running. A limited service to London will be in place from Leeds.

More than 130 Harrogate hospital staff were absent due to covid last month.

A report from Jonathan Coulter, acting chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, has revealed that the increase in spread in the community had led to staff being off sick.

The figure peaked at more than 130 in June amid the spread of the more transmissible Omicron variant.

Currently, 80 hospital staff are absent due to covid.

Mr Coulter said in a report, which will be presented to the trust board on Wednesday, that the spread of covid has put “additional pressure” on staff.

He added that “a small number of staff” would now be affected due to sick pay changes, as the virus is treated like “any other sickness”.

Mr Coulter said:

“The guidance in respect of sick pay for people off with covid has now changed, and covid sickness is now treated and managed in the same way as any other sickness.

“This will have an impact upon a small number of colleagues who continue to suffer with long covid, and who will now move into our usual sickness management arrangements with the risk that after a defined period of time, their pay is reduced or ultimately ceases altogether.

“We are in dialogue with all colleagues affected by this change, but we need to recognise that this will be a difficult time for some.”

Read more:

• Positive covid patients at Harrogate hospital doubles in three weeks
• Harrogate hospital records increase in heat-related illnesses

Meanwhile, Mr Coulter confirmed that the trust is currently treating 35 patients who have tested positive for covid.

He added that while the severity of the disease remains low due to vaccine uptake, it has had an impact on flow through the hospital.

He said:

“During the month of June and into July, we have experienced a significant spike in people in hospital who are covid positive. 

“We have currently over 35 people in hospital with CoVid, and whilst the severity of the illness is reduced due to vaccine uptake, the infection control measures that we have had in place result in flow through the hospital being more difficult.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Black Sheep Brewery in Masham will continue its sponsorship of Harrogate Town AFC for next season.

The brewery became the club’s “official beer” last season and collaborated on an IPA called Yellow Black Army.

Black Sheep chief executive Charlene Lyons said:

“We’re delighted to once again be the official beer of local side Harrogate Town AFC. 

“We partnered with the club last year and watched as Town fought hard each and every game to once again be proud members of the Football League, and we can’t wait to watch the lads go again when the season kicks off later this month.”

Sarah Barry, chief executive at Harrogate Town AFC, added: 

“We’re delighted to be once again supported by our friends Black Sheep Brewery. Local businesses are a vital part of our club and the support of Black Sheep Brewery for another year is a terrific boost for us and our fans. 

“We hope to offer Black Sheep beer to home and away fans in the 22/23 season to come which will provide another exciting progression for our club as we aim to offer the best fan experience.”

Raworths’ team top ranked in independent guide

The trust, wills and estates team at Harrogate law firm Raworths has been ranked high on the Chambers High Net Worth Guide.

The publication is one of the leading guides to the international private wealth market and base their rankings on extensive independent research.

Comments from the guide include:

“Raworths excels in proactively delivering the services its clients require” and “there is huge knowledge within the team and they always meet our needs”.

The trusts, wills and estates team is listed in the top tier for York, Hull and surrounding area and also for the National Leaders (outside London) category.

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate’s Odeon cinema bought by property group
• £11.2m Harrogate Station Gateway will ‘boost business and house prices’

Temporary lights have been put up on Wetherby Road and Knaresborough Road in Harrogate this evening after burst water mains were reported in both locations.

Yorkshire Water is working to repair both pipes and said it has to put up the temporary lights in order to do so.

The Wetherby Road lights are outside Harrogate Town’s Envirovent Stadium, while on Knaresborough Road the affected stretch is near Drake’s Fish and Chip Shop.

The works are likely to cause some delays during this evening’s rush hour.  Yorkshire Water said it expected Knaresborough Road to re-open tomorrow morning.

A problem was first identified by the company earlier today, when it said customers in the area could be experiencing low water pressure as a result.

Tonight Yorkshire Water issued this statement:

A suspected Asian hornet has been spotted in a garden in Harrogate today.

Andy Johnson believes he spotted one of the invasive insects on the fence outside his garden in the Hookstone area of town.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“I didn’t manage to get a camera in time to take a photo, but I had a look online afterwards.

“I put two pictures up on Facebook and someone I know said one was a European hornet and the second was an Asian hornet.

“The one that’s more akin to what I saw is the Asian one, with slightly orangey wings. If it was an identity parade, I would say it’s the second one.”

https://twitter.com/andyj2859/status/1551539714989199360

The invasive species is a threat to native honey bees, which is why Defra asks sightings to be reported via its website – and even set up an app for reporting sightings in 2017.

Its website said the hornets pose “no greater risk to human health than a bee” but they were a threat to British honey bees, which was the reason any sightings needed to be reported.

Since 2016, there have been 22 confirmed sightings in the UK, including 12 nests which have been destroyed. One of the sightings in 2018 was in Hull, but the rest are mostly closer to the south coast and commonly in September and October.

Read more:

• Sensory garden with braille plaques opens in Harrogate
• Four dogs rescued from hot car in Harrogate given back to owner

Mr Johnson said he had reported his sighting to the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association and was awaiting a call back. He added:

“My neighbour saw it first and said, ‘what’s that?’

“She is a retired doctor who has lived here for many years. She’s into gardening and she knows much more about identifying insects and things than I do, so if it’s not something she recognises then it must be unusual.”

He added he wanted people to be aware that the insects could have migrated to the Harrogate area so if they spotted one, they would know to take a photograph and report it.