Business planning contract awarded for £47m Harrogate Convention Centre upgrade

A business planning contract has been awarded for the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre in another step forward for the potential £47 million project.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, approved the contract on Tuesday following a competitive tender process during which the council only received a single bid for the business planning works.

The value of the contract and the bidder are not yet known – and both will only be made public once papers have been signed by both parties.

A council spokesperson said: 

“This decision, to award a contract to support the Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment project, marks a significant step forward in our major investment.

“Harrogate Convention Centre makes such a significant contribution to the district’s economy by bringing visitors and investment.

“And this investment will deliver a major component of the Harrogate town centre masterplan and will be key to the district’s covid-19 economic recovery plan.”

The business planning works include the creation of a full business case, as well as assessments of the economic impacts of covid on the events industry.

It was estimated before the pandemic that the convention centre attracted more than 150,000 visitors a year with an annual economic impact of £35 million.

Read more:

However, covid has now raised questions over how the industry can bounce back to pre-pandemic levels and what risks this could mean for the £47 million redevelopment.

Final decision due next year

A final decision on the project will be made by councillors next year and the council has yet to put forward any funding proposals, although it has said the business case would play a key part in supporting bids for government cash.

Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the council, said in a report: 

“Harrogate Convention Centre is a vital economic driver for the Harrogate district and wider region, providing a unique offer for the conference and exhibition market.

“Funding has not yet been identified for the delivery of the proposed redevelopment and this work will play a crucial part in supporting bids for external funding.

“The work will look in detail at the wider economic impact of the  redevelopment proposals on Harrogate, the district and beyond and help us to better understand the implications of Covid-19 on the industry and therefore the case for investment.”

The convention centre was used as an NHS Nightingale hospital for almost a year.

In July last year, the council said the 40-year-old venue was in “critical need” of an upgrade to keep its national appeal and that without investment its maintenance costs could reach £19 million over the next two decades.

Before this week’s contract agreement, a separate £1m contract was awarded to design firm Arcadis in March and the company is currently drawing up design proposals.

Plans to rebuild the convention centre could involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.

Around £20 million would be needed to complete a first phase of redevelopment, with another phase later.

Harrogate motorists face eight-mile diversions due to road closure

Motorists face significant diversions for five weeks from Monday due the closure of a busy road near Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council will close the B6161 to carry out work on Pot Bridge in Beckwithshaw. The work will strengthen the arch of the bridge and repair the parapet and surrounding walls.

It means motorists will incur eight-mile diversions via Beckwithshaw, Norwood and the A59, adding about 15 minutes to their journeys.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, member for the Pateley Bridge division on the county council and chair of the transport committee, said:

“The scheme will be welcomed by commuters and residents as the road has become increasingly busier with those seeking alternative routes to the centre of Harrogate.

“The repairs to this well-used bridge are part of our extensive programme to maintain and improve the county’s roads.

“We appreciate the closure will be an inconvenience to many however I would ask the public for their cooperation while the work is ongoing.”

Read more:

The roadworks are the latest set of delays for motorists who will also have to contend with a temporary traffic lights on Otley Road from Monday.

More lights will appear slightly closer to the town centre when Northern Powergrid begins work to divert underground cables at the junction with Harlow Oval for 11 days.

Number of covid patients in Harrogate down to seven

The number of covid patients in North Yorkshire’s hospitals has fallen — with just seven now in Harrogate District Hospital.

A press briefing today heard there are now 109 patients in the four main hospitals serving the county – down from 131 last week.

The latest figure includes six patients in Scarborough, seven in Harrogate, 27 in York and 69 in South Tees.  Harrogate had eight patients last week.

Patient numbers had been climbing steadily since the end of June but did not reach levels seen during previous waves thanks to vaccinations weakening the link between infections and serious illness.

Despite this, Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said the wider health and social care sector was still facing “pretty exceptional” pressures.

Speaking at a meeting of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, he said:

“The level of demand for both hospital and primary care, as well as community health services and social care, is pretty exceptional at the moment.

“This is not on the scale that we have seen during previous waves of covid but it is still something we are keeping a very close eye on.”

Read more:

Mr Webb also said weekly covid infection rates across the county had now plateaued after falling from record levels last month when the North Yorkshire average peaked at 590 cases per 100,000 people.

The latest figure now stands at 269 – just below the England average of 299. The Harrogate district rate is 289.

Harrogate NHS Trust could take over Northumberland children’s health services

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust could take over the running of health services for young people in Northumberland.

If approved, 95 health visitors and 30 school nurses will transfer from Northumberland County Council to the trust.

A survey on the proposal is available as part of the consultation, which runs until August 15.

Since 2015, local authorities have been responsible for the delivery of health visiting and school nursing services. But Northumberland County Council decided to continue providing the services in partnership with the NHS.

Until now it has done so with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust but the contract between the two organisations ends in September.

The county council has now identified Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as its preferred provider for a new contract from October.

The council said in a consultation document it wanted the Harrogate trust to take over Northumberland’s services because it had experience in delivering the services to young people in the north east and had shown it was an “engaged and supportive partner”.

Read more:

Although, the council’s statutory duties would be handed over to the Harrogate trust, the local authority would still remain ultimately responsible for ensuring they are met.

A separate consultation with staff will take place in the coming months.

The consultation responses will be shared with the county council’s cabinet and the Harrogate trust before a final decision is made.

Gallery: Eye-catching mural brings joy to Harrogate street

An artist has brought joy and a splash of colour to a town centre street with a huge mural dedicated to Harrogate as a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) is behind the eye-catching project on Cross James Street, between James Street and Market Place.

The painting is the work of Harrogate artist Sam Porter from Mural Minded. This latest piece features blue tits, fields and Crimple Valley Viaduct.

Last month, Sam created a ‘joyous’ wall mural on the side of a house in Cheapside, Knaresborough – featuring swallows and butterflies.

Read more:

Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the results of Sam’s eye-catching and ambitious mural.

“Cross James Street between James Street and Market Place is a very busy snicket, but for many years has been one of the drabbest streets in the town centre.

“This mural has added a real splash of colour. We have received plenty of comments about Sam’s work and it’s certainly been getting a lot of mentions on social media.

“For an organisation that’s here to improve the town centre environment, this mural certainly ticks that box.”

It’s not the only giant artwork set to give a Harrogate street a makeover. Last month Harrogate residents and businesses were asked to submit ideas to help give Cambridge Place a colourful makeover.

More pictures from Cross James Street:

Views wanted on future of Starbeck and Knaresborough outdoor gyms

Harrogate Borough Council has launched a consultation on the future of free outdoor gyms in Knaresborough and Starbeck.

The authority recently removed equipment at Knaresborough House and Belmont Park, which it installed in 2011 at a cost of £9,000.

It said the equipment, which included a cross country skier, push up/dip station, seated chest press and leg press, had reached the end of its life and was “in danger of causing injury”.

Council officials want to replace the kit with similar equipment.

A public consultation has been launched online and will close on Sunday, September 26.

Read more:

A post on the council’s Parks and Environmental Service Facebook page said:

“This consultation will gather opinions from local residents to help us create the most suitable design for the fitness area.

“The public consultation report will be used to create a wish list for the design brief, which will influence the final decision.”

You can give your views on the future of the outdoor gym areas in Starbeck and Knaresborough here.

Harrogate cat charity ‘desperate’ for new fosterers

Harrogate Cat Rescue has issued an urgent appeal for fosterers who can take a cat into their home to prepare it for adoption.

Over the summer months, the charity has reported an increase in cats and kittens that have been dumped around the district.

The role of a fosterer is to monitor the cat’s progress and prepare it for its eventual forever home.

There is no cost to becoming a fosterer as all the food, litter trays, vet bills and even climbing posts will be paid for by Harrogate Cat Rescue.

A fosterer can have them for a few weeks or a few months, depending on the cat. Helen McCallum, a volunteer for the charity, said it’s not just kittens that deserve a foster home but older cats too.

She added:

“We ask that fosterers care and spend quality time with them in a safe and loving environment. They are helping some of the most vulnerable animals have a new start in life.

“So much is achieved by committed fosterers socialising often nervous cats to confident ones.”

Read more:

There are some requirements to become a cat fosterer. They must be over 18 and have a spare room for the animal to live.

Ms McCallum said often the hardest part of being a fosterer is handing them over to their adopter when the time comes.

“The fosterers sometimes fall in love with them”.

Are you interested in becoming a cat fosterer? Contact Helen on 07845755405 or helenmccallum453@gmail.com

Harrogate Town out of cup after players catch coronavirus

Harrogate Town have been forced to bow out of the Carabao Cup after players in the squad tested positive for coronavirus.

While the club tried to reschedule their round one fixture, which was due to be played tonight, they were unable to organise it in time.

The club released a statement this evening which said:

“The available date proposed would not have provided enough time for logistical arrangements to be made, or tickets to be sold for the round two tie.

“In accordance with the Carabao Cup rules, Harrogate Town will therefore forfeit the tie.”

Read more:

Harrogate Town said yesterday evening that “a number of individuals” are unable to play or train due to a positive test or contact with someone who has tested positive.

Two trips in League Two to Crawley Town and Leyton Orient are also off, which were due to be played on August 14 and August 17 respectively.

Those who purchased a ticket for the Rochdale game tonight will receive a full refund.

Harrogate girl, 8, sets up fidget toy business in school holidays

An eight-year-old girl from Harrogate who has set up her own business during the school holidays is already sending her fidget toys across the country.

Lucy Chesters, who has just finished Year 3 at Ashville College, set up her business called Win at Life Kids on Thursday last week.

Fidget toys are the latest craze for children. They can be squeezed, stretched, flipped and can help to distract who are anxious or stressed.

In just a few days she has already restocked after sending toys to customers in Newcastle, Bradford and Leeds.

While she is following in the footsteps of her mum Louise Chesters, who owns Dizzy Duck on Albert Street, Lucy has also been doing things her own way.

As well as setting up a website and stall in her mum’s boutique, Lucy has also started her own TikTok channel where she shows off her products.

Those videos have already been seen hundreds of times, something which has helped her reach customers outside of Harrogate.

Read more:

Lucy told the Stray Ferret:

“I think they are popular because they feel nice, I like the texture, the sounds and the colours of them.

“Maybe schools should teach more about business then it might inspire others.”

Her mum Louise Chesters is very proud of her daughter. She said:

“I am really proud of Lucy and how proud of how quickly it has developed and progressed.

“She started a couple of weeks ago filming TikToks for Dizzy Duck. But Lucy and her friends are interested in fidget toys so it has evolved from there.

“Lucy has done really well, she is really excited about it. I really just wish we had helped her with it sooner because she has taken a great interest in it.”

A-level results in for Harrogate Grammar, Ashville, Ripon Grammar and Harrogate Ladies College

Today is A-level results day for thousands of young people in the Harrogate district.

It is the second year in a row exams have been cancelled. Grades have been based instead on teacher assessments.

Our live blog will record all of today’s results as they come in.

Have you or someone you know received their results today? Let us know how it went. Call us on 01423 276197 or email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with your grades and how you feel.

10.30am (Weds) – Harrogate Grammar celebrate 67% of grades at A*, A or B

Harrogate Grammar School has congratulated its students for their high results after receiving their A-Level results yesterday.

The school said 67% of A-Level grades at A*, A or B. Furthermore, 87% of A-Level results were A*- C and 99% of grades received were grade E or above. 

For those studying BTECS, there was a 100% pass rate with 70% of grades being a Distinction or Distinction*.

This year’s results are the strongest since 2015. 

15.20 – Headteachers say A-Level results are a ‘true reflection’ of pupil performance during pandemic

Harrogate headteachers have reacted with delight to today’s A-Level results which they say are a “true reflection” of how students have performed during the pandemic.

After last summer’s results were downgraded and then upgraded in a debacle which damaged trust in the education system, today’s grades have been awarded based on teacher assessments and not exams which were cancelled for the second year running due to covid.

The number of students achieving top grades across the UK has soared to record levels which will ultimately put extra pressure on places for the most competitive universities and courses.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, 41.1% of grades awarded were A* or A – up from 35% last year.

Neil Renton, Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School.

Neil Renton, Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Neil Renton, headteacher of Harrogate Grammar School, said: 

“With a sixth form experience disrupted by lockdowns, this remarkable performance demonstrates their exceptional resilience and determination.

“Teachers drew on their expertise and professional experience to objectively assess each student’s level, awarding grades which were moderated and quality assured by exam boards.

“The grades, in our view, are a true reflection of their performance.

“We fully appreciate the exceptional hard work of all our students, the support of their families and the dedication of all our teachers and support staff. This is a cohort of young people who have had an experience like no other.”

Sylvia Brett, principal of Harrogate Ladies College, also said students have had the “most difficult” 18 months of disruptions during the pandemic and that it was “comparing apples and pears” to compare these results with other years.

She said: 

“These grades are very well earned by pupils and they need to have their moment to feel really proud of what they have achieved.

“This year we have had a very comprehensive system for awarding grades… and it has been a true reflection of a very different way of assessing pupils.

“The pandemic has been an incredibly difficult time for young people across the country, but I also think that this generation has been quite extraordinary in the way they have dealt with it.

“Their resilience, their determination and their drive to do their best – this generation are going to be one to be reckoned with in future years.”

15.03 – 64% of Ashville College students receive A* and A grades

Students at Ashville College in Harrogate achieved an overall pass rate of 99.58 per cent, with 64.44 per cent of those receiving a pass at A and A*.

Among the universities which students will be attending are University of Warwick, Durham University and Newcastle University.

Elspeth Fisher, Ashville College’s Acting Head, said:

“This year’s A-Level pupils are to be congratulated for their results and the strength of character they have shown over the last two years.

“This has been an incredibly tough time for them with Covid affecting and restricting their studies and extra-curricular activities. However, their resilience and commitment to their studies has been truly outstanding.

“This set of results are a credit to them, and to their teachers who have been with them every step of the way. Whatever their post-Ashville plans are, be it university, starting an apprenticeship, or a gap year, I’d like to wish each and every one of them every success for the future.”

Sixth Form pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick next month.

Facundo said:

“It’s been an intense period, but thanks to the support of the teachers here at Ashville, it’s all been worthwhile.”

Ashville College pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick

Ashville College pupil, Facundo Costa achieved four A* in Maths, Further Maths, Computing and Physics and will be starting his degree in Maths and Physics at the University of Warwick

12.15pm – Queen Ethelburga’s students achieve 85% A* and A grades

Students at Queen Ethelburga’s College in Thorpe Underwood have achieved 85% A* and A grades today after results were revealed this morning.

Their peers in the Faculty, which offers A-Levels and BTECs, were also very pleased today after achieving 77% A* and A grades.

The College said its students got into a number of their first choice universities including Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester University.

Acting Principal, Dan Machin, said:

“We are immensely proud of the fantastic achievements from all of our students, and I would like to commend each and every one of them for their resilience, work ethic and determination to succeed.”

Students from Queen Ethelburga’s receiving their results today.

10.20am – Ripon Grammar School students jump for joy after 81% of grades at A*- B

Ripon Grammar School has congratulated its students today after revealing 81% of grades achieved were A* to B grades.

More than 60% of these were the top grades, A* and A. The school also said many of its students had secured a place at their first-choice university.

An impressive 22 students achieved three A*s or more, with the school’s 147 A-level students receiving a total of 133 A*s.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said the class of 2021 had been an incredibly hardworking and motivated year group:

“As always, our students have worked extremely hard and with great resilience and so I hope their grades represent an accurate reflection of abilities and efforts.

“Results are never an end in themselves but merely act as the necessary passport to the next destination in one’s life.

“Congratulations to all who have secured their chosen course at the institution of their choice and we will work closely to support those who may be disappointed to ultimately pass on to the next phase in a path of life-long learning.”

He said after a difficult two years for students, due to the pandemic, “these are an excellent set of results”.

Students will go on to study a range of courses including aeronautical engineering, dentistry and fashion at universities across the country and as far as America.