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25
Sept 2020
Harrogate BID aims to bring town centre businesses together
Uniting Harrogate's town centre businesses with a common voice is one of the biggest challenges facing Harrogate BID as it approaches its second anniversary.
With numerous groups and organisations representing different elements of the town, the BID hopes it can find common ground and bring different factions together to make progress for the benefit of all.
However, even within its own membership, there is no consensus on what the town centre needs. BID ambassador Jo Caswell said it is surprising how wide the range of opinions is on matters like pedestrianisation.
Having been in post for five weeks, with the official title of Harrogate Host, Jo has spent a lot of time going from business to business, finding out what they need to make their lives easier in such difficult times.
A Harrogate resident for more than 20 years, she feels a sense of loyalty to the town and is enjoying being able to "put something back" by supporting the town centre. But she has been surprised by the lack of a sense of community across the town centre.
Jo will be joined by a second Harrogate Host next week, as well as project administrator Dawn Gennery, who is supporting acting BID manager Simon Kent in his work.
Alongside liaising between organisations and business owners, the BID is aiming to provide a practical boost for local businesses over the coming months. A £100,000 investment is being made in Christmas lights - compared to around £30,000 raised in previous years through donations - to drive visitors into the town centre.
With retail and hospitality facing the most challenging times in most businesses' histories, the BID is also working on more schemes to increase footfall and improve the environment of the town centre over the coming months. Measures including additional street cleaning and new planters to brighten up shop frontages through the winter months.
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Since it was launched in early 2019, Harrogate BID has faced its own challenges. Board members have come and gone - including the resignation of its first manager after less than four months last year, and the departure of four board members including the chairman in April, citing undue influence from local authorities and an inability to make progress on important projects.
Jo recognises the challenges still facing the organisation, but said the reception so far for her proactive approach has been reassuring.
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