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15
Apr 2021
Harrogate empty shops to reveal town's links to famous faces
Empty shops in Harrogate are to get a new lease of life by telling the story of the town's links to famous people.
Harrogate Business Improvement District , which aims to drive footfall into the town centre, has collaborated with Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam on the project.
It has already installed the first window vinyl in the former Hotter store on Cambridge Street.
The window features Sir Edward Elgar, The Beatles and Louis Armstrong, who all have connections with Harrogate.
The Beatles played at the Royal Hall in March 1963 and Louis Armstrong performed at the same venue in October 1933.
Elgar was a regular visitor to the town. He would often stay at the Crown Hotel and the Majestic Hotel. A walk in Valley Gardens is named after him.
Read more:
- Footfall in Harrogate will decline without change, says council leader
- Free walking tours back with new focus on Harrogate people
Over the coming weeks Debenhams on Parliament Street and Swarovski on James Street will also be transformed.
These will tell the stories of Harrogate's connections to Agatha Christie, Sir Winston Churchill and Charles Dickens.
Creative agency The Lift Agency, and signs and graphic experts De-signs are also involved in the project.
Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:
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