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26
Jul 2021
Harrogate social distancing planters heading to Starbeck
Six of the social distancing planters that were in Harrogate town centre during covid restrictions look set to be moved to Starbeck High Street.
The planters, which occupied town centre parking spaces to the annoyance of some traders, were removed from James Street and Albert Street last week.
Harrogate Borough Council subsequently put out a call to local business owners interested in loaning the wooden boxes.
Andrew Hart, who owns the post office in Starbeck, said the council had agreed this morning to loan him six planters, providing he can get a pavement licence from North Yorkshire County Council, which he hopes will be a formality.
Mr Hart plans to put the planters outside the former McColl's supermarket building, which was destroyed by fire three years ago. He said it has been an "eyesore" ever since.
Mr Hart said there would be enough space on the pavement for wheelchairs and prams to pass.
He added:
Read More:
- What will happen to the James Street planters?
- Harrogate town centre social distancing planters removed
The flowers have been wilting in the sun at the council's nursery on Harlow Hill in Harrogate because the council said it did not have the resources to water them properly.
Mr Hart has agreed to pay the council £40 per planter to put fresh flowers in the boxes. Once they arrive in Starbeck, they will be watered and maintained by volunteers.
The council bought the planters after receiving £144,411 from the European Regional Development Fund to boost high streets during the covid pandemic.
However, as a condition of using the EU money, the planters cannot be placed on privately-owned land and must be branded with the ERDF and HMG logos before being returned to the council by March next year.
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