Readers' Letters: Residents, businesses and authorities must work together to shape Ripon's future

Readers’ Letters is a free weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

This letter supports a recent opinion piece published in the Stray Ferret. He offers his view on Ripon Cathedral withdrawing its annexe plans, as well as how the city's future can be shaped. 

I am writing in support of Dennis Tarter’s recent article. 

His thoughtful piece articulates not only the disappointment felt by many in the community, but also the broader implications of this decision for Ripon’s future.

The proposed annexe would have brought significant cultural, social and economic benefits to the city, acting as a catalyst for regeneration and reaffirming Ripon’s unique heritage and identity. Its loss leaves a notable gap in what could have been a turning point in the city’s development. Who else will invest millions of pounds in Ripon?

Now is the time for action. Ripon City Council, North Yorkshire Council and the new combined authority must take seriously their role in shaping the future of our city. They should actively engage with the cathedral and explore ways to reignite investment in Ripon — investment that respects the city’s history while looking firmly toward the future. The cathedral’s involvement remains crucial, and the community needs our institutions to show leadership in facilitating constructive dialogue and support.

But this responsibility doesn’t lie with public bodies alone. Local businesses, both large and small - especially those in the tourism and hospitality industries - are also essential to Ripon’s economic development. Their innovation, resilience and local knowledge can help drive the city forward, attracting visitors, creating jobs, and ensuring that Ripon remains a vibrant, welcoming place for residents and tourists alike.

Most importantly, we as residents must be willing to look at the wider picture for Ripon's future. This moment should serve as a wake-up call to reimagine what our city can be, to champion thoughtful progress and to work together toward a shared vision that honours Ripon’s past while embracing new possibilities.

Let this not be the end of the conversation, but the beginning of a renewed effort to bring lasting, visionary change to Ripon.

David Ingham, Ripon

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