Experts have urged Knaresborough to ‘think big’ to help the town’s economy make the most of upcoming major political changes.
They said the town needs to focus on something eye-catching and big — such as a cliff lift — to maximise the potential of North Yorkshire devolution.
Knaresborough and District Chamber of Trade invited the experts to talk about how to seize the opportunities presented by the creation of a combined authority and mayor for North Yorkshire and York in 2024.
The changes will bring £540 million into the county over a 30-year period and see transport, skills and education decision-making powers devolved to the mayor from central government.
James Farrar, chief operating officer for the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said town centres would be a major focus of whoever is elected mayor because the county does not have a large urban city.
He recommended the town focus on securing funding for one major, eye-catching initiative that would appeal to the whoever is elected mayor.
“Town centres will be important to the mayor and the places that do well will be the places that have a plan.
“Don’t wait for the money — get on the front foot. Have a clear plan and understand your priorities.
“Think about the one thing you want in Knaresborough.”
This week’s chamber meeting. Pic: Charlotte Gale
Mr Farrar added many businesses were looking to move out of York because there was no more space to expand and towns like Knaresborough could take advantage.
Alan Reiss, director of strategy for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, told the meeting devolution “massively amplifies the voice of a region” and that North Yorkshire looked like securing a “great deal” financially.
Christian Spence, an economist from Open Innovations, a not-for-profit organisation that uses data to help people make decisions, told the meeting the Knaresborough area was growing rapidly but not in the town centre itself.
By contrast, he said growth had doubled in the south of Knaresborough and Follifoot, over the last 10 years.
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Peter Lacey, an executive member of the chamber who owns a nationwide consulting firm, said Knaresborough had lots great ideas but needed to find a common purpose.
He was one of several people at the meeting to suggest a cliff lift could be the big idea that levered funding into Knaresborough. He said:
“We’ve got some great companies based here, but to date there’s been little joined-up thinking about how we can all add to the wellbeing of local residents, the community and how we see the future of the town as a thriving centre of innovation and growth.”
