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19
Jan 2023
Major event signs up for five more years in Harrogate
A major four-day fair in the Harrogate hospitality calendar has signed up to remain in the town for another five years.
The Christmas and Gift Fair, which runs every January, has agreed a contract to take place at Harrogate Convention Centre until 2028.
It typically attracts more than 5,000 visitors and the convention centre said its estimated economic impact for hospitality in the district is £375,000 over the four days of the event.
Convention centre director Paula Lorimer said:
The fair took over seven halls from January 15 to 18 this year, with 90 exhibitors. It has been running since 1950 and is organised by Harrogate International Toy Fair Ltd, whose annual nursery fair is also contracted to HCC for the next two years.
Simon Anslow, organiser of Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair, said:
Read more:
- Council leader 'disappointed' after Harrogate Convention Centre funding refusal
- New council chief questions future of Harrogate Convention Centre
News of the new contract comes on the heels of disappointment for Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the convention centre. The council last night heard it had missed out on investment from the government's levelling up fund to improve its facilities.
The council had asked for £20 million from the fund, towards its £49 million plans to overhaul the venue.
It has run at a loss for many years, though the council has supported it, arguing it brings benefits to the district's economy.
Last week, Richard Flinton, chief executive of the new North Yorkshire Council which will take on responsibility for the centre, last week said the authority would not take on an "enormous drain on public finances".
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