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Dec 2022

Last Updated: 07/12/2022

Politics

New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model

by Calvin Robinson

| 07 Dec, 2022

Harrogate Convention Centre

A new board is to be created to assess the best way to operate Harrogate Convention Centre.

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the facility, will be abolished in April and replaced by North Yorkshire Council. The move has raised questions over how the venue on Kings Road will be run from 2023.

In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said a strategic board will be set up by the new authority to oversee the planned £49 million redevelopment and assess how it should operate.

She said:

“This will bring changes for HCC including new structural reporting lines as well as to changes to governance relating to the HCC board. Some of these issues are yet to be clarified but are intended to be resolved ahead of vesting day.

“Additionally, and as mentioned earlier in this report, a new HCC strategic board is to be created by the new authority in order to oversee the redevelopment project and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future.

“HCC staff will, however, TUPE transfer to the new authority from April 2023 as they are employees of Harrogate Borough Council.”

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Economic impact up to £31m

Ms Lorimer said the convention centre had recovered “particularly well” from covid and is forecast to reach revenues of 2019 levels next year.

According to the report, the convention centre had an economic impact on the district of £18.6 million for the covid-affected financial year 2021/2022, according to a new Visit Britain methodology.

Ms Lorimer added:

“Now the pandemic is over we are forecasting that the economic impact for 2022/23 should be close to £31 million which is excellent news.

"Our strategy is to focus on winning back larger, multi-day national and professional association conferences.

"Although the exhibitions industry has been in decline for many years, some of HCC’s events are actually growing post pandemic and Brexit. For example the Flooring Show and Nursery Fair have enjoyed a renaissance due to international supply issues caused by the pandemic and exhibitors deciding to promote in the UK."

Ms Lorimer said it had been "a very positive year", adding:

"The current order book looks strong and we expect to reach budget for the year ending to 2022/23 on lettings. More encouragingly, the order book for lettings in 2023/34 has almost been achieved over 12 months out from the year commencing."

Ms Lorimer said an investment in cosmetic improvements, such as new carpets and drapes, "has really paid dividends and now the team await a positive decision to progress with the redevelopment so that HCC can really maximise its full potential".

The convention centre expects to hear next month whether its £20m Levelling Up funding bid has been successful.

The report adds:

"A final decision on whether to progress the redevelopment will be made by the new authority in summer 2023."

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New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model

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Economic impact up to £31m