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07
Apr
Knaresborough businesses to form group to revive High Street
Businesses in Knaresborough are to form a steering group to look at ways to improve the town’s “suffering” High Street.
The group will consider a range of options — including the creation of a Business Improvement District — to revitalise the town centre.
About 40 traders attended a meeting at 1858 bar and restaurant on the town’s High Street yesterday (April 6).
The meeting was shrouded in mystery because the identity of the organisers had not been revealed in advance, which highlighted the acrimony that continues to linger in the town following the bitter divisions of 2021 when traders voted against setting up a BID.
The meeting was led by Angela Mountain, a local accommodation provider and member of Waterside Residents’ Association.
She said the town centre was “suffering” and it was unrealistic to expect North Yorkshire Council to help. Ms Mountain said there were “too many empty shops” and too many people “slagging each other off on Facebook” for the good of the town.
She added:
I’m not for or against a BID. What I want is an open meeting of people who care about Knaresborough to come up with ideas about what to do. A BID is an option, but it isn’t the only option. The last time we did a BID here it wasn’t done right. It needs to be completely open.
The idea of today is to stop slagging each other off on Facebook — stop these character assassinations. It needs to stop.
We will form a steering group that will then decide if we want a BID or not.
Matthew Chapman gives his presentation last night.
‘Open and transparent’
Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate BID, gave a presentation about what BIDs are and what they can achieve, and answered questions.
BIDs were introduced to the UK in 2005 to provide additional services to councils to make town centres more attractive and increase footfall. Besides Harrogate, they exist in nearby Ripon, Ilkley, Skipton and Otley.
Town centre businesses with a rateable value above an agreed threshold pay a levy to fund services. But BIDs are only created when traders vote to do so.
Mr Chapman said:
BIDs aren’t perfect. They aren’t the answer that will solve every problem on the High Street but hopefully the slides I present will show there are some positives to have.
Knaresborough High Street
He highlighted how businesses could have a stronger voice lobbying North Yorkshire Council for action on town centre issues, such as tackling crime and cleaning streets, as well as take on initiatives such as free parking.
But Mr Chapman stressed it was up to Knaresborough firms to decide what to do in an “open and transparent” way.
Third business group
Traders also discussed setting up a community interest company rather than a BID, which Ms Mountain said could be discussed by the steering group.
Some also questioned whether creating a third business group in a town which already has Knaresborough & District Chamber and Knaresborough Business Collective was necessary, but others said the BID would be run by paid staff rather than volunteers who could devote themselves to the role full-time.
One business owner asked what action could be taken against traders that refuse to pay their BID levy. When Mr Chapman said the ultimate sanction was legal action, the business owner said the initiative would have “no chance” of succeeding and he would move his business elsewhere.
But others said it was a similar principle to accepting the rules of a government, regardless of whether you personally supported it.
Ms Mountain concluded the meeting by asking anyone interested in being on the steering group to leave their details. She said: “Hopefully after tonight we will create a steering group and decide a way forward.”
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