To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Mar
North Yorkshire Council is set to shelve a £57 million upgrade of Harrogate Convention Centre and test new operating models for the site instead.
A report published today reveals the council has appointed consultants 31ten to "help assess the options for the development and operation" of the events and exhibitions venue.
It said they will explore options for the future use and running of the site, adding:
Harrogate Borough Council drew up plans eight years ago for a two-phase redevelopment of the ageing centre.
It estimated the first phase alone would cost £48 million and now North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded Harrogate Borough Council in April last year, has said the cost for phase one alone has soared to £57.2 million. Attempts to secure £20million government levelling-up funding towards this sum have failed.
The report to the Conservative-controlled council's executive also warns the phase one redevelopment would last three years and entail shutting large sections of the venue for up to 15 months at a time, jeopardising £14m of forward bookings. The report said:
The main auditorium
Examining new options is due to be completed this month. A report recommending a way forward is then expected.
The report says one "more affordable" upgrade could be the creation of" much-needed break-out spaces which are expected to attract significant additional income each year".
Cllr Gareth Dadd, the council's executive director for finance, said:
Paula Lorimer
Paula Lorimer, the convention centre’s director, warned last year Harrogate would "wither on the vine" if the convention centre closed and supported plans for a major upgrade. But she said she now backed the fresh approach:
Ms Lorimer added that this year’s income from lettings is at the highest level since 2014 and the number of forward bookings is also the highest in recent memory.
She said:
However, the building has problems with ageing heating and air conditioning systems and there are also increasing maintenance and utility costs, as well as a layout that presents challenges for many events and conferences.
North Yorkshire Council currently supports the centre with a subsidy of £2.7 million each year.
The centre opened in 1982 and has a 2,000-seat auditorium and 13,000 square metres of exhibition space.
0