Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Jul 2020

Last Updated: 10/09/2020

Business

District businesses' 'dismay' over plans for £46.8m convention centre upgrade

by John Plummer

| 27 Jul, 2020

Harrogate businesses are likely to benefit from Harrogate Borough Council's plans to invest £46.8m in the town's convention centre. But Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge business leaders are less positive.

Harrogate Convention Centre

Business representatives in Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge have reacted with “dismay” to news that Harrogate Borough Council could spend £46.8m renovating the town's convention centre.

A confidential cabinet report leaked to The Stray Ferret has urged councillors to support the huge investment in the 40-year-old centre this week.

The news is likely to be welcomed by businesses in Harrogate but the wider district is less convinced of its merit.

Stephen Teggin, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade, said:

“I'm somewhat dismayed about this.

“It's all about Harrogate. We are struggling like mad to keep Knaresborough going and attract tourists and the council finds £50m to keep something going that already loses money. It's unfair.”

Mr Teggin called on the council to find £50,000 a year to keep markets in Ripon and Knaresborough going.

“The markets are what pull in coaches for us, just like the convention centre does for Harrogate.

“They must spend the same amount of money, pro rata, on tourism here.”

Stephen Craggs, co-director of Ripon home appliances store G Craggs, said he wouldn't begrudge Harrogate receiving such a huge sum but questioned the wisdom of spending it on the centre.

“That ship sailed 20 years ago. The centre is not big enough to compete with the likes of Manchester and the NEC in Birmingham. They're flogging a dead horse.”

Mr Craggs suggested the centre would be better utilised as an indoor shopping centre.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked report reveals dire financial state of Harrogate Convention Centre

£60m or £35m: What is the value of Harrogate Convention Centre to the district?

Tim Ledbetter, chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade in Pateley Bridge, said it was “less than impressed” by the council's plan.

Mr Ledbetter said there was no overall business vision for the district and added it was “debatable” whether Pateley businesses reaped any benefits from events in Harrogate.

The council has said there is a "very real risk that the venue will not survive" if councillors do not agree to press ahead with plans for renovation on Wednesday. It says the centre attracts 157,000 visitors a year, has an economic impact worth £35m and supports thousands of jobs across the district.

Stuart Holland, co-chair of Harrogate Civic Society, said the 1960s-style centre was “nothing to be proud of” architecturally and welcomed the opportunity for improvement.

Mr Holland added any renovation should be sympathetic to the society's attempts to develop a cultural quarter in Harrogate.

Subscribe to trusted local news

District businesses' 'dismay' over plans for £46.8m convention centre upgrade

Read more: