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28
Jul 2020
Harrogate businesses back £47m conference centre renovation
Harrogate business leaders have urged the local authority to press ahead tomorrow with plans for a £46.8m renovation of the town's convention centre.
Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet will recommend spending £1.1m on a detailed feasibility study and a full economic impact assessment, according to confidential cabinet documents seen by The Stray Ferret.
The prospect of this leading to such a huge investment in the centre of Harrogate has alarmed some people in Ripon, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge, who fear their locations won't reap the benefits.
But businesses in Harrogate have said investment is necessary for the survival of the town's hotels, restaurants and bars.
Simon Cotton, managing director of the HRH Group, whose properties include the Yorkshire Hotel, the White Hart Hotel and the Fat Badger pub, said the visitor economy was “massively driven” by the centre, which is currently being used as a Nightingale hospital. He added:
Read more:
- EXCLUSIVE: Leaked report reveals dire financial state of Harrogate Convention Centre
- District businesses' 'dismay' over plans for £46.8m convention centre upgrade
A spokesperson for Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Association said redevelopment “will help Harrogate attract new events and drive even more business to the town, which is great for local restaurants, retailers and the hotel and accommodation sector”.
Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the “backbone of the town” would change if Harrogate lost the centre.
But Ms Doherty said the centre was “far behind its rivals, which offer more adaptive space to include breakout rooms, the ability to offer smaller conference space and the technology to support it”. She added:
Sara Ferguson, acting chair of the Harrogate BID, said:
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