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21

Jan 2023

Last Updated: 20/01/2023
Crime
Crime

Harrogate's former Kimberley Hotel being used for drugs and crime, say police

by John Plummer

| 21 Jan, 2023
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Jan 2023

A Harrogate police inspector has expressed concerns that the site of the former Kimberley Hotel is being used for drugs and crime.

The 70-bedroom hotel on King's Road closed in December 2020 after more than 50 years.

Insp. Ed Rogerson, who works for North Yorkshire Police’s Harrogate outer area, said the former hotel had become a "problem area" when he gave an overview of local policing to Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee this week.

He said the hotel was awaiting redevelopment, adding:

"This empty building has been a problem area. Although it’s boarded up people keep breaking in.
"It’s primarily young people but it’s also being used by adults. People have used the location for taking drugs.
"It’s a concern that these vulnerable people are mixing with adults in that location where there’s crime and anti-social behaviour."






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Insp. Rogerson added officers were working with other organisations, including environmental health, “to ensure the owner and developer of that premises secure it properly". He added:

"They’ve been reminded that if it doesn’t remain secure then enforcement action can be taken against them”.




The Kimberley Hotel opened in the 1960s when five townhouses dating back to the turn of the 20th century were converted.

It benefitted from the opening of what was then called the Harrogate Conference Centre in 1982, which is a short walk away.