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May 2020

Last Updated: 26/05/2020

Politics

Lib Dems call for creation of special teams to help Harrogate's economy

by Tamsin O'Brien

| 26 May, 2020

The "Coronavirus Response Teams" would be made up of business leaders, community groups and politicians- working together to help the district recover from lockdown

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Chief Executive of Harrogate Borough Council, Wallace Sampson, calling on the council to set up what it called ‘Coronavirus Response Teams’ to help the district's economy recover from the pandemic.

The Lib Dems said the teams should be made up of a cross-section of representatives from each of the borough’s communities, including business leaders, community groups, and politicians, irrespective of their party colours.

In the letter councillor Pat Marsh, Leader of the Opposition on Harrogate Council, said:

“It will be important that we bring together businesses, community groups, and elected representatives at every level across the district, irrespective of political colours so that coordinated efforts can help to bring about a swift recovery.”

The call comes after the operator of the St George Hotel collapsed on Friday blaming the pandemic- the first sign of how deeply the coronavirus crisis has hit the hospitality industry in the town.

Councillor Pat Marsh continued:

“If we are to prevent yet more businesses collapsing and residents suffering we will need to work together and work to bring together coordinated plans specific to each community in our district. This needs to be done quickly so that we are prepared as we come out of lockdown.”

Yesterday the government announced that all "non-essential" retail could open from June 15th. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from Monday.