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03
Feb 2022
Major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could start in October
A major redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre could get underway in October after councillors backed spending £2.8 million of cash reserves to speed up the first phase of works.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet last night agreed to the spend after warnings that the local economy could miss out on up to £14.9 million through cancelled events unless the centre’s studio two gets an upgrade sooner than originally planned.
The works would see the creation of flexible events space for up to 1,200 people, which centre director Paula Lorimer said was the most crucial part of all the plans.
She told last night’s meeting:
Read more:
- No final decision on HCC investment until 2022, says council
- Harrogate Convention Centre boss warns big events ‘at risk’ unless £47m refurbishment is accelerated
- Harrogate Convention Centre re-development to be speeded up over £475,000 loss fears
If approved by all councillors, a competitive tender process would be launched under the next stage of the studio two works, which could be completed by February 2023.
Overall, the full redevelopment plans could cost up to £47 million and involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 square metre hall and a refurbished auditorium.
The proposals were first revealed last year when the council said the 40-year-old centre was in “critical need” of an upgrade to keep its national appeal and that without investment its maintenance costs could reach £19 million over the next two decades.
A decision on the whole project is expected from councillors in summer.
Centre unable to attract 'large and lucrative' events
The studio two works are being accelerated after Ms Lorimer said the centre had been unable to attract “large and lucrative” events due to competition from more modern conference venues elsewhere in the country.
She said events are planned at least 18 months in advance and that without an upgraded studio two, the centre could lose £1.1 million in lettings revenue in the coming years with businesses also missing out on an economic impact of £14.9 million from the venue.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said he supported the plans because of the wider economic impact.
He told last night’s meeting:
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