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.
10
Feb
Revealed: the high price paid by taxpayers for empty units in Harrogate’s Royal Baths
Taxpayers have lost out on more than £1.5 million due to North Yorkshire Council’s inability to fill vacant units in Harrogate’s Royal Baths.
The council paid £9.5 million in 2018 to add the grade two listed Victorian building to its commercial property portfolio.
But it has been dogged by poor financial performance, largely because several units have stood empty for lengthy periods of time and failed to generate income.
A council report in 2023 downgraded the value of the baths to £7 million, amid claims that it was an "under-performing trophy asset".
The Stray Ferret submitted a freedom of information request to the council to find out how much lost revenue has been caused by the vacant units.
We asked for a breakdown of lost income, including rent, service charge and business rates, for the vacancy of the former Viper Rooms, Potting Shed and tourist information office.
The Royal Baths were once the heart of Harrogate's spa industry
The Viper Rooms was repossessed by the council in December 2022 and has been vacant since. Last month the council said it had accepted an offer from a new tenant but the unit remains closed.
The Potting Shed site was closed for five years until it reopened as the Wicked Wolf in December.
The former tourist information centre relocated to the Royal Pump Room Museum last year after closing during covid.
The other two commercial properties in the Royal Baths — the Wetherspoon pub and the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant — have remained open.
The council provided figures for rent, service charge and business rates for the three sites dogged by vacancy. They are:
'To Let' signs at Viper Rooms.
Viper Rooms
Rent £236,200
Service charge £149,928
Business rates £87, 906
TOTAL £474,034
Potting Shed
Rent £625,000
Service charge £207,835
Business rates £204,750
TOTAL £1,037,585
The former tourist information centre
Tourist information centre
Rent – not applicable
Service charge £9,599
Business rates £11,726
TOTAL: £21,325
2