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02
Jul
Talks underway to create ‘Brand Harrogate’
Talks are underway to create a new brand for Harrogate that will be used on signs and street furniture in the town.
Some signs in Harrogate look shabby and others still refer to Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished three years ago.
Harrogate Town Council set up a signage working group to create new Welcome to Harrogate signs and review the condition of other signs.
But with the £14.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway project looming, as well as a £213,000 scheme called Harrogate H₂O: Past, Present, Future in Flow that will see a mural, rain gardens, hydration stations and signs installed in the town centre, ambitions have changed.
Councillors will be asked to support the development of a Harrogate town branding proposal at an extraordinary meeting of Harrogate Town Council on July 6.
The council allocated £10,000 on improving signs in its 2026/27 budget but the branding exercise is likely to increase costs, and a report ahead of the meeting suggests some of the £19,325 allocated on civic and community contingency funds could also be allocated.
The report says:
What has emerged as a common factor in all ongoing discussions is the need to develop comprehensive Harrogate town branding. This would then be applied to any emerging projects including waymarking and signage or the town’s online presence.
The report says North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority, has “indicated support for Harrogate Town Council taking a lead on this project so that a Harrogate ‘brand’ has local ownership”.
It also refers to this Stray Ferret opinion piece by urban designer George Eglese about the importance of identity in Harrogate’s future.
The council’s signage working group includes members of Harrogate Business Improvement District, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Civic Society and Harrogate International Partnerships.
Members of the public can attend the extraordinary meeting at 8pm on July 6 at Harrogate Civic Centre.
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