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May 2020

Last Updated: 05/05/2020

NHS is not paying rent for Nightingale hospital at Harrogate Convention Centre

by Vicky Carr

| 05 May, 2020

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Harrogate Convention Centre is not being paid any rent by the NHS for its use of halls as a temporary Nightingale hospital.

Since construction began in late March, and until the end of June, rent is not payable to the convention centre or its owner, Harrogate Borough Council.

Staff from the convention centre, as well as HBC's property services, estates and ICT departments, have supported the transformation of the centre into the Nightingale hospital ready to be handed over and officially opened on April 21st. Documents due to be discussed by the council's cabinet tomorrow say:

"The contract is initially in place until the end of June 2020 and work is underway to understand whether that may be extended.

"The contract does not provide for rent to be paid during the NHS occupation up to the end of June, as no planned events were being held during this period. However, should the agreement be extended there is provision for compensation in the event of the cancellation of future events."

Harrogate Convention Centre has not commented on whether its staffing, utility and other costs are being covered, or on arrangements from July onwards. Harrogate Borough Council has also declined to comment.

The Nightingale hospital is not currently in use, but is on stand-by in case existing hospitals in Yorkshire and the Humber are unable to cope with the number of Covid-19 cases.

It has 500 beds and has occupied eight of the centre's halls. Staff who were trained on site during April have since returned to their usual workplaces elsewhere in Yorkshire.