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23
Sept
Council tight-lipped following reported departure of Harrogate Convention Centre boss
North Yorkshire Council has declined to confirm whether Paula Lorimer, who has been director of Harrogate Convention Centre for the last seven years, remains in post.
The Stray Ferret has been told by multiple sources that Ms Lorimer is no longer in charge of the loss-making venue, which is undergoing a £9.4 million upgrade.
The convention centre is owned and run by North Yorkshire Council, but when we asked the council whether Ms Lorimer had left her role, a spokesperson told us:
This is not something we are going to be commenting on.
It is unusual for the council to be so tight-lipped about the status of such a high-profile public servant, so we asked it simply to confirm that Ms Lorimer has left and that a search for her replacement will be – or has been – launched.
Again, the spokesperson replied simply to say:
We will not be commenting.
Ms Lorimer took over the running of Harrogate Convention Centre in 2019 and has consistently been one of the council's top earners locally.
In 2024, we reported that she received total remuneration of £121,818. She has worked full-time in the post of chief executive, but lives in Manchester and has said she only commutes to Harrogate "two or three times a week".
In a development that may or may not be related to her employment status, trade publication Event Industry News reported yesterday that Ms Lorimer has stepped down from the board of the Association of Event Venues.
Rare interview
Ms Lorimer granted the Stray Ferret a rare interview in January, speaking to us about the problems she had encountered in trying to reform the centre's operating model and win council investment for its overhaul.
She was overseeing the creation of new breakout rooms – due to be available in 2027 – which she said promised to transform the centre's prospects by putting it on a par with bigger rivals in other towns and cities.
Ms Lorimer appeared back then to have no plans to move on, saying:
In 2026-27 we’re going to have our best year ever. Certainly since I’ve been here, and probably since 2010. And the following year is very full as well. It’s about getting that momentum.
Sources also say the convention centre is currently being run by head of operations Michael Constantine, but that has not been confirmed either. The Stray Ferret will continue to make enquiries regarding the operational leadership of Harrogate Convention Centre.
You can read columnist Vicky Carr's views on what should be done to revive the convention centre here.
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