Businesses in Harrogate will begin voting this week on whether to continue to fund a town centre group that aims to increase footfall and boost trade.
Currently 462 town centre businesses with a rateable value above £19,000 pay a levy to Harrogate Business Improvement District.
They agreed to do so for five years after a ballot in 2018 and firms are now being asked whether to fund it for a second five-year term.
The BID spends the money on additional services, such as street cleaning and Christmas lights, to those provided by local authorities.
These planters were funded by the BID.
If businesses vote ‘no’, the BID will cease to exist at the end of the year.
Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, launched the organisation’s term two business plan in April at the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.
The plan reveals the BID is forecast to have £510,000 income a year, which it would spend on activities such as its street ranger Chris Ashby, street cleaning, Christmas lights, match-funded grants, street entertainment, targeted free parking and floral baskets and planters.
Ripon, York, Leeds, Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Bradford and Northallerton all have bids but Knaresborough rejected one.
Council to remain neutral
Five years ago, Harrogate Borough Council voted in favour of the BID when it used its block vote for businesses it ran.
But it no longer exists and North Yorkshire Council, which replaced it this month, has said it will abstain as it wants businesses to decide.
Karl Battersby, corporate director for environment at the council, resigned as a BID director on April 28.
The ballot will run from June 1 to 28 and the result will be announced on June 29.
Pic shows: Dan Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow who are the current chair and deputy chair respectively of the BID.
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Business Breakfast: Senior appointment at Harrogate law firm
It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. The fourth in our series of networking events, with Banyan Bar & Kitchen, is a breakfast event on April 27 from 8am.
Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.
Harrogate law firm, LCF Law, has appointed a new business development and marketing director.
Nick Greenwood has spent the past 25 years working for banking, accountancy, and legal firms across Yorkshire.
In his new role, Mr Greenwood will head a broad spectrum of business development and marketing projects at LCF Law and oversee the firm’s overall growth strategy.
He said:
“I started my career at Barclays as a branch manager in both the Leeds and Bradford flagship branches, soon progressing through SME into corporate banking and agriculture, supporting all types of businesses with their financial needs.
“After that, I became part of the senior leadership team at a mid-tier accountancy firm as head of sectors, and then moved to a business development role at a 48 partner law firm supporting its achievement to become one of the most profitable law firms in the east of England.
“Whether it be providing finance, accountancy, or legal services, the key is always to focus on how firms can solve problems for their clients and deliver cost-effective solutions that help them achieve their business and personal goals.”
Simon Stell, managing partner at LCF Law, said:
“We have significant growth aspirations and Nick’s expertise and enthusiasm will help us to deliver those. At the heart of any good business are its people. We recruit great people and help them to achieve their potential and career ambitions. The addition of Nick to the team will help the business and our lawyers meet our goals..
“Nick’s appointment will help us to reach even more clients across a broad spectrum including the manufacturing, agricultural, healthcare, digital and charity sectors.”
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Harrogate BID funds town spring clean
Harrogate’s Business Improvement District has completed a spring clean as part of its business objective to keep the town ‘safe, clean and welcoming’.
The 150-hour long clean-up operation saw hot steam and pressure jet washing of pavements on Cambridge Street, Beulah Street, Oxford Street, Cambridge Road, James Street, Parliament Street, West Park, John Street, The Ginnel, Montpellier Mews, Kings Road and Station Parade.
The work was backed up by Chris Ashby, the BID’s in-house street ranger, who recently won the Unsung Hero Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023, in recognition of his hard work and dedication to keeping the town spotless.
Matthew Chapman, BID manager, said:
“First impressions really do count, which is why we ensure our streets are cleaned on a regular basis.
“It is clear to see from the before and after pictures that the deep cleans make a huge difference to the aesthetic appearance of the town for all who visit it.
“I would encourage all businesses who are part of the BID community to make the most of the additional services the street ranger team offers over and above the deep cleaning.
“We provide reactive support for improvements to properties within the BID radius, to make sure they look professional, clean and inviting. Anyone wanting to make the most of this offering should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk.”
North Yorkshire County Council‘s leader has blamed the county’s failure in securing Levelling Up funding on “too many bids” across the country for “too small a pot”.
Last month the government revealed the winners of the second Levelling Up Fund round that saw £2.1bn up for grabs.
Several district councils in the county made bids for funding, including £20m to redevelop Harrogate Convention Centre. North Yorkshire County Council also submitted a £39.3m bid to upgrade Thirsk, Seamer and Scarborough stations.
In total, bids worth £118.4m were made for projects in the county but only Richmondshire District Council received funding, which will see £19m spent regenerating Catterick town centre in prime minister Rishi Sunak’s constituency.
At a full meeting of the county council in Northallerton this week, Cllr Bryn Griffiths, Liberal Democrat member for Stokesley division, asked council leader Carl Les why most of the bids in North Yorkshire had failed.
He said:
“We don’t seem to be very good at obtaining Levelling Up money, do we? Do we know why? What are the reasons? Are our processes wrong or is central government not listening to us?”
Cllr Lindsay Burr, independent member for the Malton division, said the rejections were both “concerning and disappointing” for the county. She added:
“Levelling Up was announced with great fanfare and the majority of residents felt it was a given that Yorkshire would be levelled up. Could our leader press central government to ensure Yorkshire can get its fair share?”
‘Too small a pot’
Cllr Les said NYCC had received feedback from government on why bids failed but added that he believes not enough money was available for all the bids to be successful. He said:
“We do ask civil servants for feedback and we get that. The issue with the fund was there was too many bids for too small a pot.
“I use my powers to urge government to give us more in North Yorkshire, I do that all the time but other leaders around the country do that as well. We’ll always bang the drum for North Yorkshire and try to get our fair share.”
Read more:
- Harrogate council spends £45,000 on outside help for failed Levelling Up bid
- Government rejects £20m levelling up bid for Harrogate Convention Centre
During the first two rounds of the Levelling Up Fund, 834 bids were submitted but only 216 were successful.
The government scored each bid out of 100 with criteria including deliverability and the characteristics of each place.
It will be opening a third round of funding with a further £1bn available to councils.
Earlier this month, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that Harrogate Borough Council spent £45,000 on consultants to help prepare its failed Levelling Up bid.
Liberal Democrat member for the Kingsley division, Cllr Chris Aldred, asked Cllr Les how much was spent in total in North Yorkshire for consultants to help with bids.
Cllr Les promised to answer his question before the district councils are abolished in just over a month.
Harrogate firms prepare to vote on whether to continue funding business groupFirms in Harrogate town centre will be balloted in June over whether to continue to fund a business improvement district.
A total of 462 businesses in Harrogate town centre currently pay a levy of 1.5% on top of their rateable value to fund Harrogate Business Improvement District.
It is one of more than 350 BIDs in the country, set up to increase footfall by providing additional services to those run by councils.
Harrogate BID was set up in 2018 when businesses voted by 108 to 23 in favour of the initiative.
Businesses will vote again in June on whether to continue supporting it. The ballot will open on June 1 and close on June 28. The result will be announced the following day.
Ripon has a BID but Knaresborough rejected one.
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BID chief executive Matthew Chapman outlined the organisation’s achievements at this week’s annual general meeting at the Crown Hotel and made the case for the continuation of the organisation.
Mr Chapman said businesses could step into the void created by the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1. He said:
“It’s a key time with Harrogate Borough Council going. The town will lose a voice for a time and we believe we can step in and be that voice.
“BIDs in their second terms often go on to bigger and better things.”
Sara Ferguson speaking at the annual general meeting.
The BID spent £608,844 last year to record a deficit of £13,737. Mr Chapman said the deficit would be wiped out when levy bill reminders and court summons prompted some late payments.
The BID funded initiatives such as free car parking, free buses into town, street cleaning, street entertainers, floral displays, Christmas lights, Harrogate lego trail and the platinum jubilee celebrations on the Stray.
Dan Siddle, general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow recently replaced Sara Ferguson and Richard Wheeldon as chair and vice-chair respectively.
Streets included within the Harrogate BID boundary:
Albert Street, Beulah Street, Bower Road, Cambridge Crescent, Cambridge Road, Cheltenham Crescent, Cheltenham Mount, Cheltenham Parade, Cold Bath Road, Commercial Street, Crescent Road, Crown Place, Dragon Parade, Dragon Road, East Parade, East Park Road, Haywra Crescent, Haywra Street, James Street, John Street, Kings Road, Market Place, Montpellier Gardens, Montpellier Parade, Montpellier Road, Montpellier Street, Mount Parade, North Park Road, Oxford Street, Park Parade, Park View, Parliament Street, Princes Square, Princes Street, Prospect Crescent, Prospect Place, Queensway, Raglan Street, Ripon Road, Royal Parade, Springfield Avenue, Station Avenue, Station Bridge, Station Parade, Station Square, Studley Road, Swan Road, The Ginnel, Tower Street, Union Street, Victoria Avenue, Victoria Shopping Centre, West Park, York Place
Free Christmas parking returns this week at Harrogate’s Victoria Car ParkFree weekday parking is being introduced in Harrogate’s Victoria Car Park this week until early January to attract Christmas shoppers.
Harrogate Business Improvement District is funding the initiative as part of its mission to drive town centre footfall.
From this week until Thursday, January 5 — free parking will be available between 3pm and 7.30pm in the Victoria Car Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The ‘free after three’ campaign encourages town centre visitors on quieter days of the week, helping Harrogate’s retail, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“Once again, we are delivering on our pledge to retailers to provide free parking in the town centre during the run up to Christmas, which is traditionally one of the busiest periods in their calendar.
“And whereas in the two previous years ‘free after three’ has ended just before Christmas, I’m delighted to say that this time we are extending it right through to Thursday, January 5, which we know will be beneficial to both visitors and businesses.
“‘Free after Three’ is only available in Victoria Car Park, which has ample space. It links directly to Victoria Shopping Centre, giving easy access to the heart of the town centre and the wonderful shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues Harrogate is home to.”
The BID’s 2022 Christmas campaign also includes sponsoring the North Pole Post Office, the Candy Cane Express road train, the Father Christmas Experience, the Christmas Shop Window Competition, and the Christmas lights.
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Business rates to reduce for majority of Harrogate firms, says BID
A Harrogate business organisation has said a new business rates valuation will see the majority of local firms pay less.
Following a government review, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt decided to progress with new valuations of properties as part of his autumn statement.
An online service is available to show firms whether their rates will increase from April 1, 2023.
Sara Ferguson, chair of the Harrogate Business Improvement District, said she welcomed the review by government.
She added that while some businesses will see their rateable value rise, they will still receive support from government.
Ms Ferguson said:
“For a number of years, Harrogate BID has been asking the government to review business rates, and I’m really pleased this has now happened.
“Looking at the website, it appears that the majority of the business have seen their business rates reduced, which will be a relief to many, particularly with the rise in fuel, raw materials and energy costs.
“And for those that have seen their rate rise, those at the lower end of the scale will still benefit from rate relief, with plenty of small business not paying anything at all.”
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Last week, Mr Hunt announced £13.6 billion worth of business rates relief targeted at businesses that may see their rates increase.
Mr Hunt said the move would help to “soften the blow” for businesses with new valuations.
Business owners can check their valuations on the government website here.
‘Winter wonderland’ plans to boost Harrogate this ChristmasAn ice rink and a big wheel are set to come to Harrogate as part of this year’s Christmas festivities in the town.
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe and John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, told Harrogate BID members last night about how Christmas will look in the town this year.
A “winter wonderland” will be created in Crescent Gardens, which will include the ice rink, apres ski, carousel and children’s rides.
Mr Rhodes said an expanded Christmas market will run from December 2 to December 11 with stalls on Cambridge Street, as well as “probably” Oxford Street and Cambridge Crescent.
Last year was the first event run together by the two organisations. Mr McGivern acknowledged there were some “teething problems” but said staff were working hard to make it bigger and better this year.
He said 90% of stallholders from last year have said they would like to return.
Mr McGivern said there was some feedback from last year about a lack of atmosphere but that covid hampered what they were able to offer.
He said this year will have more of a Christmas feel with the addition of carol singers, among other plans.
The popular Candy Cane Express road train will be back, but there will be two trains this year instead of one due to high demand.
The location is yet to be confirmed, but a 32m big wheel is likely to be placed at Harrogate’s war memorial where the helter skelter was last year.
The big wheel, ice rink, carousel and rides will be in place until January 8.
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Business Breakfast: Harrogate BID to host energy saving workshops for businesses
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) is to hold three workshops around saving energy.
The organisation is partnering with energy consultant Ryan Edwards to look at ways of dealing with rising electricity and gas prices.
There will be three events during the day on Monday, September 19.
The first is being held at Hustle & Co on Prince Albert Terrace at 9.30am, the second on Zoom at 11am and the third at 5.30pm at Starling Café on Oxford Street.
The sessions will last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Business who want to attend the Zoom meeting have been asked to email the BID for the link.
Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:
“We are acutely aware of the struggles our members are continually having when it comes to understanding, managing and securing new energy contracts for their businesses.”
He said Mr Edwards has expertise that will be helpful:
“He will be able to help us have a better understanding of what is happening within the energy market, and offer practical advice on securing energy contracts.
“Ryan works with more than 26 UK Suppliers, so can assure you that he can find the very best contracts on the market at this time.
“He can also bulk buy energy by buying all Members energy, at the same time driving the unit prices down significantly. It goes without saying, the more businesses we can get involved, the cheaper the unit.”
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Richard Levin of Loop Cashmere, Anne Blanden of Finance Yorkshire, Claire Heathcote of Loop Cashmere and Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire
Harrogate cashmere company secures Finance Yorkshire investment
Harrogate luxury cashmere brand Loop Cashmere has secured funding from the business loan organisation Finance Yorkshire.
The company makes its products using sustainable yarn from Inner Mongolia.
The £250,000 it has secured has gone towards opening a warehouse in Leeds and appoint a head of marketing.
Claire Heathcote opened the business with Richard Levin two years ago. She said:
“We saw a gap in the market for a sustainable cashmere brand offering contemporary styles made in the softest high-quality cashmere. Sustainability is the heart of brand from the way we source our sustainably accredited yarn, who we select as expert makers to craft our styles, our small production runs and the use of recyclable and compostable packaging.”
Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said:
4km of jubilee bunting goes up around Harrogate“In just two years Loop Cashmere has developed a strong brand with sustainable credentials which will appeal to fashion-conscious customers. We look forward to supporting them in the next chapter of their growth journey.”
The streets of Harrogate have been adorned with 4km of jubilee bunting to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
The bunting has been bought by Harrogate Business Improvement District, with help from Harrogate Borough Council’s Welcome Back Fund.
Leftover bunting will be given to businesses within the levy area free of charge.
Streets the BID has dressed in a mixture of red, white and blue, various colours and ‘jubilee purple’ are:
- Market Place
- Cambridge Street
- Oxford Street
- Cambridge Road
- Commercial Street
- Beulah Street
- James Street
- Princess Street
Businesses within Harrogate’s town centre pay the BID 1.5% of their rateable value a year on top of their usual business rates. Harrogate BID, which drives footfall to the town centre, brings in around £500,000 from local firms.
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Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:
Flaxby factory could send 300 homes to Guernsey“With the bunting now adorning town centre streets, Harrogate’s countdown to the Queen’s platinum jubilee has well and truly started.
“And whatever bunting is left over, we have separated in to 10m strips for businesses from with the BID levy area to put up outside their premises free of charge.
“In the next week or so, the hanging baskets with red, white and blue flowers, will also start appearing, giving the town a colourful, floral lift.”
Flaxby-based modular housing developer Ilke Homes could manufacture 332 homes for a new housing scheme in Guernsey.
They would be built at Ilke’s factory and transported to Guernsey to be constructed on-site.
The Channel Islands Co-operative submitted plans for the development this week and include a car park and supermarket.
Nigel Banks, special projects manager for Ilke Homes, told the BBC:
“We have focussed on having homes that are very well insulated, they are also built using very sustainable materials – we have a big focus on having low emissions to the structures.
“The floors are manufactured then put on a trailer and transported to a harbour, then put on a charter vessel and then transported at night to the location.”
Harrogate BID to host culture and inclusion meeting
Harrogate BID will host a meeting next week at Hustle & Co in Harrogate.
Jane Slimming, founder of Culco, an organisation which helps businesses implement cultural programmes, will be the key speaker at the meeting. She is also CEO of Zeal, a Digital and Creative Agency.
Ms. Slimming is expected to speak about subjects around improving workplace culture and inclusion, the future of the workplace, and recruitment.
Jane Slimming
Harrogate Borough Council has worked closely with the company, helping businesses across Yorkshire. It also funded workshop participation hosted by Culco earlier this year.
Harrogate BID will also hear about plans for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Harrogate.
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