Harrogate Borough Council is set to bring forward part of its redevelopment of the town’s convention centre over fears it may lose £475,000 in bookings.
A report due before the council’s cabinet next week will recommend setting aside £2.8 million from its reserves to accelerate creating “breakout rooms” in studio 2.
Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said previously that bringing the studio part of the project forward needed to be a priority as it would be a “game changer”.
The work to studio 2 will include the creation of seminar rooms to cater for up to 1,200 people. Currently, the studio only caters for 570 delegates, which can deter some organisations from booking.
The work for studio 2 is now expected to be considered as a standalone project, while approval for the wider first phase of the project is likely to return before councillors at a later date.
The report to councillors says:
“If the studio 2 package is not ready by April 2023, the potential negative impact on the HCC order book would be significant.
“It is highly likely that the contracted events for the period 2023/24 would be lost, as without studio 2 these conferences would exceed the current breakout capacity of the venue.”
£12.9m hit to local economy
The council estimates that if the acceleration of studio 2 is not approved then the authority faces a loss in income of £475,000 and an associated economic impact on the district as a whole of £12.9 million.
This is because events for the convention centre are often booked 18 months in advance.
Read more:
- No final decision on HCC investment until 2022, says council
- Harrogate Convention Centre boss warns big events ‘at risk’ unless £47m refurbishment is accelerated
Ms Lorimer told a cabinet meeting in December 2021 that there was a “strong case” to bring the studio project forward.
She said:
“We are lucky to have one of the largest and most gorgeous auditoriums in the country with just over 1,900 seats, but we only have breakout space for 570 people.
“These larger conference rooms that we are hoping to have in studio 2 will mean we will attract much larger conferences.
“We therefore believe there is a very strong case to accelerate this part of the project.”
The remainder of the project has yet to receive a final go-ahead from councillors and could cost up to £47 million over three phases if approved.
Other plans as part of the project could involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.
Around £20 million would be needed to complete a first phase of redevelopment, with another phase later.
Work on Harrogate’s Station Gateway project could continue into 2024 — considerably longer than first indicated.
The scheme was given the green light by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive yesterday, paving the way for its implementation.
The Department for Transport, which is funding the initiative, had set a deadline of March 2023 for completion. Councils supporting it had said in consultation documents “it is anticipated that construction of the scheme will begin in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months”.
But North Yorkshire County Council, which is the lead partner on the scheme, said after yesterday’s meeting the Department for Transport had now advised the deadline could be extended into 2024.
A county council spokesman said:
“Although the Department for Transport set an initial completion date of March 2023, the department has advised that completion could extend into 2024.”
This could lead to longer-term disruption for businesses already concerned about the impact on trade, although the councils have said “we will aim to ensure all roads remain open to traffic at all times, and noise and other disturbance from the works will be minimised”.
What happens now with the gateway?
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access, has hailed the £10.9 million gateway initiative as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre.
Key proposals include reducing Station Parade to one lane and the part pedestrianisation of James Street to encourage more walking and cycling.
Yesterday, senior county councillors gave their backing for the scheme to move to detailed design stage and for a final business case to be drawn up.
The final case will be submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which administers the funding for the Harrogate, Skipton and Selby schemes, which together are worth £42 million.
Read more:
- In depth: What is the economic case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway?
- Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation
- Harrogate set for ‘greatest investment in town centre in decades’
Council bosses said the business case could be submitted by May 2022.
They added work could start on the Harrogate project “later this year”. They had previously indicated work would be underway by spring or summer but now appear to less specific.
Impact on businesses
The council backed the scheme despite considerable opposition from businesses and residents groups.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, told councillors that businesses had been “ignored” and that an economic impact study did not take into account the disruption on businesses.
He said:
“Does the economic impact study take into account the disruption delivering this Project will have on businesses already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid?”
Barrie Mason, assistant director of highways at the county council, responded to say officers were “reluctant” to make a final economic case while “designs were evolving”.
However, he added that the “foundation” of the council’s economic case had been shared with businesses and the public at a meeting organised by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce in November 2021.
Mr Mason added:
“We delayed publishing a final economic case until after the consultation had been completed and any amendments could be taken into account.”
He went onto to say that the county council would “work closely with contractors” to minimise any disruption to the town centre by construction of the scheme.
Harrogate district businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant are being urged to apply for one-off grants of up to £6,000.
Firms in the district’s key hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors – many of which have been hit by cancellations and a drop in footfall during the latest Covid wave – can apply to Harrogate Borough Council for the cash support until February 14.
The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is for eligible businesses that are registered and is based on the rateable value of premises.
Those with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive £2,667, while those with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 will get £4,000.
Businesses with a rateable value above £51,000 will get the maximum amount of £6,000.
Read more:
There has also been extra funding announced through the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme to support covid-hit businesses, including those that are not eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
This funding requires local councils to design and adopt their own scheme – and Harrogate Borough Council said applications will open by January 27 and close on February 14.
Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said:
“To date, we’ve distributed more than £94 million to some 1,500 businesses to support them throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Often at a time when the funds provide an important relief during a very stressful period.
“I’d urge eligible businesses to apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant before the closing date of February 14.
“Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant – to support other businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant – will also open by the end of the week and again will close on February 14.
“We will be working hard to process each application as quickly as possible and will make every effort within the government guidance to support as many businesses as possible.”
For more information on how to apply go to the Harrogate Borough Council website.
Ripon company supplies gritters for London’s roadsA Ripon company is set to supply gritters to keep London’s roads safe during winter.
For the next seven years, 33 Econ Engineering vehicles will be located at different points in London ready to mobilise when temperatures plummet.
Econ, which has its main manufacturing base in Ripon, has been negotiating with three companies that have been awarded contracts to keep the capital’s roads ice and snow free.
Ringways, Tarmac and Kier Joint Venture and FM Conway were all awarded contracts by Transport for London to maintain the capital’s roads.
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Minimum gritting will not affect service, say council bosses
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All three companies have turned to Econ to purchase vehicles for winter maintenance.
Ringways has purchased 11 gritters, Tarmac and Kier joint Venture 13 and FM Conway has bought nine from Econ.
Jonathan Lupton, from Econ, said:
“We are delighted to have been chosen by all three TfL contractors as their winter maintenance vehicle partner of choice.
“This is a significant contract award for us and demonstrates our standing within the highways and transports sector.
“For more than 50 years, Econ has become an industry leader in the manufacturing of gritters, and our vehicles are used by councils, highways agencies, and road contractors the length and breadth of the UK.”
TfL said in a statement:
Harrogate’s first street ranger given licence to ‘fight grime’“For the next seven years the three contractors will be ensuring our roads are kept open whatever the weather conditions. And for their part, they have chosen Econ Engineering to supply them with the necessary vehicles to ensure they fulfil their contractual obligations.”
Harrogate Business Improvement District has given its new street ranger a licence to fight grime.
It may not be as glamorous a role as James Bond’s, but street ranger Chris Ashby is set to become a familiar figure in the town centre.
Mr Ashby’s job is to give visitors a better first impression of Harrogate by cleaning, painting and pointing out anti-social behaviour.
His work is in addition to Harrogate BID’s four major deep-cleans in a year and Harrogate Borough Council’s usual street cleaning work.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said the role was a key part of the organisation’s ambition to create a ‘safe, clean and welcoming’ town centre. He added:
“Harrogate is the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown, and Chris will be there to give it an extra sparkle.
“The council already does a great job in terms of ridding pavements of litter, and Chris will be building on their day-to-day work.
“His battery-powered vehicle will carry a variety of tools including brushes, bin bags and a power washer allowing him to quickly react to any unsightly or hazardous incident that businesses might report, and what and he sees with his own eyes.”
Read more:
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Mr Ashby said:
In depth: What is the economic case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway?“Living in Harrogate, I’m aware of a what a very special town it is.
“I’m really looking forward to taking on this new role with Harrogate BID and getting to know business owners and levy payers as I carry out my grime fighting duties.”
The saga over Harrogate’s Station Gateway took another turn this week when council officers revealed they were set to press ahead with the £10.9 million project.
North Yorkshire County Council, which is expected to vote to continue with the scheme on Tuesday, included an economic case for the scheme in documents sent to councillors ahead of Tuesday’s crunch vote.
The report says the initiative represents the “biggest investment in decades” in the town, will save shops from decline and make the town centre more attractive.
It was published without fanfare after the second round of consultation had finished, prompting business groups in Harrogate to criticise the county council for a lack of consultation. Business groups have long called for an economic impact assessment to be published.
The Stray Ferret has looked at the council’s economic case in detail to see why it is pressing ahead with the project.
Harrogate faces ‘economic challenges’
According to the county council’s economic case, the authority believes the gateway scheme will tackle “some of the economic challenges facing the Harrogate economy”.
The report cites a number of areas that need addressing, including job creation and access to education and skills.
Much of the 18-page paper centres around growing the Harrogate economy so it is “fit for the future”.
It argues that better access to the town centre will help to create jobs and increase the creation of businesses in Harrogate town centre.
The report cites an Office for National Statistics study which shows the number of new businesses set up in the town increased by 4% between 2014 and 2021 – below the Yorkshire and national average.
Graph of median annual earnings in Harrogate district compared with the national and regional average, as included in the report.
It goes on to say that residents in the district have higher than the average annual earnings, meaning there is a chance to “diversify” the town centre by encouraging more people into town.
Both of these areas could be tackled by improving access to the town centre and making it more attractive, council bosses say.
The report adds:
“Harrogate’s higher paid resident base suggests that there is potential to diversify the local economy, attracting high value, innovative businesses to invest in the town centre, opening up further employment opportunities in the town.”
The number of retail units in Harrogate town centre, as cited in the gateway report.
The report also warns that the town’s retail sector is at risk of decline.
It points to Harrogate Borough Council figures showing a reduction of 12% in retail units in the town centre in the last seven years.
It adds that the town needs to “diversify” in order to adapt to consumer behaviour – something which council bosses believe the gateway can address.
The report says:
“Evidence suggests that the town centre retail sector is at risk of decline in the medium term.
“Consumer behaviours and expectations are evolving and towns must diversify and advance to maintain health and vibrant visitor economies. the scheme is seeking to do just this.”
But, while the report addresses some of the town centre challenges, its critics say it offers nothing on how proposals in the gateway scheme will effect trade.
Businesses ‘not listened to’
While the county council has made efforts to push its economic case through an 18-page report and press releases to the media, it has not convinced local business groups.
In a joint letter to the county council leader, Cllr Carl Les, co-signed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, the groups argue that the report fails to address any of the concerns of businesses.
Read more:
- Confirmed: £11m Station Gateway to get green light next week
- Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation
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The letter says the study is not dated and fails to take into account the impacts of covid on businesses. It goes onto say that next week’s vote on the scheme should be delayed until traders have had chance to scrutinise and comment on the report.
It says:
“Because of this lack of opportunity to comment on the economic impact study, we are now asking that the vote on the Project is postponed until your next executive meeting, allowing us, and others, time to digest its contents.
“However, having had a cursory glance through it, it appears the authors have looked to cities for case studies and not towns comparable to Harrogate. Also, they give examples from as along ago as 2007. The world has moved on a lot since then.
“It fails to take into account the impact of covid, out-of-town shopping centres with acres of free parking, and online shopping. And again, we say what of those residents living in our surrounding villages whose only way of getting around is via their car, or the tens-of-thousands of visitors who live outside the district?”
How James Street will look.
It also questions whether any impact of delivering the scheme on local businesses has been taken into account.
“It also appears the work to deliver this project could now creep into 2024. We were told it would take a year.
“Judging by the delays to ‘phase one of the Otley Road cycling path’, we have no confidence in your timescale. Does the economic impact study take into account the disruption delivering this Project will have on businesses already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid?”
What happens now?
Senior councillors have been recommended to approve the gateway project to be taken to the detailed design stage.
Councillors will make a decision at a meeting on Tuesday. The move would mean that work on the project could start in spring or summer.
Budding entrepreneurs in the Harrogate district can take part in a free seven-week project to help them hone their business skills and win a £2,500 prize.
The Strive project is being run by social enterprise Enterprise Cube, which will have a team of experienced business people on hand to guide 30 local people through a series of workshops, individual advice sessions and start-up challenges.
It is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and is free to anyone in the Harrogate district who has a business idea or a fledgling business.
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During the seven weeks, the group will learn about creating a brand, taking payments, building an online presence, and tackling all the legal and tax issues involved in starting a business. £2,500 will be handed out in prizes at the end of the seven weeks.
Strive was first run in 2012 and has supported over 5,000 people in the UK.
Laura Mumford, director of Strive, said:
“We’re really excited to be bringing Strive to Harrogate. My roots are here, and I love that we’ve got such a strong independent business scene in the area – so it’s great to be able to support it.”
You can find out more and apply at: www.homeofstrive.com/harrogate.
Gino D’Acampo restaurant in Harrogate set to closeAn Italian restaurant owned by Gino D’Acampo will close this month after more than four years in Harrogate.
Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant on Parliament Street is one of five of the celebrity chef’s restaurants to close.
After opening the business in 2017 Mr D’Acampo claimed it was the only “proper Italian” in Harrogate.
His comments sparked a furious backlash at the time from a number of Harrogate’s Italian restaurant owners.
The closures follow the news from the start of the year that his My Pasta Bar chain entered liquidation amid problems with coronavirus.
Piccolino will take on the former Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant in Harrogate, which will reopen after a rebrand on Monday, January 24.
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A spokesperson for Piccolino, which is part of the Individual Restaurants group along with Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant, said:
“This former Gino D’Acampo My Restaurant will become part of the Piccolino family of restaurants on January 24.
“We are thrilled to announce that we will soon be opening a brand new Piccolino restaurant in Harrogate.
“We can’t wait to welcome you through our doors of Harrogate’s brand new Piccolino.”
A new ethical cafe in Harrogate, which provides jobs for people with disabilities, has opened.
Artizan International quietly opened its South-American themed cafe in the former Game unit on Cambridge Road at the start of the week — and it’s already drawing a crowd.
Demand is so high that the cafe is looking to accelerate the renovation of the first floor to make way for more seating.
The charity opened a shop around the corner on Oxford Street in 2020, which helps visually impaired people overseas earn a living by selling their craft work.
However, Artizan International founder Susie Hart discovered there were “countless” young people with other disabilities in North Yorkshire. As a result, she set the cafe on a different path by giving them the opportunity to find employment.
Read more:
The cafe serves a speciality Peruvian hot chocolate. All of its coffee, tea and sugar are from Fairtrade sources. It also stocks a range of soups, panninis and cakes.
It is open from 10am until 5pm Mondays to Saturdays. The cafe is closed for art workshops for children on Sundays.
Liz Cluderay, UK programmes officer at Artizan International, told the Stray Ferret:
“The long term aim of the project is very much about reaching local businesses. We want them to see young adults with learning disabilities and just how capable they are.
“Work like this is particularly important because of coronavirus. In the first lockdown they were sent home and, for the most part, their work opportunities have not returned.
“But people shouldn’t come here because they feel sorry for the people who work here. We want customers to come here simply because it’s a brilliant cafe with amazing coffee and food.”
More pictures from inside the cafe
There is plenty of food and drink on offer.
The cafe has been decorated beautifully.
Matthew is cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
A Thai restaurant chain known for fresh dishes and bright interiors has revealed the month when it plans to make its Harrogate debut.
Giggling Squid is currently renovating the former Las Iguanas unit on John Street in anticipation of a March opening date.
The restaurant started in the basement of a fisherman’s cottage in Brighton but has since developed into a business with more than 40 restaurants.
When it opens there will be the opportunity to eat indoors, outdoors as part of the alfresco experience or take the food home with click and collect or delivery.
Read more:
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Andy Laurillard, Giggling Squid co-founder, said:
“Thai mealtimes are energetic, informal, adventurous and where food is celebrated. It’s relaxed and there’s no standing on ceremony.
“We simply want people to have a great time over something tasty. Every Giggling Squid has its own personal touch to it, and this restaurant is no different.”
Giggling Squid Harrogate will be open Monday to Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10.30pm and Sunday from 12pm to 9.30pm.
A few restaurants already specialise in Thai food in Harrogate, including Sukhothai, Tah Chang and takeaway service Nakhon.