A new plaque recognises the “invaluable contribution” played by Harrogate Convention Centre during the covid pandemic.
The plaque was unveiled yesterday to coincide with the third anniversary of the convention centre being converted from an event and conference space into a 500-bed NHS Nightingale Hospital within three weeks.
The hospital — one of seven built across the country — did not treat a single covid patient but was used to carry out non-coronavirus diagnostic tests and outpatient appointments.
It was stood down in April 2021 before being dismantled. An inquiry later revealed the facility cost £31.6 million.
The convention centre was also chosen as part of the government’s events research programme pilot to help get audiences back safely into the wider events sector as restrictions eased.
Cllr Cooper unveils the plaque
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council and chair of Harrogate Convention Centre board, unveiled the plaque. He said:
“I am delighted to be able to unveil the plaque that recognise the invaluable contribution that Harrogate Convention Centre made during the covid pandemic.
“It was no small feat to transform an exhibition and events venue into a fully operational hospital within 21 days. Even more so, when the advice at the time was to stay safe and stay at home.”
Craige Richardson, executive director of estates and facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said:
“As lead trust for the region, LTHT played an instrumental role in the commissioning process, from the initial site selection to the construction works and supply of medical gases.
“The Nightingale team worked around the clock to build the hospital and plan how it would work clinically. At times it seemed like an impossible task, and it was down to the commitment and hard work of every involved that it was up and running within 21-days.”
The hospital was built in collaboration with BAM, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, the British Army, NG Bailey, Silcock Leedham, Roses Medical and Brebur.
Pic shows: Staff from Harrogate Convention Centre and officials at the plaque unveiling.
Read more:
- Inquiry reveals Harrogate Nightingale cost £31.6 million
- NHS writes off £13m in Nightingale hospital beds cost
Harrogate tourism body makes health and wellbeing top priority
Harrogate Borough Council’s tourism organisation has identified health and wellbeing, events and responsible tourism as its priorities over the next three years.
The council set up Destination Harrogate last year as its new ‘destination management organisation’ to showcase the Harrogate district and to grow the visitor economy and attract inward investment.
Destination Harrogate has now unveiled its three-year plan to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment”.
The plan was approved by senior councillors at a cabinet meeting yesterday.
According to a council press release, the visitor economy makes up 14.3 per cent of the economy in Harrogate district.
The plan cites health and wellbeing as its top priority. It says it wants to “position the Harrogate district as a first choice health and wellbeing destination”.
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Its second priority is to “position Harrogate district as a first-choice events destination by attracting, hosting and delivering exceptional events”.
The council press release said:
“A year-round festival, conference and events programme will ensure a lift in the visitor economy and enable sustainable growth.”
Responsible tourism is the third priority. The press release says:
“As we become more conscious of and conscientious about green travel and sustainable tourism, the DMO will work with partners to develop a responsible tourism strategy in order to be recognised as a destination for responsible tourism by 2030.
“In doing so, the DMO intends to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of tourism, and enhance the economic and cultural benefits for visitors, businesses, and residents.”
Worth £600m to economy
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the council, said:
“The visitor economy plays a huge role locally, underpinning 8,000 jobs and bringing £600 million in to our economy. Without it our district would be a very different place with fewer shops, businesses and job opportunities. That is why it is important that we seek to grow the visitor economy.
“This plan is the culmination of a number of interviews and surveys provided by people and businesses that have a direct input into the success of our visitor economy and who have shared their ideas and suggestions to take us forward.”
Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said:
Staffing fears as Harrogate council enters final months“To attract business and investment, a destination must be distinctive, attractive and well managed and we have developed this destination management plan to set out the vision, priorities and actions, we – as a destination – need to put in place to meet that vision.
“Key stakeholders from visitor attractions and restaurants, independent hotels, conference venues and event organisers from across the district have contributed towards the shared goals of our ambitious plan to achieve the long-term vision of a visitor economy worth around £835 million per annum by 2030.”
The staffing of council services in Harrogate has been raised as a key concern as budget proposals including a 1.99% tax increase move a step forward.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission yesterday quizzed senior officials over their spending plans for 2022/23, which will be the council’s final full year before it is replaced with a new unitary authority covering the whole of North Yorkshire.
Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Aldred, chair of the overview and scrutiny commission, said staffing would be a “big challenge” during the year as some workers worried about job security look to leave local government.
“It is really important that we hang onto the good staff we have.
“As we move closer to 1 April 2023 when our beloved Harrogate Borough Council will cease to exist, staff are going to be looking elsewhere for a guaranteed job.
“I know the new North Yorkshire Council isn’t going to get rid of people just like that, but everybody is looking for job security.”
Yesterday’s meeting heard complaints over areas including street cleaning and planning as committee members questioned how staff would keep services running until the council is abolished.
This follows the end of a recruitment freeze last August when the council restarted hiring after more than a year of trying to keep costs down during the pandemic.
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Covid has been named as a reason for the proposed 1.99% tax rise, as well as years of government cuts which have seen the council’s grant allocations reduced by £8.2m since 2010.
If approved next month, the tax rise will equate to an extra £5 for the average Band D property which will pay £255.92 a year to the council.
Harrogate Borough Council makes up just under 13% of council tax bills, while North Yorkshire County Council makes up 70% and police and fire services the remainder.
Parish councils also make up a small proportion of bills.
The county council has yet to reveal its budget proposals, while the new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has outlined a budget based on a £10 increase for average households.
After rises were agreed last year, average bills in the Harrogate district rose above £2,000 for the first time.
Frontline services remain ‘a priority’
Despite the funding challenges and covid impacts, Conservative councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said major projects and frontline services would remain a priority ahead of the authority being abolished. He said:
“This budget is not part of a lull, hiatus or winding down.
“The strategy is to ‘bake in’ projects and initiatives that we want to see carried forward for the good of residents.”
Councillor Cooper, who will stand down after 24 years of service in 2023, added:
Harrogate businesses to grill council leader over town’s future“We have young and senior talent all around this council and we will want to see those people represented at a very high level on the new authority.
“The proposal for a 1.99% council tax increase is way below the rate of inflation and is possible because of work over many years to reduce our cost base and make the best use of our assets.
“This is a budget that is a record of success that we are able to take forward into what is the final full year of Harrogate Borough Council.”
Businesses owners are set to grill Harrogate council’s leader over concern about the future of the town centre.
Cllr Richard Cooper will join an online meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce tonight, which is expected to see questions on reopening plans, sustainable transport and the town’s future.
Business owners have been left concerned over the direction of the town amid various proposals for sustainable transport and council measures to support traders reopening, which includes a buy a bike scheme.
It comes as Harrogate Borough Council revealed a plan to help retail and hospitality reopen from today as part of the Government’s “roadmap” out of lockdown.
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The blueprint includes a “Buy Local By Bike” scheme and a “London Tube style” app that aims to urge shoppers to get cycling and support businesses around Harrogate and Knaresborough.
But Sandra Doherty, chair of the chamber of commerce, said the plans have left businesses “bemused” about the focus on cyclists.
She said:
“It seems unrealistic to focus just on cyclists. It should have been a much broader offering.”
Further measures include shops being allowed to stay open until 10pm and pavement licences, which form part of national measures.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously, Cllr Cooper said he was optimistic ahead of lockdown being relaxed but added it must be in a safe way.
He said:
“All the statistics we see show infections and hospitalisations heading in the right direction because of the effect the vaccine is having coupled with the lockdown.
“I know it has been the toughest year for business. We all know that. That is why we should all make that extra effort to shop locally where possible and to choose a local retailer where we can, if we are shopping online.”
But Ms Doherty said business owners will want to ask the council leader what the town as a whole will look like in future.
Local business organisations, such as Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, have already expressed concern over the £7.9million Station Gateway plan, which could see more cycle routes and pedestrianisation of James Street.
The project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, the borough council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Ms Doherty said of the chamber’s members:
“They will be asking what benefits this will bring the to the town.
“Most businesses will be looking to the future. It would be nice to see where Harrogate council are hoping to go.”
The Stray Ferret asked Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, how he would be supporting the town ahead of reopening but did not receive a response.