Business Breakfast: Duchy Hospital in Harrogate wins national award

The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate has won a national award.

The hospital, which is run by Circle Health Group, received the recognition for commitment to patient safety.

The award was given by the National Joint Registry, which monitors performance of hip, knee, ankle, elbow and shoulder joint replacement operations to improve clinical outcomes.

The hospital was granted the NJR quality data provider certificate for standards in patient safety.

Michelle Eardley, executive director at the Duchy Hospital, said:

“Improving patient safety is of the upmost importance and is a key priority for all staff.

“We fully support the National Joint Registry’s work in facilitating improvement in clinical outcomes and governance for the benefit of joint replacement patients and we’re delighted to be awarded as an NJR quality data provider.”

Local businesses offered chance to trade at Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Destination Harrogate is offering the chance for local businesses to trade for free at this year’s Christmas Fayre.

The Jolly Big Business Boost competition offers for firm’s with “eye-catching, exciting and creative products” to be part of the event.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

Visitors pictured at the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will run from December 1 until December 17 and is operated by Market Place Europe.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“The Jolly Big Business Boost supports our amazing local businesses to maximise this opportunity, which Christmas in Harrogate offers, and we’d encourage all interested and eligible businesses to take part in the initiative.”

Those interested in entering the competition are asked to submit a short written application with a two-minute video telling the judges about their product and themselves.

This year’s winner will be chosen by a panel of judges drawn from across the Harrogate business community and organisers of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre.

For more information and to apply, visit the Destination Harrogate website here.

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Destination Harrogate future unclear as council set to bid for tourism body

The future of a Harrogate tourism body remains unclear as North Yorkshire Council reveals plans to create a new organisation to attract visitors to the county.

Destination Harrogate, which is the destination management organisation for the region, was set up by Harrogate Borough Council.

However, North Yorkshire Council is set to table a bid to government in September for a local visitor economy partnership — which will replace destination management organisations following a review by ministers.

The new body would be responsible for promoting tourism in North Yorkshire and attracting events.

The council has also published a 88-page tourism strategy for the county, which includes aims to grow the tourist economy.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council whether the move would mean that Destination Harrogate is scrapped as a result of the single tourism strategy.

In response, David Caulfield, the council’s assistant director for tourism, said:

“The new destination management plan will bring together all areas of North Yorkshire to provide a single strategy for the council and key partners to support the strong tourism offer within the county to flourish further and offer even greater value to the local economy.

“This will put North Yorkshire in an excellent position in its application to become a local visitor economy partnership.

“All the tourism teams previously within the former district and borough areas, including Destination Harrogate staff, have been brought together as one North Yorkshire tourism team to support the development of the strategy and ensure the strong local brands are represented.

“Given Harrogate’s well-defined tourist offer, we expect the area to be an integral part of the overall framework.

“Harrogate has been identified as among the strongest brands within North Yorkshire along with the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the coast.”

Questions over future

Questions were raised over Destination Harrogate’s future ahead of the establishment of North Yorkshire Council in April.

At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting in February, Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said a government review into destination management organisations would likely mean only such bodies from cities or large regions will be able to receive funding from central government.

She suggested Harrogate would have to amalgamate into a wider, yet-to-be created North Yorkshire destination management organisation to qualify for the funding.

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Meanwhile, borough council chief executive Wallace Sampson told councillors the new authority could look to “identify savings” with Destination Harrogate after it is handed control of the organisation.

He added:

“[Destination Harrogate] is a discretionary service and against the background of a challenging financial environment for the new council, every discretionary service will be subject to financial scrutiny.”

Mr Sampson warned of the possible pitfalls of Destination Harrogate being merged into a county-wide tourism body, which he suggested could dilute the focus on individual places.

Harrogate Carnival to be held on July 30

Harrogate Carnival is set to take place on Sunday, July 30.

The free event will begin with a street parade through the town centre before heading to Valley Gardens.

The attractions will include a troupe from Leeds West Indian Carnival and a dance stage with belly dancing.

First staged in 2019, the carnival is commissioned by Destination Harrogate, which is a tourism organisation run by North Yorkshire Council and produced by Harrogate International Festivals.

The event, which celebrates global diversity, costumes, sounds and flavours, will include music, dance, themed food zones, art and craft workshops and street theatre.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate, said:

“This exciting and unique event is perfectly suited to the Valley Gardens, one of many fantastic event spaces that we’re fortunate to have here in Harrogate.

“Carnival will also draw visitors from further afield to join in the celebrations with our residents, with opportunity to boost our visitor economy and showcase the town as an amazing visitor destination.”

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Cllr Derek Bastiman, the council’s executive member for open to business,  said:

“Carnival is a chance for our community to come together, embrace diversity and create lasting memories.”

The full programme will be announced closer to the date on the Harrogate International Festivals website for more information: https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/

The arts charity is seeking volunteers to take part in the carnival.

Hope for tourism boost as John Cleese heads to Comic-Con in Harrogate

One of Britain’s best-known comedy names will be in Harrogate next weekend as thousands of fans descend for the annual Comic-Con Yorkshire.

John Cleese is among the line-up of celebrities appearing at the Yorkshire Event Centre gathering, on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4.

The Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star will be joined by actors from Gremlins, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Netflix hit Wednesday – and the town’s tourism managers are hoping to capitalise on the event.

Destination Harrogate‘s events arm, Events Harrogate, is launching its Town Welcome programme of activity, alongside local businesses, designed to encourage people to explore outside the event.

Attendees at Comic-Con will be able to pick up comic-style guides to Harrogate which will include details about places to visit, discounts to use with local businesses, and even a cosplay competition.

Cold Bath Brewing on King’s Road will be hosting an official after-party for Comic-Con, complete with give specially-brewed beers.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said:

“We’re delighted that Harrogate has been chosen as the location for Comic-Con Yorkshire 2023 and look forward to welcoming this fun and dynamic, family-friendly event to our fantastic town.

“It’s testament to Harrogate’s position as a first class events destination that our patch was picked for Comic-Con Yorkshire.

“Our Town Welcome activity will encourage event attendees to make the most of their time here in North Yorkshire, and offers a great opportunity for our local business community to get on board with extending the Comic-Con party beyond the event itself. We’re really pleased that so many businesses are supporting the Town Welcome programme.”

If this year’s event is a success, Destination Harrogate is hoping Comic-Con organiser Monopoly Events will make it a regular feature in the events calendar.

Heather Parry, managing director of Yorkshire Event Centre, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting Comic-Con at the Yorkshire Event Centre for the first time and we know organisers chose our venue because of its potential for growth.

“Comic-Con will bring thousands of visitors into the area from across the UK which will not only benefit the charity we help fund, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, but also Harrogate and the local area. We are sure this is set to be a spectacular event.”

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New tourism body ‘not in the interests’ of North Yorkshire, says Masham councillor

A councillor who owns Swinton Park Hotel near Masham has said a new tourism body for North Yorkshire is “not in the interests” of the hospitality sector.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Masham and Fountains, said an organisation should be created for the whole of Yorkshire instead.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister was speaking at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday.

The council is coordinating a new tourism strategy to boost the county’s £1.5 billion tourism industry, which is home to popular destinations like Castle Howard, Fountains Abbey and Bettys tea rooms.

A draft destination management plan is due to be finalised by the end of June before a bid is submitted to government to become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which would open the door for funding.

LVEPs are replacing destination management organisations, such as the former Harrogate Borough Council’s Destination Harrogate, following an independent review.

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Visit Hull and East Yorkshire was awarded LVEP status last month and Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said having more than one LVEP in Yorkshire risked wasting taxpayers’ money as LVEPs would compete against each other to attract tourists.

The councillor also referred to Welcome To Yorkshire, the tourism body for Yorkshire that entered administration in 2022 following a high-profile expenses scandal. It still exists but is no longer funded by public money and is now owned by private business Silicon Dales.

Cllr Cunliffe-Lister said:

“The Yorkshire brand is well-established and well-regarded nationally and internationally. It’s not in interests of the hospitality sector that this is fragmented.

“Should North Yorkshire achieve LVEP status it will not deliver value for money if it is then used to be pitched as a competitor destination against East Yorkshire or other regions in Yorkshire.

“What is being done to establish a generic county-wide brand that all regions will subscribe to and support and what steps are being taken to co-ordinate with other councils to achieve this?”

In response, Conservative executive member for open to business, Derek Bastiman, said “work is being carried out on that” but added it will take time as the council is still only in its second month of existence.

Cllr Bastiman added that workshops were taking place across North Yorkshire for people and councillors to add their input into the new tourism strategy. 

He added:

“It’s vitally important as much work is done on the coast as is done in the Craven area to Richmondshire or Selby.“

Speaking this month, Conservative council leader Carl Les called the development of the new tourism strategy a “major milestone“ for the authority. 

He said:

“We have such a breadth of tourism businesses and attractions which we can be rightly proud of, but we want to ensure that the sector can grow and flourish in the future and help support the region’s wider economy.“

Christmas market on Harrogate’s Montpellier Hill bids to return this year

The original Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill could be set to make a comeback this year.

Brian Dunsby, co-organiser and founder of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, confirmed it had submitted an event management plan to North Yorkshire Council to stage the event from November 2 to 5.

The event was held annually from 2012 to 2019 until it was halted by covid.

Harrogate Borough Council then scuppered its prospects of returning by refusing to grant a licence and organising its own town centre Harrogate Christmas Fayre in conjunction with Market Place Europe, a specialist market company based in Greater Manchester.

But Harrogate Borough Council was abolished last weekend, with the new North Yorkshire Council taking its place.

The original Christmas market, which was organised by local people, had 170 traders and 53 coaches booked to attend in 2021 when the rug was pulled from under its feet.

By contrast, last year’s town centre fayre only had about 50 stalls, and some people have said there were too many food outlets and not enough craft stalls.

The fayre was accompanied by a giant Ferris wheel near the war memorial, an ice rink in Crescent Gardens and the Candy Cane Express free road train, which were popular with many visitors.

Some people welcomed the decision to hold the event in town rather than on the muddy Stray. Others said the new event lacks charm compared to Montpellier Hill.

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Destination Harrogate, a tourism organisation within North Yorkshire Council, issued a press release yesterday saying this year’s fayre would be extended from 10 days to 18 and run from December 1 to 17.

Because the dates for the seasonal events do not clash, there is the possibility that both could take place this Christmas.

Mr Dunsby declined to comment beyond confirming Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd had submitted its event management plan for what he hoped would be a similar event on Montpellier Hill to those staged up to 2019.

Too many food stalls?

Yesterday’s news release by Destination Harrogate announcing this year’s market extension did not mention North Yorkshire Council.

The Stray Ferret asked Destination Harrogate who was in charge of the market now Harrogate Borough Council no longer existed, who authorised the fayre extension and what response it had to claims that last year’s event had too many food stalls.

It said in a statement:

“The Harrogate Christmas Fayre has always been an event owned and operated by Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate will continue to support them at a local level.

“The decision (to extend) was based on feedback from many of the town centre retailers, hoteliers and hospitality businesses, following the impact that the market made on their December trading. After taking on board the feedback from those sectors in particular, and following discussion with Market Place Europe, we’ve been able to agree the addition of the extra week and weekend.

“The market is open to any trader that wishes to apply to have a stall. We would actively encourage any local traders that would like to be part of the Christmas fayre to apply – as we have done since the new event was introduced in 2021. The variety and volume of stalls are dependent upon those traders that come forward and want to take the opportunity to be involved.”

Harrogate Christmas Fayre extended to 18 days

Harrogate Christmas Fayre will be extended to 18 days this year.

The market will take place in the town centre from December 1 to 17, over three weekends rather than two as previously.

The move comes after calls from hoteliers and businesses to extend the fayre beyond its original 10 days.

Destination Harrogate, which organised the event with Market Place Europe and the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council, confirmed the news today.

It also said the event will see the return of fairground rides and attractions but did not give specific details.

John McGivern, destination events manager for Destination Harrogate, said: 

“We’re delighted to support our local businesses by giving them just what they’ve asked for – an extended Christmas offer that provides an excellent opportunity to boost our visitor economy even further at a crucial time of year.”

Harrogate Christmas Fayre

Dan Siddle, chair of Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Association and general manager of the Crown Hotel, said occupancy levels increased in December 2022 “and a lot of our business was based on the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre”. He added:

“We were in favour of the market being extended and it’s fantastic to hear that visitors will have even longer to enjoy the Christmas fayre during a festive break in Harrogate in 2023.”

James White, manager at Victoria Shopping Centre, also welcomed the news, saying the “increased footfall is very much welcomed by local business”.

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said it was looking forward to “bringing an exciting variety of traders into Harrogate town centre” and

Those wishing to be stallholders and traders at this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre can register via email at info@mpel.co.uk.

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Value of Harrogate district tourism up by £31m, new figures reveal

Visitors to the Harrogate district are staying longer and spending more than they were pre-pandemic, according to new statistics.

However, the number of visitors over the same 2019 to 2022 timeframe fell by 650,000 from 6.47 million to 5.82 million.

Destination Harrogate, the Harrogate Borough Council tourism organisation, said today visitors contributed £637 million to the local economy last year, compared with £606 million three years previously.

The organisation also said the average length of stay increased from 2019 to 3.5 days, compared with 3.3 days three years previously. This is despite the fact the UCI Road World Championships took place in Harrogate in 2019, leading to high hotel occupancy rates in September that year.

John McGivern, destination events manager at Destination Harrogate said it was “fantastic news for our local businesses and residents”, adding:

“The fact that people are staying longer and spending more aligns directly with our objectives of a sustainable tourism model, attracting more revenue into the local economy, whilst minimising the impact on the environment.

“Together with our partners, with whom we share this achievement, we can celebrate the significant impact that our visitors are making on our local economy and can we look forward to further successes going forward.”

The figures are based on a tourism economic impact modelling process called STEAM that uses local supply-side data and visitor survey data. More information on the Harrogate district data is here.

Destination Harrogate aims to grow the visitor economy to £836.7 million by 2030, however its future is unclear after Harrogate Borough Council is abolished to make way for the new North Yorkshire Council in two weeks’ time.

Rudding Park Spa

Rudding Park Spa. Pic: Charlotte Gale

Cllr Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport at Harrogate Borough Council, applauded Destination Harrogate for “boosting the economic impact of visits to the area”. He added:

“Harrogate’s visitor economy is the largest driver of the local economy second only to the property sector, and its value cannot be underestimated.

“With such a positive set of results we can look forward to a prosperous future for Harrogate as a major tourism destination within North Yorkshire.”

Since its launch a year ago, Destination Harrogate has delivered activities including a health and wellbeing campaign under the Visit Harrogate brand to attract higher spending visitors to stay longer for healthy breaks, Harrogate Christmas Fayre; events on the Stray marking the Queen’s platinum jubilee and the return of Harrogate Carnival.

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‘Once you’ve been to Bettys you’ve done Harrogate’, claims Ripon councillor

A Ripon councillor has suggested there is little for tourists to do in Harrogate after visiting the famous tearooms Bettys.

Andrew Williams, independent councillor for Ripon Minster and Moorside on North Yorkshire County Council, was speaking at the final Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee meeting before the new North Yorkshire Council is formed on April 1.

He referred to the sometimes thorny relationship between Harrogate and Ripon and said reorganisation was a chance for the city to be presented in a different way to tourists.

Ripon is currently marketed as a tourist destination within Destination Harrogate — Harrogate Borough Council’s destination management organisation.

But Destination Harrogate’s future is unclear as the new council looks to set up a county-wide tourism strategy instead.

Cllr Williams was critical of how Ripon has positioned within Destination Harrogate. He said:

“[We need to] remove the idea that Ripon is somehow linked to Destination Harrogate. It should be Destination Ripon.

“We are two very distinct localities. We don’t want to be marketed as a day trip from Harrogate. We’re far more than a day trip from Harrogate.”

“Once you’ve been to Bettys you’ve done Harrogate, quite frankly.”

‘Rose-tinted view’

Officers spoke to councillors about the economic opportunities in Ripon, which included a presentation on how the city’s economy has performed since covid.

Dave Caulfield, who will be assistant director economic development at the new council, said tourism was crucial to Ripon’s economy and the city’s offer would form part of a new tourism strategy that is being developed for North Yorkshire.

But Cllr Williams said the report presented a “rose-tinted view” of Ripon. He called on the new council to “listen to local people in Ripon and work with them rather than ignoring them”.

In response, Mr Caulfield said:

“It’s important we do listen as a new council. We want to look at opportunities to do things better when we can.”

There were also warms words for Ripon from David Staveley, Conservative councillor for Settle and Penyghent.

He told Cllr Williams:

“You are stepping out of the shadow of Harrogate and you will be equal partners here. Ripon has an awful lot to offer.”

Bid begins to create new North Yorkshire tourism body

The incoming North Yorkshire Council is to bid to government for accreditation to create a new countywide tourism body.

The authority intends to apply to become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership — which will replace Destination Management Organisations following a review by ministers.

The new body would be responsible for promoting tourism in North Yorkshire and attracting events.

David Caulfield, assistant director for tourism and economic development at North Yorkshire Council, said the new organisation would also help to form a “Yorkshire-wide” tourism strategy.

He said:

“There may be four, or five, of these which eventually form a Yorkshire-wide approach. These LVEPs must be strong private/public sector partnerships and will need to follow the new national process to be eligible for any government funding.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us in North Yorkshire to play to our strengths, while maintaining a strong regional identity at the same time. It will also be one of the key aspects of the new council’s economic strategy.

“All of the current destination management organisations across North Yorkshire are already working closely on this project, pooling their knowledge and expertise to ensure we have the strongest possible proposal.”

The council intends to hire consultants at a cost of £20,000 to help support the bid.

Mr Caulfield said this would form a “small part” of the bid, with the majority of the work being carried out in-house.

Questions over Destination Harrogate

The move towards creating a county-wide tourism organisation raises further questions about the future of Destination Harrogate, the current Destination Management Organisation tourism organisation for the district run by Harrogate Borough Council, which is being abolished in four weeks.

Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, told a council meeting last month the government review would likely mean only destination management organisations from cities or large regions will be able to receive funding from central government.

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She suggested Harrogate would have to amalgamate into a wider, yet-to-be created North Yorkshire destination management organisation to qualify for the funding.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed last month that Harrogate Borough Council spent £2,224,000 on Destination Harrogate in its first year operating — almost a million pounds more than budgeted.

Borough council chief executive Wallace Sampson told councillors the new authority could look to “identify savings” with Destination Harrogate after it is handed control of the organisation.

He added:

“[Destination Harrogate] is a discretionary service and against the background of a challenging financial environment for the new council, every discretionary service will be subject to financial scrutiny.”

Mr Sampson warned of the possible pitfalls of Destination Harrogate being merged into a county-wide tourism body, which he suggested could dilute the focus on individual places.

He said:

“From a Harrogate point of view we have Destination Harrogate that has a really strong focus on place branding and marketing and that helps to attract visitors. 

“The key question will be — can you retain the focus on individual places in North Yorkshire?  It’s something the new council will have to grapple with.”