Council to award business case contract for £47m redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre

A potential £47 million redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre looks set to move another step closer with the awarding of a contract to assess the economic impacts of covid.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, will hold a meeting next Tuesday to approve the contract ,which will also involve work on a full business case and planning updates for the proposed project.

It follows a competitive tender process during which the council only received a single bid for the business planning works.

If approved, a decision would be made by the council on the business case in March 2022. The authority said this would fit with the timescales of the reorganisation of local councils in North Yorkshire.

The borough council will no longer exist by May 2023 as part of government plans to scrap the county council and seven districts and replace them with one super authority. It means it will no longer have control over the HCC.

The value of the contract and the bidder is not yet known – and will only be made public if it is agreed by both parties.

In a report to Tuesday’s meeting, Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the council, said the bidder’s proposals were “excellent overall” and that the business planning works would help form a final decision over whether the redevelopment should go ahead.

She said:

“The work will look in detail at the wider economic impact of the  redevelopment proposals on Harrogate, the district and beyond and help us to better understand the implications of covid on the industry and therefore the case for investment.

“Harrogate Convention Centre is a vital economic driver for the Harrogate district and wider region, providing a unique offer for the conference and exhibition market.

“The redevelopment of the venue offers the potential to deliver an exciting and major transformational project and is critical to the covid economic recovery plan for Harrogate district.”

After warning the 40-year-old convention centre may not survive without investment, the council awarded design firm Arcadis a £1 million contract earlier this year to produce design proposals.

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Can the events industry bounce back?

The venue was struggling financially before the pandemic hit and it was then used as an NHS Nightingale hospital for almost a year.

The 500-bed hospital did not treat a single coronavirus patient and after being dismantled in spring, several conference events have now made a return.

It was estimated before the pandemic that the convention centre attracted more than 150,000 visitors a year with an economic impact of £35 million. However, there are now questions over if the events industry can bounce back to pre-covid levels and what risks this could mean for the £47 million redevelopment.

There is also the question of how the project would be funded, with council leader Richard Cooper previously saying he hoped the government would provide cash to repay the “goodwill” of the convention centre’s use as the Nightingale hospital.

Economy and transport officer Rebecca Micallef also said in her report to Tuesday’s meeting that the development of the business case would play a “crucial part” in supporting bids for external funding.

Plans to rebuild the venue 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.

If this is not done, a report previously estimated the venue’s maintenance costs over 20 years could reach £19 million.

First major event at Royal Hall since coronavirus will have restrictions

Harrogate’s Royal Hall is set to host its first major event since its closure last year — but some covid restrictions will remain in place.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, which takes place from August 8, will be limited to 55% of the venue’s 950 seat capacity.

A one-way system will also remain in place and those attending will be asked to wear a face mask.

Usually the festival attracts audiences from around the world as well as groups from universities across the UK but neither will be in attendance this year.

Nevertheless, the 11-day event will provide a major boost to the district’s economy, with thousands of people attending the comic operas, including The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore.

The festival began in Buxton, Derbyshire but moved to Harrogate in 2014. The 2020 festival was set to be the biggest ever before covid hit.

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Festival organiser Janet Smith said:

“The Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is what everyone needs at the moment. It is uplifting entertainment that takes people’s minds off the last couple of years.

“It’s just pure enjoyment and ensures audiences have a jolly good laugh. Our loyal audiences have been so supportive, we couldn’t let them down.

“This is also important for our fantastic opera singers and musicians, who have been unable to perform and delivering Amazon boxes through lockdowns.”

Ms Smith added she was determined to continue the legacy of her late husband Ian Smith, who died in 2019 after re-establishing the Gilbert and Sullivan genre in 1994.

Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, which manages the Royal Hall, said:

“It’s the first major entertainment event at our conference centre since we re-opened, so it’s a huge joy to see them return.

“We normally welcome aficionados and fans from around the world, alas this won’t be the case this year, but the show will go on! We look forward to giving visitors a warm welcome.”

Harrogate Conference Centre and The Royal Hall now has a packed programme of upcoming entertainment. Highlights include Billy Ocean, Jools Holland, and Jimmy Carr.

The Royal Hall reopened to the public for the first time since coronavirus on July 7 for an open day.

Interested in local events? Check out our new ‘What’s On’ page for all of the latest events in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate Festivals chief angered by removal of promotional banners

The chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals has vented her frustration after banners promoting a major event were promptly removed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Yesterday was the first day of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, which attracts hundreds of crime writing fans to Harrogate.

The four-day festival, which is attended this year by the likes of Ian Rankin and Richard Osman, is one of the first events since the pandemic that the arts charity has been able to full stage.

So Sharon Canavar was less than impressed by what she regarded as a lack of support from the county council after numerous banners put up across town on Wednesday were removed by midday yesterday,

Ms Canavar tweeted:

“When you put your banners up welcoming guests to Harrogate last night and North Yorkshire County Council are snipping them down before midday this am. How come everyone else gets away with it for weeks?

“Don’t have time to follow him round to get them back for use this weekend. So £s wasted. Great, like this gig isn’t hard enough at the moment.”

The events industry has been hit hard during the pandemic. Large events are only just beginning to go ahead as lockdown restrictions ease.

Ms Canavar said last month it was nerve wracking making decisions on events due to the uncertainty of the roadmap out of lockdown.

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The county council said it supported local events, especially after the pandemic, but road safety was paramount.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, said:

“Banners attached to barriers or fencing beside the highway can create a safety hazard. At such locations, banners can distract drivers and other road users or obstruct visibility.

“We assess the risks before taking action to remove such banners, and high-risk areas such as those mentioned are prioritised.

“If event organisers contact the highways office, we will always be happy to advise them.”

Andrew Jones calls for long-term support for ‘severely impacted’ Harrogate events sector

Conservative MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, has called for long-term support for the events sector, which he said has been “severely impacted” by covid in Harrogate.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Jones said it was “fantastic to see” the Great Yorkshire Show taking place this week but warned that the events industry will take some time to get back on its feet.

He mentioned Harrogate International Festivals, which is due to host the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival next week. The charity’s chief executive Sharon Canavar told the Stray Ferret last month she has had to make some “nerve-wracking” decisions due to uncertainty over when restrictions will be eased.

Mr Jones said:

“There are other important events and event organisations, such as Harrogate International Festivals, that have been severely impacted.

“I am aware that we have talked about this sector before, but events and circumstances are evolving, so could we have please a further debate on long-term support for the events industry? It adds so much to the quality of life in the United Kingdom and it may need extra help in the future.”

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Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg responded by saying that the Harrogate Convention Centre is to host two test pilot events for conferences next week, which will help inform how the sector moves forward.

He added:

“The government know how badly the sector has been hit by the pandemic and will continue to encourage and engage with people to monitor the situation and try to support a recovery plan.

“I accept that this will be a longer-term effort, but I think that beginning to get back to normal from Monday will begin to be helpful.”

Back in February, Mr Jones also called for a debate on the sector which he said was “central to the economy” of both Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Harrogate Convention Centre events still on despite lockdown delay

The first events back at the Harrogate Convention Centre are still set to go ahead despite the lockdown delay.

Home and Gift Buyers Festival and the Manchester Furniture Festival will both be in the convention centre from July 18 to July 21.

It will mean the event will run for one day before the coronavirus restrictions are potentially eased on July 19.

Clarion Events, which is organising the events, has said it is working closely with local authorities to ensure it is safe.

Visitors will be asked to provide a negative lateral flow coronavirus test on the door or proof of double vaccination and wear a face mask.

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There will be wider aisles, increased ventilation and daily cleaning regimines to try and prevent the spread of coronavirus as well.

Entry to both the Home and Gift Buyers Festival and the Manchester Furniture Festival is free. Visitors will need to register attendance here.

Show director Russell Rule said:

“With the backing of our key customers, venue, and local authorities, we can see that the appetite and enthusiasm is there for an in-person buying and selling event.

“There is great excitement from both exhibitors and visitors to reconnect in Harrogate.”

Harrogate DJ-turned-plumber eager to return to music on June 21

A Harrogate DJ who has turned to plumbing over the last year is anxiously waiting for the moment he can get behind the decks again.

Ed Marshall has kept a keen eye on the coronavirus numbers recently, particularly in the run-up to the full lifting of lockdown on June 21.

Like many in the industry, the past year has been hard for Ed. He has been a DJ for 25 years but has lost thousands of pounds in cancelled events due to coronavirus.

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When coronavirus first hit he suffered more than 30 cancellations in one day. Soon his packed schedule had been reduced to nothing.

Instead he has thrown himself full-time into his brother’s plumbing business Andy Marshall Plumbing and Heating.

The government has not yet confirmed all restrictions will be lifted this month but many of Ed’s clients are confident and have booked him for events. He told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s all I have known, going out and doing parties so the last year has been a nightmare.

“I think people are looking forward to it. I mean the first event I have got booked is a young farmer’s 21st birthday so it’s going to be absolutely mental.

“Well I thought maybe it’s nice to have a couple of months as a break but nobody was expecting more than a year.

“I have got a really good day job but for people out there who rely on the entertainment industry, they have been forgotten.”

Are you in an industry keen to get back to work on June 21? Tell us your story by sending an email to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra reforms after 66 years

Sixty-six years after it disbanded, coronavirus has inspired the revival of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra to support talented musicians in the north of England.

Last year has been particularly tough for the live music industry. Members of the orchestra have taken jobs as bricklayers and baristas to get by.

After dusting down and tuning up their instruments, the ensemble is now ready for a series of concerts this summer.

The orchestra is set to perform its first public event at the Picnic Proms at Harewood House in September. Find tickets here.

The original group disbanded in 1955, leaving Yorkshire without a county orchestra for decades.

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Others have tried to bring back the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra name before. But they have only ever been able to play a couple of gigs before disbanding.

Ben Crick, the composer and conductor, believes this attempt will last. He told the Stray Ferret:

“We are not in it for anything else other than to make music. It’s a privilege to make music with your friends and colleagues again. It’s a fantastic thing to do.”

Jamie Hudson, co-founder of the orchestra, added:

“These are professional musicians who have done this all their lives. Suddenly they had to become baristas and dog walkers.

“So we brought back the orchestra to re-employ the best musicians who have had to jump into other types of work.”

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra performing at Harewood House. Photo: Gary Lawson Photography

Tockwith Show cancelled due to covid uncertainty

The organisers of Tockwith Show have cancelled this year’s event due to “continuing uncertainty” about the impact of covid.

This year’s show, which was scheduled for August, was due to be the 75th since it was first staged in 1945.

However, Tockwith and District Agricultural Society’s committee said there were “too many question marks” over what would be allowed and how to ensure public safety in order to make this year’s event viable.

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Michelle Lee, the show’s president, said the committee did not want to hold an event that did not match up to the quality of previous years.

She said:

“The simple problem is we just don’t know what is going to be happening in August, whether there will be any restrictions still in force and what we would be required to do as the show organisers to meet any future guidelines.

“It would be great if we could leave it until July and then make a decision, but the reality of organising one of the biggest agricultural shows in Yorkshire is that the preparation needs to begin months ahead of the event, and we are already well past the time when decisions need to have been taken.”

Organisers still hope to hold the annual bonfire and fireworks night will still be held at the showfield in November.

Ms Lee added:

“It’s tempting to say by November everything will be back to some form of normality but, again, without a crystal ball we just don’t know.”

Ripley Show has also been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The organisers of Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally also postponed their event as there were “still too many uncertainties to proceed”.

The Great Yorkshire Show is still planned to go ahead this year and will be held over four days for the first time in its history.

Birstwith Show is also scheduled to take place on July 31.

Horrible Histories car park show heading to Harrogate

Horrible Histories is heading to Harrogate in April for a car park show at the Yorkshire Event Centre.

The centre, which is based at the Great Yorkshire Showground, will host Barmy Britain shows at 2pm and 5pm on April 3.

The event will also take place at Harewood House on April 5 at 11am.

It will feature the stories of Queen Boudica, King Henry VIII, Guy Fawkes, Dick Turpin, Queen Victoria and more.

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Families sitting in cars will be able to watch actors on stage and on a large screen while listening on their radios.

The audience can get involved by honking horns, flashing lights and turning on their wipers.

Neal Foster, actor and director at Birmingham Stage Company, said:

“I’m over the moon to be back on tour with Barmy Britain after its hugely successful tour last summer.

“It’s weird and wonderful to be performing in car parks and to see the audience having fun behind their windshields. We can’t wait to get back out there.”

The Birmingham Stage Company has produced 18 different Horrible Histories shows and taken them around the world.

Tickets are available here for the Harrogate and Leeds shows and cost £42.50 per car or £62 per car on the front row.

Looking back: Harrogate district’s most popular stories of 2020

As 2020 draws to a close, the Stray Ferret looks back at the news stories that stood out among a year of extraordinary events.

Today, we reveal the most popular stories on our site since we launched at the beginning of March.

10. Events company folds after 46 years

Andrew Manby, director of Joe Manby Ltd.

The tenth most-read story on our site this year was a sad one for those involved – and for many others.

After months of uncertainty for the events industry, long-standing family firm Joe Manby Ltd was put into liquidation.

Director Andrew Manby had been warning for many months about the threat to the sector, with events unable to go ahead and no sign of improvement on the horizon.

Readers and fellow business owners expressed shock and sympathy after the news was announced.

 

9. Eat Out to Help Out

Restaurants and cafes took part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme

When the government scheme to encourage hospitality spending was launched, businesses in the Harrogate district signed up with enthusiasm.

Residents were also keen to show their support, as our ninth most popular story shows. With more than 100 businesses on the list, locals checked in to see where they could get a discount on dining out early in the week.

 

8. Six workers rescued from Ripon takeaway

In September, six people were rescued from a Ripon takeaway after local residents raised concerns about their living and working conditions.

Agencies including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Immigration Enforcement, Harrogate Borough Council and the police and fire service swooped on the takeaway, which was not publicly identified.

As a result, six people were placed in temporary accommodation. Officers reported several possible indicators of labour abuse but could not find any signs of modern slavery offences.

The council and the fire service said they would investigate a number of housing and fire safety issues at the property.

The story was our eighth most-read of the year.

 

7. Many hospitality businesses will not reopen

In his first column for the Stray Ferret, Peter Banks, MD of Rudding Park, gave an honest account of his expectations for the future of his industry.

Writing in early May, he said the first week of the pandemic’s impact was the worst of his professional life. However, in a rapidly changing climate, he soon found himself trying to work out how the hotel would reopen – and concluding that, for many, it would never happen.

The column proved hugely popular, especially with our audience on social media, and is seventh on our list of most-read stories of the year.

Today, we published Mr Banks’s reflections on the year in hospitality – including the last-minute bombshell delivered by the government to scupper plans for New Year’s Eve.

 

6. Long queues outside Harrogate shop after pubs close

Queues formed outside the Tesco Express shop in Harrogate’s town centre just after 10pm.

When the 10pm curfew on hospitality came in, many said it would only lead to a rush of people onto the streets all at the same time.

This appeared to be true, as the queue outside Tesco on Cambridge Road showed on Saturday, October 24 just after 10pm.

The same happened again the following week, and both stories proved popular with local readers. It’s at number six on our list.

 

5. Harrogate district to enter tier two restrictions

As the second national lockdown ended in early December, the decision about which tier the Harrogate district would be placed in drew a lot of attention.

Readers were eager to find out what restrictions they would face – and local businesses were also keen to know if they could open and trade in the vital few weeks before Christmas.

The story was the fifth most-read of the year. Yesterday’s announcement of the district’s move into tier three from New Year’s Eve is the most-read story in December.

 

4. Coach and Horses has alcohol licence revoked

Police were called to the Coach and Horses pub by concerned locals in May

In July, long-standing West Park pub the Coach and Horses had its alcohol licence revoked by Harrogate Borough Council after a dispute over their compliance with lockdown rules in May.

The pub opened to sell take-out beer, but as crowds gathered on the pavement and across the road by the Stray, police and council enforcement staff arrived.

Their accounts of the situation suggested landlord John Nelson had been “aggressive and abusive”, though at the licensing hearing his lawyer said he accepted he had made a “chronic error of judgement”.

The committee revoked Mr Nelson’s licence with the support of North Yorkshire Police, and the report on the decision was our fourth most read story of the year.

Three months later, his daughter Samantha was successful in her application for a licence to reopen the pub.

 

3. Police attend serious incident near Harrogate town centre

A man died and another was treated in hospital after an incident on Harcourt Drive, on the edge of Harrogate town centre.

On a quiet Sunday evening in late August, the incident shocked neighbours and the wider community. It was the third most read story of 2020 on our website.

Police later confirmed the incident was not being treated as suspicious and an inquest would be held to examine the circumstances of the man’s death.

 

2. Harrogate’s Stray FM to close

Stray FM sign

Owners Greatest Hits Radio announced the end of Stray FM in May

Residents of the district were shocked by the announcement in May that Stray FM would be disappearing from the airwaves.

Though owners Greatest Hits Radio described the plans as a ‘rebrand’, the reality was that there would be mostly national programming on the station from September, with one regional show each day at drivetime.

As well as the ending of a familiar brand established in 1994, community groups expressed their sadness at the loss of the station’s valuable support.

The announcement of the plans was our second most-read story of 2020.

 

1. Town centre roads closed by police

Police closed off Mayfield Grove junction with Bower Road. Picture: Sharon Canavar.

A police incident near the centre of town on a Friday afternoon drew our biggest audience of the year.

A man was arrested for saying he had a knife and making threats to other residents.

Officers closed a number of roads around Strawberry Dale while they dealt with the situation, leading to congestion on surrounding routes. The roads were reopened after around 90 minutes.

A second man was arrested for obstructing the police, separately to the original incident.

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