Harrogate BID Archives - Page 12 of 22

Harrogate and Ripon gardens win gold at Yorkshire in Bloom awards

Harrogate has been awarded a gold medal and been named a winner in the small city category at last night’s Yorkshire in Bloom awards.

The annual awards encourage communities of all sizes to use flowers to brighten up the landscape as well as foster community spirit and civic pride.

Although Harrogate is a town, it was entered in the ‘small city’ category due to the size of its population and took first place at a ceremony in Tadcaster.

Harrogate Borough Council parks and gardens flowers

Harrogate Borough Council maintains parks and green spaces across the district.

Harrogate Business Improvement District, which undertakes schemes to drive footfall to the town centre, also won a gold medal and was category winner in the BID division.

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens received a platinum award and Starbeck won a gold medal in the urban community category.

Starbeck in Bloom

There was success too for Ripon, which took a platinum award for Spa Gardens, a silver gilt award for the city itself and a discretionary award for the best platinum jubilee display.

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park was awarded a Gold Medal in the Tourist Attractions Award category and a Best Conservation Project Award.

Joel Dibb, Head Gardener said:

“The Garden suffered devastating tree losses last winter due to the disease Phytophthora ramorum. The team took up the challenge to replant and move on from this distressing event and have had a busy year selecting and replanting trees.

The discretionary Conservation Project Award recognises all this hard work and the wildlife conservation we do to keep the garden wildlife friendly.”

A post on Harrogate in Bloom’s Facebook page said:

“Well done to all our local community groups and to the team at Harrogate Borough Council – here’s to further success in 2023!”

Yorkshire in Bloom is a charity incorporated organisation and a regional body representing the RHS Britain in Bloom campaign that is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Judges assess criteria developed by the RHS in consultation with the regions.

Harrogate BID manager to leave role

Harrogate Business Improvement District manager Matthew Chapman will leave the organisation in November to take up a new position at North Yorkshire Council.

Mr Chapman, who took up the role in May last year, was previously Leeds BID operations manager in 2016 before becoming Huddersfield’s BID manager in November 2019.

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 brings in around £500,000 from local firms, which it spends on projects to improve the town and increase the number of visitors.

During Mr Chapman’s 18 months in Harrogate, BID campaigns include power washing 80,000 square metres of the town centre, painting drab walls with colourful murals and buying over 500 pieces of outdoor furniture for businesses to use.

He is set to take up a managerial role within North Yorkshire Council, which is the new council that will replace Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council from April.

Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson paid tribute to Mr Chapman in a statement and said the search for his replacement had begun.

“Since joining us in May 2021, Matt has been a highly effective, dedicated and extremely popular BID manager. I have certainly enjoyed our working relationship, and that is echoed by all my fellow directors.

“During his time with us, he has become one of the most recognised faces in the town centre. He’s built terrific relationships with the district and county councils, business organisations and business owners and their employees.

“We will be extremely sorry to see Matt go, but the good news for us, and the town centre, is that he will continue to play a role within the organisation, offering guidance and support to the board and BID team, within a part-time role to aid the recruitment process and ensure a smooth transition and handover.

“The BID team is now primed to continue delivering the high impact projects which benefit the town as a whole, and the job of finding Matt’s replacement has now begun.”

Business Breakfast: Marketing agency appointed to support Knaresborough energy firm

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Harrogate marketing agency has been appointed to support a Knaresborough-based international energy company with its plans for growth.

The Big Bamboo Agency will deliver strategic marketing, PR, social media management and community engagement activities for Harmony Energy.

The firm, which develops utility-scale battery energy storage along with wind and solar projects, has worked across the UK as well as developing its work in France and New Zealand.

It has a long-standing relationship with Tesla, which has provided battery systems for its UK sites.

Pete Kavanagh, chief executive of Harmony, said:

“We were looking for an agency that would become an outsourced marketing and communications team, as an extension of the wider team we already have in place. We wanted to find a partner that we could build a long-term trusted relationship with.

“Having met Nicola and other members of the team, we knew we had found what we were looking for. Their experience and capabilities fit nicely with ours and we know they will understand our industry, due to their extensive credentials.”

Money-saving energy advice for Harrogate BID businesses

Businesses will have the opportunity to learn more about saving money on energy bills at a series of events today.

Harrogate BID is inviting its members to join one of three sessions in person or online to hear from energy consultant Ryan Edwards.

He will give businesses a clearer picture about the current energy market, as well as giving advice on securing energy contracts.

The first event is at Jespers Bar and Kitchen on Station Parade at 9.30am, with another at Starling Cafe on Oxford Street at 5.30pm. A session will also be held on Zoom at 11am.

Businesses interested in taking part can email Harrogate BID for more details.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate’s Christmas plans revealed this week

Harrogate Business Improvement District will be joined by representatives from Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate to share plans for Christmas 2022 to businesses.

Last Christmas saw a change to previous years with the creation of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, in the town centre from December 3 to 12. Festivities included a free road train called the Candy Cane Express, a carousel, helter skelter and ferris wheel.

It followed Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to deny a licence to the former market organised by the Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill.

The meeting this Thursday is at the Yorkshire Hotel’s Sky Bar at 5.30pm.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“At Thursday’s BID Club, we will be informing businesses what will be happening within the town centre this festive season.

“We will be joined by Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe, who will update us on this year’s Christmas Fayre, including location and number of stalls.

“This meeting is open to all businesses within the BID area, and will be an opportunity for them to ask questions, and to find out how that can get involved with making Christmas 2022 a festive season to remember.”

To reserve a space email info@harrogatebid.co.uk..

M&S temporarily closes cafe at Harrogate Oatlands

How the food hall will look.

Marks and Spencer has temporarily closed its cafe at its Oatlands food hall in Harrogate.

The company planned to close the cafe for good as part of an expansion of its Leeds Road site, but decided to retain it after a customer petition.

But a smaller, new-look cafe will open when the expanded site is launched.

The rest of the food hall will continue to trade throughout with some areas blocked off while the work is underway.

Store manager David Anderson said:

“We’re delighted to confirm that as part of the upcoming extension and refresh of our Harrogate Oatlands store, customers will be able enjoy a new-look M&S cafe alongside a fresh-market style food hall, offering a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.

“We expect to complete the works later this year and will keep the local community updated as they progress. We would also like to thank local residents around us for their ongoing support as we work to improve the store.”

Harrogate businesses ‘still unable to pay energy bills’ despite PM’s pledge

Harrogate business leaders have warned that Liz Truss’s energy plan is “too little too late” to save struggling firms from closure.

The new prime minister today announced that annual energy bills for households will be frozen at £2,500 until 2024 as part of a huge support package which could cost up to £150 billion.

However, the scheme is less generous for businesses than had been expected as their bills will be capped for six months – a shorter period than many had hoped for.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said:

“As the owner of a town centre restaurant, one that uses a lot of gas and electricity, I don’t think the support being offered goes far enough, or long enough.

“It pains me to say this, but even with the energy price cap some business will simply not be able to pay higher bills.

“It is going to be another tough time for the high street.”

Energy prices have soared this year, largely due to the conflict in Ukraine which has reduced supplies of gas.

This has driven up the UK energy price cap which sets the highest amount suppliers are allowed to charge households and had been due to rise from £1,971 to £3,549 in October.

Unlike households, small businesses are not covered by the cap and Harrogate district MPs were last month warned that many firms would soon reach a “tipping point”.

Speaking in the commons today, Ms Truss said she was “acting immediately” in her premiership and that the support for businesses may be extended for vulnerable sectors after the six-month period.

“Extraordinary challenges call for extraordinary measures, ensuring that the United Kingdom is never in this situation again.”

Reacting to her announcement, David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said it would be “too little, too late” for some businesses.

“Businesses have had it incredibly tough for more than two years, and it isn’t going to get any easier. Surging energy costs are just one of the pressures facing businesses.

“When Ms Truss recently came to Harrogate, members of Independent Harrogate challenged her about business rates.

“Her response was that she would review them. This she needs to do urgently, along with looking at VAT, fuel duty, National Insurance and corporation tax.”

TV presenters join Harrogate mayor at jurassic golf

The Mayor of Harrogate borough and former presenters from ITV Calendar took part in jurassic golf in Harrogate town centre last weekend.

Duncan Wood and Christine Talbot joined Cllr Victoria Oldham to take on the nine-hole course.

The course has been set up outside the Victoria Shopping Centre until Saturday, August 28.

Alongside the course, a Dino Trail has been set up in the town centre.

As people complete the trail, they will also be collecting letters that form a simple, themed anagram. Users can then submit the anagram/answer via the LoyalFree app for an additional chance to win a prize draw.

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate Business Improvement District, which has led on the initiative, said:

“In addition to coming into town to shop, eat and drink, visitors can now add mini-crazy golf to the list. The crazy golf in the Valley Gardens is incredibly popular, and we are confident our jurassic golf will be a roaring success.

“And once you have completed the challenging nine-hole course, there’s a dinosaur-themed themed trail to follow around town. A great way to spend an hour or two before or after visiting Harrogate’s great shops, bars and restaurants.”

Those wishing to play a round of golf can turn up on the day or book on the jurassic golf website here.

The cost is adults £3, children £2.50, family of four (two adults and two children) £10 and one adult and one child £5.

Jurassic crazy golf coming to Harrogate this weekend

A nine-hole jurassic crazy golf course is set to come to Harrogate town centre this weekend.

The course, which combines crazy golf with dinosaurs, will be held outside the Victoria Shopping Centre piazza on Saturday and Sunday.

An educational Dino Trail around the town centre will accompany the game.

Matthew Chapman, manager at Harrogate BID which has commissioned the course and trail, said:

““With the school summer holidays nearing an end, parents maybe scratching their heads thinking what to do to entertain their children.

“Well, we have the answer – jurassic golf! And what could be me more fun than a combination of dinosaurs and crazy golf?

“In addition to coming into town to shop, eat and drink, visitors can now add mini-crazy golf to the list. The crazy golf in the Valley Gardens is incredibly popular, and we are confident our Jurassic Golf will be a roaring success.”

The Dino Trail is a fun, educational trail where people can find answers to jurassic-themed questions by scanning a QR code on a poster, displayed in shop windows.

The answer will then appear on their phones.

Those wishing to play a round of golf can turn up on the day or book at the jurassic golf website here.

The cost is adults £3, children £2.50, family of four (two adults and two children) £10 and one adult and one child £5.

Business group calls for more Harrogate town centre police

Officials at Harrogate Business Improvement District hope more officers will be put into the town centre after latest figures show 187 cases of anti-social behaviour were reported in the area.

Matthew Chapman, manager at the BID, said more police in the area would help to deter such crime.

It comes as the organisation last week launched its Report a Crime campaign, which encourages people to report instances of crime in the town centre.

Latest police figures show that within the force’s Harrogate Town area, which includes the town centre and outer areas, 187 reports of anti-social behaviour were made during May.

The number makes up 31% of all crime reported.

A total of 602 crimes were reported during the month, which also includes 57 instances of criminal damage and 26 reports of shoplifting.

Mr Chapman told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate isn’t immune from criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, however, it is a lot safer, cleaner, and more welcoming than many other towns and cities in the UK – and this is something Harrogate BID is doing its upmost to maintain.

“Last week, we launched our Report a Crime campaign, where we are urging businesses, residents and visitors to contact the police via the online reporting system if they witness a crime, or a victim of it.

“Senior Harrogate police officers tell us there are no issues and resources are needed elsewhere, but these figures contradict that view. I hope they will now look again and increase uniformed patrols in and around the town centre, which will have a double effect – that of reassurance and other deterrence.”

The campaign to report more crime comes as the BID said police statistics did not match what businesses were telling them on the ground.

The kind of crimes being seen by retailers included anti-social behaviour, often linked to drinking, and what’s termed ‘professional begging’.

The new campaign is being backed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, whose chief executive David Simister said:

“Harrogate is a fantastic town to live and work, but when it comes to crime it’s not immune.

“It’s important we get a proper understanding of what is happening – or not happening – in our town centre, hence us giving our backing to this campaign.

“In the past I’ve called 101 and after waiting many minutes I’ve simply put the phone down. And by doing this, an incident has gone unreported. In future, report it online and that way it is logged and recorded.”

To report a crime in Harrogate Town centre, visit the North Yorkshire Police website.

Lego Wonderland aims to draw visitors to Harrogate this summer

Children are being invited to hunt around the centre of Harrogate this summer for classic children’s characters with a difference.

An Alice in Wonderland Lego trail is being launched tomorrow, with 15 large characters in locations around the town.

The event has been organised by Harrogate BID and the characters made by Yorkshire charity Fairybricks.

The six builders took six months and more than 514,000 Lego bricks to create the masterpieces, which will be in place until Saturday, August 20.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“Last year’s Lego trail, featuring a number of well-known Harrogate landmarks, was a huge success, hence its return this summer.

“This time we have gone for an Alice in Wonderland theme, and the models created by the Fairybricks team are simply stunning, and I can’t wait to see them in situ.

“These 15 models haven’t been displayed anywhere before, and after their Harrogate debut they will then be heading off to different events and venues all over the world.”

The three-week event is designed to bring people into town during the summer, supporting the BID’s levy payers and other businesses in the area.

Sculptures include Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts and the Dormouse, and will be at locations including the Victoria Shopping Centre, the Everyman cinema, the Turkish Baths, and the Harrogate Town FC shop on Commercial Street.

The trail can be downloaded via the LoyalFree app, which is free to download from the App Store or Play Store.

Last year’s Lego trail attracted more than 5,500 people to take part using the app, with others enjoying seeing the sculptures while they were in the town centre.

Mr Chapman added:

“We are really excited to be bringing back the Harrogate Lego Trail. It was certainly one of our highlights of last year, and one that help take visitors into different parts the town.

“And with our ongoing Floral Summer of Celebration – featuring a stunning trail, colourful shop window displays and fascinating exhibition – coupled with brilliant shops, bars, restaurants and beautiful gardens and open parkland, Harrogate town centre really is this summer’s must-visit destination.

“I’d also like to thank all the businesses that are participating in the Alice in Brickland Harrogate Lego Trail, who have made room within their premises to display one of the sculptures.”

Report a Crime and make Harrogate a better place

This story is sponsored by Harrogate BID.

It may seem strange that an organisation dedicated to promoting Harrogate town centre is campaigning to increase its crime levels.

However, Harrogate BID knows what it is doing and there is method behind its madness.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“The statistics showed that the number of crimes is very low in the town centre.

“While on the face of it this seems like good news, the stats just didn’t match up with what we were hearing from BID members.

“Shop owners and staff were telling us they were regularly seeing relatively minor crime, but the police figures just didn’t reflect this.”

Mr Chapman and the team at the BID decided to investigate further.

The kind of crimes being seen by retailers included anti-social behaviour, often linked to drinking, and what’s termed ‘professional begging’ – people who are not truly homeless and who often don’t live in Harrogate coming into town to take advantage of what they see as a lucrative opportunity to collect money from the public.

Often, said Mr Chapman, those people went on to use the money to buy drinks and, later in the day, they would commit crimes such as shoplifting.

Yet the BID investigation found town centre workers often didn’t report the problems they witnessed.

“People told us they were calling 101 to tell the police and were waiting on hold for half an hour or longer, before they eventually gave up.

“After a few occasions like that, many said they no longer bothered to report the low-level cases because they just didn’t have the time.

“Some of the bigger chain shops also let shoplifting go – they have instructions from head office that they don’t need to report every instance.

“The police statistics aren’t reflecting the reality of the town centre because the control room just isn’t getting to hear about it.”

As a result, the BID has launched a campaign to encourage people to report every instance of crime they see across the town centre.

Recognising employees’ time is valuable, the BID has highlighted the fact that crime can be reported via the 101 page on the North Yorkshire Police website.

It takes just five minutes, said Mr Chapman, and will generate a crime number and add the incident to the official police log.

He said:

“We’ve been told the best way to get the police to respond to things is to increase the numbers of crimes.

“Officers say they can’t do anything if nobody has reported a problem. Every avenue we went down, it always came back to needing more reports.

“They are an evidence-based organisation that works with data. The more crimes they see are being committed, the more resource they will put into an area.

“So we’re asking everyone to report every crime they see, no matter how minor it may be. In six months’ time, we’ll go back to the police and see how the numbers are looking.”

Mr Chapman said the BID hopes the result will be a significant increase in the crime statistics for the town centre – which in turn will encourage more police resources to be directed towards it.

He added:

“We recognise Harrogate is far from one of the worst places in the world, but it’s not immune from the problems every other town and city centre has.

“We want to make sure we stay on top of these relatively minor issues so they don’t become worse and they don’t detract from all the things that make Harrogate a great place to live, work and visit.”

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To report a crime to North Yorkshire Police, visit the dedicated reporting section of its website.