Harrogate town centre Archives - Page 5 of 7

New bid to welcome disabled shoppers to Harrogate

A total of 250 stickers are set to be offered to Harrogate businesses to show they welcome disabled customers.

Funded by Harrogate Business Improvement District, the stickers will be handed out by the charity Disability Action Yorkshire to shops, bars and restaurants in the town centre.

It is part of the charity’s ongoing accessibility campaign, which has recently seen it work with independent retailers on Commercial Street.

Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, said:

“I’d like thank Harrogate BID for funding these widow stickers, which will alert disabled people to the fact these businesses have a different approach to accessibility.

“What they say is if people can’t physically enter the premises, then staff will be more than happy to come out to them, which more and more shops are now happy to do.

“We have recently been working with Commercial Street businesses, and they have been incredibly receptive to our accessibility campaign, and this is where our BID-sponsored stickers are first appearing.”

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, said:

“One of our key aims is to increase footfall into Harrogate town centre by making safe, welcoming and accessible for all, and Disability Action Yorkshire’s accessibility campaign falls into all three of these categories.”

Harrogate BID launches new town centre app to help businesses

Harrogate BID has launched a new app in an effort to help town centre businesses increase footfall and sales.

The app comes in partnership with LoyalFree, which has partnered up with the BID from today.

Harrogate is the thirty-first town in the UK to adopt the digital platform, which provides information for locals and visitors alike such as a local guide, exclusive deals and loyalty schemes, fun local events and interesting trails.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID manager, told the Stray Ferret previously that the idea behind the app was to “showcase the best in town”.

BID levy payers will benefit from advertising opportunities, customer insights and social media support from the app. Businesses already signed up include Cafe M, The Crown Hotel and Nutrition Joe’s Urban Cafe

Mr Chapman said he knows “first-hand” the benefits of using an app for businesses.

He said:

“From my previous role with Huddersfield BID, which introduced LoyalFree more than a year ago, I know first-hand the benefits it can help deliver.

“The LoyalFree app now provides Harrogate town centre with a great digital platform to showcase all the amazing businesses here. There is so much on offer in the town, and we hope it will encourage more people to support our local high street.

“Even before our launch, a number of businesses have already signed up to the LoyalFree, which is really encouraging news.”

Sophie Hainsworth, co-founder of LoyalFree, said:

‘‘We are delighted to be working with Harrogate BID.

“It’s more vital than ever for digital solutions to support the high street experience, and we hope businesses take advantage of everything the app has to offer.”

The LoyalFree app can be downloaded for free here or by searching ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google play store.

‘New normal’ will be good for Harrogate, says new BID manager

The new manager of Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) says he is confident the town centre will survive the covid crisis and that the ‘new normal’ will be favourable to the high street.

Matthew Chapman, who joined the organisation from Huddersfield BID, is set to take up the role officially from May.

He said the biggest concern was the “different levels of appetite” for people to get back out onto the high street and how to manage that demand.

As the economy continues to reopen under the government’s “roadmap”, Mr Chapman said it would be a challenge for businesses to adapt to the lockdown easing.

He said:

“On the small conversations that I have had with people, I think the biggest concern is different peoples’ level of appetite to get back out and about.

“A lot of people will still want to keep two metres apart, a lot of people will still want to wear masks, whereas other people are just ready to get back to normal.

“I think managing that as a business is probably going to be one of the challenging subjects over the next couple of months as we get to the magical date in June.”

Ahead of the anticipated demand, Mr Chapman will launch a new app to help businesses advertise their deals.

The app will be a place for local traders in the town centre to advertise their own deals, competitions and different “interactive trails”, such as a craft beer trail.

Mr Chapman said the app could help people to discover different parts of the town centre.

Cambridge Street in Harrogate town centre.

When asked how it would help businesses after the pandemic and what the thinking behind it was, Mr Chapman said:

“I think the thinking behind it is to showcase the best of the town so that it is all in one place, the deals, the competitions and the interactive trails.

“It’s one place that people can find and showcase the best of the town. As well as that, it’s another vehicle for businesses to promote themselves in an interactive and digital way.”

‘The new normal is really favourable to the high street’

The pandemic has taken its toll on retail and hospitality alike, with one Harrogate hotel boss admitting that hospitality had “lost its sexiness” due to covid.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Borough Council leader, Cllr Richard Cooper, has warned that footfall will continue to decline in the town centre without change after covid.

However, it was revealed on Friday that the percentage of vacant shops in the district had fallen to 6.8% in March compared with 8.6% on the same time last year.

But, Mr Chapman said he was confident that the town centre will survive the past 12 months of the pandemic.

He said:

“We’ve talked about the changes that are needed, but I think there is a huge appetite for people to come out and support the town centre.

“I know before there was concerns about whether people would want to come back to the high street and would people want to come back out.

“But, in all honesty, I think the concerns are more around how we manage the demand. I think there is going to be lots of people coming back out.

“I think the ‘new normal’ is really favourable towards the high street.”

Footfall in Harrogate will decline without change, says council leader

Footfall in Harrogate town centre will continue to decline if things do not change after the covid crisis, claims Harrogate Borough Council’s leader.

Speaking at a meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Cllr Richard Cooper said the pandemic had left more people shopping online and craving an “experience” in town centres.

Cllr Cooper’s comments last night came on the day retail and hospitality reopened for the first time since the third lockdown was imposed in January.

Businesses in the district pressed the council leader on what direction the town was going in after reopening, with some expressing concern over the Station Gateway project.

Cllr Cooper said the vision for Harrogate was one that would see more people living and working in the town centre, more events and a high street that offered an experience.

He said:

“For the past seven years that I have been leader of the council, I have heard traders talking to me about footfall going down.

“If we carry on doing things as we are doing them, footfall will continue to go down.

“We need to do something different to get people into the town centre and to support retail because anchor stores are no longer going to be there. Debenhams is gone.”

Cllr Cooper added that the pandemic had accelerated the amount of people shopping online and the town needed to adapt.

However, Graham Strugnell, a chamber member for 20 years, said he had heard some of the council’s plans “time and time again” and added that businesses often saw proposals “fall away”.

Station Gateway

Cllr Cooper was pressed on whether he would listen to concerns raised by organisations, such as Harrogate Business Improvement District, Independent Harrogate and Harrogate Civic Society, about the gateway project.

The £7.9 million project is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It could see James Street pedestrianised and Station Parade turned into a single lane with cycle routes.

Independent Harrogate has warned Harrogate’s hospitality and retail sector is in a ‘fragile and critical state’ and has ‘serious concerns’ about the scheme’s economic impact.

William Woods, of Independent Harrogate, asked the council leader whether he would listen to the organisations’ concerns.

Cllr Cooper said he would listen to all business bodies, but would commit to whatever the outcome of the consultation on the project was.

However, he added that people had supported changes to the town centre.

He said:

“It doesn’t matter what businesses say and it doesn’t matter what councillors say, if customers have a different view about how things should develop and about the kind of town centre that they are willing to go to, then they will simply vote with their feet.”

Harrogate businesses to grill council leader over town’s future

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.

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.

Harrogate BID “urges caution” over Station Gateway project

Harrogate Business Improvement District has “urged caution” over plans for the town’s £7.9 million Station Gateway project.

In its consultation response, the BID said it “broadly welcomed” the investment but added the town centre economy is in a “fragile state” and needed to be confident the changes would help Harrogate “thrive”.

The BID said it supported a two-lane option for Station Parade but with one lane dedicated to buses and taxis only.

It did not agree with the proposed two-way cycle lanes as it “does not form part of a connected and segregated cycling route, and would result in reduced space for pedestrians”.

Meanwhile, the BID said it supported segregated cycling on both sides of East Parade and preferred minor public realm improvements outside Victoria Shopping Centre in order to focus on Cambridge Street.

It also preferred for pavements to be widened on James Street, allowing a single carriageway for vehicles, with some short stay/blue badge/delivery bays. Other proposals being consulted on include pedestrianising the street.

A proposal for widened pavements and single lane of traffic on James Street, which the Harrogate BID supports in the Station Gateway plan.

The BID also raised concerns the current consultation process had not engaged the wider Harrogate community, and urged North Yorkshire County Council to consider sending details of the proposals via email and post to all Harrogate residents.

Sara Ferguson, chair of Harrogate BID, said the project would have a “major impact on our town centre”, adding:

“We are pleased the investment aims to create a step change in travel, and forms part of a much wider plan to tackle the climate crisis and deliver a more sustainable future for the town centre.

“We also hope this investment will help to support our journey to recovery, but urge that consideration is given to the consultation feedback to ensure that we capture the views and ideas of businesses, residents and visitors, to shape and influence the proposed plans.

“It is essential that we continue to invest in infrastructure for cars, particularly off-street car parking, park and ride, improved signage, and electric car charging to ensure that Harrogate can thrive and prosper for many more generations.”

The government’s Transforming Cities Fund has provided funding for the gateway project, to improve the design of the town and encourage more sustainable transport.

North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are delivering the initiative.

James Street pedestrianisation back on the cards in major town centre scheme

Pedestrianisation of James Street, a single lane on Station Parade and more cycle facilities could be lined up for Harrogate town centre, under new council plans.

It comes as North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council are set to consult on proposals for the town’s “station gateway” project.

The county council secured £7.8 million in funding from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund last year to draw up plans to improve transport connections, encourage more people to walk and cycle and improve the image of the town centre.

A four-week public consultation on the project will start on Wednesday (February 24).

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told a press briefing this morning that the scheme would also provide an “economic boost” for the area.

As part of the consultation, the public and businesses will be asked for their views on three options for James Street.

Pedestrianise the area
Part pedestrianise the street
Retain vehicle access

Other schemes which will be consulted on include one or two lanes on Station Parade and public event space at Station Square Gardens.

Cycle storage facilities, two new bus priority areas at lower Station Parade and Cheltenham Parade, and a water feature are also proposed.

Plans to temporarily pedestrianise James Street last year were criticised by local businesses and led to the county council postponing the measure until 2021.

Three options for James Street will be consulted on, under council plans.

Cllr Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, said the new schemes would be vital for the town.

He said:

“This is an extremely important scheme for the town, which we view as a solid foundation for change, particularly towards active travel.”

Cllr Ireland added that he hoped the plans would help people who come to the town to “feel more comfortable to get around safely”.

Plans for a ‘station gateway’ have been in the works for several years and fit into a wider strategy for Harrogate drawn up by the borough council in its 2016 Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan.

Cllr Mackenzie said the proposals were particularly important due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on town centres.

He said:

“It is extremely appropriate that we are looking to develop three schemes which will provide better facilities for pedestrians, for cyclists and better connections to bus and trains.

“But it will provide an enormous economic boost for our town centres, which frankly over the past 12 months have suffered a great deal.”

It comes as similar projects have been outlined for Selby and Skipton. Final designs and construction for the schemes are earmarked for spring next year.

People can give their views on the schemes in the online consultation from Wednesday here.

Harrogate district lit up in Christmas lights displays

While the pandemic means the festive season will be different this year, it has not stopped the traditional Christmas lights switch on in the Harrogate district.

Although there was no host or crowds to mark the occasion and the shops are closed, Harrogate and Ripon were still lit up ahead of Christmas.

In Harrogate, custom lights have been strung between buildings, around lampposts and in trees, including those in front of the war memorial at the top of Parliament Street.

Ripon Christmas lights were switched on last night.

Meanwhile, Ripon has spent £65,000 on its decorations and lights which has been dubbed the city’s largest ever display.

Despite the lack of a traditional switch on with celebrity guests, we have been out filming so you can enjoy them.

If you want to support Harrogate retailers and buy your Xmas gifts locally go to our new Shop Local section

Covid-safe Halloween trail begins this week in Harrogate

Families in Harrogate can take part in a new town centre Halloween trail, thanks to Harrogate Mumbler and the Harrogate Business Improvement District.

The aim of the trail is to find Halloween images in the windows of 10 Harrogate shops.

Once the trail is complete, children can collect a Halloween treat.

The initiative will run from Thursday until October 31.

Parents group Harrogate Mumbler and the Harrogate Business Improvement District hope this alternative to trick or treating will entertain children during half-term and encourage families to support the town centre.

All resources, including easy, medium and hard sets of clues and answer sheets, can be found on the Mumbler website here.

Harrogate Mumbler founder Sally Haslewood said:

“As a mum of two, I know how difficult it can be to shop with young children, yet there has never been a bigger need to support our town centre retailers.

“My hope is that this Halloween trail makes a trip to town much more fun for young families, provides a completely free activity for families during half term and brings some much-needed footfall to our town centre.”

To ensure the trail is covid safe, those taking part are asked to do so in small groups or within households or support bubble. All displays are visible from outside so there is no obligation to enter any shops.

Harrogate BID acting chair Sara Ferguson said:

“The trail will allow them to fully explore Harrogate town centre, taking them down streets and into shops they may not have visited before. And once they see just what the town has to offer, I’m sure they will return time and time again.”

WATCH: What do you want from Harrogate?

This is your chance to tell us what you really think…

The Stray Ferret has launched a major survey on the future of Harrogate town centre.

To get people talking, we went out onto the streets of Harrogate to find out why people visit, how they travel and what problems they think are facing our town. Watch the video to see what they had to say.

Member of the public talking about our survey

Do you agree? Make sure your voice is heard by completing our short survey. Everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw for some great free gifts – a Stray Ferret umbrella or a 12 pack of special Stray Ferret beer brewed by Harrogate-based Roosters. Participants must be aged 18 or over.

Click here to have a say on the future of Harrogate. The survey results, which will be published on our website, will help shape future debate.

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‘The new normal is really favourable to the high street’

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Station Gateway

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