Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has been nominated as the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council.

She will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who has held the role since April 2021 during a term disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a full council meeting last night, Cllr Oldham said it was an “absolute thrill” to be nominated.

Conservative council leader Richard Cooper congratulated her on her nomination, saying:

“Vicki and I have known one another since she first became the candidate for the Washburn ward.

“It was my great pleasure to support her during that by-election, and it will be my great pleasure to support her during her mayoral year.”

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, also described the nomination as “wonderful”.

She said:

“Not only will Vicki be our last civic mayor, but she is female and she is rural. Those two pluses are amazing.”

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Cllr Oldham will be the final ever mayor on Harrogate Borough Council as the authority will be abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire Council from April 2023.

Elections to the new council will take place in May.

Outgoing mayor, Cllr Trevor Chapman.

The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.

Also at last night’s meeting, Conservative councillor Robert Windass, who represents the Boroughbridge ward, was also elected as deputy mayor.

He will take over from Liberal Democrat councillor Christine Willoughby who represents the Knaresborough Eastfield ward.

The new mayor and deputy mayor will be officially sworn in at an annual full council meeting in May.

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has cancelled a Russian State Ballet and Opera performance in the town following the invasion of Ukraine.

Conservative councillor Richard Cooper announced at a cabinet meeting tonight that the event due to be held at the council-owned Harrogate Convention Centre in October will not go ahead as a result of the “terrible” war.

He said:

“Although the company is registered and addressed in England, until we can verify that the ownership is not Russian, that ban remains in place.”

Performers from Russian State Opera appeared at the Royal Hall in Harrogate last week just before Russia invaded Ukraine and the onset of arts boycotts and economic sanctions that followed.

Several theatres across the UK have banned similar Russian performances, including at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton, and New Theatre Peterborough.

At tonight’s cabinet meeting, Cllr Cooper described the war in Ukraine as “terrible” and said the Harrogate district stood ready to welcome refugees fleeing the country.

He said he was contacted by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and asked to look at what housing could be offered if the district is called upon to do its part.

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Councillor Cooper said:

“Mr Jones has written to the Prime Minister and held discussions with him about increasing the United Kingdom’s offer to Ukrainian refugees.

“He has asked that we look at our housing stock and those of housing associations with whom we partner to ensure we are able to play our part in accommodating Ukrainian refugees if and when we are asked to do so.

“As we did with Syrian and Afghan refugees, we stand ready to do whatever is asked of us – and more – to welcome Ukrainians fleeing this terrible war.”

Councillor Cooper also sought to offer reassurances that the council does not have any direct involvement or investments with any Russian companies. He added:

“I can reassure members that Harrogate Borough Council has no cash on loan to Russian banks, our property funds are only invested in the United Kingdom and we have no share capital invested in Russian companies.

“We also do not purchase any services directly from Russian companies.”

Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper has been accused of using a misleading statistic to support a £47 million redevelopment of the town’s convention centre.

Cllr Cooper has claimed 88% of conference delegates to the centre return to the area for leisure. However, the Stray Ferret has not been able to find the statistic he refers to -— only one that says, when asked, delegates said they were likely to return.

The statistics matter because the soon-to-be-abolished council wants to fast-track the start of what would be one of the biggest public spending commitments in its 48-year history.

It says Harrogate Convention Centre needs the investment to continue attracting visitors — and to boost the economic impact on the entire Harrogate district.

What is Cllr Cooper claiming? 

Cllr Cooper, the Conservative council leader and chair of the convention centre board, told a council meeting this month:

“The purpose and vision of the convention centre is to deliver high quality conferences, exhibitions and events that bring maximum economic impact and prosperity to the district.

“It is important to emphasise that this is for the district and this is not a noose around the district’s neck.

“And I can demonstrate that by saying almost nine out of 10 people — 88% — an astonishing statistic — who come to Harrogate Convention Centre for business return to the district for leisure. This is streets ahead of other venues.”

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Kirk Hammerton resident Alex Smith has submitted a freedom of information request asking where this information was from. Neither he nor the Stray Ferret has been able to find it.

Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he was not a member of any political party but was interested in transparency and standards.

The Visit Britain Statistics

His FoI suggests Cllr Cooper may have been referring to 2018 research by Visit Britain on how much delegates to business events spend.

This research said 88% of delegates to Harrogate Convention Centre, from a sample of 98, said they were ‘likely or very likely’ to return to the area. Of those, 62% said they were ‘very likely’ to return.

But it does not say how many actually do and neither Mr Smith nor the Stray Ferret is aware of any research that does so.

Mr Smith’s FoI request says:

“Residents are used to Cllr Cooper’s robust approach to political point-scoring.

“But, as chairman of the Harrogate Convention Centre, he is obliged to give out accurate information; and as a councillor, he is bound by a code of conduct not to mislead the Mayor and council.

“He is not free to invent ‘astonishing’ statistics to suit his argument.”

The FoI then asks for Cllr Cooper’s source, adding:

“If there is no other source than the one I’ve quoted I’d be grateful if you could inform me when and how Cllr Cooper will correct his wilful misinformation.”

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Cooper last week where the statistic he quoted was from but has not received a response.

Previous claim

In July 2020, Cllr Cooper told a council meeting that 75% of Harrogate Convention Centre delegates returned. He said:

“75% of 150,000 is 112,500 visitors that come to our district because of the convention centre who we would never see here otherwise.”

Again, it is not clear where this information is from — or why the figure appears to have grown to 88%.

Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished next year as part of a shake-up of local government that will see a new North Yorkshire Council formed.

Cllr Cooper has said he does not intend to seek re-election in May’s local elections for the new council.

Local councils across the Harrogate district are to be given the chance to take back control of public buildings and services under what has been described as a “golden opportunity” for communities.

When Harrogate Borough Council was created in 1974 it took over ownership of several key assets, including Ripon Town Hall and Knaresborough House.

But almost half a century later the borough council is now coming to an end as it will be scrapped and replaced with a new unitary authority covering the whole of North Yorkshire from April next year.

These major reorganisation plans have stoked widely-raised concerns over the future of many buildings which are key meeting places for communities and also play a crucial role in delivering local services and supporting the visitor economy.

‘Rightful owners’

Ripon Independents Cllr Pauline McHardy last night made calls for the borough council to kick-start the process by offering support to local councils that may want to submit any takeover plans.

She told a full council meeting this would be a “golden opportunity for assets across the district to be transferred back to their rightful owners”.

She said: 

“In 1974, the people of Ripon and its council had no say in their assets being transferred at no cost to Harrogate Borough Council.

“Now we want them given back to parish, city and town councils for the same as Harrogate Borough Council paid – nothing.”

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Cllr McHardy put forward a motion outlining her requests and was supported by the Liberal Democrats, including Knaresborough mayor Cllr Christine Willoughby who said it “can not be right” for local councils to pay for buildings which they once owned.

However, after a stormy debate both parties ended up voting against the motion, which was amended by Conservative council leader Richard Cooper, who said local councils would be able to “procure” the assets.

Ripon Town Hall.

This sparked questions over whether local councils would have to pay, but Cllr Cooper said this “does not necessarily mean cash changing hands”.

He also said the motion first put forward “simply isn’t legal” as the borough council itself can not produce takeover plans for its own buildings to be run by local councils.

Cllr Cooper said: 

“Seeking to get better services for residents run from these assets is where we should be focusing.

“If parishes can do it better and put together a delivery plan – great.

“I wish them all well and good luck in managing those services from parish, city and town councils. But what I am seeking to do is make sure they get control of assets and run great services from them legally, quickly and sensibly.

“The original motion I’m afraid just won’t do that.”

What will happen in Harrogate?

The prospect of a new town council for Harrogate is highly likely under the reorganisation plans and something which has been supported by all political parties.

Among the key assets which the town council could take over include the likes of the Stray, the Royal Hall, Royal Baths, the Pump Room Museum, the Sun Pavilion and more.

There are also questions over what will happen to council offices, not least to mention Harrogate Borough Council’s new civic centre headquarters.

At the moment, Harrogate and Scarborough are the only major towns in North Yorkshire not served by a parish or town council.

North Yorkshire County Council has previously said services such as parks and markets could be run by a town council, while areas including planning and highways may be handled by a Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee on the new unitary authority.

It has also said it is supportive of the idea of a Harrogate Town Council, although this would require a community governance review and could lead to a local referendum with a vote from residents.

A planned 1.99% council tax rise is set to be decided by Harrogate Borough Council tomorrow as part of its final budget before the authority is abolished.

The proposed increase – which equates to an extra £5 per year for average Band D households – will go to the vote at a full council meeting.

North Yorkshire County Council and police and fire services have also proposed tax rises which if approved could see council tax bills for average households rise by £255.92 to a total of £2,079 from April.

This comes at a time when families are facing a cost of living crisis, with every home set for a £1,200 increase in bills this year as energy prices rise.

Conservative-run Harrogate Borough Council said its proposed tax rise was needed to balance the books as it continues to feel the effects of government funding cuts and “unprecedented” pandemic pressures.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the council’s overview and scrutiny commission, gave feedback on the budget at a meeting last Wednesday when he said staffing would be a “real issue” for the authority before it is replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

He also said he was disappointed with a budget consultation which just 0.06% of the Harrogate district population took part in.

Council leader Richard Cooper said he shared these concerns before questioning Cllr Aldred why he and other Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from voting on the budget earlier in the process.

Cllr Cooper said: 

“I’m really pleased the commission approved, but there is something that puzzles me year-on-year. Three of them abstained this year, the same three abstained last year and they also abstained probably the year before.

“No alternative budget was offered and if the commission supports this budget, on what grounds is anybody abstaining?”

Cllr Aldred responded to say the move would give the Liberal Democrats “more room for manoeuvre” at tomorrow’s full council meeting.

Under council rules, any political party, councillor or group of councillors can propose an alternative budget. The last time this was done was in 2015 when the Liberal Democrats tabled their own proposals.

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The council makes up just under 13% of council tax bills in the district, while North Yorkshire County Council makes up 70% and police and fire services the remainder. Parish and town councils also charge a small levy.

Paul Foster, head of finance at Harrogate Borough Council, said in a report that while the authority’s government grant allocations had been reduced by £8.2 million since 2010, it had continued to prioritise its services including bin collections and planning.

He also said the council’s key income streams would not reach pre-pandemic levels for at least another year – and that this was another reason for the proposed tax increase.

Mr Foster said:

 “During a period of significant funding reductions, as the government continued to rein in the national deficit, and as other councils across the country faced uncertain futures, Harrogate has continued to maintain its valued frontline services.

“This is a testament to the council’s strong record of financial management before and during the age of austerity.

“In addition to this, the council has been faced with an unprecedented financial detriment as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

“The resultant economic downturn continues to impact on the council’s finances, with commercial property income, planning fee income and the convention centre lettings income, now not forecast to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2023/24.”

As the formation North Yorkshire Council edges closer, questions have been raised over where the new authority should be based.

From April 2023, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the six other district authorities will be abolished and replaced with a new council.

A decision has yet to be made on where the new North Yorkshire Council will be based.

North Yorkshire County Council is based at County Hall in Northallerton, which is the hot favourite to be home to the new unitary authority.

But Harrogate’s modern Civic Centre has been suggested as an alternative. Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, told a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting this month that Harrogate’s Knapping Mount had a case.

He said:

“It’s still not decided where the new council will be and it could be Harrogate. It would certainly have the best office facilities in North Yorkshire.”

No decision will be made on the location until after the May local government elections. So what are Harrogate’s prospects and what is at stake?

Harrogate or Northallerton?

The location of the new authority will be one of the key decisions that councillors make in the coming 12 months.

Ninety councillors will be elected to North Yorkshire Council, covering 650,000 residents and 32,000 businesses across England’s largest county.

The location of the new council matters because most key decisions will be made there.

Across North Yorkshire, Harrogate is the highest populated town with 75,070 people. The town itself is one of the two main urban areas in the county, along with Scarborough, and benefits from transport links, a vibrant hospitality sector and various public facilities.

North Yorkshire County Council offices in Northallerton.

It also has a modern council facility. The Knapping Mount headquarters, which staff moved into in July 2020, is purpose-built for local government. It is designed to accommodate 500 staff.

The council said the building cost £13 million. However, the Stray Ferret investigated the overall cost of the move from Crescent Gardens and put the figure closer to £17 million.

County Hall in Northallerton was built in 1906 and has served as the headquarters of various local governments in North Yorkshire, including North Riding County Council up until 1974.

The grade II listed building underwent a £500,000 refurbishment in 1999.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council. Picture: NYCC.

Conservative Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that it would make sense for the new council to remain at county hall.

However, he added that the authority does plan to implement local office space for staff and a “double devolution” agenda for local decision making.

He said:

“It will be for the new council to decide. But there is a lot of jobs in Northallerton.

“It would not make sense to move from Northallerton.”

The sentiment is echoed by Liberal Democrat Cllr Philip Broadbank, who represents Starbeck on the county council. He said:

“There is a high chance it would in Northallerton because it is more central.

“The Harrogate council has been mentioned, but it needs to be central.”

But for Independent Cllr Stuart Parsons, the future needs to be based around regional decision making.

Cllr Parsons, who represents Richmond on the county council, said the council needed to be “trimmed” and decision-making should be spread around the county.

He said:

“I suspect they [the council[ see themselves where they are. But no one has thought to ask if that is sensible.”

Why does the council’s location matter?

Much of the criticism over the new council is that it is too remote.

The county is scattered in terms of populations, with an estimated 160,830 people in the Harrogate district compared to 55,380 in Ryedale.

Having such a large county makes the headquarter issue even more important.

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For example, if a planning decision relates to Starbeck the issues are more likely to be understood by council officers based in Harrogate than in Northallerton

Cllr Parsons said there needed to be a plan for how “double devolution”, which would give powers to local areas, is distributed.

“There needs to be a short, medium and long-term plan. We are nowhere near that.”

What happens now?

County council leaders have said a decision on where the new council will be based will not be made until after the May elections.

Currently, an implementation board made up of senior council officers and an implementation executive, which includes cabinet members from across the county, is working through proposals.

Once the new councillors are elected, decisions will be made on matters such as location, planning, senior management committees ahead of North Yorkshire Council coming into operation in April 2023.

The chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council has told business leaders he believes the district can be the main economic driver for the whole of North Yorkshire under major changes coming to local government.

Speaking at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting, Wallace Sampson said the district had to be a top priority for a new council which will take over control of North Yorkshire from April 2023 when the current two-tier system is abolished.

He said “the clock is now ticking” ahead of this date and that Harrogate council officers were involved in all parts of the planning process for areas including tourism, business support and a new economic strategy.

Mr Sampson said: 

“We don’t want to be passing bystanders in this process and are ensuring that the Harrogate district remains an investment priority.

“We are very strongly of the view that there are huge opportunities for the district to be the economic driver for the whole of North Yorkshire and this needs to be recognised by the new authority.”

The forthcoming changes will mark the biggest shake-up to local government in almost 50 years and see the seven district and borough councils – including Harrogate – replaced with a new unitary authority to be named North Yorkshire Council.

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It is all linked to a devolution deal with government which could lead to decision-making powers and billions of pounds in funding coming under the control of a new North Yorkshire and York mayor, similar to those in power in Manchester and Liverpool.

Mr Sampson said while Harrogate Borough Council was disappointed that its bid for two new North Yorkshire councils split on an east/west basis was rejected last June, devolution was now the “prize” Harrogate is fighting for.

He said: 

“We put a lot of effort into the proposal of an east/west bid, but there is no point in crying over spilt milk and we just need to get on with it.

“One of the precursors for being able to secure a devolution deal in the same way that many areas across the country have was to go through local government reorganisation.

“We thought the prize of devolution was worth that – and we are talking about significant sums of money.

“Over a 30-year period across North Yorkshire and York this has a value of around £2.5 billion, and there will be a further £25 million a year that could be invested according to what we choose.

“If it means going through reorganisation to achieve this, then it has to be in the best economic interest of the Harrogate district and wider North Yorkshire and York areas.”

Harrogate Borough Council offices at Knapping Mount.

At Monday’s meeting, Mr Sampson and Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper were quizzed by businesses over the next steps of reorganisation, including what happens to key services such as planning, and public buildings including the council’s new Civic Centre.

Cllr Cooper, who will stand down after 24 years of service in 2023, said he believed Harrogate should be the headquarters of the new North Yorkshire Council given its large population and central location.

He also said a Harrogate Town Council should be created, although this would be decided by the new council or a public vote.

Cllr Cooper added his main hope of reorganisation was that investments in areas such as Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate Homeless Project, Visit Harrogate and Harrogate Theatre would remain a priority in the future.

He said: 

“These are the organisations that make Harrogate the special place it is and they are also a lever in the tourism that supports our independent shops and hospitality trade.

“We need not to lose that and I’m quite certain the new authority will take this on board.”

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has suggested a ballot could decide whether to create a Harrogate town council.after next year’s shake-up of local government.

Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished on April 1 next year after 49 years of existence.

Its demise is part of the biggest change in local government since 1974, which will see the abolition of all seven district councils in the county, along with North Yorkshire County Council, and the creation of a single new super council.

The move could lead to the creation of a Harrogate town council to manage local assets such as the Stray and Harrogate Convention Centre.

Alternatively, the new super council — which will almost certainly be called North Yorkshire Council — could decide to handle everything itself.

Rudding Park

Richard Cooper told Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly meeting at Rudding Park last night:

“Some people think there should be a ballot on whether to have a town council. That’s something that happens quite a lot.”

But he said the final decision on whether to hold a ballot would be up to the new North Yorkshire Council.

Could Harrogate be home to the new super council?

Cllr Cooper, a Conservative who besides leading the borough council is also a county councillor, also floated the possibility of Harrogate being chosen as the location for North Yorkshire Council. He said:

“It’s still not decided where the new council will be and it could be Harrogate. It would certainly have the best office facilities in North Yorkshire.”

Northallerton, where North Yorkshire County Council is based, is the firm favourite to be chosen as the new location. But Cllr Cooper said whatever the outcome, Harrogate was likely to remain a “significant hub” in the new set-up because there would still be a need for council staff, offices and depots in the town.

Harrogate Borough Council offices at Knapping Mount.

With vesting day — the day when North Yorkshire Council comes into existence — just 444 days away, Cllr Cooper used his speech at last night’s meeting to urge Harrogate district voluntary organisations, some of which rely heavily on Harrogate Borough Council funding, to start networking with North Yorkshire County Council. He said:

“One of the key things voluntary organisations must do over the next year is build relationships.”

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He said Harrogate Borough Council had generously funded many local not-for-profit organisations, such as Harrogate Homeless Project, and he hoped the new council would continue this.

Asked whether he would be a contender for mayor of the combined authority for North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council under the new structure, Cllr Cooper reiterated that he planned to leave politics next year.

He said his political career was “in decline down to zero” rather than “on the launchpad”, adding:

“After getting into it 22 years ago, snd rather by accident, I think it’s time for other people to have a go.”

Staff ‘worried’

Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, told the meeting staff were ‘concerned and worried about what will happen” after they transfer to North Yorkshire Council.

He said all staff, except himself, whose role will no longer exist, would transfer to the new authority under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). But there were no guarantees beyond then. Mr Sampson said:

“I can give assurances that on day one they will have a role. I can’t say beyond that.”

Nevertheless he said council leaders had set the tone by adopting a “pragmatic” approach to the changes and a “non-adversarial” approach to the new regime.

He added “staff had responded well to that” and were engaged in 16 workstreams related to the handover of power as well as their day-to-day duties.

Proud of Tour de France

Mr Sampson said despite all the changes, devolution was a “prize worth achieving” because the new mayor would have beefed-up powers and there would be economies of scale savings for taxpayers by the reduction in the number of senior managers and back office staff.

Asked what had been his greatest achievement, Mr Sampson said one of the things he was most proud of was leading the council through a decade of severe funding cuts from national government “without a significant impact on services”.

He also cited the council’s part in bringing the Tour de France to Harrogate in 2014. Mr Sampson said:

“I’m proud of the joy it brought to the district. It’s lasting legacy was that it put Harrogate on the map and created pride in what Harrogate could do on the national stage.”

A petition calling for the Harrogate Gateway project to be halted has been rejected by councillors ahead of a final decision on the £10.9m scheme later this month.

Harrogate Residents Association delivered the 714-signature petition to a North Yorkshire County Council meeting today when the group’s co-founder Anna McIntee accused the authority of “ploughing ahead” with the project without listening to concerns.

Ms McIntee said the scheme – which aims to boost cycling and walking and create a more attractive entrance to the Station Parade area – would have a “radical” impact on traffic and businesses.

But councillors hit back at the claims saying the group has previously opposed “any” projects which promote sustainable travel and that the Gateway will deliver on its aims if approved at an executive meeting on January 25.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said: 

“This is the second petition that has been brought by the Harrogate Residents Association. Similarly last time, there was a petition against our Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme on Beech Grove.

“The petitioners also opposed one of our active travel schemes on Oatlands Drive.

“There is a history here of opposing any schemes we bring forward which try to encourage people out of their motor cars and to use sustainable means of transport.

“The Gateway represents an investment of some £11m in a part of Harrogate town centre which quite frankly does need an uplift.

“We are not simply talking about highways changes here, but fundamental changes to improve an area which most of our visitors who arrive by bus or train see from the moment they arrive.”

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Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, also said claims in the petition that the project will “adversely affect every resident in Harrogate” were “demonstrably false”.

He said: 

“This project is about ensuring those who wish to use a mode of transport other than the private car have an opportunity to do so.

“It isn’t about banning cars or replacing roads ‘wholesale’ with cycle lanes – this is a giant misinterpretation.”

Included in the project are plans for a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street and reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic to make way for a cycle lane.

There are also proposals for upgraded junctions, more cycle lanes and improvements to Station Square as well as the One Arch underpass with the aim of providing better links to the train and bus station.

Gateway project ‘a big step forward’

The project has won the support of campaign group Harrogate and District Cycle Action which said in a statement to today’s meeting that the Gateway will be a “big step forward” towards a greener future.

Yet the rejected petition from Harrogate Residents Association still marks a sign of growing opposition against the project which was recently dealt a blow after a latest council-run survey.

Residents were shown the plans at a public meeting at Victoria Shopping Centre last October.

Consultation results released in December revealed 55% of 1,320 respondents felt ‘negative’ about the project, while 39% felt ‘positive’. The remaining 6% were either ‘neutral’ or said they didn’t know.

Speaking at today’s meeting, Ms McIntee questioned how the councils could now push ahead with the project.

She said: 

“How do people know this is value for money, especially when the track record of wasted money in Harrogate is terrible.

“There are many people calling for the project to be trailed before £10.9m is committed. We think this is a sensible idea.

“Far too many disconnected pocket plans are occurring, all focused on cycling.”

The Gateway scheme is being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, with a deadline for the awarded £10.9m to be spent by early 2023.

If the project is approved later this month, construction could start in spring 2022.

Harrogate Convention Centre is forecasting a £510,000 profit this year ahead of a decision on whether a major redevelopment should go ahead.

In what is set to be one of its biggest decisions in recent history, Harrogate Borough Council will this summer vote on a potential £47m redevelopment of the venue, which is fighting to keep its national appeal.

The latest forecast comes after the convention centre struggled financially during the pandemic when it was used as an NHS Nightingale hospital and also had its bookings severely impacted by lockdown restrictions.

Yet the success of the venue is not always measured on whether it makes a profit, but also its economic impact on the district.

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said the convention centre makes a “significant contribution” to the district’s economy and should be supported. He said:

“In a typical year – when the calendar is full of events and conferences – it attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year, has an economic impact of £35m and supports thousands of jobs across the Harrogate district.

“Many local businesses also rely on the convention centre for their income. And for every £1 most attendees spend on their event, another £5 is spent locally, benefitting the wider hospitality trade; from the hotels and B&Bs to the many cafés, restaurants and high street businesses.

“By redeveloping the ageing facility, as well as introducing much more flexible spaces, we will be able to attract a broader customer base and substantially strengthen this economic impact, which will be needed even more so in the future as our economy recovers from covid.”

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When the redevelopment plans were revealed in 2020, the council said the 40-year-old convention centre was in “critical need” of investment and that there is “very real risk” it will not survive without.

£1.5m spent on plans

More than £1.5m has already been spent on the plans which if approved will see the project delivered in stages with a major refurbishment of the centre’s studio two coming first.

After this, three exhibition halls could be demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on Harrogate Borough Council, said while the party had criticised a “lack of investment” in the convention centre in the past, it was supportive of the latest plans. She said:

“Without investment the convention centre will really fail and the impact on the local economy will be huge. There has been under investment in the last 20 years, so this is long overdue.

“The aim and ambition is for the convention centre to make a profit, as it did when the Lib Dems ran the council.

“If this does not happen then of course a serious review would have to be undertaken.”