Harrogate firefighters were called to the fifth floor of the town’s Victoria Car Park yesterday when a car caught fire.
Both Harrogate appliances were summoned to the multi-storey near the train station following reports of smoke billowing from the boot of the vehicle in the multi-storey.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report said:
“Fire crews used a hose reel, breathing apparatus, thermal camera and tools to access and extinguish the fire.”
It added the cause was attributed to an electrical fault to a CD multi-changer in the car boot.
The incident proved to be the start of a busy morning for Harrogate firefighters.
At 10.36am, they released two people trapped in a lift at an undisclosed location on Crescent Road in Harrogate.
Then at 11.41am, a women’s walking group alerted them to a cow trapped in barbed wire on a fence at the edge of woodland off the A661 Harrogate Road at Spofforth
The incident report added:
“On finding the cow, the fire officer was able to establish which farm the cow belonged to. The farmer then attended with bolt croppers to free the cow.”
Read more:
- Signs up but Starbucks silent on Harrogate drive-through launch date
- Jules B to close Harrogate store
Free Saturday parking to return in Harrogate after ‘technical error’
A “technical error” that left drivers unable to take advantage of planned free parking has been corrected for the coming weekend.
Harrogate BID had organised the offer to run in the Victoria Car Park, from 10am to 6pm, every Saturday until February 18.
However, shoppers who had parked after 10am last Saturday were shocked to find they had to pay for their parking on departure.
Harrogate BID has apologised for the error and said it has offered refunds to people who were charged.
BID manager Matthew Chapman added:
“We would like to apologise to those who came into town last Saturday to take advantage of BID-funded free parking in Victoria Car Park and were asked to pay.
“This was an oversight by our Harrogate Borough colleagues who had not set the payment metres for a new month, and we have offered refunds to those who inadvertently had to pay.
“I’d like to reassure those coming into Harrogate either this Saturday and the following Saturday, February 11 and February 18, that they can park for free between 10am and 6pm in Victoria Car Park.”
One resident, who asked not to be named, said signage for the free parking had been in place when she arrived around 10.30am on Saturday.
However, by the time she left at 2pm, the signage had been removed.
She said a parking attendant told her the offer had been “pulled”, and she saw several “angry” people complaining.
A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:
“Unfortunately, due to a technical error, free parking wasn’t available in Victoria car park in Harrogate on Saturday, February 4 as planned.
“We can confirm free parking will be available at Victoria car park on the next two Saturdays, thanks to Harrogate BID.”
Read more:
- Harrogate offers free Saturday parking to boost sales post Christmas
- New chair to take the reins at Harrogate BID
Free Christmas parking returns this week at Harrogate’s Victoria Car Park
Free weekday parking is being introduced in Harrogate’s Victoria Car Park this week until early January to attract Christmas shoppers.
Harrogate Business Improvement District is funding the initiative as part of its mission to drive town centre footfall.
From this week until Thursday, January 5 — free parking will be available between 3pm and 7.30pm in the Victoria Car Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The ‘free after three’ campaign encourages town centre visitors on quieter days of the week, helping Harrogate’s retail, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:
“Once again, we are delivering on our pledge to retailers to provide free parking in the town centre during the run up to Christmas, which is traditionally one of the busiest periods in their calendar.
“And whereas in the two previous years ‘free after three’ has ended just before Christmas, I’m delighted to say that this time we are extending it right through to Thursday, January 5, which we know will be beneficial to both visitors and businesses.
“‘Free after Three’ is only available in Victoria Car Park, which has ample space. It links directly to Victoria Shopping Centre, giving easy access to the heart of the town centre and the wonderful shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues Harrogate is home to.”
The BID’s 2022 Christmas campaign also includes sponsoring the North Pole Post Office, the Candy Cane Express road train, the Father Christmas Experience, the Christmas Shop Window Competition, and the Christmas lights.
Read more: