A review of Harrogate’s hosting of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships should not be ignored in future, says a business group.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased that the report, which was published yesterday, included the views of businesses.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission are behind the review, which will be considered at a meeting on July 4.
The report found that while there was a place for shorter events which “portray Harrogate and North Yorkshire in a good light, nationally and throughout the world”, residents and businesses considered the road closures for the UCI “unacceptable”.
One conclusion reached by the review was that there was a common perception that the event “effectively closed” Harrogate town centre.
David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.
Following the publication, Mr Simister called for 15 of the recommendations included in the report to not be “simply ignored” at future events.
He said:
“This is a very detailed report and one that incorporates a wide range of views from a number of organisations.
“I’m pleased the experiences of businesses have been acknowledged and incorporated into the recommendations.
“And when Harrogate feels confident to host other major events, and I hope it does, these recommendations are not simply ignored, but used to ensure the town as a whole benefits, and that businesses, particularly those in the retail sector, are not left counting the cost.
“However, before committing to anything, I think it’s important to weigh up the pros and the cons, and also liaise with previous host towns to measure the impact it had on them.”
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The recommendations include involving residents in planning events at an “early stage” and including the council on the board of large scale events.
They also include early engagement on large events and hosting short events in the district in order to “minimise disruption for local residents”.
In response to the report, a council spokesperson said:
“It is positive to see that the review of the preparation, hosting and implications of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships for Harrogate Borough Council, residents and businesses, has reflected much of what was implemented as part of the event organisation.
“With an estimated global TV audience of over 250 million and almost 70,000 spectators, the 2019 UCI Road World Championships created a fantastic opportunity to showcase Harrogate and the surrounding district to both a national and international audience.
“Since the UCI Road World Championships – almost three years ago – we have hosted successful events and, through our destination management organisation, have a fantastic programme for the remainder of the year to further promote the district and support our visitor economy.”
