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08
Feb 2023
Warning that Harrogate would ‘wither on the vine’ without convention centre
Harrogate would ‘wither on the vine’ if its convention centre closed, the woman in charge of the facility has warned.
Harrogate Convention Centre director Paula Lorimer and Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy and culture, Trevor Watson, updated councillors on Monday night about £49m plans to redevelop the council-run building so it can better compete with rival convention centres in the north.
Mr Watson said the council has now appointed a contractor to draw up more detailed plans for the redevelopment. But whether the vision is ever realised is far from certain.
North Yorkshire Council will make a final decision on whether the project goes ahead in the summer.
Ms Lorimer said she will meet senior figures from North Yorkshire County Council on Friday to discuss the building’s future.
Talks will focus on how the new council can attract investment for the redevelopment, which she said it “desperately needs”.
Last month the council failed in its £20m Levelling Up Fund bid for the convention centre redevelopment but Ms Lorimer suggested the council would bid again for funding in its third round.
She also said other ideas for attracting investment could involve bringing in an outside “interested party” to the table. Ms Lorimer said:
Read more:
- Council appoints contractor to design £49m Harrogate Convention Centre revamp
- Government rejects £20m levelling up bid for Harrogate Convention Centre
The council has previously warned that if the convention centre redevelopment doesn’t go ahead, the district could lose out on up to £250 million over the next 40 years in lost tourism and business spending.
Chris Aldred, Liberal Democrat councillor for Fairfax, said the convention centre “absolutely underpins the local economy”. He added:
In response, Ms Lorimer said:
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