BID Newsletter July 2024
Hello everyone and welcome to the July edition of the Harrogate BID newsletter!
It’s an emotional one for me as I announce I’m leaving Harrogate for pastures new after more than 14 years working in this wonderful town! I can honestly say I’ve loved every minute of my time here and I’ve made memories that will no doubt stick with me forever.
I’ve been a part of the BID since the idea came to Harrogate 7 years ago, so I’ve seen the fantastic impact it has had on the town. I am extremely confident that the team will continue their excellent work to ensure Harrogate is a top destination to not only visit, but to work and live in.
We’re well into the year now and it’s been a busy month for the BID as all things floral have begun to take shape. The Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration launched in mid-July, with 10 dazzling displays placed in key locations – each with their own background story based around the theme of ‘Friendship’.
The Harrogate Lego Trail is also back! Launching on Saturday, the 10 enchanting exhibits have brought a magical feel to the town centre with a special ‘Fairytale’ theme, so make sure you join in the fun to with a fabulous free prize!
We were also present at the Great Yorkshire Show in early July, promoting Harrogate as the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown and shouting about out the summer trails, campaigns and services that we offer. We’d like to give a big thank you to Visit North Yorkshire for giving us this opportunity and inviting us along.
The BID team has again expanded as new Street Ranger, Darren, has kick-started his new role and is already carrying out great work across the BID area for Members and residents. If you see him out and about, make sure you say hello and give him a friendly welcome to our town.
Yours Sincerely
Andrea Thornborrow
BID Chair
Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration 2024
The Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration has officially launched with the dazzling displays on show across the town centre.
The floral trail with 10 excellent exhibits has a ‘Friendship’ theme this year, in line with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – which celebrates its 60-year milestone in 2024. A Heart of Flowers, Friendship Arches of Bloom, a Flower Family and much more took over the town centre for the next two weeks, highlighting Harrogate’s flowery legacy and promoting the North Yorkshire town as a fantastic destination to visit, live and work.
Harrogate Lego Trail launch for 2024
Harrogate BID is excited to officially launch this year’s Lego Trail, bringing a magical, enchanting feel to the town centre.
The 13 magical installations are now on show in key locations, from Betty’s and Primark, to The Yorkshire Hotel and the Victoria Shopping Centre. Head into town over the next three weeks to see captivating characters including the Fairy God Mother, Red Riding Hood and The Little Mermaid, or check out the spectacular structures from Rapunzel’s Tower to Cinderella’s Carriage.
Harrogate Beer Week 2024
The BID team are delighted to announce they have committed to acting as the main sponsor of Harrogate Beer Week, which is set to return to the town later in the year.
This will be the fourth year of the event – which is a week-long, town-wide celebration of Harrogate’s craft beer, brewing heritage and beer culture in the local community. Running from 16th – 22nd September, the Beer Week will celebrate the quality of Harrogate’s social scene and night time economy, offering a programme of special events, offers and promotions hosted at bars, brewery taps and eateries across the town.
Harrogate BID at Great Yorkshire Show
The Harrogate BID team were excited to attend the Great Yorkshire Show to help promote the town as a fantastic must-visit destination, while showcasing its footfall and spend increasing campaigns.
Harrogate BID shared a stand with Visit North Yorkshire to not only shout about its summer trails, services and campaigns but also the fantastic retail, hospitality and leisure offer that the town is famed for. The BID team hosted a ‘Spin the Wheel’ activity during their time at the show, with a range of prizes on offer donated by different businesses in Harrogate.
Entech and Harrogate BID
Harrogate BID has partnered with experienced energy consultancy firm Entech to help businesses within the local community.
Entech will provide a free, no obligation quote for gas, electricity and water contracts. Just mention that you’re a BID Member in Harrogate and Entech will also provide a free utility health check to make sure you’re not already paying more than you should be!
To find out more, visit the Entech website here.
Latest BID Blog on pedestrianisation
The latest edition of our BID Blog has looked into pedestrianisation, a hot topic all over the world at the moment, with some people for the scheme and others against the idea all together.
It can be seen as a complex and sometimes controversial subject, as research shows it can have both positive and negative aspects to it. Through research, we have looked into both the pros and cons from a neutral viewpoint.
To read our latest BID Blog, please click here.
HUQ update for July 2024
We’re continuing to work alongside HUQ to analyse data on aspects including footfall, density of visitors in the town centre and catchment data!
We use the data when planning our various services, campaigns and events we carry out across Harrogate.
To read a full update on HUQ, please click here.
Latest BID street dressing
Harrogate BID is pleased to launch a new street dressing campaign with flag bunting celebrating God’s Own County.
The Yorkshire Flag bunting has now been placed along selected streets in the town centre, just in time to celebrate Yorkshire Day.
As the Business Improvement District (BID), we’re proud to represent Harrogate’s businesses as we work hard to ensure it remains the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown.
Harrogate BID meets with new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman was part of a group that met with the new Mayor of York and North Yorkshire recently to discuss a new high streets fund.
The new Mayor, David Skaith, met with Matthew, representatives from other Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), local authorities and traders in Thirsk to shape the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, which is expected to launch later this year.
Summer Social 2024
Harrogate BID is delighted to again join forces with the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to host a Summer Social event.
Held at the Coach and Horses on Monday August 12th, it will be a great opportunity for BID and Chamber members to meet each other and enjoy relaxed networking with both familiar and new faces. It is an exclusive member only event, so please book your place early as numbers are limited.
To reserve a space, visit this link.
Meeting on Station Gateway in Harrogate
As the BID, we are pleased to be partnering with the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce and North Yorkshire Council to allow members of both organisations the opportunity to hear the next steps of the potential Harrogate Station Gateway.
The meeting, held on Tuesday September 3rd, will allow those in attendance to share thoughts and opinions on the topic.
The event will be strictly for BID and Chamber members only, with spaces available to book through this link.
BID team meet new Harrogate MP
Harrogate BID was delighted to meet with the new MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough today to share the voice of local business and discuss working in collaboration.
BID Manager Matthew Chapman was pleased to host a first meeting with Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon, alongside the Charter Mayor Councillor Chris Aldred, to review some of the challenges in Harrogate and discuss how they may be overcome.