January 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter for 2024 as we move into our second term following a successful ballot campaign last year!
We are delighted to be able to continue to improve Harrogate as a town and keep the centre thriving, working with directors, BID members and partners.
I am overjoyed to be able to say that we can look back on 2023 with pride. It was a jam-packed year of events, campaigns and competitions – all of which worked towards our goal of achieving our objectives as we completed our first term. It was great to reflect on a memorable year during our Annual General Meeting, held at The Foundry Project on January 18th.
The inaugural Harrogate Self Care Week kicked things off for 2024, offering a variety of sessions to kickstart the new year with a healthy, happy mind. After a whole host of planning and organisation, the BID team are over the moon to say that the event, which was the first of its kind in our town, was a success – with many sessions selling out weeks in advance!
We’re also looking to expand the BID team this year, launching an opportunity for another Street Ranger and a completely new role for a Town Centre Support Officer. Following extensive research, we are very confident that these additions will benefit the BID massively, helping us to work towards achieving our three new objectives for Term 2 – ‘Pride In Our Town’, ‘A Vibrant Town’ and ‘Voice & Vision’.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the BID Board who stepped down at the end of 2023, as well as to welcome our new directors. We very much look forward to working with you throughout the year.
Yours Sincerely,
Dan Siddle
BID Chair
Free Car Parking
Harrogate BID has again been delighted to offer free car parking for shoppers on a Saturday over the last few weeks, continuing until February 10th. The initiative, allowing drivers to park in the Victoria Multi-Storey Car Park for free, was launched to benefit the town’s business in what can sometimes be a quiet month.
Find out more at: https://shorturl.at/lqCKV
Self Care Week
A range of classes, demonstrations and talks were held during the first ever Harrogate Self Care Week in the last week of the month. The new programme was organised to help boost health and well-being in the town. From slow yoga and soundbaths, to face mask making and energetic gym sessions, a jam-packed programme helped Harrogate residents to start 2024 with a healthy, happy mind!
Further details on the event can be found at: https://shorturl.at/drs38
Love is in the Air
Love is in the air for Valentine’s Day in Harrogate this year as the BID launched a brand-new competition, featuring a prize package offering two lucky lovebirds a two-night stay at a top Harrogate hotel, an exciting helicopter ride and more. To enter ‘Love is in the Air’, you must purchase a Harrogate Gift Card of any value between now and February 14th.
Buy your Harrogate Gift Card at: www.harrogategiftcard.co.uk
Harrogate BID AGM
The Harrogate BID team were delighted to openly welcome everyone to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday January 18th. During the event, BID Manager Matthew Chapman discussed the review of 2023 and how we worked to achieve the Term 1 objectives. We would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s AGM, as well as The Foundry Project for hosting.
BID launches two new job roles
Harrogate BID is excited to announce the launch of two new job opportunities, keeping in line with the Term 2 Business Plan after listening to feedback from BID Members and business needs in the town. The BID team is looking to expand with two additional roles – Town Centre Support Officer and a second Harrogate Street Ranger. After carrying out lengthy research, the BID is confident that the two new additions will hugely benefit the organisation’s work towards achieving the new objectives for Term 2.
To find out more, or apply for the roles, visit: https://shorturl.at/kxyz4
Free guidance for BID members
Xi Comms is offering help to Harrogate BID members to seamlessly transition their telecoms and telephones to the new world. At the end of 2025, BT will be terminating its old telephone networks. Copper lines will cease as will any service provided over those lines including broadband and any telephone numbers associated with telephones lines, which will affect consumers as well as businesses. As an incentive for BID Members in our town, Xi Comms will give a £30 Harrogate Gift Card for every new broadband line, mobile telephone air-time contract and cloud telephone user.
Follow: Xi In The Community — Xi Communications Harrogate (xicomms.com) for more details!
Harrogate hanging baskets
North Yorkshire Council is again offering its hanging basket partnership scheme to businesses in Harrogate town centre! The baskets are renowned for their beauty and provide colour to the businesses in the town’s main shopping area. The overall cost of growing and maintaining the baskets is subsidised by the council. Due to access and parking restrictions, it’s only possible to place hanging baskets in specific locations.
Further details can be found at: https://shorturl.at/sxBLT
Brimhams Active offer for BID Members
Brimhams Active is delighted to offer corporate membership to Harrogate BID members! A Health and Wellbeing Membership with Brimhams Active will provide people with all the facilities and services they need to maintain a longer, healthier and happier life. The corporate rate is 15% off monthly rates and that can be off any of the Adult rates – All inclusive, swim only or gym only.
For any further information, contact leisureadmins@brimhamsactive.co.uk
HUQ update for January
Throughout January, the total number of people passing through the BID area was more than one million – with January 14th shown as the busiest day with over 81,000 people passing through. January 12th and 10th had the lowest footfalls, with just over 12,000 people passing through on both of these days. The town’s hotspots throughout the month include Station Parade, Cheltenham Road and Cambridge Street.
From the next month onwards, newsletters will be published at a slightly later date so we can capture a full month’s data when using HUQ.
HUQ is the software that Harrogate BID fully funds to capture data insights within the BID area. If you would like any more information, or any specified data, please email info@harrogatebid.co.uk
Christmas survey results
With your support, we collated business feedback through a survey on the Christmas offer in Harrogate in 2023. Results show us that 85% of BID members continue to support the Christmas Fayre – with 75% stating that it worked well in its current location. Some of the feedback suggests that the Christmas activities increased footfall beyond expectations in the town – and that it was easily accessible and safe for families. Meanwhile, 64% said that the timings of the Fayre worked well, while 67% said the size was just right for our town.
If you’d like any further information on our Christmas survey, please email info@harrogatebid.co.uk