Welcome to this final newsletter of 2022, and what a busy and productive year it has been for the Harrogate BID team.

Over the last 12 months, we have been working hard to deliver on our business plan, which has seen us continuing to make Harrogate town centre a safe, clean and welcoming environment, which in turn benefits businesses throughout the BID area, and beyond.

I am very proud to have been Chair of Harrogate BID for the last two-and-a-half years. It’s been a pleasure working with the team who are committed to Harrogate and making Harrogate a great place to shop, eat, and drink.

And we have plenty of exciting plans for the year ahead!

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you, a very happy and healthy New Year.

Yours sincerely

Sara

Sara Ferguson
BID Chair
BID-sponsored Sunday Freeway is back
Free bus journeys in Harrogate on a Sunday are back for January and February, thanks to a partnership between Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District) and The Harrogate Bus Company.The Sunday Freeway will again see passengers being able to travel for free into the town centre on the bus company’s award-winning fleet of electric buses – providing an extra incentive to attract people to shop locally.

The Sunday Freeway buses are routes 2A, 2B, 3 and 6, which link Bilton, Dene Park, The Knox, Jennyfield and Pannal Ash with the town centre.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID Chair, said: “Harrogate BID is extremely pleased to be able to sponsor the Sunday Freeway once again, as our continued partnership with The Harrogate Bus Company aims to support the local economy through the first two months of 2023.

“Harrogate is a brilliant town, with an impressive array of bars, restaurants and shops – and we hope many people will take advantage the Sunday Freeway initiative to make the most of what the town has to offer.

“This scheme also benefits the environment, encouraging those travelling to Harrogate to leave their cars at home in favour of hopping on an electric bus.”

Read the full story here:

During the AGM there will be a presentation to hear about the projects and activities delivered in 2022 and the future plans for 2023.

There will also be an opportunity to view the annual accounts (01/01/2021 – 31/12/2021), hear the recent BID Director election results and ask questions to the BID team and Board who oversee the BID delivery.

All businesses within the Harrogate BID area are invited and can secure a place by emailing info@harrogatebid.co.uk
Christmas Retail & Hospitality Success

The combined efforts of Harrogate BID, Destination Harrogate, Visit Harrogate and Harrogate Borough Council, has again proved a winning formular this Christmas.

We have heard from a number of businesses, who said sales were significantly up on the same period last year.

A more detailed report will appear in our January newsletter.
Free counter-terrorism workshop for Members
Harrogate BID has again partnered with Counter Terrorism Policing North East to provide a free workshop to BID Members.The workshop will deal with ‘Document Awareness’ and is aimed at those in HR or those responsible for recruitment in their organisations, helping recruiters identify false documentation.

This initiative coincides with an announcement that new counter-terrorism legislation will be introduced for UK venues as a reaction to the 2017 attack at the Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert.

The workshop will take place on Thursday January 12, between 1.30 and 3.30pm at The Crown Hotel, Crown Place, Harrogate, HG1 2RZ.

BID Members wishing to attend this session should email info@harrogatebid.co.uk.  Please note, places are limited due to the practical nature of this course.

Read the full story here:
Winners of Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition Revealed

The winners of the Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition have been revealed – with Weetons being crowned as the overall winner.

The annual festive awards, which this year saw a record number of entries, was organised by The Rotary Club of Harrogate and sponsored by Harrogate BID.

Held at The West Park Hotel and attended by scores of local business owners and representatives, the ceremony was hosted by Nick Hancock from Your Harrogate,  with winners and runners up certificates presented by The Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Victoria Oldham, and President of the Rotary Club of Harrogate, Ann Percival.

Weetons Food Hall came out as the overall winner and winner in the large shop category, fending off stiff opposition from other category-winners such as Harrogate International Festivals, which won the Small Shops category, and Helen James Flowers, which was victorious in the Medium Shop category.

Read the full story here: