Businesses are being asked for their ideas to help give a drab town centre pedestrian cut-through a colourful makeover.We are working in partnership with Oxford Street-based charity, Artizan International, to install eye-catching mosaics in the nine, blocked out windows, on the side of the Boots building, on Cambridge Place.

Whilst each window space will feature a Harrogate letter, the two organisations are asking those who live and work in the town to give inspiration to the individual backgrounds.

BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “Cambridge Place is an extremely popular pedestrian cut-through between Cambridge Street and Oxford Street, yet one of the drabbest in the town.

“Now, in partnership with Artizan International, we want to give this street a real lift by installing nine colourful and eye-catching mosaics in these nine blocked out windows.

“Whilst each one will feature an individual letter to spell out Harrogate, we are asking for suggestions to create the individual backgrounds. The only proviso being it must be representative of the town itself.

“This could be its spa heritage, iconic buildings, or famous names and businesses associated with the town. We will leave it up to individuals, then choose nine different ideas.

“These will then be turned into mosaics by the Artizan International team, giving this much used thoroughfare a real splash of colour.”

Artizan International Founder Susie Hart MBE said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Harrogate BID on this project, which will help brighten up this part of the town centre.

“I’m really looking forward to receiving the different thoughts, then having our wonderful team create the nine different mosaics.

“In addition to the suggestions, we are also requesting donations of brightly-coloured crockery that help bring these designs to life.

“Harrogate is a very special town, and these nine mosaics will not only give a real lift to this particular area, but make it even more special, and one that people will want to see and photograph.”

Ideas can either be emailed to Harrogate BID at info@harrogatebid.co.uk, or left with Artizan International, at their shop located at 39 Oxford Street, Harrogate.

The closing date is Friday, July 2.

Businesses may not know, but they can become a voluntary levy payer.

The annual cost is £300, and as a voluntary payer they will be entitled to all the benefits of currently afforded to all levy payers, including being able to claim up to £750 in match-funded ‘reopening’ grants.

To find out more, email info@harrogatebid.co.uk

July’s BID Club Meeting
Harrogate BID is holding its next BID Club meeting on Friday, July 9.

Being held at Hotel du Vin, the event for Levy Payers is being held between 7.30am and 9am and teas/coffees and pastries will be served.

To ensure as many levy payers get an opportunity to attend our monthly BID Clubs, we are hosting them on different days and at different times, hence this month’s 7.30am start.

We’s like to thank the team at Hotel du Vin for hosting us, but because Covid restriction are still in place, numbers are once again limited.

Those wishing to attend MUST register for the event by emailing info@harrogatebid.co.uk

Our barrier baskets, hanging baskets, planters and barrier baskets continue to bring an additional splash colour to the streets of Harrogate town centre.

In total we have installed some 200 plus displays, now with summer blooms, helping to cement Harrogate’s reputation as a floral town.

Harrogate BID has launched a new partnership with LoyalFree, the creators of a smartphone app designed to increase footfall and sales in the spa town by encouraging consumers to shop, eat and drink local.

Harrogate is the thirty-first town in the UK to adopt the innovative digital platform, which provides information for locals and visitors alike such as a local guide, exclusive deals and loyalty schemes, fun local events and interesting trails.

BID levy payers will benefit from advertising opportunities, customer insights and social media support, and businesses already signed up include Cafe M, The Crown Hotel and Nutrition Joe’s Urban Cafe.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “From my previous role with Huddersfield BID, which introduced LoyalFree more than a year ago, I know first-hand the benefits it can help deliver.

“The LoyalFree app now provides Harrogate town centre with a great digital platform to showcase all the amazing businesses here. There is so much on offer in the town, and we hope it will encourage more people to support our local high street.

“Even before our launch, a number of businesses have already signed up to the LoyalFree, which is really encouraging news.”

LoyalFree’s digital trails are one way app users can explore the town’s history, hidden gems and best independents.

There are already some exciting trails live on the app including the Craft Beer Trail, Harrogate Coffee Trail and The Antique, Vintage and Retro Trail, which highlights the best local retailers stocking a great range of quirky curios!

The LoyalFree app can be downloaded for free, here: www.loyalfree.co.uk/download or by searching ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google play store.