October Newsletter

Welcome to our October newsletter.

I start by saying farewell Matt and hello Simon!

As you already know, our BID Manager Matthew Chapman leaves us at the end of this week, and Simon Kent has agreed to step in for the interim period until a successor has been appointed. Full details are in the below newsletter.

It’s been another busy month for the BID team, the deep cleaning of the streets has started again, the Christmas lights are now in place, ready to be switched on towards the latter half of next month, and we have been busy raising awareness of Street Aid.

And if you are heading to the Railway Station or Victoria Shopping Centre in the next few days, please do look out for something a little bit ‘freaky’ on your travels! They’ve certainly given people something to talk about and share on social media.

As ever, if you have any comments/suggestions, then please do get in touch.

Yours sincerely

Sara

Sara Ferguson
BID Chair

Simon Kent appointed as Interim Manager

Harrogate BID Chair Sara Ferguson said: “Whilst we continue the process of seeking a new BID Manager, we have appointed Simon Kent in an interim role.

“Simon was instrumental in helping to launch Harrogate BID back in 2018, and in April 2020, we asked him to take on the role of Interim Manager, which he did until May the following year.

“Simon’s experience and knowledge of Harrogate BID are second to none, and I’m delighted that he has agreed to come back in a part-time-basis until a successor to outgoing BID Manager, Matthew Chapman, is found.

“I look forward to rekindling my working relationship with Simon, particularly as we head towards the Festive Season, which with the BID’s involvement will see Harrogate once again become ‘Destination Christmas’.”

Harrogate BID Hoping for success in National BID Awards 2022

Following recent success at national and local ‘In Bloom’ competitions, Harrogate BID is hoping for similar achievement at the National BID Awards.

The business organisation has entered two categories – Place-Management and Special Recognition – with the winners being announced at a ceremony being held this Thursday, November 3, at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London.

It is hoping its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign will come up roses in the Special Recognition category, whilst its Street Ranger Chris Ashby – who helped save the life of a young man in Library Gardens – will secure the Place-Management title.

Two weeks ago, in the national Britain in Bloom awards, Harrogate BID was named overall winner in the Yorkshire Rose Town/City Centre BID category.

This was on the back of it being presented with The President’s Trophy for its work boosting Harrogate’s floral offering via its Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign which featured a floral trail, fascinating indoor exhibition and a shop window competition.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “Since joining us back in January, our Street Ranger Chris has been a real asset. His work in helping to keep the town looking pristine is appreciated by businesses across the town centre.

“And this summer, whilst on his rounds, his swift actions helped save the life of a young man.

“We are also hopeful the success already achieved by our Harrogate Floral Summer of Celebration campaign, which was delivered by BID Project Manager Jo Caswell, will be replicated in the Special Recognition category.”

If you have been in town this past week, you may well have seen our ‘freaky feelers’ greeting visitors to Victoria Shopping Centre. And at the weekend, street performers Trick & Treat, were out about entertaining shoppers in their own unique style.
Harrogate District Street Aid highlighted during awareness week

A film promoting the work of an initiative that directly helps homeless people back on their feet has been premiered in Harrogate town centre.

The video, starring three local people supported by Harrogate District Street Aid, was shown on a giant screen in the Victoria Shopping Centre piazza, before being played on digital screens in a number of businesses throughout the week.

This event kick-started a week of awareness raising for the scheme, which included a fun football tournament featuring players from town centre businesses, media organisations, the police and Harrogate Borough Council.

In an effort support people who have nowhere to stay and are living on the street, Harrogate District Street Aid was launched in October 2019 in a joint initiative by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police, Harrogate Homeless Project, North Yorkshire Horizons and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

There are many reasons why people ask for spare change in Harrogate. Each person has their own story, and many instinctively want to give money to them because they see they need help. But giving money directly to them can often keep them on the streets for longer.

Those same people can be supported by a Street Aid grant, which can help them get off – and often stay off – the streets. For those who want to help the town’s homeless can do so either online – www.harrogatestreetaid.co.uk – via three ‘tap terminals’, or by sending a text to STREETAID followed by the amount to 70450.

In excess of £24,000 has been raised this way with funds being administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation.

To support the film, Harrogate BID produced a series of posters and leaflets which were distributed to businesses across the town, and there was plenty of social media activity before and during the week.

Last Thursday, at Rosset High School and supported by Harrogate Town AFC and Your Harrogate, six nine-a-side teams – representing hospitality, the media, retail, Harrogate Borough Council, the police, plus a Street Aid All Stars, played a series of 20-minute matches in a bid to win the inaugural Street Aid Cup.

The police team narrowly beat the Street Aid All Stars, with an after-match presentation ceremony being held at Manahatta.