Summer Newsletter

Hello, and welcome to our Summer newsletter.

Well that’s summer over, but what a summer it was! Fantastic weather coupled with our debut floral trail, Alice in Wonderland-themed Lego trail, Jurassic mini-crazy golf, and street entertainers galore.

Walking around town this week, it’s great to see new businesses opening, helping breathe new life in empty units and increasing Harrogate’s appeal as a great place to shop, eat and drink.

This month, we have the Harrogate Beer Week and the In Bloom Awards to look forward to.

However, there are a number of challenges businesses face, and rising energy bills are probably the foremost of these. Later this month, we are staging three workshops for town centre businesses hosted by an energy expert. And being the owner of an energy-hungry business, I will most certainly be booking my place on to one of them.

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

Yours sincerely

Sara

Sara Ferguson
BID Chair
Harrogate BID to host three energy saving workshops for town’s businesses

Harrogate BID is to stage three workshops for town businesses looking to reduce their energy costs.

We are teaming up with a local, independent, energy provider/consultant to look at ways in which to lessen the burden of rising gas and electricity prices.

It is holding three workshops – two face-to-face and one via Zoom and each lasting between 30 and 45 minutes – on Monday, September 19, to explore this further.

The first is being held at 9.30am at Hustle & Co, on Prince Albert Terrace; the second, via Zoom, at 11am, and the third, at 5.30pm at Oxford Street’s Starling Café.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “We are acutely aware of the struggles our Members are continually having when it comes to understanding, managing and securing new energy contracts for their businesses.

“The Energy crisis within the UK is predicted to get worse over the coming 12 months, so as an organisation we are partnering with energy expert Ryan Edwards.

“He will be able to help us have a better understanding of what is happening within the energy market, and offer practical advice on securing energy contracts.

Further information and book your place here.
Joint BID and Chamber Summer Social

More than 100 BID Levy Payers and Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce members enjoyed cocktails and canapes at a joint summer social hosted by 63rd + 1st, on Albert Street.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “This was our first joint event with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, and it proved to be a huge success.

“It was great opportunity for our Levy Payers to network with Chamber members, and vice versa. I would like to thank 63rd + 1st for hosting us. It was certainly an evening to remember.”

Wonderful Response to Lego Trail

This year’s Alice in Wonderland themed Lego Trail has proved a great success, with just short of 10,000 people checking into the LoyalFree app – and there were plenty more who just wandered around spotting the 15 magnifcent models.

Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “Last year, just over 5,000 people checked into the LoyalFree app for the inaugural Harrogate Lego Trail, and this year’s number is almost double that.

“One of our remits is to drive footfall into the town centre, and it’s fair to say the Lego Trail has proved to be a rip roaring success.

“Whilst last year’s models were good, this year’s were fantastic. My favourite was the dodo, which was just brilliant.

“I’d like to thank all participating businesses and of course the members of the public for following the town centre trail.”

 
Christmas Unwrapped at September’s BID Club 

Plans for Christmas in Harrogate will be unwrapped at this month’s BID Club, being held from 5.30pm on Thursday, September 22, at the Yorkshire Hotel Sky Bar.

We will be joined by representatives from Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate, who will be presenting their plans for the festive season, as well as sharing information on how businesses can get further involved.

To book your place, please email info@harrogatebid.co.uk
Calendar favourites have ‘hole’ lot of fun on Jurassic Crazy Golf course

Calendar favourites Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood joined the Mayor of Harrogate, Cllr Victoria Oldham, for a ‘hole’ lot of fun on our Jurassic Golf mini crazy golf course.

The three tried their hand at the pop-up, nine-hole course, which took over Victoria Shopping Centre Piazza for a week. And to complement the golf, the BID team created an educational Dino Trail around town, via the LoyalFree app.

Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “It was great having Duncan, Christine and Cllr Oldham with us to help promote the golf. They certainly enjoyed their time playing a round, and so did the hundreds of adults and children who also played.”
Cheers! Harrogate Beer Week Is Back 

Harrogate’s second annual Beer Week  is being held  between September 19 and 25.

With Harrogate BID as its main sponsor, it is a town-wide celebration of Harrogate’s beer, brewing heritage and beer in the local community, inviting our breweries, pubs, and other food and drink experts to celebrate all things beer.

Its aims include showcasing our innovative local, independent beer scene and our unique, craft beer spaces; to deliver an alternative ‘brand Harrogate’ for those who may not see themselves at our tea rooms or flower shows; and to drive new footfall and beer tourism to the area.

Further information will be published here. 
The Harrogate in Bloom Awards Evening

The Harrogate in Bloom Awards evening is being held between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday, September 27, at 63rd + 1st.

There will be complimentary drinks and nibbles – including a cocktail/mocktail on arrival for all those who entered the awards, plus invited guests.

Award categories include the allotment awards, children’s award, and the floral window competition awards, with the overall winner of each category receiving trophy.