Harrogate BID Newsletter August 2025
Hello all and welcome to the latest Harrogate BID monthly newsletter!
As we move away from the warmer months, we can reflect on what has been another very successful summer for team BID in Harrogate!
From building a series of fantastic floral displays for our summer celebration, to organising and delivering yet another positive Lego Trail, it has once again been a busy season for us.
The super street entertainers were back in town in August, bringing their comedy, wit and performance to our vibrant town centre. They always receive a really positive reception – and this year was no exception!
Our Harrogate Music Weekender, organised to support our town’s hospitality community, is returning next month too, with further details set to be announced over the coming weeks. So watch this space…
Our BID teams on the street have been busy continuing their vital work to ensure Harrogate remains safe, clean and welcoming for all. If you see the guys out and about, be sure to say hello!
Yours sincerely,
Simon Midgley
BID Chair
BID BID pleased to support Harrogate’s floral heritage with another successful Summer of Celebration
Harrogate BID was pleased to add to the town’s renowned heritage by delivering yet another successful Floral Summer of Celebration.
The floral trail, featuring eight unique installations celebrating the North Yorkshire town, has once again received fantastic feedback from both local people and visitors.
Figures from the Business Improvement District (BIDs) data partners at HUQ show that just over one million people visited or passed through the BID area during the three weeks that the floral displays were in place – with some travelling from the likes of Folkestone, Loughborough and Mansfield!
Harrogate Music Weekender set for fantastic return with venues encouraged to get involved
Harrogate BID is excited to announce that a weekend full of musical fun will once again return to the town in October.
The Harrogate Music Weekender is organised by the Business Improvement District (BID) every year to support the town’s hospitality sector by driving footfall and spend into local venues.
The town-wide, three-day event is set to be held from Friday October 10th to Sunday 12th and the organisation is encouraging Harrogate venues to get involved and make the most of this great chance to shout about their offer.
Harrogate Lego Trail nominated for local Mumbler award
Our fantastic Lego Trail, which we organise every year and always receive highly positive feedback for, has been nominated for a Harrogate Mumbler Award!
We have been selected as finalists in the Mumblers’ Favourite Family Event – and we’d love it if you could give us a vote! Voting will close at midnight on Wednesday 15th October 2025.
BID fully funds street entertainers return to Harrogate with comedic performances
Harrogate BID’s street entertainment campaign returned to the town centre over the weekend as the actors brought their comedic performance.
Every year, the Business Improvement District (BID) fully funds street entertainers to bring comedy, wit and performance to create a vibrant atmosphere around Harrogate.
The BID team are pleased to once again work alongside MarkMark Productions to deliver this initiative in line with the organisation’s objectives.
BID supports new 1,000 piece puzzle to promote Harrogate to wider audience
Harrogate BID is pleased to support a new 1,000 piece puzzle project to help promote the North Yorkshire town to a wider audience.
The new jigsaw features a picture of Harrogate’s war memorial, known as the Cenotaph, and was officially launched in the Games Crusade store in the town centre this week.
The BID was delighted partner with the local store and the UK-based ‘All Jigsaw Puzzles’ organisation for the design – with a similar project delivered in 2024 – offering hours of entertainment to people of all ages.
Street Rangers continue top work to keep Harrogate safe, clean and welcoming for all
The Harrogate BID Street Ranger team have continued their top work ensuring the North Yorkshire town remains a safe, clean and welcoming place for all.
Sam and Darren, who make up the Street Ranger duo at the Business Improvement District (BID), are always on hand to deliver both reactive and planned works while providing a helpful, friendly ambassadorial presence around the town centre.
Whether they’re jet washing and deep cleaning key hot spot locations around town, or carrying out improvement and maintenance works to create a great first impression, no two days are the same for the Street Ranger pair as they work to ensure Harrogate remains a must-visit destination.
Successful Summer Social in Harrogate
We were delighted to be a part of hosting the Harrogate Summer Social in August.
We were pleased to work alongside the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to fund this relaxed networking event for our town’s business community.
It was an evening of lively conversation and we’ve already heard about new collaborations forming, which is exactly what these events are for.
A huge thank you to everyone that attended and to The Mayfair Pub for the delicious canapés, drinks and excellent hospitality.
Zero Carbon Harrogate upcoming event
“Setting the Climate for Peace: How climate change impacts peace – and what we can do about it in Harrogate” takes place on Tuesday September 16th from 6–8pm at Creative Harrogate on Victoria Avenue.
The evening will be led by Clive Wilson, Chair of the United Nations Association (UNA) Harrogate and author of Leading Beyond Sustainability.
Through interactive discussions, participants will explore how climate breakdown fuels instability – from resource conflicts to displacement – while discovering how small, positive steps to cut carbon can also be seen as acts of peace.
Organisers Zero Carbon Harrogate say they want attendees to “leave inspired, hopeful, and empowered to make simple changes that contribute to a fairer, more peaceful world.”
To sign up, or find out more information, please click here.
Free exhibition in Harrogate
Join the Harrogate Civic Society for this brand new exhibit on Claude Hamilton Verity – ‘the man that gave us the talkies’.
The full exhibition will be held in locations including The Royal Hall and The West Park Centre in Harrogate on dates throughout September.
Further details can be found on the Harrogate Civic Society website here.
Latest blog on BID’s vision for Harrogate
As the Business Improvement District in Harrogate, we are always working hard towards delivering not only our overall Business Plan, but each of the unique objectives featured in the important document.
Throughout this edition of our BID Blog, we will look into the details of each objective and explain how we aim to complete and achieve them during our second term in our town.
Restaurant Week returning to Harrogate
We are delighted to announce the return of Harrogate Restaurant Week for October 2025, in partnership with Visit North Yorkshire.
Following the format of restaurant weeks in many other towns and cities around the UK, the promotion is designed to help you to attract new customers and create regular repeat customers by creating the perfect opportunity for restaurants, cafes and bars to attract local residents and visitors to try out somewhere new at an affordable price.
Taking place week commencing the 6th October 2025, the cost of participation for all restaurant, bar and café businesses located within the Harrogate BID area, has been covered by Harrogate BID’s sponsorship, meaning that there will be no charge to take part.
Simply complete this online form with details of your offers and Visit North Yorkshire will do the rest: Harrogate Restaurant Week Sign-up
Maker’s Market in Harrogate
Running on the third Sunday of the last few months, the market has taken over Cambridge Street with a range of traders offering unique products and services.
It’s been a great opportunity for local independent organisations to showcase their products to a wider audience!
We’ve received fantastic responses from traders, local people and visitors on the last few markets, which we have delivered in line with our objectives and Business Plan.