Council considers new life for town’s convention centre
PROPOSALS TO redevelop part of Harrogate’s Convention Centre into an ‘event complex’ including accommodation, retail outlets and leisure facilities will be considered next week.
A major review over the future of the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) site will be undertaken by cabinet members of Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) at a meeting on August 23.
The proposals would see Harrogate Borough Council (HBC), which owns the HCC, draw up a business case for remodelling much of the exhibition space to create an ‘event complex’ on the Kings Road site.
Convention centre director Simon Kent said agreement on developing the site further would be a ‘positive endorsement in the future of the events industry in Harrogate’ but that the Royal Hall and Crowne Plaza hotel would not be included in any new scheme.
He said: “We hope to invite outside organisations to submit ideas. We need fresh thinking and ambition for Harrogate to remain the home of events in the North of England.
“Essentially we are open to interesting ideas for part of the site, or even the whole site, with the exception of the historic Royal Hall and newly refurbished Crowne Plaza hotel.
“We will be talking to organisers of regular large exhibitions, which come to us every year, to ensure those valuable clients keep coming back to us, as well as building on our successful track record of nurturing smaller events.
“Harrogate’s visitor economy is vital to the region and we, as a business, contribute an economic impact of £60 million to it annually.”
Council leader Richard Cooper said: “This study is about ensuring we not only retain but grow the £60 million pumped annually into our local economy by the convention centre. Because the conference and exhibition world changes we need to change with them and make sure we supply the type of venue and facilities event organisers want.”