21 04 Review April 2021.Pdf

Promoting Harrogate business —The latest news from your chamber

April 2021 The world is changing and Harrogate town centre is changing too, says council leader

Harrogate’s council leader has said for In reply, Cllr Cooper said his officers, and a Harrogate town centre to survive, it needs to number of councillors, have significant offer a ‘different experience’ to entice visitors. experience, but the best views and most knowledge of the town are the customers. Richard Cooper, whose ward covers the retail heart of Harrogate, made his comment at “It’s the customers we should listen to. They April’s members’ meeting, in which he included want a more cycle-friendly town, more an overview of Harrogate Borough Council’s pedestrianisation and access for cars. On the business support since the start of the Covid point that people will always use their cars, pandemic more than 12 months ago. everyone has free parking when they turn on their laptop”, he added. Whilst there were many reasons to remain optimistic, including lower than average shop In the coming months, HBC will be helping fund vacancy rates, retail was “no longer necessarily a number of exciting events in the town centre the primary draw to bring people into the town to bring in visitors. It is trying to create higher centre”. paid jobs in the District, so people who currently commute out of the town wouldn’t “People are experiencing online shopping who have to in the future. haven’t done so previously. If we continue doing things as we currently do, footfall will Town centre wifi, being financed by Leeds City continue to fall. We need a different approach. Region, would be coming to fruition very soon. If someone like me, who loathes online The destination management organisation was shopping, is now shopping online, we need to promoting the town and district, and the offer new experiences. Convention Centre’s diary was starting to fill with events. “My vision is for a town centre where people live, come into town for entertainment and to “Harrogate is great place to live, work and visit. shop.” It’s the standard that many towns aspire to. However, the world is changing and the town Cllr Cooper rejected the suggestion that HBC centre is changing too.” was ‘anti-car’, stating that if they were, then “we are doing a very bad job at it”, adding HBC has not raised parking charges in its car parks since 2014, and there are hundreds of spaces within a five-minute from the war memorial. For him, tackling short journeys is the key to reducing congestion. However, one businesses owner said parking should be a priority as “convenience is what people want”, whilst another asked how seriously will he take the view of traders who know the town better than anyone?

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce www.harrogatechamber.co.uk — 01423 501988 Twitter.com/hgchamber — facebook.com/harrogatechamber — Search Harrogate District Chamber on LinkedIn

Plans submitted for development of to deliver a building that provides not only former Harrogate Borough Council HQ employment space in the town centre but contributes to a community benefit that keeps Plans have been lodged for the refurbishment Crescent Gardens as a vibrant part of and extension of Crescent Gardens, the former Harrogate.” Harrogate Council Municipal Offices, to create multi let office space and a roof-top garden Graham Swift, Cabinet Member for Economic restaurant. Development at HBC, said: “When HBC sold Crescent Gardens to Impala Estates, we were Impala Estates Limited acquired the Former impressed by their commitment to bring much Council Offices from Harrogate Borough needed office space into the centre of town to Council in January 2020. Following their public support the growing and changing economic consultation in October, a full planning needs of Harrogate. application to create multi-let office space as well as a roof-top restaurant, bringing the “They blended this plan with the use of public building back into use has now been submitted. space that will make Crescent Gardens and its locality a thriving, community area that boasts Their proposals are to refurbish the building up flexible, modern offices with functional and to an energy efficient standard for use as attractive public spaces.” offices for multiple occupancy. These will incorporate meeting rooms, gym and shower facilities and a roof-top garden restaurant. The meeting rooms will include the spaces previously used as the Council Chamber and Mayors Parlour, which, together with the roof top restaurant, will be available for use by the public. James Hartley from Impala Estates said: “I am hugely excited to submit a planning application after what has been a tough year for everybody. I am extremely proud of what is proposed and very excited to hopefully be granted the scheme we have sympathetically designed. Our plans will ensure that this high-quality local asset is brought back to use and regenerated (Crescent Gardens)

but without the broadcasting. However, two months ago that changed when Your Harrogate returned to the digital airwaves. Following Nick, we will be holding our AGM, when outgoing CEO, Sandra Doherty, will hand over the baton to her successor. May’s Meeting - Promoting Harrogate To register your attendance, please email Business, followed by AGM [email protected] For May’s meeting, being held via Zoom at Zoom login details are below 6pm on Monday, May 10, we are joined by Nick Hancock from Your Harrogate, who will be https://zoom.us/j/8235470122? speaking about the best ways to promote your pwd=a2U0a1V3VXZQK0p0QWR3Y1phZ0U1Z business. z09 For many years, Nick was Stray FM’s breakfast presenter before it was taken over by Bauer Meeting ID: 823 547 0122 Media, and became Greatest Hits Radio. Passcode: 124812 Last October, he Launched Your Harrogate, We look forward to seeing you there. which mirrored everything that Stray FM did,

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce www.harrogatechamber.co.uk — 07872 576022 Twitter.com/hgchamber — facebook.com/harrogatechamber — Search Harrogate District Chamber on LinkedIn BID helps promote Commercial Street to sit and rest, have cleaned the high-level road signs, and BID has provided floral displays and this Retailers on Commercial Street have been given a new banner. To say I'm over the moon is an boost by Harrogate BID - a banner at the top of their understatement. road. “We are now getting ready for reopening on April 12, Sue Kramer from Crown Jewellers, who is and this will really help draw attention our way when spearheading an awareness-raising campaign for the we are back, open for business.” street which is home to dozens of independent businesses, asked if the BID could provide an eye- catching banner to help lure shoppers to their part of town. Harrogate BID Chair Sara Ferguson said: "The BID's remit is to draw footfall into the town centre, and promote the fantastic mix of businesses which help make Harrogate the very special place it is. When Sue asked if we could provide a banner for Commercial Street, we readily agreed." Sue Kramer added: "I'd like to thank Harrogate BID for this banner. Over the last few months, we have launched a dedicated website and social media channels to showcase the wonderful and individual businesses we have here, on Commercial Street. "The council has given us a new bench for shoppers Pictured are Sara Ferguson and Sue Kramer

Harrogate Borough Council publishes harrogate.gov.uk/business - please keep Covid business toolkit checking for any changes. Harrogate Borough Council has put together a For information on all coronavirus support and toolkit to provide businesses with practical safety funding, please visit https://www.gov.uk/ advice, guidance and supporting materials to coronavirus help businesses operate safely while the Covid- 19 pandemic continues. Details here - https:// www.harrogate.gov.uk/downloads/download/177/ Make More of Social Media for your business-toolkit Business, for Free Coronavirus Business Grants Update Businesses across the Harrogate district are being offered free services and support, to Funding for the lockdown period 16 February to enable them to increase their sales via social 31 March 2021 is still available for eligible media. businesses; applications to the Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed Addendum) must be Harrogate Borough Council has teamed up with made by the national deadline of May 31, 2021. tech firm Maybe* to give local businesses free access to their unique social media engagement Details on the national Restart grants, including platform. for new businesses, are available on the council's website at harrogate.gov.uk/business. By constant data collection of over three million business social media accounts, Maybe* The Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme provides insight, engagement and reporting (ARG), for the Harrogate district, is currently tools, alongside training, that enables businesses closed for new applications. Updates on future to boost their sales. ARG funding will be available on the council's website in the next few weeks. Register now for your place at a district themed webinar on April 28 and learn how local Updates on Covid-19 grant funding will continue businesses are using social media to sell. to be published on the council's website at

The publication of the York and North Whether you are a front-line skills Yorkshire Labour Market Analysis – LMA practitioner or skills stakeholder, if you 2021, which builds on the first LMA it recognise the value of skills in boosting produced in 2019, is informed by the most productivity and unleashing the potential of recent data available on education, training individual talent, this analysis will be an and employment and also considers the invaluable resource to support your own current and likely impact of Covid-19 on the planning and priorities. demand for and supply of skills. Its Skills and Employability Board, in its role The analysis explores its regional strengths as the local Skills Advisory Partnership, will and the challenges it will face alongside be exploring the findings and taking into recommendations to help meet its account its recommendations when setting ambitions as set out in its post COVID-19 direction for 2021 and beyond. recovery vision – “Greener, Fairer, Stronger” and its Skills Strategy 2021- You can access the Executive Summary 2026. here and the full report here.

AD:VENTURE programme provides dedicated support to eligible young and new businesses with strong growth ambitions. Delivering across the Leeds City Region, the AD:VENTURE programme offers a compre- hensive and innovative mix of tailored business support to boost growth and develop businesses in their early years. Support includes: • a full business start-up programme, with assistance in those early set up stages and business planning • one-to-one support – you can access a dedicated business advisor to guide your growth journey and to help you develop your business plan • workshops targeted at developing skills that will help drive business growth - in top- ics such as HR, Strategy, Cash Flow Forecasting, Branding, Marketing, Innovation and Research and Development Entrepreneur Knowledge Exchange (EKE) - expert University partners will support you to solve business problems using the shared experiences and insight of a small group business incubation space, and services support, to find out more about sources of finance including start up and growth grants. Visit www.ad-venture.org.uk, call 0845 524 0210 or email [email protected] to see if your business qualifies.

Recovery Loan Scheme Opens for borrowing from a minimum of £1,000 up Applications to £10m per business. Now open for applications, the national Finance is offered through a range of Recovery Loan Scheme offers access to products, with businesses able to choose finance for UK businesses as they from term loans, overdrafts, asset finance recover and grow following the pandemic. and invoice finance. This new funding scheme is scheduled to run until 31 December 2021, and enables

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce www.harrogatechamber.co.uk — 07872 576022 Twitter.com/hgchamber — facebook.com/harrogatechamber — Search Harrogate District Chamber on LinkedIn Equality, Diversity and Inclusion a Top positive experience and that all areas of the Priority for Harrogate Town AFC club are inclusive to all. As Harrogate Town continues to expand in “Over the coming months it will be great to every direction, it is focusing on equality, engage with the local community, as well as diversity and inclusion (EDI). supporters, to welcome any feedback and suggestions that will help us achieve our goal.” Its Community Foundation has worked closely with the club to recruit two volunteer EDI Alongside Claire Streeter, Baljit Singh will be Officers to help create, develop and implement undertaking the Volunteer EDI role. Baljit has a a new EDI strategy - Claire Streeter and Baljit corporate background and has been involved Singh. in developing EDI strategy within large Claire Streeter, who will take the lead in organisations. developing its EDI Strategy and roll out, has a wealth of knowledge within Community Baljit said: “This is a great opportunity for me to Football. Previously working at Middlesbrough follow my passion in Diversity and Inclusion Football Club Foundation as its Social and to make a real positive impact in this area. Inclusion Manager. Her response to accepting “After 15 years in the corporate world, I feel my the position of EDI Officer was one of positivity experience and skills can help shape the and optimism. Clubs' EDI agenda and create a huge opportunity for diverse groups to add value to “I am delighted to be joining Harrogate Town the Club. My vision is to help create a football AFC and really looking forward to developing club that reflects the communities we serve their equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. and is inclusive across all touchpoints, “I am passionate about ensuring that everyone internally and externally. Exciting times ahead!” who engages with Harrogate Town AFC has a

Win an award-winning ATMOS® whole By assessing the air quality and the unique house ventilation system requirements of the property, EnviroVent In association with EnviroVent, Harrogate will help choose the right ATMOS® unit for their home, then its professional installers Town Football Club is giving Chamber members the chance to improve their will take care of everything. indoor air quality and remove To enter, simply head to https:// condensation, damp or mould issues. www.harrogatetownafc.com/landing-pages/ To celebrate EnviroVent’s sponsorship of envirovent-competition Harrogate Town, and the newly named EnviroVent Stadium for the inaugural Complete the form below and you will be season in the English Football League, entered into the competition. EnviroVent is offering members in the Harrogate area a chance to win an ATMOS® whole house ventilation system. Deadline to enter is Friday, April 30. The prize includes: • ATMOS® home ventilation system in the Harrogate Town FC team colours • Home survey Something to share? • Harrogate Town AFC shirt We publish members’ news stories on our website and in our newsletter. If The winner will have a detailed home you have a news story to submit, email survey to assess the problems they’re details to currently facing. This includes taking a reading of the relative humidity levels and [email protected] with a discuss the best methods for ventilating landscape picture. their home to improve the air quality.

HarrogateHarrogate DistrictDistrict ChamberChamber ofof CommerceCommerce www.harrogatechamber.co.ukwww.harrogatechamber.co.uk —— 0787207872 576022576022 Twitter.com/hgchamberTwitter.com/hgchamber —— facebook.com/harrogatechamberfacebook.com/harrogatechamber —— SearchSearch HarrogateHarrogate DistrictDistrict ChamberChamber onon LinkedInLinkedIn Transdev signs agreement with Arriva bus, we believe it can play a key role in enabling our economic recovery, both locally Transdev has signed an agreement to buy the and nationally. West Yorkshire-based Yorkshire Tiger bus operations from Arriva UK Bus, with completion “We’re looking forward to meeting all our new expected in the Summer. colleagues and new customers, as well as strengthening relationships with our local Today’s announcement will not affect local bus authority partners further. This presents a services and Arriva employees are set to hugely exciting opportunity to all work together transition over to Transdev as part of the sale and improve the quality of bus travel further agreement. across Halifax and Huddersfield.” Once complete, the sale is set to include Arriva Area Managing Director Patrick Sibley Arriva’s two depots at Elland, near Halifax and said: “Although we will be sad to hand over Waterloo in Huddersfield, as well as 61 buses. operations of our Tiger business, we are The agreement will also see Arriva’s 163 delighted that it will be in the hands of drivers, engineers, cleaning and support Transdev, a well-known local bus company, colleagues based at these two depots, join who will take good care of the depots, Transdev’s family of over 1,200 people at eight customers and all employees.” operating centres across the region. The sole Arriva and Transdev are both paying tribute to exceptions are the 231 and 232 Huddersfield – the hard work of driving and support teams at Wakefield routes, which are planned to remain its Halifax and Huddersfield depots throughout within Arriva as part of its Yorkshire business. the pandemic as an important factor in Transdev is to begin a programme to welcome securing the company’s future. Both Transdev each and every one of the transferring and Arriva are committed to working together colleagues to its operation through one-to-one to ensure a smooth and effective transition for meetings. customers and colleagues over the coming months. Yorkshire Tiger’s current day and season passes are expected to be integrated into Transdev’s flexible range of value for money unlimited travel tickets, while West Yorkshire Metro’s range of multi-operator tickets will continue to be valid on all its services. Transdev Blazefield CEO, Alex Hornby, said: “We are thrilled to be growing our team and our company, and are really looking forward to serving this part of West Yorkshire for the first time. “This demonstrates Transdev’s long-term commitment to develop our business here in the north of England, building on a clear track record of success. At this critical time for the

Local economy statistics Searching for stats about Harrogate Welcomer New Member District’s economy? Then look no further than Harrogate Borough Council’s website. Information includes: We say a big hello to our newest member, Fabric & Co, who are interior designers • Economic overview of the Harrogate specialising in all fabric-based interiors. District Chamber Contact: Daniel Thompson • Shop vacancy rates Website: www.fabricandco.com • Council business premises to let and Tel: 01423 709947 for sale View the downloads here.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce www.harrogatechamber.co.uk — 07872 576022 www.harrogatechamber.co.uk — 07872 576022 Twitter.com/hgchamber — facebook.com/harrogatechamber — Search Harrogate District Chamber on LinkedIn Twitter.com/hgchamber — facebook.com/harrogatechamber — Search Harrogate District Chamber on LinkedIn