November 2015

Next Meeting 17.30 7th December at Holiday Inn REVIEW Business Networking Safari ((Members only) DOUBLE GOLD FOR RAIL Meanwhile, the planned improvements to Inside this month: the East Coast services between London CAMPAIGN! and formed part of the TRAFFIC AND discussion at the Chamber's November TRANSPORT Harrogate Line Supporters Group – founded by meeting, alongside updates about bus • Latest news on rail, Harrogate Chamber to campaign for travel and road improvements. A large bus and road travel improvements to rail services in the town – has audience posed tough questions to many • Plans to expand won two gold awards at the Railfuture awards. of the speakers. local bus services See pages 2-4 for details. Harrogate Line Supporters Group was the best • Improvements to campaign, and Chamber Chief Executive Brian the flagship 36 Dunsby was named best campaigner. FINAL COUNTDOWN buses TO HARROGATE • Increasing number of trains to London CHRISTMAS MARKET • Strategy for road improvements The fourth annual Harrogate Christmas th th • Bringing 20 Market begins on Thursday 19 century roads into November. Taking place in the heart of the 21 st century Harrogate, it aims to bring more shoppers and visitors into the town centre at a vital • Drawing investment time of year for many of our retail and from government hospitality businesses. and private sector It is run by volunteers, with proceeds being BUSINESS NEWS used to support tourism-related events and • Be part of new organisations in the Harrogate area. This tourism guide book year, Harrogate Christmas Market has • Petition opposing Railfuture President Christian Wolmar presented two Gold been shortlisted for the regional White parking charges Awards to Brian Dunsby at the recent Annual Conference Rose Awards for the first time. At the th • News from Leeds- ceremony on Monday 9 November, the Bradford Airport Brian said: "The judges were most impressed Christmas Market was recognised as a by the 200+ people involved in our Harrogate Finalist, In a category with so many great MEMBERS' Line Supporters Group and the role of the events, it was an honour to be nominated. FORUM Chamber in promoting enhanced rail services • Latest news from for the wider economic benefit – not simply a Chamber members small group of rail enthusiasts trying to reopen • Offers and events a local line closed by Beeching." CHRISTMAS CHAMBER NEWS The nominations for Harrogate highlighted the • Festive offers from work done to increase the frequency of direct The Chief Executive of Harrogate Chamber members services to and from London, and to improve Chamber, Brian Dunsby, has announced • Support Harrogate the quality of services on the local line between he will step down from the role in May Christmas Market! Leeds, Harrogate and . Both campaigns 2016. See page 5 for more details. have seen significant progress in the last year. PROMOTING HARROGATE BUSINESS Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce, PO Box 8, Harrogate, HG2 8XB Tel: 01423 879208 Fax: 01423 870025 E-mail: [email protected] Website: harrogatechamber.org

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT Virgin Stagecoach are not anti-competition. It is at the heart of what we do when we bid for franchises. We UPDATE 2015 want competition on a fair playing field and that is what we do not think we are getting with track access rights. Our annual Traffic and Transport Update saw Virgin Stagecoach was the only bidder that will discussions about the latest and upcoming improve services for Bradford, Harrogate, developments on the roads and rails. , Lincoln – we will bring benefits to Neal Smith, Head of Communications customers and communities in all those areas. Virgin Trains East Coast We have also brought in a new beer, Hop on Board, We are Stagecoach 90% owned, 10% by Virgin. We which was named through a competition. It was made launched on 1 st March this year with a PR exercise at Rudgate Brewery in North . when we took a train to Edinburgh and had a press We are keen to hear any ideas of how we can work conference in London. We have a new livery which with the Chamber and local businesses to welcome has mostly been introduced across the trains. We have our new services to Harrogate. train 2,500 staff in what we call the Virgin Way – a different ethos and way of thinking. Stagecoach may Neal Smith, Head of Communications be a big part of the business but the way we project Virgin Trains East Coast ourselves to the world is very much Virgin. Tel: 0116 366 3217 Email: [email protected] We have some promises to keep. Our franchise agreement obligations include new services and a better customer experience. Keith Roebuck, General Manager We have £140m to invest in railways in the eight years Transdev Harrogate and District Travel of the franchise. We have some new destinations for places that the East Coast line has not been before. Although part of a larger transport group, we remain a From 2018 we have the new super express trains local company for local people, with ancestry dating which is fantastic news for us – five new train sets and back to 1906. the biggest change for 30 years on the East Coast Customer led, in everything we do. This requires Mainline. continual improvement of our product, to both retain Passengers will have four-hour journeys from London existing and attract new customers. Six Ps summarise to Edinburgh and two-hour from London to Leeds. our approach (Performance, Professionalism, Passion, There will be a 50% increase in capacity of the train Presentation, Partnership and Pride). Equally fleet and £3.3bn will be reinvested into the railways. important is Public Perception. We are starting a £21m upgrade of the fleet including First impressions are vital. They create a lasting carpets, toilets, and chairs. We are not waiting three impression and must be positive. We recognise the years for the new trains to upgrade – we are doing it power of ‘the brand‘, offering distinct products now to the existing trains. portraying quality, consistency of delivery and helping promote trust in the service. This increases customer We have cut the price of standard anytime tickets, expectation and requires constant improvement to which was a promise and we have delivered it very meet those desires. Several examples demonstrate early in the franchise. Customers and communities are our positive response to customer requests, including really important to us. When we launched the the fitting of CCTV, individual seating, enhanced franchise, we launched a £3m Customers and timetables, WIFI and the acceptance of hot drinks. Communities fund. We are still working out the details These steps, small in themselves, all contribute to the and it will begin in 2017. overall travel experience. Improvements continue, with exciting times ahead! We have brought Prosecco on board. GNER used to have Champagne and we thought we would do It has never been easier to travel. Smartcard something similar. It is all about improving customer technology is proving popular with travel journeys experience. We haven't changed things over night but stored on the card and topped up as required. The we are bringing in more and more new products and very latest Mobile Ticketing has recently been ways of doing things on board. introduced, a customer now able to purchase unlimited We have improved our train punctuality and brought in period travel using their credit or debit card, the actual some new services including a new direct service to ticket being stored on their Smartphone, shown to the Sunderland from December, an extra four services a Driver when boarding. Never has it been so convenient to pay and make use of local travel opportunities. day from Edinburgh to London and the two-hourly Linked to real time, ‘next bus' technology, your phone service from London to Harrogate and back. will even tell you when your next bus will arrive! This is all predicated on getting track access rights on the East Coast Mainline. We are currently competing Always looking for new markets, we have introduced with other groups and we have had some great an hourly Monday to Saturday daytime connection support from Harrogate Chamber for that. If we get between (Kirby Hill) and Harrogate, creating a new link to St James Retail Park in them, we are looking at much greater frequency.

Harrogate Chamber Review Page 2 of 6 November 2015

Knaresborough. The route operates via and services so we can save £0.5m but users will hardly therefore ready to tap into future potential. see any difference. Boroughbridge residents have suffered a dwindling Concessionary fares cost us £8bn a year in North transport network linked most recently to the squeeze Yorkshire – the difference between the grant from on Local Authority budgets. We are confident that our central government and the cost of us paying the bus commercial service initiative will succeed and have companies to enable pass holders to travel free. It is been heartened by support shown by the local Town harming the viability of many bus services. Council and Retailers. We have also held successful discussions with County Council to Broadband and mobile connectivity secure the future of the 142/3 York to service, advertising Boroughbridge as an important interchange In Harrogate we have very good superfast broadband, but you do not need to go far to find no connectivity at point for and Harrogate. all. In 2019, we expect 95% of the whole county will We never forget the environment and our potential have good or very good broadband connectivity. impact on it. We plan for a greener fleet and have Mobile coverage in Harrogate is also good, but there submitted two bids for Central Government funding (with support from Harrogate Council) to are parts of the county, especially where tourists go improve emissions from existing buses and at the and bring money into the area, which have no connectivity at all. There is a case to invest in same time to purchase new electric vehicles for local infrastructure for mobile phone providers. routes. Fingers crossed! Highways Riding Redefined… Our most exciting news – a new fleet for the 36 due We are the largest county in with 5,700 miles early 2016. This next generation will be at the forefront of roads, 2,500m of footpaths, 2,000 bridges, street of vehicle design and technology. Latest European lighting and furniture, parking, road safety in Emission standards (Euro 6) will be matched to a partnership with police, gritting, access to countryside completely revised interior. We have set ourselves a through public rights of way, 30 miles of dedicated challenge – how to make bus travel more appealing, cycle paths, bridle paths, and we work with planning more sexy! We will not disappoint. A stunning new authorities like Harrogate Borough Council regarding livery (yet retaining our recognised red and black any highways improvements relating to large colours) will be matched to plush seating and other developments. upgrades, allowing you to work or just relax (or even star gaze?). Watch out for details in the coming weeks. We have had a reduction of 40% in our grants from central government in the last five years and there are Finally, those tasked with delivering the highest more reductions to come. We have a 10-year standard of service (our front line drivers) demand to programme of highways repairs. Our computerised be kept up to date and our new ‘Team Transdev‘ app traffic control system came into force at the end of downloaded onto personal Smartphones ensures that October and we are hoping that will begin to make a they always have the latest information to hand. difference. I know Harrogate is under strain. It is a very busy, very popular town, and frankly as far as I am Harrogate and District is a business on the move – concerned we have to make do with highways from the ready to welcome you aboard. early 20 th century when we are in the early 21 st Keith Roebuck, General Manager century. Clearly, we are looking for long-term Transdev Harrogate and District Travel infrastructure improvements. Tel: 01423 566122 Other investment Email: [email protected] We are committing £3.1m for doubling the track between Knaresborough and York to improve rail Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for services. We have done extensive work, along with the Highways and Passenger Transport Chamber, to make the case for electrification. North Yorkshire County Council Highways capital spend in Harrogate last year was I was the last cabinet member in Harrogate under the £8m and £8m the year before. That is considerably agency agreement when Harrogate Borough Council more than central government gives us – the amount had the management of highways. It was a very tightly we receive is £5.4m so the county is investing a 48% drawn area around Harrogate town, Starbeck and premium to keep the roads of Harrogate in a decent Knaresborough. Now, my portfolio covers the whole state. I know there are questions about the state of county except the City of York. highways, but we have carried out extensive improvements particularly in advance of the Tour de Buses France. I know there are roads left to do and we will be Both Transdev and Connexions work very closely with getting on with them. We are still dealing with the the County Council. While 85% of all North Yorkshire legacy of the severe weather of several winters ago. bus services are commercial, 15% are subsidised. We Cllr Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for have recently held a consultation to reduce that from Highways and Passenger Transport, NYCC £2m to £1.5m. The local bus companies have been Tel: 01423 872211 able to provide us with changes to the subsidised Email:[email protected]

Harrogate Chamber Review Page 3 of 6 November 2015

David Bowe, Director of Business and The three key priorities are east-west connectivity, Environmental Services connectivity to HS2 and rail, and improving long- distance connectivity which is generally north-south. North Yorkshire County Council North Yorkshire has demonstrated it can use its own I am responsible for highways and transportation as funds to invest in infrastructure, not just rely on well as integrated passenger transport, waste and government money. countryside services, trading standards, planning and The challenge is how we use this document to drive the economic partnership unit. In a revenue context, investment. The government is looking for local people highways has £32m, integrated passenger transport who are prepared to commit, and they will commit as £12m as well as £20m school transport, waste and well. We have drawn £24m of highway maintenance countryside £31m mostly in waste disposal, trading funds through the Strategic Economic Plan, largely standards and planning £2.5m and economic because we committed £15m of reserves. We hope to partnership to support the LEP with a secretariat. do this on a larger scale, drawing down £280m over 20 They all support growth in one way or another and it is years and we would need to put up some match interesting to see how they interact to do that. When funding. I hope to raise at least a third of that, and we you are looking at providing information and advice would be looking at a total of perhaps £300m to £500m regarding developments for planning authorities, many so we could start to fix some of these problems. of those sections are involved. We aim to draw money from bigger developments in Very recently we have worked with district councils, local plans too. I want to encourage growth to achieve City of York and East Riding councils to develop a benefit. We are more often reacting to development spatial plan. It pulls together the information that exists than promoting development and utilising it to achieve within everybody's local plans. In a two-tier local what we want. To do that, we have got to grasp the authority structure such as North Yorkshire, the district nettle and encourage more development. councils are responsible for the local plans so there David Bowe, Director of Business and are seven of them. The spatial plan was to show each Environmental Services, NYCC authority how we are all impacting on each other. Tel: 01609 532556 This document drew out the key growth areas. Email: [email protected] Harrogate and York are key areas of growth. The junction of the A1 and the A59 is significant draw for QUESTIONS & ANSWERS growth in North Yorkshire. What is particularly interesting is what people were hoping to do in the There was a lively Q&A session after each of the future. speakers and which we aimed to record, although with some difficulty with acoustics in the large hotel room. For example, Flaxby and the question of how big it is As we are anxious to publish this issue of REVIEW going to be. It is a very short distance to York, before the Christmas Market, we have compiled this and , all of which are considering significant summary of the Speaker’s remarks without the Q&A. development without looking at how they relate to each other. We shall publish a summary of questions and answers on the Chamber web site when they have been We have used that to work towards the North transcribed and checked with the speakers. Yorkshire Strategic Transport Prospectus, approved by the County Council Executive. We wanted to create a Send more questions to: [email protected] transport plan for the Northern Powerhouse, to ensure all parts of North Yorkshire benefit from and contribute BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS to it. Be part of new tourism guide book The aim is to create an environment to hook the opportunity from this much bigger strategic body Visit Harrogate, the official tourism body for the because it is looking across a much wider area to see Harrogate District, is currently working on the 2016 how different groups can work together more Town Guides for Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, effectively. We need to plan into that and demonstrate and Boroughbridge. These guides we can contribute to it. Our 28,000 small businesses provide an excellent opportunity to promote your are a powerhouse of their own and given the right business. They highlight the great things to see, best investment and opportunities, they can grow and places to eat and drink and where to shop or relax. contribute to the plans. The Town Guides will be distributed in early 2016 and Talking to local politicians, everybody is concerned will be available to visitors at hotels, guest houses and about the specifics of their area – particular junctions B&Bs, caravan parks, visitor attractions, and tourist and so on – but this is much more about the impact on information centres. the North of England and what will be significant For 2016 all advertising costs have be reduced and enough to draw investment. The Harrogate relief road they are now less than 2015 prices. Adverts start from and the A59 to are important parts of the plan. as little as £50 (+VAT). To reserve a space or if you Junction 47 of the A1M is close to capacity so we are require any further information, call Steve Patton on looking at traffic lighting to improve flow at peak times. 07715 905693 or email [email protected]

Harrogate Chamber Review Page 4 of 6 November 2015

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT CHAMBER NEWS Eastern Airways at Leeds Bradford Chamber Management Group – Eastern Airways has almost doubled seat capacity on Chamber CEO and Secretariat changing its busy Leeds Bradford to Southampton route by Chamber Chief Executive Brian Dunsby has introducing larger aircraft and increasing frequency. A announced he is to step down from this voluntary role larger 50-seat Saab 2000 aircraft will now operate at the 2016 AGM. The Perlex Associates partnership services with an additional 3,700 seats a month of Brian & Beryl Dunsby, together with Maggie Hall available on the route. The change of aircraft will also and Chris Muir, has provided the extensive database, result in improvements to the schedule. Weekday book-keeping, membership and meeting administration flights will leave Leeds Bradford at four times a day work required to keep our large organisation growing each way on weekdays and once on Sundays. and running smoothly for the last 14 years. The whole team will be standing down together in May 2016. Parking charge petition A petition has been set up by businesses and Harrogate Chamber is therefore looking for a new residents opposing NYCC plans to introduce charges Chief Executive and new administrative support, after 6pm and on Sundays for on-street parking. Many whether in the same form as now or not. It may be a Chamber businesses based in the town centre have business owner looking to step away from their current already voiced their concerns about how these role who wants to maintain an involvement in the charges would impact on them and others: business community, perhaps bringing secretarial restaurants, bars, shops and hotels could all be services with them. Alternatively, another business affected, along with theatres, churches and other may wish to supply administrative services, with the community organisations. If you would like to know Chief Executive appointed separately. Anyone with an more, or sign the petition, visit www.hgsaysno.com . interest in, or suggestion for, either role should email [email protected] . MEMBERS' FORUM Brian and the Perlex team are keen to help with a smooth transition in any way they can. They will Mental Health and Profitability continue to run Yorkshire Business Market Ltd, the In November and December, ARCH is running six half- not-for-profit company which organises the annual day Mental Health First Aid Lite courses at The Yorkshire Business Market and Harrogate Christmas Pavilions and three Interactive Taster courses on Market. Anyone interested in working more closely Improving Your ‘Bottom Line’ at their offices. The with those two events, and maintaining the link mental health course will enable participants to gain a between them and the Chamber, should contact them greater understanding of how and why positive and at: [email protected] negative mental health affects organisations and how Call for nominations to work more effectively with people experiencing mental health problems. For details and costs, contact The election of Chamber Officers and Management [email protected] Tel: 01423 546175. Committee Members for the year 2015-16 will be held at the AGM in May. The Management Group Office to let comprises ten Executive Officers elected annually Looking for new office accommodation? Keith West of together with ten ordinary Committee Members who Pemco has a 300 sq ft office to let just off Skipton serve for two years and retire by rotation but are Road in Harrogate, suitable for 3-5 people. It has its eligible for re-election. own entrance door, shared kitchen and toilet facilities and free ad-hoc use of a meeting room., as well as two Nominations are now open and should be submitted to parking spaces. Rent is £450 per month, including all the Secretariat by post or email. Candidates for utility bills, rates etc, except phone line. Email nomination should have at least one full year's [email protected] or call 01423 535910 or membership of the Chamber prior to the year of 07944 878491. election – hence they should have joined during or before the year 2014-15. Self-nominations are Next Salon North event acceptable. The key criteria have traditionally been Three expert speakers will take to the stage on length of membership and frequency of attendance at Thursday 26 th November for the third event as part of monthly meetings, whilst also seeking diversity in the the ‘Crime, Punishment and Retribution’ Berwins Salon types and sizes of businesses represented. North Autumn series to ask, can forgiveness ever be a The Management Group will review all valid form of retribution? Speaking will be Dr Scilla Elworthy, nominations received and recommend to the AGM who has been nominated three times for the Nobel those that provide the broadest representation of the Peace Prize. She will be joined by criminal lawyer and different types and sizes of business active in the crime writer Neil White, and Dr Robert E Smith , who Chamber. The AGM shall vote to accept or reject each will explain what we really have to fear in terms of of the candidates recommended by the Management retribution from the intelligent machines of the future. Group. A simple majority will determine the election For more details or to book, call 01423 562303 or visit for each position. Please send nominations to www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/salon-north. [email protected] .

Harrogate Chamber Review Page 5 of 6 November 2015

CHRISTMAS THANKS TO Harrogate Christmas Market THE CROWN HOTEL Just days remain before the fourth annual Harrogate Many thanks to Mr Ali Kariminik, Managing Director of Christmas Market (19 th -22 nd November) takes place on The Crown Hotel for kindly hosting the meeting. Also St Mary’s Walk in the Montpellier Quarter of central thanks to the Events Team, and all the staff for their Harrogate. help organising the meeting. The Victoria Suite was perfect to accommodate everyone for the meeting as This year's event coincides with the annual Big Switch- well as for networking over refreshments beforehand. on of Harrogate's Christmas lights. It takes place from 4pm on Thursday 19 th November, on the Victoria Visit www.crownhotelharrogate.com to find out Shopping Centre piazza, opposite Harrogate railway more about this historic hotel and all its facilities. station, featuring local musicians and other performers. The lights will be switched on at 6pm by the Mayor of NEW MEMBERS the Borough of Harrogate, Coun Nigel Simms, and October to November Father Christmas. There will then be a short carol service at nearby St Peter's Church in Cambridge Franks Accountants Limited (Accountancy) Street. Everyone is welcome to attend. Adam Franks, Managing Director If you would like to support Harrogate Christmas Tel: 01937 534242 Market, there are several things you can do: E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.franksaccountants.co.uk - Volunteer as a “Market Maker” to hand out visitor guides and help stall holders and visitors during the NEXT MEETING four days of the Market. - Join the organising committee to help make the 7th December – Holiday Inn event a success this year and in years to come. Business Networking Safari - Encourage your friends, family, clients, customers (Members only) and contacts to come along. - Display a banner or poster (several sizes This popular meeting will include a FREE Christmas available). Buffet and is a great opportunity to network with up to - Ask for a quantity of flyers or visitor guides to give 48 other companies during the evening. Attendance out to customers or clients. strictly by pre-booking as capacity is limited to 49 companies. A free buffet is provided on arrival at 17.30 - Like or follow the official social media accounts and the Safari begins at 18.00 until about 20.45. (facebook.com/HarrogateChristmasMarket and Twitter @HGchristmasMkt) and share their The Business Safari is suited to just one statuses with your followers. representative per company to attend, but a few second representatives may attend for a nominal Harrogate Christmas Market aims to support charge of £15. They must move around as a pair. businesses in the Harrogate District. If you have news or offers you would like to share with visitors, contact Email [email protected] to secure your the official social media accounts and the organisers place and avoid disappointment! will share as many posts as they can - or just send an e-mail to:. [email protected] YOU'RE INSPIRED

Visit www.harrogatechristmasmarket.org for details of Congratulations to all Chamber businesses that have stallholders, opening times, site layout and more. been taking part in the You're Inspired challenge to Christmas with a difference at Norse raise money for Saint Michael's Hospice. The winner of the competition is yet to be announced, but we have If you’re a small business looking for a meal with a seen some outstanding efforts – including Teresa difference around Christmas time then perhaps you Bowe from CCF Accountancy who cycled 100km! may consider Norse for your get-together. First of all we don’t do turkey and trimmings, crackers or Christmas pudding. We’ll offer a suitably wintery selection of dishes with influence from the Nordic countries. We are happy to work with you to put together a tasting menu for groups of foodies or a set menu that will suits most budgets. It’ll be food and drink that gets people talking. Call Paul direct on 07977 540383 or [email protected] .

Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce, PO Box 8, Harrogate, HG2 8XB Tel: 01423 879208 Fax: 01423 870025 E-mail: [email protected] Website: harrogatechamber.org Printed by Enid Taylor Ltd, Harrogate Tel: 01423 567764 Fax: 01423 567765 E-mail: [email protected]