Plans for Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment move forward

Harrogate Borough Council has appointed a property advisor to develop a business case and masterplan to identify a preferred option for the future of the Harrogate Convention Centre site.

The conference and exhibition venue contributes in excess of £60m to the local economy each year.

Recent changes to the conference/exhibition market and increased competition from elsewhere have led to Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the site, to take steps to ensure it remains a nationally competitive and attractive venue.

It is anticipated that the site’s reconfiguration, which currently provides 17,000 sq m of conference and exhibition space, could present a “significant opportunity to unlock new and transformational development opportunities” for town centre site, the council said.

The council has already sought specialist advice on the market opportunities for the Convention Centre itself and this will inform the business case for investment in the wider site.

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed by the council to develop the masterplan and leading a wider team comprising Arup, IPW, Gardiner & Theobald, Group Ginger and DWF.
Stephen Miles, partner of Cushman & Wakefield’s development and planning team, said: “This is an important instruction that will identify a way of facilitating improvements to the Convention Centre whilst simultaneously unlocking new development opportunities that will benefit the town centre economy.”

Simon Kent, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said:  “The business case is the first step in what is potentially a very exciting opportunity for the Convention Centre. It’s good to see this initial stage of the project in the hands of a company which has huge amounts of experience in our sector.

He added: “It’s going to be an interesting time working with Cushman & Wakefield and I’m looking forward to seeing the company’s ideas for further integrating the Convention Centre into Harrogate’s Town Centre and strengthening our position within the events industry.”

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