New £10m leisure destination set for Harrogate

PLANS to create a new £10m leisure destination in Harrogate, featuring a four-screen cinema and range of restaurants, are to be submitted.

The scheme, being proposed by Harrogate-based urban regeneration specialists 4Urban Consulting, involves redevelopment of the former Co-Operative building on Station Parade and Albert Street, currently occupied by Beales department store. If it gains planning permission from council, the redevelopment will create up to 250 jobs.

Paul Lancaster, managing director of 4Urban, said: “Following detailed research and discussions with prospective tenants, it became clear that the former Co-Operative site, which is outside the prime retail core, is ideally situated for a development of this nature and can add considerably to the overall attraction of Harrogate.

“Since acquiring the building from Anglia Regional Co-Operative in 2009, we have carefully considered a number of options and believe that creation of a readily-accessible leisure scheme, at this location, will help to boost the local economy by increasing choice for residents and visitors alike and reducing leakage to other centres.”
          
Retailers, consumers, businesses, residents and interest groups, will be among the stakeholders that 4Urban will be engaging with over the coming weeks, as part of a detailed programme of consultation prior to submission of the planning application to Harrogate Borough Council.

The plans, which will be put on display at a public exhibition, involve demolition of the former Co-Operative building that dates back to the late 1950s and its replacement with a new building designed to be in sympathy with the predominantly Victorian architecture of the town centre. The Victorian buildings on Albert Street that make up part of the site will be retained.

Beales’ short-term sub-lease expires in September and it has been informed about the redevelopment proposals.