Harrogate’s master plan must be redrawn because of pandemic: William Woods

These celebrations have been put on hold because of the Covid-19 health and economic crisis, and the critical situation on our high streets.

The Woods family is one of the oldest in Harrogate, dating back to 1733 and consequently we care passionately about the wellbeing of the town.

Personally I have never felt the need to speak out before but I now have deep, deep concerns for the town’s economy, people’s livelihoods and failing businesses – in fact the very fabric of the town centre which could be damaged irrevocably if our local authorities and politicians don’t act on the advice of our business leaders.

Maybe the opinions of long established businesses in Harrogate like Fattorinis, Ogdens, Morgan Clare, Rhodes Wood and Woods have very little relevance these days.

Yet, for over 100 years, they have been at the very heart of attracting visitors to the town from all over the North of England and beyond. These have included the rich and famous and even royalty, adding greatly to the local economy. Companies like these have helped make Harrogate a special shopping destination, especially when set amongst its wonderful parks and gardens.

It is too often forgotten that 60 to 70 per cent of these businesses rely on customers travelling in from all over the UK and abroad to Harrogate. Again and again this fact is overlooked!

So whilst it’s very important to consider the local community and needs of residents, don’t let us forget the income that visitors bring to the town.

Harrogate’s masterplan and Harrogate’s future is terribly important, and how it benefits us all needs to be considered carefully in the present economic climate.

However the masterplan is unfortunately flawed as it was drawn up in the happy time before the crisis on the high street began to bite, and well before anyone had heard of Covid-19.

The plans to regenerate the town centre and just focus on cycle lanes, pedestrianisation, and reducing vehicles in the town, when we don’t even have a park-and-ride scheme, is folly.

There has been much talk about reducing congestion, which is code for moving other people’s vehicles elsewhere. Exactly how will reducing Station Parade to a single traffic lane reduce congestion, when all it will do will be to slow traffic to a snail’s pace?

There is very little mention about vehicle access to the town, and whilst there are some good ideas, especially for locals, we must not forget the 60 to 70 per cent visitors that make up a large percentage of our high street economy.

The majority will come by car, hopefully by electric cars in the near future, but they will need somewhere to park that is convenient, preferably free. To remove parking on James Street, Parliament Street, Cheltenham Parade and Station Parade sends out the wrong message.

Let’s also not forget that a large part of Harrogate’s topography is challenging for even the fittest of cyclists, and that a large majority of the area’s population is elderly. Are we going to give due consideration to them or are we expecting them to just hop on a bike to do their weekly shop?

Our Chancellor of the Exchequer says we are heading for the worst recession in history. Andrew Jones MP says he is very concerned about the rapidly rising level of unemployment. A prominent business on James Street says that pedestrianisation will be catastrophic, and the result will be the further demise of retailers already under huge pressure.

These unprecedented times call for unprecedented action. I firmly believe that we should have one focus and only one mantra – ‘To protect businesses and save jobs’ – which, in turn, increases tax receipts to pay for the wonderful NHS and the gaping hole in the country’s economy. It’s vital that we protect the fabric of the town, which could be irreversibly damaged by taking poor decisions.

I urge those responsible for Harrogate’s masterplan for it be put on hold and debated fully with our business leaders. Please listen to them and act on their wisdom, and don’t just go through the motions and present the plans as a fait accompli.

William Woods is owner of Woods Interior Design in Harrogate. His comments were first published in the Harrogate Advertiser.

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