Harrogate can be transformed by Cultural Quarter – Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Susan Amaku and Stuart Holland, Co-Chairs of Harrogate Civic Society.
What is the best way of promoting Harrogate?What is the best way of promoting Harrogate?
What is the best way of promoting Harrogate?

IT was pleasing to see recent letters suggesting improvements for the town, particularly to creating a new Cultural Quarter in Harrogate.

Harrogate Civic Society led proposals for a Cultural 
Quarter last summer when they entered into discussions with likely developers of the old Crescent Gardens council offices, met with officials from Harrogate Borough Council and liaised with other organisations. Since then, the offices have been sold and we understand the developer is keen to make some of the building available for community use – including the original mayor’s parlour, the council chamber and the grand entrance 
staircase.

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This was all confirmed in a press release from the borough council which stated that “the proposed plans will ensure that the building provides much needed office space in the town centre and provide community benefits that keeps Crescent Gardens as a vibrant addition to Harrogate town”.

New cycle lanes are planned for Harrogate - will they lead to an increase in visitors?New cycle lanes are planned for Harrogate - will they lead to an increase in visitors?
New cycle lanes are planned for Harrogate - will they lead to an increase in visitors?

Harrogate Civic Society see the potential of this as the hub of the Cultural Quarter that takes in the landmark buildings surrounding it, from the Royal Hall, past the Royal Baths to include the Royal Pump Room Museum and the Mercer Gallery. It will also include Crescent Gardens themselves and Valley 
Gardens.

There is so much history and tradition in this area that can be brought alive for residents and visitors through good publicity, exhibitions, events, outdoor performances and, most of all, a link back to our spa heritage.

From: Simon Broadbent, Harrogate.

I AM disappointed by the extensive coverage given to the people who bemoan the mess left on the Stray the other week, and the police apologising for not robustly dealing with it.

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I was there that night and it was a lovely chilled atmosphere on a lovely summer evening. There were groups everywhere chatting, people playing football and frisbees, dogs and children running back and forth.

Let’s face it, we would all go mad stuck in our houses not seeing anybody face to face for months.

Yes the mess is sad, and gas cylinder use should be counselled against.

But were any serious crimes logged on the Stray that night? I think not.

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All we have is so-called Stray protectors not wanting people going out and enjoying themselves safely.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor

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