£10m plans as economy recovers

Council bosses say in a report that there is a continued decrease in benefit claims, especially among young people and tourism is increasing, with the numbers visiting the council’s museums growing year on year.

Later this week members of the public will be able to see plans for a £10m leisure scheme, including a four-screen art house cinema and a range of restaurants, at the former Co-operative building on Albert Street/Station Parade.

The Economic Overview of the Harrogate District looked at the period between October 1 and December 31 and found a number of positive signs of recovery in the district:

The numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has reduced from 1.5 per cent to 1 per cent and is now below pre-recession levels of July 2008.

The number of JSA claimants aged between 18 and 24 has fallen by 46 per cent year on year.

Housing benefit claims have fallen by 2.7 per cent.

Coun Alan Skidmore, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for planning, transport and economic development, said: “There is a continued decrease in benefit claims, especially amongst young people.

“It is also heartening to learn of the recent upturn in commercial planning enquiries and planning applications.”

He added: “In addition tourism is also increasing, with visitors 
to Harrogate’s Tourist Information Centres (TIC) and the council’s museums growing year-on-year.

“With the Tour de France only a matter of months away,
we will undoubtedly see a 
further boost to visitors to the region.”

Plans for the £10m art house cinema and restaurant scheme will be on display at a public 
exhibition in the Victoria Room at Harrogate Library on Friday and Saturday.

It is being proposed by Harrogate-based urban regeneration specialists 4Urban, which is preparing a planning application for submission to Harrogate Borough Council.

The developers say the plans could create up to 250 jobs.

Paul Lancaster, managing director of 4Urban, said: “This is a major development for Harrogate and, as part of our detailed consultation programme, we hope as many people as possible will come to the public exhibition to look at our plans and let us have their 
views.”

The plans, which will be on display from 10am to 7pm on Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday would see the Co-operative building demolished and a new one built in its place.

A spokesman for the developers said that the building was currently occupied on a short-term sub-lease by Beales department store.