May Review: Harrogate Retail & Tourism & AGM
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce held one of its most significant meetings of the year on Monday 11th May at The Old Swan Hotel. The evening began with an incredible turnout of over 80 representatives from local organisations gathering in the hotel’s elegant Garden Room.
The atmosphere was buoyant as members enjoyed a productive period of open networking and mingling, accompanied by teas, coffees and a delicious selection of biscuits and brownies. In the presence of the newly elected Mayor of Harrogate, Cllr Viv Poskitt, the evening provided a deep dive into the strategic forces driving the district’s economy, followed by the formal governance of the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting.
Retail & Tourism: What Makes Harrogate Tick?
Led by President Phill Holdsworth, Vice President Vicky Findlow and Management Group Member Tara Stagman, the first half of the meeting was dedicated to a panel of key local decision-makers who are steering the future of Harrogate’s core industries of retail and tourism. The session was introduced with a clear message: Harrogate’s success depends on the synergy between local governance, business improvement and the resilience of the high street.
Tony Watson (North Yorkshire Council)
Tony Watson, Head of Economy & Tourism at North Yorkshire Council, opened by reinforcing Harrogate’s position as a "special jewel" within the newly unified authority. He outlined the "Business North Yorkshire" support model, which serves as a streamlined "front door" for business engagement across the county.
Tony discussed the strategic roadmap for 2026 and beyond, focusing on the critical role of the Visitor Economy. He highlighted that the council is not only looking at domestic tourism but is actively working to evolve the district’s offer to attract international investment and trade. He stressed that the council's role is to provide the platform upon which the private sector can innovate and thrive, ensuring Harrogate’s heritage remains a cornerstone of its modern economic identity.
Steve Brown (North Yorkshire Council)
Steve Brown, North Yorkshire Council’s Head of Parking Services, provided a detailed look at the new Local Area Action Plans (LAAPs). These plans represent a significant shift toward a place-based, data-led approach to traffic and parking management. Steve explained that the LAAPs are designed to reflect the specific priorities of individual towns rather than applying a "one-size-fits-all" policy.
The scope of these plans includes:
Analysing local parking supply and demand (both on and off-street).
Reviewing tariff structures to ensure they support town centre vitality and turnover.
Addressing accessibility and equality, particularly for Blue Badge holders.
Balancing the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors through the review of the "Disc Zone" scheme.
Steve shared a clear timeline for the year, starting with intensive data gathering this spring, followed by stakeholder engagement sessions in the summer to ensure the business voice is heard before the plans are drafted in the autumn.
Jason Maxwell (Harrogate BID)
Jason Maxwell, CEO of Harrogate BID, shared a high-energy vision for the town centre. He outlined the BID’s primary pillars: Clean, Safe and Welcoming. Jason discussed the operational side of making the town attractive, from the renowned floral displays of "Harrogate in Bloom" to the strategic installation of Christmas lights.
However, the core of his presentation focused on "direct marketing" and the "Harrogate brand." Jason argued that the town needs to "shout louder" about its history and heritage to compete effectively within the region. He called for a collaborative effort between the BID, the Chamber and North Yorkshire Council to drive footfall through high-impact events and a persistent "shop local" message, reminding members that a thriving town centre requires active community participation.
Member News and Networking Success
As usual, May’s meeting provided a platform for members to share their news.
Richard Burleigh of Libertas Professional Services announced an upcoming informal evening aimed at connecting professionals in the HR and L&D space for shared conversation and support. It takes place on Wednesday 13th May, 6pm at Starling.
Andy Morrison from Andisa IT shared a special 15% discount offer for businesses based at Harrogate Business Centre and Cardale Park.
Tim Cook of Spire Healthcare Clinic announced a padel injury prevention event on 4th June in collaboration with Surge Padel.
Charlotte Gale shared that Harrogate Brigantes Rotary will be running a charity cafe at St Peter's Church on Saturday 6th June.
Tara Stagman invited members to the Ake & Humphris Spring Wine Fair at Hotel Du Vin on Saturday 16th May, featuring a selection of over 50 wines and 10 whiskies.
AGM and Future Governance
The evening concluded with the Annual General Meeting, with Chief Executive Martin Mann, President Phill Holdsworth, and Honorary Treasurer John Garbutt reflecting on the events and activity of the last year. Marking a transition point for the organisation, and following an incredibly successful year partnering with Time Together, Harrogate Theatre was drawn out of a hat as the Chamber’s new Charity of the Year for the 2026-2027 term.
President Phill then announced the winners of the annual Chamber awards.
The President’s Cup was awarded to Michelle Hayes of Resurrected Bites. Michelle was commended for her extraordinary impact on the local community through her social enterprise work.
The Chamber Management Group Salver was presented to Chamber Chief Executive and owner of Martin Mann IT, Martin Mann. Martin was recognised by Phill for his tireless work for the Chamber and advocacy for local businesses. The award was presented to Martin by last year’s winner, Vicky Findlow.
The AGM confirmed several key leadership roles:
Re-elections (for further two year term):
President: Phill Holdsworth (AurumGold)
Vice Presidents: Sam Oakes (Gobo Creative); Jackie Snape (Disability Action Yorkshire)
Management Group Members: Andrew Joy (ActionCOACH Harrogate); Ian Howard (Libertas Professional Services); Kate Rogata (Supporting Older People)
New Appointments:
Louise Terzza of Time Together and Zach Greaves of Artus Digital were appointed as the newest members of the Management Group.
Meeting Close
Chamber President Phill Holdsworth closed the evening by thanking the membership for their continued trust, noting that with a refreshed leadership team and strong strategic partnerships with the Council and BID, the Chamber is exceptionally well-positioned to advocate for Harrogate’s interests in the year ahead.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 8th June from 5.30pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel. Members and first time visitors can register their place here: https://www.harrogatechamber.co.uk/events
