Matthew Chapman, Chief Executive of Harrogate BID, talks us through how the organisation is turning Harrogate into an enviable destination
Harrogate is renowned for its picturesque beauty, vibrant atmosphere, and bustling business scene. At the forefront of this success is Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District), a key organisation dedicated to enhancing the town for businesses, residents, and its many visitors alike.
Its Chief Executive, Matthew Chapman, tells us more: “The BID stands for Business Improvement District, and our main aim is to support and improve the town centre for the businesses who are part of our membership. We currently have 496 businesses involved, each of whom pays a small levy on top of their business rates. This money funds a wide range of services and projects that we develop in collaboration with local businesses. Every five years, we consult with our members to ensure we’re meeting their needs. If they’re satisfied with the work we’ve done, they vote for another five-year term. We’re now one year into our second term, after a strong vote of confidence in the project.”
The BID’s work is structured around three key objectives, as Matthew explains: “Our first objective is ‘Pride in Our Town,’ which focuses on the appearance, safety, and feel of Harrogate. We have a team of street rangers who work daily to clean the town centre – jet washing pavements, picking up litter, removing graffiti, and maintaining a tidy environment. Harrogate is known for its beautiful flowers, and we go above and beyond to contribute to that. In addition to what the council provides, we fund extra hanging baskets, planters, and barrier baskets, ensuring the town always looks welcoming and vibrant. We also ensure safety with our Town Centre Support Officer, who helps prevent antisocial behaviour and works alongside the police and other security teams.”
The second objective – ‘A Vibrant Town’ – focuses on the BID’s efforts to keep Harrogate’s atmosphere lively and engaging: “One of our most significant financial commitments here is the Christmas lights. Harrogate’s town centre sparkles with over 100,000 LED lights every year, and we cover the full cost. This year, we’ve introduced more flexibility with the lights, allowing them to change colour to mark specific causes or events. For instance, we’ve lit them up pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We also bring other attractions to Harrogate, such as an ice rink, a big wheel, and a road train during the Christmas period. But we’re not just focused on the festive season. Throughout the year, we organise events like the Harrogate Dog Show, a Celebration of Fashion, and the Lego Trail. The Lego Trail was a big success last year, attracting over 50,000 people, which had a tremendous impact on local businesses.”
To ensure that people are aware of these events, the BID invests heavily in marketing. Matthew explained: “We work on digital campaigns, place ads in national locations like train stations, and attend events such as the Great Yorkshire Show. Our goal is to raise awareness of what Harrogate has to offer and to encourage repeat visits.”
The final objective of Harrogate BID is ‘Voice and Vision,’ which Matthew described as essential for representing local businesses and planning for the future: “It’s about ensuring that businesses in Harrogate have a voice in decisions that affect them. For example, recently, there were concerns regarding gritting in the town during extreme weather, and we lobbied the council on behalf of our members to make sure their voices were heard. We’re also thinking long term. It’s important to have a vision for the future of Harrogate – looking ahead 10, 15, or even 20 years – and we don’t want to be the generation that didn’t plan for it.” Supporting businesses is a key part of the
BID’s work, and Matthew explained how they assist with both practical and promotional efforts: “We’ve created the Harrogate Gift Card, which functions like an Amazon gift card but can only be spent in local businesses. So far, over £170,000 has been spent in the town through the card. We also provide small – scale funding for projects based on the immediate needs of businesses, such as issues with car parking or recruitment.”
With so much going on, Matthew is naturally excited for the future: “We’re always looking for new ways to improve and expand. For example, we’re working on expanding events like the Harrogate Dog Show to include a pet-themed market. We also plan to grow the Celebration of Fashion event and introduce a networking element focused on the future of fashion. And of course, we will continue working to keep Harrogate vibrant and welcoming. Right now we are working on Valentine’s Day where we’ll be setting up an Instagram-worthy display for people to take selfies with, with a competition for the best one. Last year, the prize was a stay in the Majestic Hotel and an experience in the Turkish baths and Betty’s, with a helicopter ride over Harrogate which took off and landed in Rudding Park. So it probably won’t be too dissimilar to that this year.”
It is clear that Harrogate BID plays a crucial role in shaping the town’s future. With a strong focus on both the present and the long term, the BID’s work ensures that Harrogate remains a dynamic, attractive place for both residents and visitors from North Leeds and beyond.
