Harrogate is calling on local businesses, residents and community groups to help shape its bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.
The North Yorkshire spa town has joined the growing list of places across the UK planning to compete for this inaugural title.
A steering group has been set up tasked with coordinating Harrogate’s bid with a view to submitting an expression of interest by the end of March.
To support the development of the bid, two free-to-attend workshops are being held at The Crown Hotel in the town centre on 4th March.
These workshops will explore Harrogate’s cultural strengths, ambitions and opportunities, and people who attend will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and help shape its Town of Culture bid.
Chris Aldred, Town Mayor of Harrogate, said the town’s council was fully behind the bid and is funding this expression of interest.
“Harrogate has a rich cultural history, and we see this as an opportunity not only to celebrate this history but as a way of looking forward and showing the rest of the country what a diverse and welcoming town Harrogate is today.
“We want this to be a community-led bid which is why we are holding these workshops so that as many people as possible in the town can have their say.
“It’s all about building on the past and looking to the future and getting as many people involved as possible and hopefully making 2028 a year to remember for Harrogate.”
Craig Ratcliffe, director of music at St John Fisher Catholic High School and musical director of the popular Harrogate Band, is also among those backing the bid.
He said:
“Harrogate is a cultural hub for so many different things that go on already and it would be great to widen this even further.
“We’re so fortunate in terms of the venues we have from smaller theatres to the 900-seat Royal Hall which is one of the greatest venues in the country in my opinion but there are many people in Harrogate who feel these places aren’t their kind of thing.
“So if we can widen participation in these venues and harness great outdoor spaces like the Stray, then we could do some amazing things, because the town’s got so much to offer culturally.”
Richard McTague, owner of RedHouse Gallery, supports the bid, too. He said:
“We’re in the contemporary art world and we’ve noticed that quite a few artists in recent years have chosen to move to the town and put down roots here, which is really encouraging.
“We’ve also seen lots of independent bars, restaurants and artist studios opening which has created a real buzz here."
The two workshops take place at The Crown Hotel, Harrogate:
- Wednesday, 4 March at 2pm – 4pm & 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
To book go to https://bit.ly/3P2eIIQ
Stephen Mangan and Fearne Cotton expected at Brimham Rocks
Harrogate lined with supercars in third annual showcase
Four Ripon Grammar School students selected to represent North Yorkshire
Harrogate residents urged to put bins out earlier as hot weather continues
Concerns for wildlife after pollution found in River Ure tributary
Oddsocks return to Harrogate with outdoor performance of Romeo & Juliet
Knaresborough's free town walking tours celebrate milestone
Henshaws BedFest raises record-breaking £30,000 for charity
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP pushes for Bilton school to open to avoid 'failing another generation of SEND children'
Starbeck man to take on 500 mile challenge for ambulance charity
Wellbeing day to be launched at Rudding Park this July
Amber heat warning issued for North Yorkshire
Love Island’s Alex Bowen joins Symphonic Ibiza line-up at Great Yorkshire Showground
Love Island star, Molly Mae shares photos of time at Ripon hotel
Full programme revealed for Harrogate Food and Drink Festival
Harrogate cheese shop celebrates successful launch of charcuterie platters
Plant nursery set to be relocated to make way for 3,000-home Maltkiln development
Special milestone for Coppice Valley pupils
Harrogate fashion lovers invited to charity rail sale
Stockeld Park named third best theme park in UK
