EY and Harrogate council hit back on UCI impact report criticism

Cyclists racing through Harrogate during last year's UCI Road World Championships.

One concern is why the official EY (Ernst & Young) report commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council did not seek to examine some businesses' losses created by lack of footfall during nines of cycling, road closures, disruption - and rainfall - last September.

The Harrogate Advertiser talked to EY and Harrogate council about their views on how the report was compiled - and the fierce criticism by some of it.

Here is what they told us...

UCI impact report: What EY (Ernst & Young) says

“The EY study is based on a recognised methodology applied to a number of previous sporting events for the purposes of measuring economic impact, and is consistent with UK Sport’s EventIMPACTS measurement framework.

"Local businesses were engaged through the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, which indicated that the experience of local businesses in relation to the event was mixed.

"Major events can cause disruption and to account for this the study seeks to estimate the incremental impacts which exceed typical levels of visitor-driven economic activity for the time of year during which the event took place.”

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UCI impact report: What Harrogate Borough Council says

Coun Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said: “The scope of the impact study was agreed several months before the championships began and was an independent assessment led by EY – a trusted global professional services company with many decades of experience. It set out its methodology clearly in the report.

“I have been very open to recognise that some trades in the town centre performed poorly and worse than they had hoped, just as some businesses did extremely well. The report does reference the negative feedback from some businesses. The report accounts for this effect and explains it too.

“The significant £17.8million boost to the local economy also doesn’t encompass the long-term benefits that will come from the 329 million people globally who tuned in to watch the event.

"This type of event - and the positive coverage that was achieved by Harrogate district from it - is an important marketing tool to keep our district at the forefront of the visitor economy.

"Without this exposure we could quite easily become another failing tourist location. We will continue to explore how to ensure that the district remains a leading community for residents and visitors.

“Rather than focusing efforts on criticising the work of EY, I would encourage readers to participate in the future of our wonderful district.

"We have a vibrant town centre with an outstanding district landscape and by advertising our heritage and our attractions we will remain so.

"Talking the town down is neither correct nor helpful.”

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