Andrew Jones MP: Open mind needed as Harrogate continues to evolve

Park and ride, free parking and pedestrianisation: Harrogate council leader Richard Cooper answers your questionsResponding to The Harrogate Advertiser's Town Centre Survey, the MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, said he was impressed by the passion of our readership and said that plenty of good ideas had been put forward.

Here, in his own words, is his response to the points made.

He said: “I thought it was a very good survey and a good piece of work by the Harrogate Advertiser. The number and quality of responses is a sign Harrogate people are engaged in the future of the town.

“It brought forward some really interesting comments. People clearly want the town centre to be successful.

“I wasn’t surprised. I did a similar survey in Knaresborough earlier in the year and got a huge response.”

Dad was nearly four times the limit driving to McDonalds with his three kids“I think we need to keep a very open mind. The existing model of the town centre and the high street need to evolve.

“It’s quite a tricky problem, not just for Harrogate but across the UK and you’ve got to take people with you whatever you do.”

Litter and anti-social behaviour

Andrew Jones said: “I was a little surprised at the survey’s results on things like litter and beggars.

“I live in the town centre and my office is not far from the One Arch.

Sheep rescued from River Wharfe near Wetherby“People do want the town centre to thrive. I didn’t think of Harrogate as having a particular problem but I will have a hard look at it.”

“I view Harrogate as a very attractive place to come to and we’ve got all the ingredients to make it successful as we go forward.

Making the town centre more varied

Andrew Jones said: “Business has gone online and isn’t coming back.

“We need to encourage people to use retail sites but that will require a broader effort.

“The town centre needs to be more varied but more integrated. As well as retail properties, we need to have more residential and more leisure facilities. And we also need to use technology such as introducing town centre we-fi for everyone. There has to be a broad mix for the town centre of the future to prosper.”

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Andrew Jones said: “In terms of rates and rents for town centre shops and other businesses, since the Government reassessed business rates last year the business rates in Harrogate have come down by four and a half per cent on average.

“Rent is a different question. It’s a private deal between landlords and their tenants. At the heart of the question is the final composition of the town centre.

“We’re trying to make it a level playing field between bricks and clicks. There’s two sides to that, the finances and costs of town centre businesses and the attractiveness of the town centre to visitors and shoppers.”

Pedestrianisation and parking

Andrew Jones said: “Having had experience of pedestrianisation, I think it would be controversial and polarise opinion.

“The Harrogate Advertiser’s survey showed that it’s a key thing for some people and for other people it’s the opposite, it’s cheaper or free parking.

“Whatever we do, we need to make it easy for all people to visit the town centre, that’s why I’ve supported policies for better transport.

This is how you could land a stunning £500,000 Yorkshire house with a swimming pool for just £10“I’ve seen pedestrianisation done effectively elsewhere; it can be a good thing in making it easier to get around and increasing footfall.

“It can also open up the town centre to more al fresco cafes and street events but it depends how it is done.”

“As for parking, the council is making efforts to improve matters with its new app to help people park.

“People can now go straight to an open space, rather than driving round and possibly giving up trying.”

Supporting the independents

Andrew Jones said: “I support independents wholeheartedly. They are often a source of innovation and individuality.

“They add a lot to what Harrogate has to offer.

“But we’ve always had a strong independent traders in our area. The important thing is to build on this.”

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Andrew Jones said:“The principle of having more live events in Harrogate town centre is a good idea.

“I’m all in favour of it.

“The Festival already puts on a lot of wonderful events and I supported bringing events like the Tour de France to Harrogate.

“One of the most marvellous weekends I’ve ever had in Harrogate was when the Tour de France came.

“It’s a weekend I will always remember.”