Deep clean of Harrogate streets will be first of many new BID schemes to improve Harrogate town centre

Harrogate is to undergo a major deep clean of its town centre streets in preparation for life after lockdown.
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Harrogate's BID (Business Improvement District) team is seeking to appoint a 'specialist partner' to carry out the work, which they want carried out ahead of any reopening of shops and businesses.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated that he would like to see shops trading from next month, and BID are keen to have the town centre ready for the reopening.

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In a recent survey sent out by the organisation to town centre businesses and levy payers, a deep clean of the streets was cited as the number one priority for the BID to undertake.

Harrogate BID are looking to give the streets of Harrogate town centre a deep clean ahead of the potential opening of shops next months.Harrogate BID are looking to give the streets of Harrogate town centre a deep clean ahead of the potential opening of shops next months.
Harrogate BID are looking to give the streets of Harrogate town centre a deep clean ahead of the potential opening of shops next months.

Interim Manager Simon Kent told The Harrogate Advertiser last week how the BID team, still reeling from the resignation of four of its board members, was pressing ahead with a major programme of projects designed to help attract business to the town centre and increase the footfall.

The deep clean is the first of these proposed schemes, with others ranging from creating its own set of guidelines and advice for local businesses to assist them survive the coronavirus lockdown and emerge from it in good financial health to investing proper sums of money this festive season to ensure the Christmas lights in Harrogate shopping areas are the best ever.

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Although not an extension of either Harrogate Borough Council or North Yorkshire County Council, the BID can - and in some cases will - enhance the services they provide, including street cleaning and cleansing.

Harrogate BID interim manager Simon Kent.Harrogate BID interim manager Simon Kent.
Harrogate BID interim manager Simon Kent.

Whilst Harrogate is well serviced by Harrogate Borough Council in terms of regular street sweeping and bin emptying, the work the BID will fund goes above and beyond the authority’s statutory duty.

Appointed for a three-year contract, the chosen partner, or partners, will be expected to undertake a number of cleaning duties, including power washing of all pavements and islands within the BID area on an annual cycle to remove grime, graffiti, chewing gum, algae and moss.

They will also be responsible for power washing a small number of key hotspot areas on a more regular basis, clean empty shop unit frontages as required, and carry out additional litter picking and hotspot cleaning early on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

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Harrogate BID interim manager Simon Kent said: “With the government announcing the phased reopening of from June 1, we want a deep clean of Harrogate town centre to commence shortly after.

“There are approximately 25,000 sq m pavement in the main shopping areas of the town centre. Cleanliness of the town centre has been a constant theme through the BID’s development and is a priority laid out on our business plan.

“We have put together a detailed tender document outlining exactly what we want a partner, or partners, to deliver on our behalf, and ideally we would love to award the contract to a local specialist, or specialists.”

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Quotations must be submitted by Friday, May 22, 2020, so that orders can be placed to commence work as soon as possible.

Other schemes proposed by the BID group include:

* Harrogate BID’s own set of guidelines and advice for local businesses to assist them survive the coronavirus lockdown and emerge from it in good financial health;

* Lobbying councils, local government, while linking up with other BIDs on a national level to secure a better playing field and better terms of operation for town centre businesses;

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* More floral displays to reinforce Harrogate’s draw to visitors;

* Investing proper sums of money this festive season to ensure the Christmas lights in Harrogate shopping areas are the best ever;

* Working with Harrogate Council officials on improvements to the AppyParking scheme to make it better for shoppers;

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* The introduction of ‘Harrogate Ambassadors’ to enhance the town’s reputation for giving a warm welcome to all;

* Encourage local companies to give BID’s Harrogate Gift Cards as a norm in employee recognition situations and promote local shopping;

* Investing significant sums of money in holding Christmas events in Harrogate town centre.

Further information about the Harrogate BID is available from its website: http://harrogatebid.co.uk/