New Harrogate Action Days are to be launched to “bring back a sense of civic pride” in the town centre.

The aim of the new initiative is to bring together businesses, community groups, local organisations and individuals for four days of practical volunteering to help improve Harrogate town centre.

The volunteers will work alongside Harrogate BID on a range of projects designed to make a visible difference from Wednesday, September 16 to Saturday, September 19.

Activities could include litter picking and street sweeping, weeding and planting, refreshing planters, cleaning street furniture, removing graffiti, painting utility boxes where permissions allow, reporting maintenance issues and supporting small environmental improvement projects.

Harrogate BID hopes the new Harrogate Action Days will make a visible difference to the town centre later this month. (Picture contributed)

placeholder image — Harrogate BID hopes the new Harrogate Action Days will make a visible difference to the town centre later this month. (Picture contributed)

Jason Maxwell, CEO of Harrogate BID, said; “Harrogate Action Days are about bringing people together to take practical action and take pride in the town we all share.

"There are lots of ways to get involved, whether you can spare an hour or a full day, and we hope businesses, community groups and individuals will get behind the initiative.

“There’s a real opportunity here to bring back a sense of civic pride and encourage people to take an active role in looking after the town."

For the first Action Days, Harrogate BID has set an initial target of 80 hours of volunteering.

This would involve 20 people volunteering for four hours each across the four-day initiative.

Harrogate BID is keen to stress that Harrogate Action Days aren’t about taking over the work of the council.

Jason Maxwell said: "We know that councils are facing significant financial pressures and difficult decisions around how resources are used.

"But Harrogate Action Days aren’t about taking away from or replacing the work that the council does.

"They are about asking making a positive difference to the place we all share.”

Businesses are particularly being encouraged to consider taking part as a corporate volunteering opportunity, giving teams the chance to spend time working on practical projects together.

There will be a range of activities and volunteering opportunities, from an hour to a full day, with different types of work available to suit different ages and abilities.

Volunteers do not need specialist DIY skills and training and tools will be provided.

Anyone wishing to take part should email [email protected] before Friday, September 11.