New Harrogate heritage centre to boost town centre as Mayor commits £2m in High Street Fund for North Yorkshire
Harrogate is to get a new heritage centre after the town won a major share of the York and North Yorkshire Mayor’s £2 million fund to revive the county's high streets.
In total, Harrogate groups and projects will get more than £400,000 as part of the third and final phase of the Labour Mayor’s Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund.
The three beneficiaries in Harrogate are:
Harrogate Fairtrade: £149,633.
Harrogate International Festivals: £148,488.
Harrogate Heritage & Community Development Project: £119,215.
David Skaith, Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "High streets are constantly changing, but they have, and always will be, hubs for our communities.
“The final phase of the High Street Fund has backed 26 creative projects from the people who know their community best.
“When we work together, we will transform our high streets into vibrant destinations that residents and visitors will want to return to again and again.”
How Harrogate will be boosted
1 Harrogate Heritage & Community Development Project
The Harrogate Story: Explore & Discover
A town centre hub offering visitor information, showcasing the heritage of the spa town through interactive displays and providing community event and exhibition space.
2 Harrogate International Festivals
Harrogate Unlocked
A targeted programme of high-impact, outdoor, cultural activity delivering additional footfall, economic impact and long-term resilience for Harrogate’s High Street.
3 Harrogate Fairtrade
A collaborative ethical shop with refill centre, pop-up space, workshops, charity awareness-raising, and supported training places for people with learning difficulties and autism.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “High Streets have always been at the heart of our communities, they aren’t dying, they’re constantly changing.
“That is why I have been so committed to investing in them with my Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets fund.
Across the region, 26 further projects have been awarded funding to drive long term regeneration and strengthen the resilience of local high streets for years to come.
Since Mayor Skaith introduced the fund in February 2024, a total of 65 projects across York and North Yorkshire have now received financial backing to thrive.
For more information, visit: https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/