Harrogate Convention Centre revamp officially axed due to rising costs

North Yorkshire councillors heard redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre would cost up to £57m

Multi-million pound plans to redevelop Harrogate Convention Centre have officially been scrapped.

The decision was made after senior North Yorkshire councillors were warned rising costs had taken the bill from £49m to £57m.

Nick Edwards, a senior officer, told Tuesday's meeting the scheme at its current price had become unaffordable.

Officers were instructed to investigate ways to take the venue forward by attracting the investment it needs.

Mr Edwards warned all the risks were with North Yorkshire Council, no external funding was available and the project would take up to three years to complete.

He said: "That would hamper and disrupt current operations. This is of serious concern to Harrogate Convention Centre's director, who supports the need for capital investment into the centre, but not in the way that is proposed."

Rising energy bills

A report recommending an alternative investment programme will go before a future meeting of the council's decision-making executive board.

Paula Lorimer, the centre's director, said she was committed to getting investment into the centre but told the meeting it would not be done "at any cost".

Ms Lorimer suggested a different approach which, instead of shutting large parts of the venue while the work was done, would see different parts renovated each year.

The venue has had its best financial performance for many years, Ms Lorimer said, but high energy prices meant utility bills were up from 17% of turnover to 40%.

Ms Lorimer added: "We don't have to do it all at once. I do believe we can be cost neutral with a more commercial business model and bring in that tactical investment."