A £20,000 study is to investigate the feasibility of a cliff lift in Knaresborough.
The idea of a lift connecting the steep divide between Waterside and the town centre has long been debated.
Now the government’s shared prosperity fund has awarded a £20,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study into the idea, a meeting of business group Knaresborough Chamber heard this week.
Peter Lacey, an executive member of the chamber, said in January the organisation and Knaresborough Town Council had agreed to work together to build a business case for better connectivity in the town.
Mr Lacey told this week’s meeting that £20,000 had now been awarded and the firms Carey Tourism and 56 Degree Insight would lead the market research.
The community group Renaissance Knaresborough promoted the cliff lift idea pre-covid and Ben Carey, of Carey Tourism, worked on an interim report on behalf of the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council.
Mr Carey told the meeting he suspected the lift would be a long-term project costing about £5 million and connectivity would be key to its success. He said:
“We can produce the most wonderful, iconic structure but nobody is going to fund it unless you can show it will be transformative to Knaresborough.
“It’s all about connectivity — how you can make sure people spend more time and money in local businesses.”
Mr Carey also said it was essential that North Yorkshire Council extended the lease of Knaresborough Castle otherwise nobody would invest in the scheme.
The castle land, which is leased from the Duchy of Lancaster, is likely to host the lift.
Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, told the meeting the lease had nine years left and he was pushing for it to be extended.
Read more:
- Knaresborough Heritage Centre to open next year
- Plans for Knaresborough cliff lift ‘far from forgotten’
Business Breakfast: Knaresborough chamber meeting brought forward
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The next meeting of Knaresborough and District Chamber has been brought forward to avoid congestion in the Christmas calendar.
The meeting will take place from 7pm this Wednesday, November 29, downstairs at The Mitre pub.
The packed agenda will begin with North Yorkshire Council‘s Michaela Young taking a look at SME and business sustainability grants.
Banking in Knaresborough will also be covered, with news about the town’s new Banking Hub, and an update on the Onebanx initiative, with a video link to the Onebanx team.
The issue of electric vehicle parking spaces will be discussed, and there’ll be news about the Shared Prosperity Fund relating to the proposed cliff lift, connectivity, data intelligence and economic prosperity.
There will also be updates on double devolution progress and the marketplace from the town council, and on the Christmas Market, as well as news on other developments, including the Christmas Market; Henshaws Beer Festival sponsorship and 12 Days of Giving; the Christmas Day Dinner, which needs volunteers; the New Year Duck Race; and an update from the town crier.
Harrogate firm aims to beat southern rivals at awards
A Harrogate office supplies company will be battling it out against a field of firms from the south at an awards ceremony this week.
Supplies Web Ltd, which is based at Claro Court Business Centre, has been shortlisted for the dealer excellence award, for companies that turn over less than £5 million a year, at the national BOSS Awards.
The BOSS Awards are held annually by the BOSS Federation, which is the trade association for the business supplies industry.
Supplies Web is up against stiff competition from four other firms, all based in the South East and East Anglia; the most northerly competitor apart from Supplies Web is based in Lowestoft.
Paul Graves, director of Supplies Web, said:
“We are delighted to have been nominated for dealer excellence. BOSS is the authoritative body for the UK business supplies industry, and this is the biggest awards night in the calendar – like the BAFTAs of our industry!”
The winners of the BOSS Awards will be announced at a gala dinner held at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester this Thursday (November 30).
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- Business Breakfast: Manufacturer featured on BBC’s DIY SOS special
- Business Breakfast: Lucy Pittaway to host ‘meet the artist’ event at Harrogate gallery
Gallery: Knaresborough’s midsummer party in the castle
Hundreds of people watched a free live screening of the Glastonbury festival in the grounds of Knaresborough Castle on Saturday.
The Party in the Castle saw friends and families turn up with their own food and drink and soak up the atmosphere in glorious weather.
Organised by volunteers from Knaresborough & District Chamber, the event proved hugely popular.
The chamber hopes it will be the first of annual community events in the castle, providing North Yorkshire Council grants permission to use the site.
Read more:
Lead organiser and chamber member Kelly Young said:
“We were bowled over with the level of support both before and during the event and the feedback from the Knaresborough community has been fantastic. There was an amazing atmosphere and the whole place was like a big family party.
“We feel so privileged to have been given the chance to bring the town together through music, against such a stunning backdrop as Knaresborough Castle. We also hope that the central location of the event, close to many local businesses, will have bought increased consumer spend to our community, as well as making it affordable for everyone to attend on any budget.”
Cllr Hannah Gostlow, who represents Knaresborough West on North Yorkshire Council, helped to fund the TV through her councillor’s Locality budget. A crowdfunding campaign also contributed to funds for the not-for-profit event.
Here are some images from the night by photographer Mike Whorley.
The festive season gets underway in Knaresborough this weekend with the Christmas Market and the launch of the Christmas Tree Festival.
Centred around the large Christmas tree in the town’s historic Market Place, the two-day shopping event, on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, will feature almost 60 stalls selling seasonal goods, decorations, cards, gifts and locally-sourced produce.
Hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and performances by local dancers, brass bands and choirs promise to add to the festive atmosphere.
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce committee member Charlotte Gale said:
“We have a fantastic range of local independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in town, not just in the market square, but on the surrounding streets and High Street.
“We hope that visitors to the market will also take the time to explore everything which Knaresborough has to offer. There is even a book signing at Castlegate Books with best selling local crime author Wes Markin from noon on Saturday.
“Knaresborough’s businesses always make such an effort to decorate their windows for Christmas, which gives a wonderful festive feeling in town on the market weekend.
“There are lots of events happening around the town too, including a shopping event at Knaresborough train station and the start of the stunning Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church, which features beautifully decorated trees from local businesses and organisations.”
The Christmas Market is organised by volunteers from Knaresborough Rotary, Knaresborough Chamber and Knaresborough Lions.
Free park and ride
The centre of Knaresborough will be largely pedestrianised for the event, but a free park and ride is available all weekend from the GSPK car park (postcode HG5 8LF) on Manse Lane to Chapel Street, close to the Market Square.
The weekend will close at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 4 with a firework finale, set against the dramatic backdrop of Knaresborough’s famous viaduct and the Nidd Gorge. This is best seen from any viewpoint which overlooks the river area.
Market chair Hazel Haas, of Knaresborough Rotary, said:
“We are keen that this year’s market benefits the town as a whole.
“Members of our volunteer committee have been liaising with other local organisations and businesses to ensure that we are promoting the full range of festive events taking place in Knaresborough over the market weekend, including the popular Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church.”
The Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s will run from Saturday December 3 until December 23.
Every year more than 70 Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses are displayed in the church on Vicarage Lane.
Read more:
- Guide to Christmas fairs and markets in the Harrogate district
- Time to sparkle: Your guide to Christmas lights switch-ons across the district
Admission is free, but there will be the opportunity to donate to the church and the event’s chosen charity for this year.
For more information on Knaresborough Christmas Market, including travel information, entertainment timings and events taking place throughout the town, click here.
Meanwhile, Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre kicked off today and tonight (Friday) sees the return of late night shopping in Pateley Bridge and Bewerley for the first time since 2019.
Shops will stay open until about 7.30pm to offer festive treats and community groups will operate stalls along the High Street.
Harrogate’s Christmas Fayre got underway today and next week sees Boroughbridge’s late night shopping and Christmas lights switch-on event on Wednesday (December 7).