North Yorkshire Council has refused to reveal how often the auditorium at Harrogate Convention Centre has been booked amid concerns it is "hardly used".

The 2,000-seater auditorium, which has zoned lighting and flexible seating, is the centrepiece of large events and conferences.

The Stray Ferret submitted a freedom of information request after a source got in touch claiming the auditorium was being under utilised.

There is significant public interest in the future of the convention centre after the council hired consultants 31ten in March at a cost of £23,000 to consider alternative uses for the events and exhibitions venue, including possibly selling it.

It hired 31ten after previously spending £1.9 million on other consultants to draw up plans for a £57 million refurbishment that have now been scrapped.

We asked the council how many days the auditorium has been booked in the current financial year and in the previous five years.

Its response acknowledged that its commercial activities should be held to account but it had nevertheless chosen to withhold the information "because its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of the council".

It added:

It added:

Centre director Paula Lorimer has declined to talk to the Stray Ferret but recently claimed the convention centre had enjoyed its most successful year since 2014.

The source said they were only aware of the auditorium itself being booked for about 30 days this year, adding:

They added it was disingenuous to claim information on bookings up to five years ago was commercially sensitive.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council to review its decision not to release the information.

Read more:

• Exclusive: Council spent £1.9m on consultants for scrapped Harrogate Convention Centre plans


• What are the options for Harrogate Convention Centre?


• Consultants to look at alternative uses for Harrogate Convention Centre