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28
Jun 2022
UCI review should not be ignored, says Harrogate business group
A review of Harrogate’s hosting of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships should not be ignored in future, says a business group.
David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said he was pleased that the report, which was published yesterday, included the views of businesses.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission are behind the review, which will be considered at a meeting on July 4.
The report found that while there was a place for shorter events which “portray Harrogate and North Yorkshire in a good light, nationally and throughout the world”, residents and businesses considered the road closures for the UCI “unacceptable”.
One conclusion reached by the review was that there was a common perception that the event “effectively closed” Harrogate town centre.
David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.
Following the publication, Mr Simister called for 15 of the recommendations included in the report to not be “simply ignored” at future events.
He said:
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The recommendations include involving residents in planning events at an “early stage” and including the council on the board of large scale events.
They also include early engagement on large events and hosting short events in the district in order to “minimise disruption for local residents”.
In response to the report, a council spokesperson said:
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