Harrogate Convention Centre expected to lose £250m unless revamped

Friday, August 19, 2022

Harrogate Convention Centre could lose up to £250m and ‘may fail to survive’ without a major redevelopment, according to a report. For renovations to the 40-year-old structure, owner Harrogate Borough Council has budgeted up to £49 million. The conference centre, which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1982, would “fall behind in the market,” without the investment.

In April, ownership is scheduled to transfer to the new North Yorkshire Council. The centre contributes more than £35 million to the local economy. 

“HCC plays an important role in the district’s and region’s economy”

Harrogate Convention Centre is estimated to draw more than 150,000 people annually, with an estimated economic effect of more than £35 million. But during the last ten years, the venue’s annual revenue has declined by an average of 3% every year, resulting in dismal financial performance.

Though it was transformed into a Nightingale Hospital during the pandemic, yet no Covid-19 patients were treated at the 500-bed unit. The assessment stated that the renovation of the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) site is the only way to update the facilities, increase internal connection, replace ageing mechanical and electrical systems, and improve the financial performance.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a report to the council’s cabinet meeting next week stated that the venue might suffer £250 million in losses over the following 40 years, which would require taxpayer support. A newly established Royal Hall Restoration Trust started a multi-million dollar fundraising effort after deciding that HCC needed to be rescued. Harrogate Borough Council has also bid for convention centre cash from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The centre is ‘underutilised’

A burgeoning conference sector is forcing more venues to compete for major events that have a significant positive impact on local economies, as evidenced by the new events venue proposed for the former Yorkshire Bank headquarters in Leeds. According to the latest assessment, the Harrogate Convention Centre is “underutilised” and the renovation plans include for a thorough renovation of the venue’s event spaces with room for 1,200 as well as improvements to its heating and ventilation systems.

« Back to Page

• Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre: A New Era in Hospitality and Event Management

• Kerala Tourism gets a lift with new Convention Centre at Veli Tourist Village

• PNC Arena’s to receive $300M tourism fund for upgrade and bigger convention center

• Indian Prime Minister inaugurates a convention centre at New Delhi

• High maintenance of Tamukkam Convention Centre built under a cost of Rs. 47.72 crore