Harrogate's heritage 'being allowed to crumble away' by local authority warns respected civic group

The chair of one of Harrogate’s most respected organisations has raised fears that some of the town’s greatest public assets are being allowed to “rot before our very eyes”.

Harrogate Civic Society chair Michael Newby raised the question of whether North Yorkshire cared about Harrogate’s heritage at all.

“Harrogate has some astounding heritage assets but they are being allowed to rot before our very eyes,” said Mr Newby.

“Buildings such as the Sun Parlours in the Valley Gardens, St John’s Well and Tewit Well are part of Harrogate’s story.

"All three are listed which means that Historic England considers them to be buildings of special architectural or historic interest with legal protection.

"All three need attention with missing rooves, rotten window frames and cracked masonry.

“It is not only their intrinsic historic value to Harrogate which matters, they are also important in attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer and come back to the town.

"Are we really expecting people to return to the Valley Gardens to experience the squalid condition of the Sun Parlours?”

There are other structures that are causing members of Harrogate Civic Society concern - the shelters on West Park which are rotting away, the war memorial on Wetherby Road whose inscription is barely legible and the disappearing ‘serpent benches’.

“I first contacted North Yorkshire Council 18 months ago to ask what what has happened to the benches that have been removed but I am still to receive an answer,” said Mr Newby.

“These are by no means unique to Harrogate but they have been part of our townscape for over 100 years.

"They are also significant because the serpent can be found on the Rod of Asclepius, the Greek god of health and well-being which has been fundamental to Harrogate’s history.

"There are 14 of these benches in Station Gardens; what will happen to them when this area gets the ‘Station Gateway’ treatment?

"Wat will happen to the heritage lampposts at One Arch when it also receives the ‘Station Gateway’ treatment?”

North Yorkshire Council was formed in 2023 when Harrogate Borough Council was abolished.