£22m redevelopment: Harrogate College asks public for memories of its current campus to help mark end of an era

The public are being asked to lend their nostalgic memories to an emotional farewell evening as Harrogate College faces demolition as part of a £22 million redevelopment.

Principal Danny Wild is calling for anyone with a connection to the campus building - which dates back to the ICI Fibres Estate in the 1950s through to the college’s relocation in 1985 and onwards - to join staff for an evening of memory sharing, videos and photographs.

This special event will mark Harrogate College’s demolition before a move to a brand new £22m building with upgraded teaching and training facilities at the same location.

The change will see the current campus demolished next year after decades of serving the town.

Harrogate College Principal Danny Wild is calling for anyone with a connection to the campus building - which dates back to the ICI Fibres Estate in the 1950s - to get in touch before its £22m redevelopment. (Picture contributed)

“We have been operating from here for 41 years and we know this building has played a major role in the lives of so many people and businesses in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and beyond,” said Mr Wild.

“As we look forward to starting an exciting new chapter, it is fitting that we should also pay tribute to our existing base and remember and celebrate its accomplishments.

“That is why we are asking for anybody with a link to the college to come along and join us on the evening of Thursday, December 3 from 5pm to 7pm when we will be sharing submitted photographs, displays, videos and more from across the years.

“Visitors will also be able to go on a tour of the building and sample some canapes provided by our Hospitality students.”

Vision of an even better future - Harrogate College’s demolition will make way for a brand new £22m building with upgraded teaching and training facilities at the same location. (Picture contributed)

Among the exhibits will be a film about the history of the college’s main building that was produced by Harrogate College alumnus Reece Longden, as part of his MA Creative Practice degree at University Centre Leeds.

Harrogate College’s new campus, which is being supported by £20m of Department for Education funding, will be furnished with state-of-the-art equipment to meet North Yorkshire’s priority skills needs.

Teaching from the new facilities will begin on Monday 4 January, 2027 with the demolition of the old building beginning in the same week.