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Harrogate shopping just won't be beaten

Date Posted: Thursday 5th Aug 2021

Sue from Harrogate Borough Council's High Streets team has been working with local businesses over the last 18 months - helping them tackle the challenges of lockdown retail. She shares her impression of Harrogate shop owners and why Harrogate will always be a great place to shop.

Shopping – whether it’s a leisurely mooch around the shops; a careful hunt for the perfect gift; window shopping for inspiration; stopping for a coffee; or dashing out at lunch time to grab some lunch and pick up some dry cleaning - high streets and town centres in the Harrogate district play a vital part in the fabric of our place.

Now more than ever, the importance of a varied and vibrant high street has never been more clear. We’re seeing a tangible push back against ‘clone towns’ and identikit shopping precincts. We want personality, character, individuality and distinctiveness. Here in the Harrogate district we are blessed with a rich tapestry of independent businesses and nowhere is this more apparent than on our high streets.

Shops that won’t be beaten

The passion, knowledge and resilience that business owners have shown over the last 18 months is remarkable. Retailers have found ingenious ways to keep us as shoppers feeling safe and feeling welcome. We were delighted to be able to showcase some of them and give a flavour of what you can expect on our high streets on this video.

Shopping that gets national attention

The district’s shopping scene is making waves well beyond our region – last month the BBC News reported how Boroughbridge was a ‘Boom town amid lockdown boost’ thanks to the increase in people shopping locally and the escalation in homeworking. Top Chef Shaun Rankin from Grantley Hall recently waxed lyrical in The Telegraph over his favourite places to eat and drink; giving Commercial Street in Harrogate special mention as home to some of the finest foodie independents – from fish to cheese, tea to spices – if you’re a serious foodie or just plain hungry it’s a destination to rival any.

We all know how important it is to support our high streets whether as residents, visitors or casual shoppers. In Harrogate district it’s as easy as pie to do that. Especially if that pie is a pork pie from a local butcher.