Harrogate Convention Centre

Harrogate Convention Centre is a convention and exhibition centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.

Harrogate Convention Centre
Harrogate Convention Centre in February 2020
Former namesHarrogate International Centre
LocationHarrogate, North Yorkshire
Coordinates53°59′48.48″N 1°32′29″W
OwnerNorth Yorkshire Council
Capacity2,000 (Auditorium)
1,600 (Exhibition Halls)
600 (Queens Suite)
1,000 (Royal Hall)
Construction
Opened1982
Renovated2009–2014
Expanded2009–2014
Website
Official website

History
Crowne Plaza Hotel in 2020

Previously named Harrogate International Centre it was renamed Harrogate Convention Centre in April 2017.[1] The centre has been described as being a "magnet for business conferences" and generates around £60 million per year into the local economy.[2][3]

While Harrogate had been hosting conferences and exhibitions since the end of the Second World War, the 2,000-seat main auditorium opened in 1982[4] and was the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 1982.[5] The venue has since expanded to include eight exhibition halls offering 180,000 square feet (17,000 m2) of space as well as ancillary facilities including a hotel.[6] Further expansion took place between 2009 and 2014.[7]

The Royal Hall holds 1,000 people, whereas the Queen's Suite holds up to 600. The Royal Hall is grade II* listed building which is a former concert hall designed by Frank Matcham and Robert Beale.[8]

The between April 2013 and December 2018, the director of the conference centre was Simon Kent. Since January 2019, the director is Paula Lorimer.[9]

In April 2020, the centre was converted into an NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber in response to the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. The centre was furnished with 500 beds.[10]

Notable events

The Liberal Democrats have held the Liberal Democrat Federal Conference at the centre on six occasions since the party's formation in 1988.[11]

The Green Party held their 2022 Autumn Conference at the centre.

The Eurovision Song Contest was held at the International Centre in 1982.[5]

See also

References
  1. Braithwaite, Ruby (7 January 2019). "New plans unveiled to spruce up Harrogate Convention Centre with night lights and plaza". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  2. Blackwood, Lorna (24 August 2007). "Focus on ...Harrogate". The Times. ProQuest 319771889.
  3. Murphy, Lizzie (18 January 2018). "Council appoints adviser to create masterplan for Harrogate Convention Centre". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  4. Fulcher, Merlin (17 October 2017). "Competition: Harrogate Convention Centre". architectsjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  5. "BBC One - Eurovision Song Contest, 1982, Grand Final: 1982". BBC. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  6. Thompson, Vicky (17 January 2018). "Grand plans in the pipeline for major venue". York Press. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  7. "Sandown and Harrogate shows expanded". Exhibition News. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  8. Historic England. "Royal Hall (Grade II*) (1315842)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  9. Leeming, Lachlan (11 January 2019). "New director of Harrogate Convention Centre announced". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  10. "Two more Nightingale hospitals announced". BBC News. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  11. Mortimore, Roger; Blick, Andrew (2018). Butler's British Political Facts. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 274 & 275.

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