Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District) has taken another major step forward by appointing a BID manager to deliver the organisation’s five-year vision.
Elizabeth Murphy, who takes up her post on July 1, brings with her a wealth of experience working with town centre organisations in West and South Yorkshire.
Over the next five years, a levy on qualifying town centre businesses will raise more than £3m which will be re-invested into promoting Harrogate’s shops, hotels, bars and restaurants to a world-wide audience.
Working from a town centre office, Elizabeth’s role will be to champion businesses within the BID area, forge relationships with organisations, and implement high-profile advertising campaigns to promote the town to a national and international market.
Additionally, Elizabeth will work with businesses in delivering real cost savings to them through centrally negotiated services, such as insurance, recycling and utilities.
Harrogate BID chairman John Fox said:
Having Elizabeth joining the BID team as manager is a major coup for us.
It has been a long process to find the right person for us. We interviewed a number of highly-qualified applicants for the position and Elizabeth was the candidate with the skills and experience we required.
She has a decade of experience promoting town centres in south and west Yorkshire, and was instrumental in delivering the BID for Wakefield.
Even though Elizabeth doesn’t officially take up her post until July, she will be coming to Harrogate on a regular basis, meeting key players within the town, and advising the BID team on a number of forthcoming activities.
Elizabeth said:
Harrogate has always been one of my favourite destinations; it’s a fantastic town and with its rich mixture of shops, bars and open spaces, it has something for everyone.
I’m very much looking forward to joining the Harrogate BID team and helping boost Harrogate’s appeal even further. In addition to increasing footfall, which will give the daytime and night time economy a lift, I will be ensuring the BID also delivers cost savings for town centre businesses.
At its meeting last Thursday, The BID executive board agreed that in the interim period the chair, John Fox, will act as the BID manager.
Further information about the Harrogate BID is available from its website, http://harrogatebid.co.uk/
