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| Harrogate International Centre (HIC) | 19 May 2010 |
Contractor chosen for new halls development at Harrogate International Centre
Securing the longer-term competitiveness of Harrogate’s conference and exhibition business is now a step closer as well known national firm Wates Construction is announced as the main contractor to carry out the work to provide Harrogate International Centre with 3300 sq m of new event space, together with a new entrance and registration foyer.
Harrogate International Centre Director, Stuart Quin, is delighted with the position. He said: “We now have a reputable and capable contractor who clearly understands our business needs and will work with us and with Yorkshire Forward to deliver these much needed additions to HIC. On completion of the contract, we will have added capacity to allow existing events to grow but also enable us to penetrate new markets and importantly create flexibility to allow us to run three or four events simultaneously on site.”
Harrogate Borough Council and the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, are jointly funding the scheme.
Andy Tordoff, Assistant Director of Environment Yorkshire Forward (Tourism and Rural Renaissance) commented: “I am delighted we have appointed a contractor and reached the next stage in this major investment which will enable Harrogate International Centre to continue competing with other conference centres both nationally and internationally. By bringing more conferences and events to the region, this will have a positive impact on the surrounding areas and the regional economy."
Councillor Mike Gardner, Leader of the Council and Chair of Harrogate International Centre Management Board has welcomed the news. He added: “A fiercely competitive tendering process led to the appointment of Wates.
“I am also pleased to report that, as a consequence of this rigorous tendering and evaluation process, the cost of the scheme has come in below the original £13m budget and it is expected that some material savings will be achieved at the conclusion.”
The scheme, which will also include public realm improvements, is expected to start in August 2010 and be completed in early autumn 2011.
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