Apartment-style hotel set for Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground

Landowners, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, are working with national hoteliers Roomzzz Aparthotel on plans for a 103-bedroom hotel, next to Wetherby Road.

Established in 2006, the company originates in Yorkshire and combines spacious and fully-equipped apartments with the same offering as a modern hotel, including a 24-hour concierge service.

The architect for the project is the Manchester studio of BDP.

The society’s chief executive Nigel Pulling said: “Our vision is to have an Aparthotel which will be on a room only basis, ie there will be no public sales of food or drink.

“We see this as being complementary to the existing hotel and guest house accommodation offered in Harrogate.

“Each year the showground hosts around 700 events and for many, on-site accommodation would be a great advantage. Thus this project would benefit the local economy, Harrogate’s reputation as a premier holiday and business destination, and enable us to increase our charitable activities. We are interested to know our neighbours’ views and will be organising public consultations to listen to their opinions.”

Mark Walton, head of Roomzzz Aparthotel UK, said the the Aparthotel model was not the same as a hotel and guests were typically professionals and international guests looking for a longer-term stay.

He said: “We are confident that the appeal and the tried and tested model of Roomzzz Aparthotel will be of huge benefit to both tourism and the economy of Harrogate.”

Mike Hitchmough, architect director at BDP, said the building would be in-keeping with the semi-rural setting and would feature a “welcoming frontage”.

He said: “The strong linear forms and finish predominantly in white render and open timber boarding sit well with the simple geometries and materials of the agricultural buildings elsewhere on the showground.”