Chamber backing Harrogate Spring Water expansion plans

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce today confirms its strong backing to Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to extend and improve its facility.

The Chamber’s view is that Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans will bring significant benefits to Harrogate’s economy, ecology and society.

The firm is one of Yorkshire’s best-known brands and takes the Harrogate name to a global audience thanks to its strong export markets.

In order for Harrogate Spring Water to enter its next phase of sustainable growth it has become necessary for it to expand its premises and is therefore submitting a multi-million-pound plan to North Yorkshire Council for approval.

The 4,800 sqm extension will bring an estimated £2.3m per year into Harrogate as well as creating 50 full time roles once completed and an additional 20 during the construction period. The new site is 30 per cent smaller than a previous application made to the then Harrogate Borough Council in 2019.

Owing to its expansion encroaching into local woodland, Harrogate Spring Water has ambitious plans to create an entirely new woodland, one that will deliver three new trees for every one lost during the construction phase, if the plans are given the go ahead, aiming to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 10%

The new community woodland will be created in partnership between Harrogate Spring Water, experts and the local community to create a space which provides the maximum benefit for the public in order to become a significant community asset.

Sarah Czarnecki, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber, said: “This expansion plan from Harrogate Spring Water is hugely exciting for North Yorkshire.

“As well as creating much-needed jobs and generating millions of pounds for the region the new woodland will offer a fantastic asset for the community to enjoy.

“Harrogate Spring Water is a Yorkshire success story and a product that graces some of our most beloved institutions such as Ascot Racecourse and onboard the world’s most reputable airlines

“I trust that planning officers will recognise the substantial contribution it plays to the region and back its expansion plans in full.”

The new community woodland sits at the heart of the revised expansion plans, further demonstrating Harrogate Spring Water’s already strong credentials on balancing growth with the environment. In 2020, they were the first company in North Yorkshire to gain B Corp certification, joining a group of businesses independently accredited for achieving and continually striving towards the highest environmental and social standards.

Its current headquarters is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy and has been zero waste to landfill since 2010. Its bottles contain UK recycled plastic and are an example of smart packaging technology. They have been designed to compact when twisting for easy recycling, taking up less space in a recycling bin.

Notes for editors: For further information, please contact the Chamber’s Head of Policy Mark Casci on mark.casci@wnychamber.co.uk.