The local economy of this North Yorkshire spa town is set to receive a guaranteed boost after Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) secured a new three-year contract extension with the Northern Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

The agreement ensures the major public exhibition, which draws visitors from across the North of England, will remain at the venue until 2028. The long-term commitment provides essential stability for HCC and the town’s hospitality sector as the region works to solidify its reputation as a conference and exhibition hub.

The show is a significant revenue generator, with the upcoming 2025 event alone expected to attract approximately 10,000 visitors. This influx is estimated to be worth more than £766,000 in direct business for Harrogate’s hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops, excluding the money spent by the organisers and exhibitors themselves.

This guaranteed income stream, spanning three years beyond the initial agreement, is particularly valuable as it occurs outside the main summer holiday season, providing a crucial uplift to the visitor economy in the autumn months.

Simon Cotton, Managing Director of the Harrogate-based HRH Group, which owns several key venues including The Fat Badger and White Hart Hotel, noted that the visitors to the show possess the "disposable income to invest". This demographic of homebuilders and renovators naturally contributes to a higher spend across local hospitality businesses.

Driving Investment in North

The exhibition's focus on homebuilding and sustainable renovation highlights two key economic trends in the North of England: a resilient property market and a growing consumer demand for energy-efficient homes.

The show organisers’ research found that the average spend by attendees on five key sustainable product categories—including renewable energy, insulation, and heating—has risen to £63,000 in the region over the past three years. This figure, representing an average year-on-year increase of more than 20%, underscores the significant business being generated by this market.

With over 240 exhibitors and a comprehensive programme covering renewable energy, underfloor heating, and sustainable design, the show acts as a key marketplace and education centre, connecting Northern consumers and trade professionals with innovative products and expertise.

For Harrogate Convention Centre, securing the future of this 31-year-old show reinforces its position as a go-to regional venue. Paula Lorimer, Director of HCC, welcomed the renewal, emphasising that multi-day exhibitions of this size deliver "significant traffic" to the local area, which is vital for the continued success of the broader Yorkshire visitor economy.

The Northern Homebuilding and Renovating Show opens from 10am until 5pm on 31 October and 1 November, and 10am until 4:30pm on 2 November.

Anyone wishing to attend can do so for free by clicking on this link to register for a pair of free tickets for any one day of the show.

Other upcoming public exhibitions at HCC include Thought Bubble Comic Convention (15-16 November) and Knit + Stitch (20-23 November).