Harrogate Convention Centre has begun a £9.4m redevelopment that will increase breakout capacity, improve accessibility and upgrade the venue’s sustainability infrastructure.
Funded by North Yorkshire Council, the project will reconfigure Studio Two using soundproof demountable walls to create up to eight breakout rooms for up to 1,200 delegates. An escalator will also be installed between Studios One and Two.
When the work completes in spring 2027, the venue will offer breakout capacity for 2,600 delegates, alongside its 2,000-seat auditorium, which it says is the largest purpose-built auditorium in Northern England. Harrogate Convention Centre expects the upgraded Studio Two to generate more than £1.5m a year by its tenth year.
The venue is also upgrading its energy and climate control systems, alongside smaller refurbishment works, with the improvements expected to cut energy bills by almost £150,000.
The investment follows a successful year for the venue, which won Venue of the Year (under 20,000sqm) at the AEO Excellence Awards in June, after being named Most Innovative and High-Tech Venue at the Event Technology Awards in November 2025.
Michael Constantine, head of operations at Harrogate Convention Centre, said: “This is a really exciting milestone for the venue and a major investment in our future, enhancing flexibility, accessibility and sustainability, while helping us meet the evolving needs of conference and exhibition organisers for many years to come.
“We look forward to welcoming organisers and delegates into the transformed spaces next year as we celebrate our 45th anniversary and seeing the benefits these improvements will bring. Throughout the project, our priority will be to minimise any impact on clients and events, with careful planning and close collaboration across all teams.”
