Knaresborough Projects

Renaissance Knaresborough, the community partnership for the town, has delivered several projects to date:

• Improving the Offer – a joint project run with Boroughbridge. In Knaresborough this has resulted in:
  - Knaresborough Riverside improvements – a new viewing and seating platform has been created opening up the view of the riverside and the viaduct, from what is now known as Viaduct Terrace. The terrace is proving popular with residents and tourists alike. Further works will be completed this year to improve the gateway to the riverside and the surface of the area with the objective of making the area more pedestrian-friendly.

Before

After

- Property Improvement Grant scheme – grants made available to assist local businesses with property improvements. Eligible projects included shop front improvements and conversions of empty spaces. 
 - Welcome to Excellence training programme –offering a range of training focused on the tourism business and also the voluntary and community sector. This enabled the groups to directly contribute to the ‘offer’ of Boroughbridge. The training was delivered under the ‘Welcome to Excellence’ programme with a focus on customer services for local businesses. In addition to the targeted training, a conference discussing the challenges of the recession was held and Janet Street Porter attended as the key note speaker.

• Rural Target Fund - small projects delivered by North Yorkshire County Council, funded by Yorkshire Forward’s RMT programme. These have included:
  - Town Windows - a public art project creating trompe l’oeil windows around the historic town centre, read our case study for more information. Read more about this project.

- Frazer Theatre - an extension was built creating a new foyer, meeting room, toilets and a music resource centre.  

- Bebra Gardens - RTF funding was used primarily for resources, whilst volunteers removed trees and bushes, replaced a fence and replanted the area. The aim fo the project was to open up the view of Nidd Gorge and the viaduct. 

- Horseshoe Field Bridge - funding allowed for the rennovation of the bridge to establich a key route for walkers and vehicle access, meaning that it can be used year round for events.

• Knaresborough Castle computer game - Working with King James School, Renaissance Knaresborough has developed a computer game recreating the mediaeval castle. www.knaresborough.co.uk/castle

Watch our short film about Knaresborough Virtual Castle