Work underway to smarten up Skipton town centre in time for summer

WORK is taking place to smarten up Skipton town centre in preparation for summer.

The town centre is being spruced up in time for summer and ready to welcome visitors.

In 2023, Skipton BID delivered a programme of hot-washing and chewing gum removal in the town centre.

Pavements have been washed to prepare Skipton town centre for summer visitors. (Image: UGC)

The results transformed the pavements and therefore the cleaning has been commissioned again and the transformation can be seen around the town.

Skipton BID has recently started a new five-year term and they continue to be committed to making Skipton a more attractive place to live, work and welcoming to visitors.

Sarah Howsen, BID Manager, said: “We know it is important to businesses and residents to have a clean and attractive town.

“Last year the large scale cleansing project was such a success and so well received we wanted to continue to ensure the town is clean and ready to greet visitors for the summer season.

"We hope that everyone will also do their bit to keep the town clean and tidy.

“We are asking people to think before they drop litter and businesses to look after their frontages to maintain the cleanliness of the town.”

Residents can also be involved in keeping Skipton, young people are being encouraged to take part in the Skipton Youth Council “Keep Skipton Tidy” litter pick competition.

The group are encouraging groups of young people to organise a litter pick and be in with a chance to win £300 for their school or youth organisation.

Noah Garbutt, from Skipton Youth Council, said: “The competition, running until June 24th, requires youth organisations or individuals to gather and search across Skipton, picking up as much litter as they can.

“Whether it’s cleaning up local parks, streets or canal banks, volunteers will have the opportunity to contribute to tidying the area.

Interested individuals or groups are asked to contact the Skipton Youth Council through email at skiptonyouthcouncil@gmail.com”

Skipton BID have also committed to continue to support Skipton in Bloom for another five years to ensure they can continue to deliver the beautiful floral displays around the town.

A Skipton in Bloom floral display. (Image: UGC)

Skipton BID hope the floral displays will allow businesses and residents to feel a sense of pride and be proud of the place they live and work.

Skipton in Bloom representatives said: “We are very grateful to Skipton BID for their continued financial support without which there would be very few floral displays in the town.

“The group meets on the first Wednesday morning of every month to carry out maintenance tasks and would welcome some extra volunteers.

“Anyone interested in helping practically, or in joining the committee, can obtain more information through our website or Facebook page, or by emailing info@skiptoninbloom.co.uk.”

The colourful bunting, funded by Skipton BID, has also once again been installed across the town centre in time for the summer season and to make the town more attractive and welcoming to visitors.

The aim of Skipton BID is to make the public spaces engaging and welcoming, as bunting is a traditional form of street decorating and has a charming and nostalgic appearance it seems appropriate this is used in the town centre.

This is complemented by the Union Flags installed by Skipton Town Council which will remain in place throughout summer.

Skipton continues to be a thriving visitor destination and it is important the partnership working continues to ensure people continue to want to visit but also that residents have a sense of pride in their town.

Skipton BID was first introduced in 2009 and was voted back in for a third term in 2019 and runs through to March 2024.

Sarah Howsen, Skipton BID manager (Image: UGC)

Ms Howsen, who joined Skipton BID in 2022, formerly worked for Wakefield Council where she was city and town centres officer, supporting the regeneration of high streets and offering business support across the district.

At the time, she told Skipton Town Council that the BID wanted to make residents and businesses proud of Skipton.

"I don't think people realise what quality shops and restaurants we have,” she said.

“We need to engage with residents and businesses and make Skipton something they are proud of."