After six years of war, with its shortages and privations, Harrogate looked shabby but the war had been won and the Corporation was determined to lead the town forward. Whilst the council worked to secure the town’s role as an economically viable spa, there was also an awareness that in the changed conditions of post-war Britain additional sources of income and employment would be required. Harrogate had been attracting meetings and conferences even before the Act of Incorporation in 1884 but the town was increasingly promoted for conferences and it was recognised that Harrogate’s growth potential was with exhibitions. The building of the first exhibition hall in 1959 at the rear of the Royal Hall, and its subsequent success, stifled any lingering doubts about the wisdom of promoting Harrogate as a conference and exhibition resort.
In December 1948 a proposed £500,000 scheme was announced that would make Harrogate the country’s biggest centre for research into rheumatic disease that had been agreed with Leeds Regional Hospital Board. The scheme included half of the Royal Baths being converted to a research clinic, the Harlow Manor, Crown and White Hart hotels would become hospitals and the Royal Bath hospital’s capacity would be increased from 150 to 400 beds. The announcement was followed by a visit from the Minister of Health, Aneurin Bevan. Ultimately only parts of the scheme were introduced, possibly due to government restrictions on spending, which diminished their efficacy.
Throughout the early 1950’s, the National Health Service continued to send patients to Harrogate in ever increasing numbers, and by 1955, 130,000 treatments were being given annually.
In 1964 the Leeds Regional Hospital Board announced that from April 1968, no more national health service patients would be sent to Harrogate. The Royal Baths continued to operate for private patients but in November 1968 the Council decided to close the baths from 31 March 1969.
Exactly 400 years after its discovery in 1571, the public pump at the Tewit Well was removed and Englands oldest spa was abandoned. Within two years the St John’s Well and the Magnesia Well shared the same fate and the historic well heads at Bogs Field were removed.
Image: Fashion exhibition, Sun Pavilion,1970’s