A consultation to decide the future of a £20 million government investment intended to revitalise the town over the next decade ends on Friday.
Under the "Pride in Place" programme, the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board has identified 11 potential projects, but the final decision rests on the feedback of those who live, work, and visit the coastal resort.
The funding, originally part of the "Plan for Neighbourhoods" scheme, aims to drive long-term regeneration, boost the local economy, and improve community wellbeing. With the consultation set to close at 5pm on Friday, 13 February 2026, local leaders are urging the community not to miss their chance to weigh in.
A Personal Mission for the Town
For Heath Samples, the chair of the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board, the project is deeply personal. Having lived in the town for 57 years and run businesses along the high street, he joined the board to counter the negativity he saw growing on social media.
"I love this town," Mr Samples said, reflecting on his lifelong connection to the harbour and local commerce. "We've got an opportunity with this 20 million pound Pride in Place that the government have given us. Let’s spend it wisely. Let’s get some positivity back into this town, and let’s all take a part of making it great again".
He emphasised that the consultation is a "crucial moment" to ensure the chosen priorities genuinely reflect the "character, strengths and ambitions" of Scarborough's various neighbourhoods.
Ambitious Plans for Growth and Wellbeing
The 11 shortlisted projects offer a broad vision for the town’s future, ranging from major infrastructure to grassroots community support:
- Town Centre Transformation: The Square One (SQ1) redevelopment seeks to turn the former Brunswick Centre into a year-round leisure destination with a multi-screen cinema and restaurants. This is complemented by the "Sprucing Up Scarborough" initiative, which targets run-down buildings and deteriorating shopfronts to lift the town’s appearance.
- Heritage and Culture: Plans include the regeneration of the Old Town through community-led decision-making and a sustainability upgrade for the Stephen Joseph Theatre to help it become carbon neutral by 2030. The Scarborough Fair programme of festivals is also vying for funds to continue its year-round events.
- Community Support: New hubs are proposed, including "Turning Tides" for young people aged 15 to 21 and "Dads Behaving Madly," which would be the town’s first dedicated Men’s Wellbeing Hub. On the seafront, a new Watersports and Sea Centre is envisioned for South Bay.
- RELATED : The 11 Projects Vying for a Share of Scarborough's £20m Pride in Place Funding
Managing Expectations
While there is significant excitement, some local figures are calling for a pragmatic approach. Councillor Rich Maw noted that while £20 million is a substantial sum, its impact over a 10-year period requires careful management.
"I think we have to manage expectations," Cllr Maw stated, though he suggested the funding could act as "seed funding" that might eventually attract further investment, potentially doubling the total impact to £40 million.
Councillor Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for "open to business," echoed this sentiment, stating the money must be a "catalyst to inspire further investment" that revitalises the town centre for decades to come.
How to Have Your Say
Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, praised the government’s commitment to "devolving power" to local people. "Scarborough residents know the town better than anyone else," she noted, encouraging everyone to participate in the "important moment".
Residents can share their views through the North Yorkshire Council website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement/current-consultations/pride-place-scarborough
Following the deadline, the council will assess the feasibility and costs of each proposal before the Neighbourhood Board makes a formal decision on which projects will move forward in the first phase of delivery.
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- The 11 Projects Vying for a Share of Scarborough's £20m Pride in Place Funding
- Neighbourhood Board Chair Says Scarborough's £20m is for Local People not Councils
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