Multi-Million Pound Regeneration Approved for Scarborough's Vacant Brunswick Centre

A major redevelopment of Scarborough's high street will go ahead after local leaders formally approved a Mayoral Development Zone and unlocked millions of pounds in funding for the vacant Brunswick Centre.

A vacant town centre building in Scarborough will be transformed into a new cinema and leisure destination following a multi-million-pound funding injection.

Local leaders formally approved the creation of a Mayoral Development Zone in Scarborough today, allocating an initial tranche of funding to kickstart the redevelopment of the Brunswick Centre.

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority met at Scarborough Town Hall to sign off on an eight million pound capital investment for the first phase of the town's regeneration.

Seven million pounds is earmarked for the Brunswick Centre, with an immediate one million pounds released for pre-construction work. This initial sum will be used alongside already approved funding of one million pounds from North Yorkshire Council and one million pounds from the Pride in Place Board.

York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith said:

"The first initiative we are supporting through the Mayoral Development Zone is in Scarborough, and it's to work with our partners to reopen the Brunswick Centre.

It's become an iconic eyesore and no genuine high street regeneration program would be credible if at the heart of the high street there was a huge vacant building.

Before becoming mayor, I was the chair of York's High Street Forum and I understand how important anchors are to attract people to the high street, where ultimately they go on to spend and support local and small businesses.

It's incredibly exciting that this is the first mayoral development zone we are launching, and I'm totally committed to making this success not just for Scarborough, but for the whole of the county."

The regeneration project aims to create a stronger year-round town centre destination, supporting hundreds of direct jobs and reinvigorating the high street shopping offer.

North Yorkshire Council Deputy Leader Councillor Mark Crane said:

"I walked down the high street this morning when I was looking for breakfast and noted again just what an eyesore it is and what a shame it is because it used to be a central part of Scarborough and the shopping offer there was extensive and it's sat in a sad state.

So I really welcome the mayoral development zone, I welcome the fact we're putting money into the Brunswick Centre and I do think the opportunity it gives not only for visitors but for the people of Scarborough itself with the cinema and other attractions for people to go and particularly children etc to spend time and money and the offer of a large retailer and a couple of other retailers and food etc. is really important.

We'll hopefully see the change on Scarborough High Street and the other shops and opportunities to come as a result of this. It will take a couple of years before we see it open but I strongly support this."

The Mayoral Development Zone encompasses the entire town, including the station to shore masterplan area, the harbour, and major housing and employment sites to the south.

Combined Authority Director of Economy Andy Kerr said:

"Today marks a major landmark in shaping the future of Scarborough. With this report seeking approval to commit £8 million of capital investment for the first phase of regeneration of the town.

Following an in-principle approval in the summer, today sees the formal launch of the Scarborough mayoral development zone.

This long-term commitment to our historic coastal town will drive inclusive economic growth and realize Scarborough's huge potential as a place to live, work, learn, and visit.

The mayoral development zone encompasses the whole of Scarborough, taking in the station to shore master plan, the harbour area, and the whole of existing town, and also the major housing and employment sites to the south as we see this important part of our region grow."

Outlining the financial details of the regeneration plan, Mr Kerr said:

"The creation of a mayoral development zone is underpinned by significant investment. In addition to last month's cabinet meeting that committed two million pounds for a new Scarborough construction skills village, today seeks to allocate eight million pounds of regeneration funding for the first phase of Scarborough's regeneration.

Seven million pounds of that funding will be earmarked for the redevelopment of the Brunswick Centre, providing a mix of retail, leisure uses, and a new cinema, reinvigorating the High Street, improving visitor and resident attractions, and creating new jobs and employment.

Of that seven million, an immediate approval is sought for one million pounds of funding, which will unlock the pre-construction phase of redevelopment, a figure which will be matched by one million pound of funding from North Yorkshire Council and one million pound from the Pride in Place Board."

A phased funding strategy will be used to ensure value for money for the public purse as the final costs of the development become clear.

He added:

"The staged approach we take will ensure the proposals are viable and allow an assessment of the value of money to the public purse as the final costs become clear.

The decision to draw down the next tranche of funding will be subject to further cabinet decisions based on the detailed business cases as final costs emerge."

A new advisory board will be established to drive delivery and oversee the development of strategic investments across the town.

Explaining the governance of the new zone, Mr Kerr said:

"This will be supported by the creation of a mail development zone board, which will be established to drive delivery overseeing the development of strategic investments and convene partners.

The board will be chaired by the mayor with the lead combined authority cabinet member of North Yorkshire Council as deputy chair.

The board will also include representation from Scarborough Pride in Place Board and business and tourism groups. The board is advisory only and the decision making remains with the combined authority cabinet."

A further one million pounds of funding has also been ringfenced to support the Station Quarter Connectivity project, which will improve walking routes and public transport integration between the railway station and the town centre.