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Sandsend Business Needs Parking to Avoid Closure

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 18:30

By Anttoni James Numminen, Local Democracy Reporter

An award-winning restaurant near Whitby has applied for permission to create a parking area – warning that without it ‘the business will close’.

The Estbek House hotel and restaurant in Sandsend wants to introduce a parking area and renovate the courtyard of the property in order to save the struggling business, which is located at East Row, in Sandsend.

The plan, submitted by restaurateurs Tim Lawrence and David Cross, states that the proposed changes are “essential to secure the future viability of the business”, which is the North Yorkshire coast’s “only restaurant with two AA rosettes”.

They said:

“We have operated our business for over two decades and have seen many changes during that time. The biggest and most harmful one, not just for Estbek, but for Sandsend itself, is the lack of overnight parking.”

If the scheme is approved, the front courtyard of the award-winning establishment would accommodate two vehicles.

According to the application, a change in the car parking arrangements in Sandsend has “adversely affected the practicality of guests staying at and visiting Estbek House”.

The business has seen a “considerable reduction in viability over the last three years, and this is largely attributed to guests being unable to park their vehicles within close proximity of the restaurant”, the scheme states.

In a statement to the council, Mr Lawrence and Mr Cross said that the restaurant and hotel “has now made a loss for the last three years” and that “without on-site parking the business remains unviable and will inevitably close”.

They said:

“Two on-site parking spaces would not solve all of our issues; however, it would make a big contribution to our daily struggles.

“The business can no longer survive as it currently stands, and we would have to cease trading and apply for a change of use for our building if parking cannot be accommodated on site.”

The application adds:

“We have considered several alternative options and conclude that the proposed option is most suitable for the preservation of the building and the retention of a long-standing business within the village.

“Without on-site parking, the business will close.”

Other works would include changes to the front steps and railings, replacement of existing signage, and the removal of external lighting on the front of Estbek House in order to “enhance the character and appearance of the Listed Building”.

North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the application which is open to representations.

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