North Yorkshire Council has confirmed it is exploring the potential sale of the Alpamare water park as part of a wider effort to secure the long-term future of the North Bay.
The move follows a period of significant turbulence for the attraction, which was taken over by the council after its original developer collapsed in late 2023.
The site is currently operated by Flamingo Land, which stepped in to reopen the venue in July 2024. However, the authority is now looking for a more permanent solution that integrates the water park into a broader "strategic master plan" for the regeneration of the North Bay area.
Councillor Liz Colling, chair of the council’s Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, this week provided an update on the progress of these discussions. She detailed how specialist agents are now being used to gauge interest from the private sector:
"Officers are currently exploring a range of options for the future of the Alpamare site, bearing in mind that we have got a strategic master plan and north bay regeneration area.
A request for proposal has been issued to five specialist leisure agents inviting them to propose and present potential strategies for the sale of the site.
This is intended to inform the council's understanding of market interest, potential approaches, and is one element of the wider review being undertaken to inform consideration of future options for the Alpamare site."
A Flexible Approach to the Freehold The council’s primary focus is a freehold sale that would keep Alpamare running as an operational water park. To make the deal more attractive to potential investors, the authority is considering the inclusion of nearby vacant plots of land, which could be developed to help the park remain financially stable.
Councillor Colling explained the specifics of this potential disposal and the current status of the lease:
"The request for proposals will focus on the freehold sale of Alpamare as an operational water park. However, biders may propose incorporating one or more vacant development plots within the North Bay area where this can be justified as necessary to support Alpamare's long-term financial viability and contribute positively to the wider leisure and entertainment offer.
Flamingo Land has been informed that the council is exploring future options for the asset, including a potential disposal.
The Flamingo Land lease expires on the 31st of October of 2026. Officers will work to progress a preferred option within the time frame, although it might be necessary subject to mutual agreement to extend the existing lease agreement with Flamingo Land."
Balancing Tourism and Financial Risk The decision to seek a buyer comes after years of financial scrutiny regarding the site. Alpamare originally opened in 2016, supported by a £9 million loan from the former Scarborough Borough Council to the developer, Benchmark Leisure Ltd. Following the developer's administration in October 2023, North Yorkshire Council was forced to write off approximately £7.8 million in unpaid debt.
A subsequent review by the council’s auditor described the original decision to grant that loan as "undoubtedly risky". Despite these historical challenges, council leaders are keen to ensure the venue remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, alongside other North Bay sites like the former Indoor Pool and Northstead Gardens.
Gary Fielding, the council’s corporate director for resources, has emphasised that the priority remains the "long-term operational and financial stability of the venue". He noted that the goal is for Alpamare to continue contributing "positively to Scarborough's leisure and tourism offer".
For now, the park continues to operate under its current agreement.
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