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Scarborough’s regeneration
Introduction
Scarborough’s urban renaissance has really taken off, transforming the town from economic decline to becoming Europe’s most enterprising place.
- Public-sector investment of over £130m plus £300m from the private sector
- Scarborough has been re-energised as a great place to live, work and invest
- Many seasonable businesses are now able to trade all year round.
Summary
Despite Scarborough’s rich heritage as Britain’s first seaside resort, by the end of the 20th century the town had suffered economic decline, stagnation and inertia. Traditional industries declined as people took holidays abroad; aspirations were low, and private-sector investment was diminishing.
The combined efforts of Yorkshire Forward, Scarborough Borough Council and the local community has already led to £30m being invested in Scarborough’s regeneration, with an estimated £20m secured for the next five years. An additional £300m has come from the private sector.
As a result, new and improved public and business spaces have created a renewed confidence in Scarborough: the town is now a place in which people want to live, work and invest. Scarborough now attracts far more visitors, including families, young professionals, tourists and local day trippers—so that businesses which were previously seasonal are now able to trade throughout the year. Scarborough has scooped a range of awards, too: most notably ‘Europe’s Most Enterprising Place’ in 2009.
Some of the town’s biggest achievements include:
- The transformation of the town’s harbour and marina, with waterfront illuminations
- A new £100m business park comprising over a million sq ft of premium office space
- Renovation of the town’s iconic Spa (Grade-II Listed), creating a prominent hub for leisure and business tourism
- Renovation of The Rotunda (also Grade II-Listed), an iconic museum and geological centre
- Becoming the first UK coastal town to provide free wireless broadband for all harbour visitors.
What is Yorkshire Forward’s connection with this initiative?
As part of the Scarborough Strategic Development Framework, Yorkshire Forward appointed a group of consultants to completely transform the town’s social, cultural and economic landscape by 2020 (to be delivered through Yorkshire Forward’s Urban Renaissance Programme).
