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Hey Scarborough! Here's what's happening this week 👋
Coastal tourism in England has dropped ten per cent in a year, and the government has launched a pilot scheme to reverse it - with Whitby and Scarborough among the places it has in mind. Apparently, people need a nudge to remember the sea is there.
Meanwhile, the town council has finished inspecting all five of Scarborough's allotment sites and found them riddled with abandoned plots and long-term neglect. One contained asbestos sheeting. There are currently 340 people on the waiting list for one of these plots.
On a lighter note, Xanders has had to add a second sitting to their Spice Girls-themed Bottomless Brunch on 11 April after the first sold out. Deposits required, presumably to fund the platform shoes.
And if the allotments have put you off Yorkshire for a week or two, the Ikos Odisia in Corfu - TripAdvisor's top-rated hotel on the island - is running ten per cent off with a third adult staying free, from 23 April to 15 May. That's in the newsletter too, right after the asbestos.
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📰 Scarborough Life
🌊 The Seaside Slump is Real. Coastal tourism in England has dropped ten per cent in a year, with Visit England now running a government pilot to reverse the slide. Whitby and Scarborough are in the crosshairs - apparently, Britons need reminding that the coast exists.
🏗️ An Alternative Town Centre, Apparently. Plans for a major retail park on Filey Road - supermarket, pharmacies, cafes, tanning salon - have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council. A town councillor noted the site was originally proposed for a hotel and drive-through; it has since grown into something considerably larger.
🌊 Climate Row Muddies the Waters. Scarborough town councillors have passed a motion on bathing water quality - but only after stripping out all references to climate change. South Bay is still rated poor.
🌊 Ikos Odisia, Corfu - 10% Off & Third Adult Stays Free. Corfu's top-rated hotel on TripAdvisor, set in a secluded bay on the Ionian coast, is backed by forest with its own private shoreline. The offer runs from April 23 to May 15. Find out more.
🏥 Hospital Still Requires Improvement. Scarborough Hospital's overall CQC rating remains unchanged, though some departments have edged upward. MP Alison Hume called the pace of progress a concern; 930 patients waited over 12 hours on trolleys in January alone.
🌱 340 People Waiting for Neglected Allotments. Scarborough's allotment sites are riddled with abandoned plots and long-term neglect, the town council has found after inspecting all five sites. One contained asbestos sheeting.
💃 Spice Girls Brunch Sells Out. Xanders on Scarborough's cocktail scene has added a 12-2.15 pm sitting after their Spice Girls-themed Bottomless Brunch on 11 April sold out. Deposits required.
🎸 Whitby's 60s Weekends Hold Strong. While similar festivals across the country have quietly folded, Whitby's 60s Weekends are already booking into 2027, with calls coming in from overseas. June headliner is Steve Ellis; September brings Paul Jones.
🦎 The Gruffalo Comes to Town. Tall Stories brings its stage adaptation of the classic picture book to the Stephen Joseph Theatre on 8, 9 and 10 May. The production turns 25 this year.
🎆 Rockets Over the Penguin Enclosure. North Yorkshire Council is considering a public space protection order for Scarborough's North Bay after last Bonfire Night saw rockets fired over the Sea Life Centre and plastic debris land in the penguin enclosure. Bylaws prohibiting beach fires apparently already exist.
🚂 Bridge 42 Needs Saving. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is fundraising £800,000 to repair the bridge linking Grosmont to Whitby - without which the full Pickering-to-Whitby line can't run. £215,000 has been raised so far.
🦔 Whitby Sanctuary Counts the Cost. A fire on 2 April severely damaged the Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary's charity shop on Flowergate, which funds the care of over 3,000 rescued animals a year. More than £3,000 was raised in two days.
🚌 Mayor and Council Row Over Buses. York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith has hit back at North Yorkshire Council's criticism of his bus service management, pointing out that 50 per cent of bus mileage has been lost in North Yorkshire over the past decade. The council has deferred handing him the devolved powers to run them until March 2027.
🥾 Scalby Walkers Raise Nearly Two Grand. Hundreds took to the cinder track between Scarborough and Whitby in aid of Futureworks, a Scarborough charity supporting children and young adults. Some came for the fundraising; others, reportedly, for the drink at the end.
⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue
🏪 Out-of-Town Retail Plan Raises Eyebrows. A 2,700 sq metre supermarket, drive-through, pharmacies, restaurants and a tanning salon are proposed for Filey Road.
🌸 A 400-Year-Old Royal Home Has a One-Night Package Deal. Goldsborough Hall was once a royal residence and still feels like one. Book direct for the deal, and check the reviews first.
🛍️ New Market and Guidebook for Scarborough. An artisan market launches on 12 April, alongside the first new guide to Scarborough in 30 years.
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🎸Events, Activities & Live Music
We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.
Friday, April 10
09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🧵 SEWcial Sewing & Textile Craft - Stitched by the Beach, Scarborough
18:00 💃 Line Dancing - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:30 🎤 Open Mic Night - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
Saturday, April 11
09:00 🏁 Bob Smith Spring Cup - Oliver's Mount, Scarborough
10:00 🍔 Scarborough Food & Drink Festival - Northstead Manor Gardens, Scarborough
10:00 🚶 Midlife Hikers Walk: To Ravenscar - Visitor Centre, Ravenscar
11:30 🧘 Yogalates - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎭 Beauty and the Beast: The Panto - Whitby Pavilion, Whitby
14:00 🎧 Free Kids DJ Event - Tunny Catch, Scarborough
14:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 🎤 Tom Houghton - Deep - Scarborough Spa
19:00 👻 Tour: Dark Tales - To The Grand Hotel, Scarborough
19:30 🎭 Murder for Two - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:30 🎶 The Wave: Live - The Oak Wheel Pub, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
Sunday, April 12
09:00 🛍️ Cobble Market - Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults
09:00 🏁 Bob Smith Spring Cup - Oliver's Mount, Scarborough
10:00 🍔 Scarborough Food & Drink Festival - Northstead Manor Gardens, Scarborough
10:00 💿 Record Fair - Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults
14:30 🎭 Honk! In Concert - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
16:00 🎤 Under 20s Open Mic - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
19:00 🎶 Sunday Sessions - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
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Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.
Set in the market town of Helmsley, this hotel suits a relaxed spa break focused on comfort and downtime. It combines traditional Victorian features with a more modern boutique feel, and the overall pace is calm and unhurried.
The on-site Verbena Spa is a big part of the appeal, with thermal experiences, a heated outdoor pool, and a wide range of treatments that work well for either a full spa day or an overnight stay.
Dining is another reason people stay put, with menus based around local Yorkshire produce and the option of afternoon tea or poolside dining in warmer months. It's a good choice if you want a peaceful countryside stay that's easy to reach and simple to plan.
👋 That’s All For Now 🎬
From town to coast, there's always something happening in Scarborough.
Thanks for reading and being part of this growing community of people who love Scarborough.
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Sue | Editor | The Scarborough Rundown
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