Parking Costs Set to Soar

Hey Scarborough! Here's what's happening this week 👋

Brace yourselves for a more expensive trip to town, as North Yorkshire Council has confirmed a ten per cent hike in parking charges across 170 car parks starting April 1. The move is expected to rake in £3.5m annually, though blue badge holders will continue to park for free. It’s a bitter pill for local motorists already feeling the pinch of the cost of living.

In more peculiar news, a seal pup decided to trade the North Sea for a stroll down Foreshore Road this week. Heavy tides pushed the exhausted youngster onto the tarmac, causing a temporary road closure and a bit of a traffic headache. Thankfully, the experts from British Divers Marine Life Rescue stepped in, and the pup is now safely recovering in professional care.

Meanwhile, Whitby’s famous whale bone arch is getting a makeover, though not quite the one traditionalists hoped for. After failing to source real replacements for the deteriorating 170-year-old bones, the council is opting for replicas to preserve the West Cliff landmark.

Finally, if you’re planning a trip to Middlesbrough, remember that buses will replace trains from February 23 to 27 while the Nunthorpe level crossing gets an upgrade.

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates!

➡️ Subscribe Here

Gravité Cologne for Men: Confidence in a Bottle

No gimmicks, no fluff. Just a great scent. Gravité Cologne for Men by Particle is a true head-turner, engineered for men who want to smell amazing without overcomplicating things.

The secret is its balance: a powerful blend of crisp citrus, middle notes of apple and nutmeg, and a deep base of cedar and musk, it’s scientifically engineered to last all day.

Fresh, masculine, and bold but not overpowering, Gravité is sure to earn you compliments and become your everyday go-to.

Get it for yourself or as the perfect gift, now for an exclusive 20% off and free shipping with the code BH20!

Get 20% Off Today

📰 Scarborough Life

🅿️ North Yorkshire Council is raising parking charges by ten per cent from April 1. The increase across 170 car parks will generate an estimated £3.5m a year. Blue badge holders will park free in all council car parks. Localised town parking strategies will follow later.

🦭 A grey seal pup was found in the middle of Foreshore Road in Scarborough. Heavy tides can push exhausted pups beyond the beach in search of rest. Marine Mammal Medics from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue attended, and the pup is now safe and recovering. Part of Foreshore Road was closed.

🐋 Whitby's Whale Bone Arch will be replaced with replicas, not real bones. The 170-year-old West Cliff landmark is deteriorating, and all options to source genuine replacement bones have been exhausted. North Yorkshire Council is seeking quotes for replicas. The mayor hopes for a replacement by summer, but cannot guarantee it.

🍦 A new ice cream parlour on Scarborough's South Bay has applied for an alcohol licence. Fall in Love With Me cafe at Olympia Leisure on Foreshore Road is seeking permission to sell alcohol seven days a week, from 10 am to 11 pm. It opened in December, serving ice cream and milkshakes.

🟤 Person rescued after becoming trapped in Whitby Harbour mud. The individual became stuck shortly before midday on Tuesday. Coastguard, RNLI, Police, and Fire all responded to free them.

💷 Nine coastal community groups share £44,741 in new funding. The North Yorkshire Coast Fund, distributed by Two Ridings Community Foundation, supports projects from Scarborough to Whitby and Filey. Applications for grants of up to £5,000 are open this month. The fund has awarded £83,950 since 2024.

🎸 The Rob Dylan Band at Scarborough Spa has been rescheduled. The show moves to Friday, 9th October. Existing tickets remain valid. Book or enquire via this link or call 01723 376774.

🚌 Trains between Whitby and Middlesbrough are replaced by buses from 23 to 27 February. Network Rail is upgrading the Nunthorpe level crossing, closing the line for the week. Replacement buses call at all stations and depart every 20 minutes.

⛏️ Mitsubishi Corporation is investing in the Woodsmith Mine project near Whitby. Anglo American is extracting polyhalite, a fertiliser mineral, from the North Yorkshire site - a decade of global trials suggests it improves crop yields by 3-5% over conventional alternatives. The project has contributed nearly £2 billion locally. The board's final investment decision is not expected until 2028.

🌊 North Yorkshire Council is set to accept £180,000 to improve flood resilience in Whitby. Funding will pay for flood barriers, doors, and drainage measures on residential properties. Every £1 spent on flood resilience potentially saves £5 in future damage costs. Twelve properties have signed up.

🎭 Frozen Light are bringing The Ancient Oak of Baldor to Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre on March 3 and 4. The immersive, multi-sensory production is specially created for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities. All performances have sold out, but a waiting list is open.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🚂 The Sconesman Cometh. If you missed Valentine’s Day, pull it out of the fire with the Flying Sconesman. Running daily until 22nd February.

🏪 Scarborough has the highest shop vacancy rate in North Yorkshire at 18.6 per cent. Well above the national average and two-and-a-half times Whitby's.

🎨 A Brush With The Law. The Royal Hotel is re-painting its façade after a pink mix-up left it without consent.

📮 Community Classifieds

🏨 No. 1 York by GuestHouse with a Rare 4.9 ⭐ Rating - Grade II Listed Regency townhouse near York Minster. Book a romantic break now

🔥 Back to the Seaside returns to Scarborough Spa with a late-summer live lineup of iconic bands and cult favourites. Live music by the sea. Details

💦 Alpamare Scarborough is offering low-season entry prices this winter, with heated pools, slides and spa access. Adult tickets from £10. More info

Top GLP-1 Options, Led by Real Doctors

A smarter, clinician-guided approach to weight loss starts with JRNYS. Get ongoing provider support, HSA/FSA-eligible programs, and plans starting at $89/month.* Take a quick online quiz to see if treatment options are right for you. 100% online.

See If You’re Eligible

_{*Program fees exclude medication costs.
Clinician-guided wellness care; eligibility varies. Medications prescribed only when clinically appropriate.}

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.

Monday, February 23

09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
10:00 🪑 Exercise & Relaxation Chair Class - Beeforth's Hive, Scarborough
11:00 🪑 Exercise & Relaxation, Chair & Mat - Beeforth's Hive, Scarborough
14:00 🥋 Tai Chi classes - Filey Evron Centre
18:45 🥊 Beat Boxing Fitness - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tuesday, February 24

11:15 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:30 💃 Line Dancing: Beginners - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Line Dancing: Improvers - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎨 Afternoon Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Modern jive Lessons - Roscoe Rooms, Scarborough
19:45 🎭 We're Not Getting A Dog - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

Wednesday, February 25

10:30 ♟️ Chess & Conversation - Eastfield Library, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
17:00 🧵 SEWcial Sewing & Textile Craft - Stitched by the Beach, Scarborough
18:00 🪡 Sewing Classes with Millie - Burniston Methodist Church, Scarborough
18:45 🍑 Peach Squad: Workout - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:00 💪 Move Improve Fitness Class - Filey Methodist Church
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:30 📷 Scarborough Camera Club meeting - Newby and Scalby Community Hub

Thursday, February 26

09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:30 🧪 Home Education: Blood, Guts and Gore - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
13:30 🕵️ Sherlock Holmes - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
13:45 🎬 National Theatre Live: The Audience - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
18:30 🎨 Evening Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
19:00 🎬 National Theatre Live: The Audience - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 📝 The Poetry Afterhours Sessions - Filey Library
19:30 ⚽ Gordon Strachan & Gary McAllister - Whitby Pavilion, Whitby
19:30 🎼 Madama Butterfly: Opera - Scarborough Spa Grand Hall
19:30 🕵️ Sherlock Holmes - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Highlander Hotel, Scarborough

📅 Got A Local Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
Complete starred sections. For a FREE LISTING, check the box on the promotions page.

✉️ If you’re not already on our mailing list, you can sign up here to receive “What’s On Banff” five days a week - it’s free! 👉 Sign Up Here

➡️Know someone who’d enjoy the newsletter? Feel free to forward this email. 👉 Sign Up Here

Want to get in touch? For feedback, local stories, or questions, reply to this email. We'd love to hear from you!

👉 Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more updates!

💡 This newsletter includes affiliate and sponsor links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.