Scarborough’s World Cup Hero Gets Royal Honour

Hey Scarborough! Happy New Year to everyone 👋

From World Cup Glory to Seaside Debates

Hello and welcome back. This edition captures Scarborough at its most varied, blending big wins with big questions.

There is plenty of pride as a Scarborough World Cup hero is recognised with a King’s honour. It is a moment that puts the town firmly in the national spotlight and celebrates the determination and leadership behind a world title.

History is also front and centre as Scarborough approaches 400 years since becoming Britain’s first spa town. Plans are taking shape to mark the anniversary, drawing on centuries of stories that have helped define the resort and its place on the map.

Food fans will be pleased to hear that Scarborough has secured another title, being crowned the UK’s chippy capital. With nearly 100 fish and chip shops across town, it is a claim that few would argue with.

Balancing the good news is a growing conversation around a proposed tourism tax. Business owners are voicing concerns about what it could mean for visitor numbers and the wider coastal economy.

As always, there is plenty more waiting below, from events and live music to community stories. Have a scroll and see what catches your eye.

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📅 Plan Ahead - Book Now

Fri Jul 10 | 18:00 | Deacon Blue| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sat Jul 11 | 18:00 | Bastille| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sun Aug 02 | 18:00 | Sex Pistols w. Frank Carter| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sat Aug 08 | 18:00 | Scissor Sisters| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Fri Aug 14 | 18:00 | Holly Johnson| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

📰 Scarborough Life

🥇 Scarborough pride as World Cup winner receives King’s honour. Zoe Aldcroft’s OBE crowns a remarkable year, celebrating her leadership, grit, and global success after captaining England to Rugby World Cup triumph.

❄️ New Year snow could hit the Yorkshire coast. Arctic air, biting winds, and the first real taste of winter are lining up for Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington, with snow showers possible and temperatures feeling well below zero as 2026 begins.

🗿 Statues, stamps and spa water legends fuel Scarborough’s 400th birthday. A £95K statue reveal, Seafest relocation, giant artworks, and tales of foul-tasting spa water come together as Scarborough gears up for a milestone anniversary packed with heritage and fun.

🥂 Deal Alert: Sundays in York With a Twist. The Sunday Night Club offers couples fizz, a generous dining credit at Pearly Cow, and a Grade II Listed stay. Turn the quietest night into a special treat. Check for availability.

🍟 Scarborough is crowned the UK’s ultimate chippy capital. Nearly 100 fish and chip shops pack this seaside town, officially making Scarborough the most chip-shop-dense place in Britain. Fried, battered, and dripping in bragging rights, this is peak seaside food glory.

🏠 Filey businesses say second home owners keep the High Street alive. Cafe owners warn that higher council tax on second homes could drive customers away, empty shops, and make Filey’s already long winters even tougher for local businesses to survive.

Food or energy? Filey MP draws a line over solar panels. Opposition is heating up after Kevin Hollinrake criticised solar schemes on prime farmland, saying best-grade land should stay focused on feeding people, not powering grids.

🐕 Good news for Whitby day-trippers and their dogs. New Year’s Day trains from Middlesbrough and Darlington are running as advertised, unaffected by rail issues elsewhere, making last-minute coastal adventures officially stress-free.

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🌊 Scarborough's Sea Life Centre is Open Year-Round. You can see turtles, rays, and colourful sea life all winter long at this popular marine attraction. It’s the perfect indoor family day by the coast: Reserve Your Tickets Here.

🌈 Scarborough Rainbow Centre smashes its £10,000 Christmas appeal target. Community generosity poured in just in time, funding toys and vouchers for every family who applied, and proving festive spirit is alive and well across Scarborough.

🤔 Yorkshire coast bosses baffled by tourism tax talk. Councillors and tourism groups say plans for a visitor levy feel rushed and unclear, with fears it could hurt coastal towns where margins are tight, and every booking really counts.

⛺ Tent stays under threat as Yorkshire clamps down on wild camping. From Peasholm Park to Whitby Abbey grounds, unauthorised camping could soon bring hefty fines, with officials citing fires, barbecues, and even makeshift toilets as major concerns.

🦉 Whitby wildlife rescue gets the green light for a new community hub. Plans for a timber log cabin at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary are approved, creating much-needed space for education, workshops, and conservation as rescue numbers continue to soar.

🌍 From food waste to school uniforms - Scarborough in eco push. Councils are chasing National Lottery funding for a three-year project aimed at slashing waste, boosting reuse, and helping towns like Scarborough go fully circular.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

⚠️ MP slams tourism tax as coastal businesses struggle to survive. Critics say a new tax could be the final straw for the Yorkshire Coast economy.

🚉 Big makeover planned for Scarborough station gateway. Fresh plans have landed aiming to give visitors a much warmer first impression of town.

🚌 Scarborough bus jobs face Chinese import threat. A Yorkshire Coast MP has warned that hundreds of Scarborough manufacturing jobs could be at risk.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

Fri, 2nd Jan

09:45 🏅 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
18:00 💃 Line Dancing - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 🏅 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
20:30 🎤 Open Mic Night - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Sat, 3rd Jan

11:30 🧘 Yogalates - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 🎭 Pantomime - Treasure Island - YMCA Theatre, Scarborough
19:00 👻 Tour: Dark Tales - To The Grand Hotel, Scarborough
21:00 🎶 Live Music Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Sun, 4th Jan

10:00 🛍️ Table Top Sales - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
10:00 🏄 Scarborough Aquapaddle - Wykeham Lakes, Scarborough
18:00 🎶 Jesse Caine: Live - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough

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