Who Gets The Cash

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

First up, the story that has people talking: the proposed overnight visitor levy. Scarborough Town Council says an estimated £8m raised from it should stay in the town, not drift off to places like York or Harrogate. If this goes ahead, the big question is simple - who actually gets the cash, and what will it be spent on locally?

Next, there is a big transport development on the horizon. A huge new bus depot is planned for Scarborough Business Park, with major investment behind it and a clear nod to electric buses and future fleets. It is the kind of project that quietly changes how a town moves day to day.

And then there is Burniston. The 38-metre gas rig proposal is heading toward a decision next week, with strong objections already on record and planning officers recommending approval. Expect a lot of debate on this one.

Now, take a look at the full events and live music listings below - there is plenty going on this week.

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📰 Scarborough Life

🏨 Hands off our visitor tax cash! Scarborough Town Council is demanding that an estimated £8m raised from a proposed overnight visitor levy stays in the town. Councillors fear the money could be "syphoned off" to York or Harrogate rather than fixing our local infrastructure.

🔥 Gas rig showdown set for next week. North Yorkshire Council has refused to delay a decision on the 38-metre gas rig proposed for Burniston. Despite 1,500 objections and calls for a pause from MP Alison Hume, planning officers have recommended approval for the "proppant squeeze" drilling site.

🚌 Huge new bus depot coming to Scarborough. Developer Good REIT Ltd has secured a £4.1m loan to build a 139,000 sq ft bus depot. The "future-ready" facility at Scarborough Business Park will feature 80 bays and is specially designed to support Go Ahead Group’s transition to electric fleets.

🎾 Padel power coming to Scarborough! Scarborough RUFC is smashing it with a new heated indoor centre for 2026. This non-profit hub promises affordable pickleball and padel, with all profits boosted back into local grassroots sport.

🚽 North Yorkshire pee fee or closure? A major review of North Yorkshire's 93 public toilets could see a 50p entry fee introduced to make the network sustainable. The council is considering closing underused or dilapidated sites while upgrading others to a "good" or "excellent" standard by 2030.

💰 Town Council budget sparks fierce debate. Reform councillors have pushed through a precept cut for residents. However, opposition members are fuming over "unambitious" plans that slash community grants by more than half to swell council reserves.

🚌 Scarborough-built electric buses make their debut. Alexander Dennis has unveiled its next-generation Enviro200EV, confirming all production models will be assembled in Scarborough. The lightweight, British-built single-deckers feature 400kWh of battery storage and a spacious interior for up to 43 passengers.

⚓ Charting a new course for our coast. North Yorkshire Council has launched a ten-year plan to revitalise harbours in Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey. Residents are invited to shape the strategy, which includes the new £10m Whitby Maritime Hub due to open this April.

🔥 MP fights for wildfire recovery cash. Alison Hume has called on the government to widen recovery grants to include wildfire victims. Following the 10-square-mile Langdale Moor blaze, the MP argues that farmers and businesses deserve the same financial support currently offered for flooding events.

✨ Scarborough celebrates 400 years as a seaside resort. The Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre has launched a special exhibition marking the quatercentenary of Mrs Farrer’s 1626 spa water discovery. Featuring an AI-generated rendition of Mrs Farrer, the displays explore the town's journey from a medicinal spring to Britain's first seaside destination.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🗣️ Sociable adult language terms start soon. Master French, Spanish, or Italian with friendly lessons in central Scarborough or Whitby.

🏛️ Scarborough Spa to host 400th-anniversary heritage sculpture. The unveiling is set for mid-July during the town's core anniversary events program.

🔥 Gas prices rocket 40% as a "perfect storm" hits. With storage low and the North Sea chill biting, experts warn this spike could hike energy bills this April. 

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🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

Monday, January 26

09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, 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, January 27

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

Wednesday, January 28

10:30 ♟️ Chess & Conversation - Eastfield Library, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
18:45 🍑 Peach Squad: Workout - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:00 ❓ Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:00 💪 Move Improve Fitness Class - Filey Methodist Church
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 📷 Scarborough Camera Club Meet - Newby & Scalby Community Hub
20:00 🎷 Scarborough Jazz - The Spa Pub, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Craft Bar, Scarborough

Thursday, January 29

09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
18:30 🎨 Evening Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
20:00 📱 Smartphone Quiz - Station Inn Whitby
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Highlander Hotel, Scarborough

📅 Got A Local Event To Share?

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📮 Community Classifieds

🎭 Adult Panto: Beauty and the Beast - Starring Cheryl and Icesis Couture. Adult-only drag show at Spa Theatre, Jan 30. Tickets from £29.50. Book now

🔍 Murder For Two - Hilarious musical whodunit at Stephen Joseph Theatre, Mar 28 - Apr 18. Two actors, 13 characters, one piano. Tickets from £10. Book tickets

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

🍽️ Winter Season Special at Nine Eighty Bistro + Bar - Enjoy a 2-course meal for £22. Available Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. View deal

💃 Mamma Mia Experience - Themed evening of food, live sing-alongs, and dancing at The Mayfield Seamer, Feb 27, 2026. Selling fast. Check it out.

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