Scarborough Water Worries Are Escalating Quickly

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

Thanks for joining us for another busy week around Scarborough. There’s plenty happening, and the conversations across town are getting louder as water quality concerns continue to rise. With the mayor calling for urgent action and residents demanding answers, this story is developing quickly - and it’s clear the pressure is on for real solutions.

While that unfolds, one update from last week is still causing a stir. FlagGate hasn’t exactly calmed down, and the latest twist in the saga had readers clicking in huge numbers. It’s one of those stories that somehow keeps growing legs, long after you think it’s wrapped.

On a brighter note, if your mind is drifting toward peaceful escapes, the stunning Green Grove holiday stay on the Moors is well worth a look. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you why people travel from all over to experience Yorkshire’s countryside - calm, scenic, and a world away from the noise.

Plenty more is packed into this issue, with local events, live music, community updates and a few surprises along the way. Dive in and check out everything happening this week below.

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🔥 Happening Now - Don't Miss Out

Fri Dec 12 | 19:30 | A Christmas Night at the Musicals| Whitby Pavilion

Sat Dec 13 | 18:00 | Beauty and the Beast| Scarborough Spa

Sat Dec 13 | 19:00 | Tour: Dark Tales| To The Grand Hotel

Wed Dec 17 | 13:00 | Santa's Christmas Party| Whitby Pavilion

Sat Dec 20 | 19:30 | Supersonic Queen| Whitby Pavilion

📰 Scarborough Life

💧 Mayor says Scarborough's bathing water crisis "has to be sorted". After South Bay and North Bay earn worrying ratings, the North Yorkshire Mayor demands swift action and real accountability as pollution concerns intensify. A major public meeting is now looming. Dive into the mayor's warning here.

🎄Festive feasting at Xanders just got serious... and seriously tasty. Xanders dives headfirst into Christmas with a Luxe Festive Menu, bottomless drinks, and wildly over-the-top seasonal dishes guaranteed to spark cravings and FOMO in equal measure. Treat yourself to the full festive lineup.

🏖️ MP demands tourism tax cash stays on the coast. A heated debate erupts as MP Alison Hume insists any future visitor levy must be ring-fenced for Scarborough, Whitby, and local villages, warning against funds vanishing into wider budgets. See why this could reshape the coast's future.

🍽️ Scarborough's Community Christmas Dinner expands to two venues. Big Maya's Jerk and Maya's Club are teaming up again with The Rainbow Centre and local partners to offer a free Christmas Day meal for anyone seeking warmth, support or company. A bigger, brighter celebration awaits this year with the full Christmas Day info here.

🏡 Treat Yourself to a Historic Dales Stay. This stunning stone house in the former Coniston Cold Estate offers tranquillity and luxury. View the beautiful interiors and check availability.

☕Sandsend cafe proposes demolition and a much larger seafront rebuild. The long-running Sandside Cafe wants to replace its 1978 building with an expanded two-level venue offering more seating, better facilities and upgraded kitchens after collision damage and booming visitor demand. See how the new design could reshape the beachfront.

🌞 Your Tenerife Winter Sunshine is Now Closer. Direct flights from Leeds Bradford are back, offering quicker routes to the Canary Islands. Check out options to enjoy Tenerife’s beaches and warmth: Check Out Options to Enjoy Tenerife’s Warmth.

🍸 Whitby Distillery opens new Church Street shop as abbey site takes shape. A fresh storefront, new local jobs, and rapid progress on the £2.4m Abbey-side distillery are keeping the team busy, with spirits, stories and even a walkway of supporters in the works - have a look at what's brewing.

🏉 Big support rolls in for Scarborough RUFC's centenary revamp. Scarborough Rugby Union FC has secured national and local backing for an ambitious centenary redevelopment, including a 3G/4G pitch, new stand, padel courts and extended clubhouse, with planners now weighing the application as the club eyes a huge new era.

🍻 Wold Top Brewery goes global with new export backing. The family-run brewery has secured government-supported financing to boost overseas orders, expand its range, and reach new markets across Europe and North America - take a sip of the full story.

🚌Moorsbus boom brings big benefits to Pickering. Thousands hopped aboard the revived M1 and M3 Moorsbus routes this summer, packing out services and proving huge demand for greener, scenic days out across the North York Moors. See why locals want it back for 2026.

🎤Toyah brings her hits, stories and star power to Scarborough Spa. With a new book on the way and a UK tour packed with fan favourites, Toyah is gearing up for her Spa Theatre date on 16 April 2026 - and she's sent a special message to Scarborough. Catch her video greeting here.

🪜 'Dangerous' and 'unsightly' Scarborough steps set for full restoration. The historic Museum Steps, long closed due to structural failure and safety risks, are now lined up for repairs using original materials, improved support and a new handrail. Take a closer look at the planned makeover.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

 🚧 Scarborough's FlagGate saga takes a £2,300 twist. The man behind the cherry-picker bunting blitz has been billed £2,321 "unauthorised" flags - catch the latest.

🐋 Whitby's Whale Bone Arch replacement hits legal roadblocks. Sourcing new whalebones is proving complex - see what options are now on the table.

🏏 Scarborough Cricket Club board quits. Senior figures at North Marine Road have walked away days before a special general meeting - see what happens next.

📅 Plan Ahead - Book Now

Thu Jun 18 | 18:00 | The Kooks| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sat Jun 20 | 18:00 | Skunk Anansie & Garbage| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sun Jun 21 | 18:00 | Anastacia w. Heather Small| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Sat Jun 27 | 18:00 | Richard Ashcroft| Scarborough Open Air Theatre

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

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

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

Mon, 8th Dec

09:45 🏅 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
11:00 🎨 Mosaic Mondays! - Scarborough Mosaic Workshop, Scarborough
13:00 ✍️ Poetry Appreciation Group - Scarborough Library, Scarborough
18:30 🧘 Kundalini Yoga - Unit 9 Manor Rd Business Park, Scarborough
18:45 💃 Empower Fitness: Beat Boxing - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Empower Fitness: Clubbercise - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tue, 9th Dec

09:00 💬 Business Advice Drop In - YCE Centre, Scarborough
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
18:00 🏊 Tuesday Sea Swim - Filey Coble Landing Slip Wall End, Filey
19:30 ❓ Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Modern Jive Lessons - Roscoe Rooms, Scarborough

Wed, 10th Dec

10:30 ♟️ Chess & Conversation - Eastfield Library, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
19:00 ❓ Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
19:15 🏉 Touch Rugby Wednesdays - Scarborough Rugby Union FC, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Empower Fitness: Clubbercise - Queen Street Central Hall, Scarborough
19:30 🎨 Scarborough Camera Club Meet - Newby and Scalby Community Hub
20:00 🎷 Scarborough Jazz - The Spa Pub, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Craft Bar, Scarborough

Thu, 11th Dec

09:45 🏅 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
10:30 🎭 Wonky Donkey Children's Show - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
17:45 🏋️ Empower Fitness: Work It! Circuit - Eastfield Scout Hut, Scarborough
18:30 🏋️ Empower Fitness: Peach Squad - Eastfield Scout Hut, Scarborough
18:30 🎨 Evening Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
19:30 ♠️ Poker Night - Marley's, Scarborough
20:00 🎄 Christmas Quiz - Scarborough
20:00 ❓ Smartphone Quiz - Station Inn Whitby, Whitby
20:00 🎶 Alastair James Live - Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
20:30 ❓ Quiz Night - Highlander Hotel, Scarborough
20:30 🎤 Open Mic Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

📅 Got A Local Event To Share?

📅 Submit Here (8 days before event date)
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