Views wanted on Scarborough Harbour West Pier regeneration plan
Businesses and individuals operating from Scarborough Harbour and West Pier are being invited to give their views on a renegeration plan.
Businesses and individuals operating from Scarborough Harbour and West Pier are being invited to give their views on an option for a £6.5 million regeneration scheme, which is set to breathe new life into the heart of Scarborough’s South Bay.
The aim of the scheme is to secure a prosperous working harbour, champion fishing heritage and local seafood, and create a ‘must visit’ destination for hospitality, leisure and events.
During private focus group style sessions this week, fishing industry representatives, kiosk operators and other tenants are hearing first-hand Scarborough Borough Council’s initial thoughts on how the harbour and pier area could be improved to benefit current and future generations.
They will be able to give feedback, which will be used to help shape future plans for the scheme.
The option being considered will deliver improvements to the public realm, provide new kiosks at the entrance to the pier, refurbishment of the listed building on the pier to include improved artists’ studios, refurbishment of the harbour offices and fish market buildings to include facilities for direct sales of fish to the public, an improved and larger café/restaurant space and new public toilets.
Within the scope of the public realm improvements is the desire to create more space and better facilities for holding outdoor events.
A session is also being held with businesses operating in the neighbouring seafront area to hear their views and clearly define the links between the regeneration scheme and the wider economic development ambitions for Scarborough’s South Bay.
The cost of the Scarborough Harbour West Pier regeneration scheme is being met by £5 million from the government’s Towns Fund and the council is contributing £1.5 million.
The aim is for work on the scheme to start in autumn next year and be completed in the summer of 2024. Development of plans for the scheme will be a multi stage process with ongoing engagement with the harbour, pier and South Bay communities. It will also include a formal planning and public consultation process.
Cllr Janet Jefferson, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said:
“The harbour and pier area play a critical role in Scarborough’s local economy with strong links to the fishing and hospitality industries.
“We want to develop a scheme that supports and helps these industries to grow, while at the same create a destination that becomes the focal point for leisure activity and events within South Bay.
“We are committed to engaging with businesses and impacted groups to ensure they feel part of the scheme from this early stage and can help us to deliver a fantastic destination for Scarborough that we can all be proud of while preserving and enhancing our fishing industry heritage.”
Cllr Liz Colling, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, said:
“While respecting the traditions that make Scarborough the much loved town it is, we want to invest in new ideas and facilities so that the town becomes a more prosperous place in which to do business, live and work, as well as visit and holiday.
“This proposed scheme is one of a number of ambitious regeneration projects currently being planned in the town, which will help us to achieve our ambitions not only for the economic development of Scarborough but for the wider borough too.”