Plans to transform Scarborough’s former Brunswick Centre into a brand-new leisure and retail hub could be getting a multi-million-pound financial boost.
Senior councillors at North Yorkshire Council will meet on Tuesday 27 October to discuss a proposed £8,000,000 loan to developer Scarborough Group International. On top of the loan, a £3,000,000 pre-development funding package is being drawn up alongside the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Pride in Place programme.
The money would help kickstart the next stage of the project, covering detailed design work, structural checks, internal demolition, and a new planning application.
Under the plans, the vacant shopping centre would be turned into a year-round attraction complete with a 6-screen cinema seating 600 people, 1 indoor family leisure venue, 3 food and drink outlets, and 2 new retail units.
The Brunswick Centre shut its doors in September last year, but the council hopes this new vision will bring fresh life into the heart of the town. Forecasts suggest the finished scheme could create over 400 direct jobs, generate £45,000,000 in annual spending, and draw around 850,000 visitors every year.
Official figures show that Scarborough currently attracts 3,900,000 visits each year, with tourism contributing £579,500,000 to the local economy.
“The site of the former Brunswick Centre is in the heart of Scarborough and would be an important element for our plans for regeneration across the town and the wider coastal area,” said Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business. “These proposals have the potential to transform a large vacant site into a vibrant destination that will attract both residents and visitors throughout the year.”
If the executive approves the funding package in principle next week, the next phase of pre-development work will take around 12 months before a final decision is made on construction.
