Welcome to the Scarborough and Whitby page of the Business North Yorkshire newsletter. Here you will find details of local networking groups, events in the area, and business news from around the constituency.

To feature your business news or events, contact us by email.

Networking events in your area

My Business Networking

Venue: South Cliff Golf Club, Scarborough, YO11 2UE

• held every other Thursday from 4 June

Book a place on the my business networking website

Scarborough BOB Club

Venue: Scarborough Rugby Club, Scalby, YO13 0NL

• held every other Friday from 5 June

Book a networking place on Eventbrite

WIN Networking 

Venue: Penny Hedge, Stainsacre Lane, Whitby, YO22 4NL

• held every other Friday from 12 June, 7.30am to 9am

Book a ticket to WIN Networking on Eventbrite

YNY Network

Venue: Flavours Bistro, Scarborough, YO12 5RE

• Tuesday 16 June

Book a place at the YNY Network event on Eventbrite

Handelsbanken Business Breakfast

Venue: Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club, Scalby, YO13 0NL

• Thursday 25 June

For further information, email scarborough@handelsbanken.co.uk

CoWork Whitby - Let's get social events

Venue: CoWork Whitby, Church House, Flowergate, Whitby, YO21 3BA

• pizza: First Thursday every month at 5.30pm
• brunch: Second Tuesday every month at 11am

Visit the CoWork Whitby Facebook or email info@coworkwhitby.co.uk for more information.

News and events in your area

Armed Forces Advocacy event: Wednesday 24 June, 3pm to 5.30pm

The Grand Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2ET

Join our Business Advocacy Event to discover how the Armed Forces Covenant can benefit your organisation and community. Hear from North Yorkshire Council about achieving Gold Award status and from local businesses about the impact of their commitments. You’ll also learn about available support, share best practices, explore ways to get involved, and find out more about MOD recruitment support services.

Followed by:

Armed Forces Reserves Day Celebrations: Wednesday 24 June, 6pm to 8.30pm
The Grand Hotel, Scarborough, YO11 2ET
Reserves Day celebrations:

• guest speaker - Air Commodore
• Armed Forces Covenant co-signing ceremony
• networking, drinks and canapés

For further information about both events and to reserve your tickets, please visit the Armed Forces Advocacy Event & Reserves Day Celebrations event on Eventbrite.

MP Roundtable event for Scarborough/Whitby

Friday 26 June – venue to be confirmed

Manufacturing and Engineering businesses are invited to this event to share challenges, explore opportunities, and exchange ideas to drive the sector forward.

For further information, email Carey.bilton@northyorks.gov.uk

Growth Hub Roadshow: Whitby

9.30am to 3.30pm

Join the Growth Hub Roadshow in Whitby for a full day of practical business support, networking, and expert advice. Focused on sustainability, the event brings together partners including NatWest Accelerator and local advisors to showcase support in action, with interactive sessions, a live Q&A and a “hotseat” challenge helping a local business tackle real issues.

For further information and to reserve your place, visit the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub website.

Eastfield Town Investment Plan business engagement and support event

Thursday 2 July

Join us for a free business support drop-in plus have your say on the Filey Town Investment Plan.

For further information, email Carey.bilton@northyorks.gov.uk.

Yorkshire Day Event - Scarborough Market Hall and Vaults

Saturday 1 August, 10am to 4pm

Artists, crafters, makers, musicians and traders are invited to help celebrate Yorkshire Day and register to sell their products at Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults. For more information, email Scarborough.Markethall@northyorks.gov.uk.

Scarborough Market Hall & Vaults are offering casual tables at £12 per day for businesses to test products and services. Anyone interested should email Scarborough.Markethall@northyorks.gov.uk.

Scarborough 400: Resources to help your business celebrate

Scarborough will celebrate a major milestone in 2026, marking 400 years since the discovery of its spa waters, which played a key role in shaping the town’s identity. The anniversary offers a great opportunity for businesses of all kinds to get involved by hosting themed events, creating special offers, or helping share Scarborough’s story. A dedicated Business Toolkit is available to provide simple guidance and resources to support participation.

More information on Scarborough 400: Resources to help your business celebrate can be found on the Visit North Yorkshire website.

Did you know there is a new monthly Sunday market in Scarborough?

Scarborough Coble Market brings together a carefully curated mix of artists, antique dealers, makers, craftspeople and artisans in a vibrant new event on St Helen’s Square, opposite the Market Hall & Vaults.

With stalls inside and outside, featuring art, crafts, antiques, vinyl, food, music, vintage.

Dates: Sunday 14 June, Sunday 12 July, Sunday 9 August, Sunday 13 September, 9am to 2pm

To find out more or hire a stall please visit the Scarborough Coble Market website.

Nominations open for the 2026 Scarborough STEM Week Awards

Organisations across North Yorkshire are invited to celebrate outstanding young people in STEM as nominations open for the 2026 Scarborough STEM Week Awards. The annual awards, hosted by the Scarborough Business Ambassadors, recognise under-25s making a positive impact and a difference across Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

This year features two awards:

• the Vaugan Bulmer Award for the Most Exceptional Young Engineer
• the Most Exceptional Young Person in STEM

Businesses can nominate individuals who have shown exceptional talent, resilience, or contribution through projects, mentoring, or as role models. There is no fixed criteria, and up to three nominations can be submitted per award.

For the first time, nominations are open to all organisations across North Yorkshire. Winners will be announced at the Scarborough STEM Week Dinner on Wednesday 7 October at the Scarborough Spa, where winners attend as VIP guests. Dinner tickets are available at £55 per person.

Nominations close on Monday 10 August via the links provided.

For more information, including exhibition opportunities, visit the Scarborough STEM Week website or contact claire@nybep.org.uk.

Free Scarborough expo to help small businesses connect and grow

A small business expo is coming to Scarborough, bringing together more than 30 exhibitors for startups, SMEs and self-employed people.

Hosted by BoB Club Scarborough, it will take place at Scarborough Rugby Club on Wednesday 10 June, from 10.30am to 2.30pm. The event offers local business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to explore services, meet partners and get advice from organisations that support growth.

Organisers say the expo is a simple way to step away from emails and have productive face-to-face conversations. Mike Wildey, chair of BoB Club Scarborough, said the aim is to make it easier for businesses to connect, find support, and build new relationships.

The event is suited to both new and established businesses seeking ideas, contacts, and practical help.

The event is free to attend, please book your ticket for the Scarborough small business expo on Eventbrite.

Business Spotlight

Wilsons Food Hall near Scarborough wins top FSB Start Up Business award

Wilsons Food Hall near Scarborough has been crowned the top start up business in the region at the prestigious FSB and HSBC Small Business Growth Awards.

Owners Louise and Adrian Wilson beat 2,000 other entries to win the Start Up Business category for Yorkshire, The Humber and the North East.

The independent, family-run business scooped the award at the celebration dinner in Leeds on 7 May. The category celebrates businesses which have been operating for under two years in any sector that ‘have grown while building a solid foundation upon which their business can thrive’.

Louise and Adrian will now be flying the flag for Yorkshire at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and HSBC national final, taking place at The Savoy in London on Thursday 4 June.

Wilsons Food Hall opened its doors in the village of Seamer in November 2024. It was born from an 18-year vision held by Adrian and Louise to create an independent bistro/cafe, deli and wine bar that would make a difference; built on quality, inclusivity and a broad offering for all. 

It’s quickly become one of the area’s standout success stories. Locals have dubbed it ‘the beating heart of Seamer’, reflecting its warm atmosphere and strong community focus.

Wilsons is a thriving, premium food hall, which is open seven days a week. It features an in-house bakery producing fresh breads, cakes and pastries and a deli counter alongside a welcoming bistro serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals. There’s also a popular takeaway offering, including stone-baked pizzas, and a carefully curated wine cellar showcasing over 200 wines from small, independent vineyards.

According to Adrian and Louise, Wilsons is also one of the few venues granted permission to serve H.R. Higgins coffee - holder of the prestigious Royal Warrant. This was following an introduction made by our Senior Business Advisor, Carey Bilton.

Employing a team of 27 staff aged from 17 to 70, Wilsons provides sustainable jobs while fostering a team that reflects the diversity of its customer base.

It’s also established itself as a lively events space and meeting point for local businesses, residents and visitors. Regular events include live music nights and book clubs, with upcoming additions such as a weekend walking group. Previous events include a Yorkshire beer evening with pie and peas, a Taittinger Champagne UK tasting and Piano Sunday - complete with local saxophonists and live singer.

Louise said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Start Up Business category at the FSB & HSBC Small Business Growth Awards. To receive this recognition so early in our journey means a huge amount to us all. The evening was incredibly inspiring, being surrounded by so many passionate and hardworking businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region. 

“Winning this award is a real reflection of the dedication, commitment and hard work our entire team puts into Wilsons every single day, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved together. We’re now really looking forward to representing the region at the national final at The Savoy in London and meeting the other finalists from across the UK.”

More information can be found on the Wilsons Food Hall website.

Your local Senior Business Advisor

As Senior Business Advisor for Scarborough and Whitby, Carey’s primary role is to promote and support business growth and the economic potential of North Yorkshire, and she works with colleagues, partners and key stakeholders to help deliver our Economic Growth Strategy. Carey takes the lead responsibility for delivering a bespoke one-to-one business engagement and support service to the businesses of the Scarborough and Whitby constituency.

Carey brings with her more than 31 years of experience working with businesses in the public and private sectors. She is a passionate advocate of apprenticeships having worked 28 years within the training and skills sector and she has also run her own business based in Scarborough. Outside of work, Carey is a member of the Scarborough Athletic Club and a regular Parkrun volunteer.

To book an appointment, contact us by email.