Investing in Scarborough

Improvements to help re-establish the town as a key place to live, work and visit, and ways to get involved.

We are working together with a number of groups and partnerships to drive forward real improvements in Scarborough. The work focuses on specific challenges including:

  • the look and feel of the town centre
  • making people feel safer; and 
  • identifying how services can be better joined up to support our most vulnerable residents

Improving the look and feel of Scarborough town centre

We have joined with residents, businesses and voluntary organisations for a major programme of improvement work in Scarborough to boost civic pride, revitalise run-down areas and encourage more people to visit the town.

The scheme, which will build on work routinely carried out in the resort, follows feedback from people in the area who love where they live, but believe more is needed to re-establish the town as a key place to live, work and visit.

As well as making areas more visually appealing, the work also aims to improve public safety and reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.

More than £200,000 has already been committed to a whole range of improvements which include:

  • investment in state-of-the-art cleaning equipment to tackle problem areas more effectively
  • support for community-led activity and initiatives
  • brightening up public spaces with vibrant flower and shrub planting
  • providing a town centre caretaker
  • commissioning a large-scale mural to celebrate Scarborough’s identity and create a new town centre landmark
  • improving shop fronts and bringing empty units back into use
  • installing new litter bins and benches, and refreshing existing street furniture

Work is also underway on developing a new town centre design guide to help make sure building improvements and the wider public realm reflect the unique character of Scarborough. The aim is to support high-quality changes that fit in with the town’s look and feel, especially in areas with historic significance.

The government has confirmed that Scarborough will receive almost £20 million of funding as part of a national programme to bring major investment to towns across the country. Previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns, it has been rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods with an expanded remit to improve health and wellbeing along with work, productivity and skills. 

As part of the programme, we have carried out a consultation process called ‘Let’s Talk Scarborough’ to identify people’s priorities. More than 60 percent of people who responded thought there was a need for a town centre that looked better, felt safer, and was more welcoming, with tidier shop fronts and well-maintained public spaces.

As a result, council money has been allocated to make sure progress is made in the meantime before proposals under the Plan for Neighbourhoods take shape.

The programme includes more than 30 projects that boost civic pride, support local businesses, and create a cleaner, and more welcoming place for everyone. From eye-catching murals to grants for shop front improvements, the programme will deliver real, visible change.

Big Spring Clean – March 2025

Our staff, along with partner organisations, businesses and more than 70 volunteers also joined forces for two days of community action in March to help give the town centre a big spring clean. This consisted of:

  • 500 square metres of green space being tidied up by weeding, pruning and planting flowers
  • 745 metres of railings were given a fresh coat of paint
  • 20 bags of litter were collected with the help of Keep Scarborough Tidy and North Yorkshire Police Cadets
  • council staff carrying out routine cleaning and jet washing of pedestrianised areas and pavements throughout the town centre, as well as the removal of graffiti and chewing gum

Get involved

Most people get rid of rubbish responsibly and look after their local area, but if you spot graffiti or you know about an area where litter is a persistent problem, please report it to our street cleaning team.

We can provide equipment and advice to voluntary groups or individuals who want to organise community clean up events. More information is available on our community litter pick page.

There are also lots of local groups and organisations with regular events that anyone can join in with to help keep Scarborough tidy. Below is a list of upcoming events.

Upcoming events

May events

 

Date Time Event How to join
Tuesday 20 May 6.30pm Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough North Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 20 May event web page
Monday 26 May 10am Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough South Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 26 May event web page
Wednesday 28 May 11am Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Saturday 31 May 1.20pm Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website

June events

 

Date Time Event How to join
Saturday 31 May 1.20pm Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Wednesday 4 June 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Scarborough Castle Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Wednesday 4 June 6.30pm Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough North Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 4 June event web page
Sunday 8 June 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Raincliffe Woods Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Monday 9 June 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Scarborough Mere Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Tuesday 10 June To be confirmed Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Gallows Close Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Saturday 14 June 12pm Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Tuesday 17 June 10am to 12 pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Burton Riggs Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Saturday 28 June 12.30pm Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Sunday 29 June 10am Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough South Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 29 June event web page

July events

Date Time Event How to join
Wednesday 2 July           6.30pm Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough North Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 2 July event web page
Thursday 3 July 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Cinder Track Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Tuesday 22 July 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at South Cliff Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Thursday 24 July 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Peasholm Park Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Friday 25 July 10.45am Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Sunday 27 July 10am Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough South Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 27 July event web page
Monday 28 July 12.45pm Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Tuesday 29 July 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at South Cliff Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 
Thursday 31 July 10am to 12pm Keep Scarborough Tidy litter pick at Peasholm Park Email keepscarboroughtidy@yahoo.com or contact via the Keep Scarborough Tidy Facebook group 

August events

Date Time Event How to join
Monday 11 August 11.30am Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website
Monday 18 August 6.30pm Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough North Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 18 August event web page
Sunday 24 August 10am Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Waves of Waste Scarborough South Bay beach clean Sign up at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust 24 August event web page
Monday 25 August 11.45am Sealife Scarborough beach clean Sign up at the Sealife Scarborough website