Pride in Place is a long-term government programme that brings investment into towns to improve places and support local communities.
Scarborough will receive around £20 million over the next 10 years to deliver projects that make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. Funding will support both physical improvements and community activity.
The programme focuses on themes set by government, including:
- cohesion
- education and opportunity
- health and wellbeing
- housing
- regeneration, high streets and heritage
- safety and security
- transport
- work, productivity and skills
Further information on the programme can be found on the government website here.
At the centre of this programme is a Neighbourhood Board, working with us and local partners to drive growth by improving the physical and social infrastructure of the community and deliver improvements to the everyday lives of these communities.
A 10-year regeneration plan has been developed by the board and shaped by community feedback.
The plan was submitted to government in November 2025 and has now been approved. It sets out how funding will be used to improve the town over the next decade aligned to the three strategic objectives of the programme:
- thriving places
- stronger communities
- local voice (taking back control)
The 10-year regeneration plan is available here (pdf / 877 KB).
Community engagement
Community engagement has been central to shaping Pride in Place.
Initial engagement began in May 2024, when you shared your priorities and ideas through Let’s Talk Scarborough.
We received 1,580 responses to our interactive map survey where people shared ideas about what improvements they would like to see and where. We also spoke directly with 1,148 people through 28 pop-up events and workshops.
Full results from Let’s Talk Scarborough are available here (pdf / 1 MB).
A further round of engagement took place in June 2025, aligned to the Pride in Place themes, to build on what we had already heard. 1,046 people took part through 22 in-person and partner-led events, supported by an online survey.
Read the Scarborough Plan for Neighbourhoods engagement analysis and summary report (pdf / 682 KB).
The most recent engagement took place in January and February 2026 and focused on a shortlist of proposed projects. Residents, businesses and local organisations were invited to share their views to help decide which projects should go ahead.
The table below shows the net favourability results for each of the shortlisted projects:
Pride in Place shortlist results
| Project | Strongly disagree (%) | Disagree (%) | Neither agree or disagree (%) | Agree (%) | Strongly agree (%) | Number of responses | Net score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprucing Up Scarborough | 3 | 4 | 12 | 31 | 50 | 1,069 | plus 74.9 |
| Turning Tides (Youth support) | 3 | 5 | 20 | 34 | 38 | 1,066 | plus 64.8 |
| Youth Spaces Network | 2 | 5 | 22 | 38 | 33 | 1,054 | plus 64 |
| Scarborough Fair | 6 | 8 | 17 | 35 | 34 | 1,071 | Plus 55.2 |
| SQ1/ Brunswick (cinema and leisure) | 9 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 45 | 1,069 | Plus 54.2 |
| Watersports and Sea Centre | 6 | 8 | 20 | 31 | 36 | 1,067 | Plus 52.8 |
| Community grants/Voice Your Choice | 4 | 6 | 27 | 38 | 26 | 1,046 | Plus 51.9 |
| Old Town Regeneration | 4 | 8 | 28 | 37 | 23 | 1,063 | Plus 50.8 |
| Stephen Joseph Theatre upgrades | 8 | 9 | 17 | 27 | 38 | 1,068 | Plus 45.7 |
| Men's Wellbeing Hub | 5 | 9 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 1,083 | Plus 44.2 |
| Volunteering Hub | 5 | 10 | 28 | 32 | 26 | 1,057 | Plus 43 |
Read the full engagement report here (pdf / 2 MB).
What people told us
Feedback from the community has helped identify the main community priorities for Scarborough. These include:
A town centre we’re proud of
Residents want a cleaner, better-maintained, more attractive town centre with fewer empty units, improved shopfronts and public spaces that feel welcoming.
Safety and support
Feeling safe when moving around the town both day and night was a major theme. Residents raised concerns about antisocial behaviour, poorly lit routes and intimidating environments.
Better transport and road safety
Residents described reliable transport as essential for accessing work, education, health appointments and social activities.
Opportunities for young people and families
People consistently highlighted the need for affordable, year-round activities and safe spaces for young people.
Health, wellbeing and inclusion
Residents emphasised the importance of well-maintained green spaces, safe walking routes, rest points and opportunities to take part in low- or no-cost wellbeing activities.
Cohesion, identity and communication
People want Scarborough to feel more connected and celebrated. Residents called for more cultural activities and events, better use of local heritage, and clearer communication about what is happening in the town.
Housing, work and skills choices
Residents highlighted issues around housing quality, support for people who are vulnerable or at risk, and the need for clearer pathways into training, jobs and local business opportunities.