Scarborough Fablab

The FabLab+ project aims to address an identified need for digital skills within the local economy in order to improve residents’ prospects.

The Scarborough Town Investment Plan (TIP) was submitted in 2020 and identified nine priority projects including FabLab+. On 3rd March 2021, the Government announced that Scarborough had been successful in securing funds from the Towns Deal and was awarded £20.2m.

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Artist's impression of the Fablab+

The FabLab+ project aims to address an identified need for digital skills within the local economy in order to improve residents’ prospects – with digital skills now a near-universal requirement within the labour market – and support productivity improvements and economic diversification. The facility also has the opportunity to support the delivery of the Scarborough Cyber Security Strategy and allow Scarborough to secure a strategic role in driving the cyber resilience of the UK economy, linked to the presence of key stakeholders in the local economy such as Anglo American and GCHQ.

A range of outcomes are expected from the scheme including: increased numbers of the working-age population completing certified technical training courses and qualifications/apprenticeships; the number of start-ups and/or scale-ups utilising business incubation, acceleration and co-working spaces; the delivery of entry level digital skills support and employability training.