Submitted by Captain Black on
"More than 4000 publicly owned buildings and spaces are being sold off by councils in England every year, according to a Freedom of Information request by community charity Locality. It says parks, libraries, town halls and swimming pools are among properties being sold, often to private developers to build luxury flats. The charity warns that cash-strapped councils are making up for budget shortfalls by selling off assets which are vital community hubs for both young and old. It contacted all 353 local authorities in England and found a "consistently high" number of public buildings being sold year on year from 2012 to 2016..."
https://democracy.scarborough.gov.uk/documents/s81295/1886%20Commercial%...
To Market To Market ...
" We live in rapidly-moving times in terms of high streets, town centres and shopping trends: the very heart of many towns and cities are at risk of being devastated with the ongoing closure of many long-established stores – House of Fraser, BHS, Top Shop, HMV, Debenhams, M&S, Miss Selfridge et al. “Going to the shops” may be a thing of the past...
Clearly something else is quickly needed to stop the rot, and bring life back into town centres, and give them a new purpose. Scarborough is a classic example: dead shop windows, neglected public areas, apparent random developments and no real focus on where the real heart of the town is supposed to be....
This need not be the case – since 1853, Scarborough has had a vibrant heart – if you can find it, the Market Hall in St Helen’s Square. This magnificent building with great heritage has recently had the best part of £3 million spent bringing it back to life, and we must not miss the opportunity to maximise the potential this institution brings to drive change into the centre of our town.
Several other similarly-aged markets around the UK have recently undergone facelifts, and these rejuvenations have created vibrant, functional, relevant attractions. A visit to Altrincham market in Greater Manchester will give you an idea.
With the growing shift to online and out of town shopping, a successful market hall has to be a place of tradition, variety, entertainment, and modern functionality. In spite of our regular pursuit of cheaper food and better value – Aldi vs Lidl vs Proudfoot vs Tesco vs Sanisbury vs Morrisons – there is a developing trend, quite properly, to support those local producers, suppliers and entrepreneurs who have a story and message that accompanies their products. It’s not always about the price, it can be about the buying experience.
Our 165 year-old market can help us do this – a daily showcase of what is great in our local area and region, served by warm, friendly, local characters. It must be an enjoyable and effective place to shop, perhaps not every day, but it must be busy! I gather a quarter of a million pounds is earmarked for web development for online sales for market traders: this may be an important ingredient in overall success, but what a successful market needs above all else is regular footfall ie people.
Better to spend some of this cash on directional signage around the town, local signage outside the Market, and tidying up the immediate area. St Helen’s Square is perhaps not the most attractive part of town (well done Homebird House!) but it’s amazing what a bit of local pride can do. Also, once the council makes its mind up about what to do with the old Argos building, the whole centre of town will be radically uplifted. It may take a while, but the Market Hall has stood for 165 years, and isn’t going anywhere...
Once customers – locals and visitors alike – have found the Market, it’s important they are met by that exciting range of offers that are possible – there are at least six shop units empty on the ground floor – not a great welcome. Where is the fishmonger; the cheesemonger; the local pie shop; the wine bar? How about chef’s demonstrations using skills of the TEC’s students and local produce from the stallholders? I gather several enterprises have considered setting up in the Market, only to be put off by rents and business rates: a half empty Market is a disaster.
The landlord Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) must see the wisdom of encouraging new (and existing) traders with much lower (free for six months?) rentals, fit out cost support, and business plan aid. It is in everyone’s interests, (especially the council’s) to develop and establish the building as a centre of variety, activity, quality and excellence. Mediocrity must be banished!
Also, why are we promoting a monthly food market at the top of town in Westborough? Surely the logical place for these markets is in our own Market Hall to expose shoppers to what is available there on a regular basis. The resident traders are not at all fearful of competition, but they are wary of the echoing silence of no customers.
I suppose it’s all about accountability and innovation: it’s interesting to note that other successful market regenerations have often involved councils handing over ownership and control of the asset to a cooperative of trader owner/operators. The new holding company takes on marketing, setting affordable rents, management of common areas, and building a blend of offers to meet the customers’ needs. Food and drink form an important part of the Market’s activities; shopping is important, but often an incidental part of the social event.
Perhaps a new model is needed here in Scarborough to maximise the value of this precious asset. Traders and entrepreneurs with real focus, incentive and ownership make successful markets and retail experiences: landlords seldom do."
Answers on a postcard?
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMPM1q_Uyxc
Oh, OK :
Dig out the details :
Property Investment Strategy
"It's time to acknowledge facts, and to embrace a decisive change that would be economically and socially beneficial, as well as rather liberating for Conservatives in showing sensible new opinions are welcome," he wrote. "Can British Conservatives be as bold as Canadian Liberals? We ought to be."
Erm, if you have to smoke weed to feel normal what does that tell you?
6 Comments
The Un-Amused
Submitted by Captain Black on
"2:05pm 21st June 2018 Trading days at Whitby Market are going to be restricted.
Those working there say they are unhappy at the lack of consultation on the issue.
A statement from Scarborough Borough Council said:
"Following the appointment of a new Market Superintendent for Whitby and Scarborough earlier this year, a comprehensive review of the operation and management of Whitby Market is underway.
Anne Marshall is a trader and said:
Councillor Bill Chatt, Cabinet Member for Sustainability said:
Councillor Bill Chatt tells us where we are at now:.."
Brass... Tracks:
"6:30am 22nd June 2018
Scarborough could see a new cinema complex by the end of next summer.
We told you at the end of last year how a new target opening date had been set for Easter 2019, but developers Benchmark Leisure says there have been problems.
They've centred around satisfying the operator's requirement to have high street restaurants chains as part of the development.
Under new plans, it will have 5 or 6 screens instead of 7, local restaurants rather than High Street franchises - and 75 apartments rather than around 30.
Some have doubted whether the project would ever get off the ground, but Chief Executive of Benchmark, Roland Duce, says he wants it open next year..."
https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2614549/scarborough-...
Don't spose there's a tunnel between the Castle & the Market ...
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt_6kiRZbas
Ooh
http://www.jackbinns.org/
Ah, so ...
https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia-scarborough-lie...
"The only good news for Scarborough was the decision in London not to destroy the castle, but to restore its curtain walls and barbican and maintain a permanent garrison there..."
Dig Dig.
"These Royalist reinforcements, by Parliament’s press named “Walloons”, French-speaking, Catholics from the Spanish Netherlands, refused to retreat to the castle when Bethell’s soldiers stormed the town on September 15, 1648. Scarborough became a battle-ground. The “Walloons”, who were in fact a motley collection of Irish, Scots, Welsh and English, were massacred in an orgy of street fighting, some before surrender, some after. All were thought to be Irish Catholics and as such, by order of Parliament, could be put to death legitimately without delay or mercy. Since they were said to have ill-treated Scarborough’s civilians, the motive might also have been revenge.
The second siege of the castle lasted just three months. Again, as in 1645, all 260 soldiers in the garrison were allowed to return to their homes, or given passes “to go beyond sea”. Horses were made available for those who could afford to hire them. Officers were permitted to keep their swords and pistols, but other arms were to be surrendered on Scarborough Common."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHGXwQeUk7M
'Hips n Hops'
Submitted by Benefitz Betty on
https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/latest-news/hits-and-hops-lined-scarborou...
"Taking centre stage at the 20th edition of Seafest will be a huge music and beer marquee on West Pier, hosted by The Great Yorkshire Brewery, offering more than 35 locally sourced real ales, including old favourites and brand new beers from micro-brewers from around the region.
The brewery has been producing award winning ales for more than 25 years and this year has created an exclusive beer to celebrate Seafest’s special anniversary. The beer, called ‘Endeavour’ in a nod to the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s first expedition to the South Seas, is already a world record breaker, being made from 2018 different hops!.."
How about all hopping it off to the Market Hall?
Gosh, that's far too sensible.
Ohm Ohm ...
Time Warps
Submitted by Captain Black on
https://democracy.scarborough.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=271&MId=10679
Hmmm ...
https://democracy.scarborough.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetails.aspx?ls=12&S...
Perish the thought.
https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/wesley-hall-whitby-notice-application
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwWfE4DAyao
https://www.scarborough.gov.uk/wesley-hall-whitby-notice-application
"Wesleyan Chapel. - The Wesleyan Methodists first began to worship here in 1750. In 1788 they built the chapel in Church Street, and John Wesley, the founder of the sect, preached in it at the opening. It is a large, plain, brick building, pleasantly situated on an eminence, providing accommodation for 600 persons. Formerly the approach to the chapel was through a court or alley, on either side of which were houses. A few years ago R. E. Paunet, Esq., purchased the property, which he had taken down, thus providing a spacious entrance to the chapel by an attractive flight of steps. The original cost of the building was £1,200, and a similar sum has since been spent in various ways upon it.
In 1814 the Wesleyan body erected another place of worship in Brunswick Street (formerly called Scate Lane), to accommodate 1,100 people. An organ was placed in it in 1833. In November, 1889, a meeting was held to consider the question of the proposed re-building of the chapel. Complaints having been made of the unsightliness of the exterior of the chapel, the uncomfortable pews, and the defective ventilation, the trustees propose to pull down the present buildings, and erect the new chapel and Sunday school upon the site, In the new scheme the positions will be reversed, the chapel being designed next Brunswick Street. The chapel will be built on the transeptal plan, and shallow galleries are provided on three sides. The seats are arranged to accommodate about 900 worshippers, over 500 being on the ground floor. The orchestra occupies a position to the rear of the building. There are to be three vestries, and a spacious ladies' parlour and band room. The front entrance is in the form of a narthex, specially designed to meet the requirements of a watering place. A tower has been designed at the angle of the building, to rise from the street line, and an open arcaded porch forms a special feature along the front of the chapel.
The school is designed to accommodate about 450 scholars. In addition to the main room, there are five classrooms and a room for 90 infants. For meeting purposes the school will seat 650, including a gallery over the end classrooms. The chapel and schools are conveniently connected, and entrances are arranged from two levels in Brunswick Street, as well as from Baxtergate. The style of the buildings is Romanesque. Great care has been taken in the matters of accoustics and ventilation. The heating will be on the low-pressure, hot-water system. The buildings will be erected in brick, the whole of the walls exposed to view, being faced with stone in courses. The chiselled ashlar will come from Aislaby. The roof will be tiled. The internal woodwork will be in pitchpine, and the windows will be relieved with lead in colours. The estimated cost is £5,500. Architects, Messrs. Waddington & Son, Manchester and Burnley."
Waddle Waddle
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Whitby/Whitby90
lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0
Pews?
"Though not exactly a modern Athens, Whitby is not undistinguished in the arts and in literature and science..."
Fascinating.
"An iron foot bridge connecting Ruswarp with Sneaton was erected in 1872, at the joint expense of the two townships. At the upper end of the village is the Old Hall, a large brick house, once the property and residence of the Bushell family, dating from the time of James I. At the opposite end is an old water corn mill, built in 1752."
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Whitby/Whitby90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NV6Rdv1a3I
Skardiborgi Vegas?
Submitted by Captain Black on
"His characters included a wanted murderer and his plots concerned the kind of shenanigans seldom mentioned in the holiday brochures, so the prospect of doing for Scarborough what he had previously done for Benidorm brought Derren Litten mixed reviews yesterday.
The Hull-born writer who created one of ITV’s most popular, unashamedly lowbrow, comedies of recent years, has looked closer to home following its cancellation after 11 years.
He has also switched channels, and yesterday, the BBC announced that filming had begun on Scarborough, his new comedy for its flagship channel, set and filmed on the Yorkshire coast. It will the star comedian Jason Manford, alongside former Coronation Street regulars Catherine Tyldesley and Stephanie Cole.
The corporation said the show would “follow the lives of a motley band of Scarborough residents who are bonded by family, friendship and their love of karaoke...”
"The council has been discussing filming locations with the producers and had granted consent for them to use Peasholm Park and other public spaces.
“Any filming is good news for Scarborough,” said Janet Deacon, its tourism manager.
“They’ve told us it’s a comedy, but that it’s certainly not looking to put Scarborough in a bad light in any way. So we hope, and we’re assured by them, that’s it’s going to make the town look great.”
Ms Deacon said she had seen Benidorm, Mr Litten’s magnum opus, a couple of times.
“Benidorm’s Benidorm, isn’t it?” she said. “But because we knew it was the same writer, we wanted to make sure that it was going to project Scarborough in a nice light.”
Steve Siddons, leader of the Labour group on the council, said the presence of a film or TV crew in Scarborough was not a novelty, but that a comedy purporting to depict actual goings-on there might be “a worry”.
“I wouldn’t like it to be shown as something it’s not,” he said.
“Any publicity is good publicity up to a point. But it would be disappointing if it showed Scarborough in some kind of down market way, which I don’t think it is. It’s on the up.”
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/is-scarborough-to-be-another-benido...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHjcSds93_A
http://scarboroughandwhitbylabour.org/local/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9vAItORgE
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47941180
Oh.
https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2852719/scarboroughs...
Wotdyamean its not a retirement village
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOAC_FzCAno
Maritime Heritage ?
Quite fancy a cruise..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlU5pJvZG7Y&list=RDFlU5pJvZG7Y&start_rad...
Oh f*ck the burgers are burning ...
Big Ears.
Bellow the Belt
Submitted by Captain Qahn on
"Published by Local Democracy Reporter Carl Gavaghan at 3:31pm 15th July 2019.
Leaked documents have revealed that Scarborough Council is looking to borrow £22 million for its plan to build 200 student flats and a public square in the town centre.
The borrowing will almost double the amount of debt the borough authority has with the council hoping to make a net return of £970,000 after 10 years, the proposals show.
The plans were approved during an extraordinary meeting of the council on Friday last week.
The former Argos building in Newborough will be purchased by the council, then demolished to create accommodation for university students and trainee nurses and doctors in partnership with the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Wrenbridge Land Ltd will be the council’s partner in the scheme and is budgeted to make a profit of more than £2.5 million, the documents reveal.
The financial details were not made available to the public at the time but have now been leaked online.
Councillors were given access to the sums before the decision was made and Council leader Cllr Steve Siddons (Lab) said he will be investigating the source of the leak and backed the project.
He said:
The documents show that the cost of the scheme is estimated at just over £19million, which includes £1 million to purchase the building. To cover fees and possible overruns, the council is estimated to need to borrow £22m to fund the project.
The report prepared for the councillors notes that as of March 2019 the council had £25.7m in external long term borrowing, meaning the amount of debt would nearly double when the loan for the Argos project is factored in.
The scheme will create flats for the town’s Coventry University campus, CU Scarborough, and when not in use by students would be rented out over the summer months to increase the council’s income.
As well as the flats, the council is proposing to build commercial retail units on the site.
The council documents add:
The report states that the scheme is not without risk, especially around its deal with Futurelets, the student accommodation provider for CU Scarborough.
It adds:
Independent councillor Michelle Donohue-Moncrieff was one of three councillors who voted against the scheme last Friday.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that while she supported the scheme she had concerns about the risk to the council, drawing similarities with the authority providing a £9m loan to fund a water park in the town that later got into financial difficulties.
Cllr Donohue-Moncrieff also expressed concerns that the deal with Futurelets only lasts for 10 years, by which stage the council will have paid off £3.39m of the loan.
She said:
https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2914029/council-lead...
https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/revealed-leaked-documents-show...
https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/argos-demolition-and-student-f...
One down forty to go ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUo-ifCm7oM
“It’s a popcorn-dropping moment..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc17zmeMlSI
The Amused.
Oh I feel a habit coming on ;-))
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jun/28/sydneys-sirius-bu...
Done Dot Com
Submitted by Captain Qahn on
"The comedy, which is based in the town, will be on BBC One at 9.30pm.
It follows the lives and loves of a handful of residents, who are bonded by family, friendship and their love of karaoke.
Comedian Jason Manford and former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley lead the cast of the six-part series, alongside Stephanie Cole (Still Open All Hours), Steve Edge (Benidorm) and Maggie Ollerenshaw (Last of the Summer Wine)."
https://www.yorkshirecoastradio.com/news/local-news/2947446/listen-direc...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHeh0WGmcSE
Set in 1975 ... ???
"Since it feels much of the time as though we are living in some sophisticated live action immersive theatrical event, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell where reality ends and fantasy begins.
This is reflected in our collective inner conundrum of whether to laugh or cry, or, indeed, do both at the same time. The machinations of those in power have for some time been on the scale of an elaborate Jacobean epic with enough back-stabbing, Machiavellian manoeuvring and irredeemable nastiness to keep an academic conference of early Elizabethan theatre scholars very happy.
Politics is, of course, essentially all about performance, especially these days – and, without naming names, there are plenty of good ‘actors’ out there who, however stilted and implausible their delivery, seem able to convince enough people of their ‘authenticity’ to gain support."
Oops ... ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aog6gxsycrI
Brilliant subtle stuff ... on i player
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00085xv/scarborough-series-1-epis...
Soaaaap.
"There are plot points that reference the location - an illicit snog takes place behind a crab stall, the villain owns an ice cream parlour, the protagonist works in an arcade - but the story, for the most part, could happen anywhere."
Wakey Wakey...
https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/scarborough-bbc-one-review-sitcom...
Ah but it is set in 1975 - tis not a reality TV show filmed live like what Startrek is...
Sideburns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nusyh3s0Rjw