Latest news with #CarlLes
Business Mayor
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Popular resort named among UK's best seaside towns with stunning castle & Tudor streets to get £20m makeover
A UK seaside resort once dubbed a 'social mobility coldspot' has been given a major boost after securing nearly £20m of government investment. North Yorkshire Council said £19.5m had been allocated to Scarborough as part of the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme. 7 The harbour in the historic seaside town of Scarborough is popular with locals and visitors 7 Scarborough's seafront arcades attract thousands of tourists a year 7 The towns has been dubbed Scarbados by locals – and the Queen of the Coast Credit: PA 7 Britney Spears performs at Scarborough Open Air Theatre for her Piece Of Me tour in 2018 The authority said it had previously devised a '10-year vision document' following public consultation, which named improving the town centre and bus services as priorities. Council leader Carl Les said: 'The chance to use such a significant amount of funding in Scarborough will bring wide-ranging benefits not just for communities in the town, but also far wider across the region. 'Scarborough is one of our biggest towns here in North Yorkshire, and there is real potential to bring a new era for what is among the country's most popular seaside destinations.' While the locals call it Scarbados, the Queen of the Coast – it has an ancient castle, spectacular cliffs, Tudor streets and two sandy beaches – there is a downside to living in Scarborough. In 2017, the Office for National Statistics reported the town had the lowest average income in Britain while it has also been described as being a personal bankruptcy hotspot and a social mobility coldspot. But in recent years the town has been fighting back. Last month it was named as one of Britain's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller while there has been something of a cultural renaissance too with the success of the 6,000-capacity Open Air Theatre. The theatre was reopened by the Queen in 2010 and now claims to be Europe's largest amphitheatre 'since antiquity'. Each year since its renovation it has attracted bigger names to its stage, which sits in the middle of a lake next to England's bracing east coast. Weston Hotel: Scarborough's Coastal Gem Promoters Cuffe and Taylor (C&T) book the acts for the council-owned venue and secured the services of Britney Spears in 2018 and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds twice: in 2016 and 2018. C&T's Peter Taylor reportedly discovered that one of Spears's representatives is originally from Leeds, and liked the idea of bringing the American superstar to the Yorkshire seaside. This summer's headliners include The Corrs, Gary Barlow, Pendulum and Shed Seven. Another group of entrepreneurs, Scarborough Group International, also plans to transform the town's Brunswick Centre into a 'dynamic, leisure-led destination', complete with a state-of-the-art cinema. 'Like so many traditional seaside destinations, Scarborough has faced stiff economic challenges, which need to be met with a concerted effort from the authorities and businesses invested in the town,' said Mark Jackson, who is leading the project and was born and raised in the town. 'Scarborough has great strengths and remains popular but, for the town centre to thrive, it must evolve to suit a much-changed world.' Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, said: 'Scarborough is such a wonderful place to live, work and visit, but like so many coastal areas, it does need investment.' Additional public spaces and seating areas, as well as further development of the Scarborough Station area, were also named as potential projects in the earlier plan. Key priorities for people who took part in the consultations included a cleaner, more attractive town centre in Scarborough and more frequent bus services, especially for teenagers and the elderly. The programme has now been rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods with an expanded remit to improve health and wellbeing along with work, productivity and skills. It is also aimed at boosting cohesion and education along with opportunities for local communities. The original ambitions of the national programme, which was previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns, also remain and include reviving town centres, regeneration, promoting heritage and culture and addressing safety and security concerns. Improving transport and connectivity are also key considerations under the initiative. More public consultation would be carried out before a new plan was submitted by the winter of this year, the council said. Projects are set to be rolled out from spring 2026. Councillor Les added: 'The fact that the scope of the Plan for Neighbourhoods has been broadened to the previous incarnation of the scheme gives us an even greater chance to transform Scarborough for residents, businesses and visitors.' 7 There is a natural beauty to Scarborough, which boasts two sandy beaches 7 Residents say they want improved transport links for their town
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Popular resort named among UK's best seaside towns with stunning castle & Tudor streets to get £20m makeover
A UK seaside resort once dubbed a "social mobility coldspot" has been given a major boost after securing nearly £20m of government investment. North Yorkshire Council said £19.5m had been allocated to Scarborough as part of the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme. 7 7 7 7 The authority said it had previously devised a "10-year vision document" following public consultation, which named improving the town centre and bus services as priorities. Council leader Carl Les said: "The chance to use such a significant amount of funding in Scarborough will bring wide-ranging benefits not just for communities in the town, but also far wider across the region. " Scarborough is one of our biggest towns here in North Yorkshire, and there is real potential to bring a new era for what is among the country's most popular seaside destinations." While the locals call it Scarbados, the Queen of the Coast – it has an ancient castle, spectacular cliffs, Tudor streets and two sandy beaches – there is a downside to living in Scarborough. In 2017, the Office for National Statistics reported the town had the lowest average income in Britain while it has also been described as being a personal bankruptcy hotspot and a social mobility coldspot. But in recent years the town has been fighting back. Last month it was named as one of Britain's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller while there has been something of a cultural renaissance too with the success of the 6,000-capacity Open Air Theatre. The theatre was reopened by the Queen in 2010 and now claims to be Europe's largest amphitheatre 'since antiquity'. Each year since its renovation it has attracted bigger names to its stage, which sits in the middle of a lake next to England's bracing east coast. Promoters Cuffe and Taylor (C&T) book the acts for the council-owned venue and secured the services of Britney Spears in 2018 and Noel Gallagher 's High Flying Birds twice: in 2016 and 2018. C&T's Peter Taylor reportedly discovered that one of Spears's representatives is originally from Leeds, and liked the idea of bringing the American superstar to the Yorkshire seaside. This summer's headliners include The Corrs, Gary Barlow, Pendulum and Shed Seven. Another group of entrepreneurs, Scarborough Group International, also plans to transform the town's Brunswick Centre into a "dynamic, leisure-led destination", complete with a state-of-the-art cinema. 'Like so many traditional seaside destinations, Scarborough has faced stiff economic challenges, which need to be met with a concerted effort from the authorities and businesses invested in the town," said Mark Jackson, who is leading the project and was born and raised in the town. "Scarborough has great strengths and remains popular but, for the town centre to thrive, it must evolve to suit a much-changed world." Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, said: "Scarborough is such a wonderful place to live, work and visit, but like so many coastal areas, it does need investment." Additional public spaces and seating areas, as well as further development of the Scarborough Station area, were also named as potential projects in the earlier plan. Key priorities for people who took part in the consultations included a cleaner, more attractive town centre in Scarborough and more frequent bus services, especially for teenagers and the elderly. The programme has now been rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods with an expanded remit to improve health and wellbeing along with work, productivity and skills. It is also aimed at boosting cohesion and education along with opportunities for local communities. The original ambitions of the national programme, which was previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns, also remain and include reviving town centres, regeneration, promoting heritage and culture and addressing safety and security concerns. Improving transport and connectivity are also key considerations under the initiative. More public consultation would be carried out before a new plan was submitted by the winter of this year, the council said. Projects are set to be rolled out from spring 2026. Councillor Les added: 'The fact that the scope of the Plan for Neighbourhoods has been broadened to the previous incarnation of the scheme gives us an even greater chance to transform Scarborough for residents, businesses and visitors.' 7 7 7
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Popular resort named among UK's best seaside towns with stunning castle & Tudor streets to get £20m makeover
A UK seaside resort once dubbed a "social mobility coldspot" has been given a major boost after securing nearly £20m of government investment. North Yorkshire Council said £19.5m had been allocated to 7 The harbour in the historic seaside town of Scarborough is popular with locals and visitors 7 Scarborough's seafront arcades attract thousands of tourists a year 7 The towns has been dubbed Scarbados by locals – and the Queen of the Coast Credit: PA 7 Britney Spears performs at Scarborough Open Air Theatre for her Piece Of Me tour in 2018 The authority said it had previously devised a "10-year vision document" following public consultation, which named improving the town centre and bus services as priorities. Council leader Carl Les said: "The chance to use such a significant amount of funding in Scarborough will bring wide-ranging benefits not just for communities in the town, but also far wider across the region. " While the locals call it Scarbados, the Queen of the Coast – it has an ancient castle, spectacular cliffs, Tudor streets and two sandy beaches – there is a downside to living in Scarborough. In 2017, the Office for National Statistics reported the town had the lowest average income in Britain while it has also been described as being a personal bankruptcy hotspot and a social mobility coldspot. But in recent years the town has been fighting back. Last month it was named as one of Britain's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller while there has been something of a cultural renaissance too with the success of the 6,000-capacity Open Air Theatre. The theatre was reopened by the Queen in 2010 and now claims to be Europe's largest amphitheatre 'since antiquity'. Most read in Travel Each year since its renovation it has attracted bigger names to its stage, which sits in the middle of a lake next to England's bracing east coast. Weston Hotel: Scarborough's Coastal Gem Promoters Cuffe and Taylor (C&T) book the acts for the council-owned venue and secured the services of Britney Spears in 2018 and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds twice: in 2016 and 2018. C&T's Peter Taylor reportedly discovered that one of Spears's representatives is originally from Leeds, and liked the idea of bringing the American superstar to the Yorkshire seaside. This summer's headliners include The Corrs, Gary Barlow, Pendulum and Shed Seven. Another group of entrepreneurs, Scarborough Group International, also plans to transform the town's Brunswick Centre into a "dynamic, leisure-led destination", complete with a state-of-the-art cinema. 'Like so many traditional seaside destinations, Scarborough has faced stiff economic challenges, which need to be met with a concerted effort from the authorities and businesses invested in the town," said Mark Jackson, who is leading the project and was born and raised in the town. "Scarborough has great strengths and remains popular but, for the town centre to thrive, it must evolve to suit a much-changed world." Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, said: "Scarborough is such a wonderful place to live, work and visit, but like so many coastal areas, it does need investment." Additional public spaces and seating areas, as well as further development of the Scarborough Station area, were also named as potential projects in the earlier plan. Key priorities for people who took part in the consultations included a cleaner, more attractive town centre in Scarborough and more frequent bus services, especially for teenagers and the elderly. The programme has now been rebranded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods with an expanded remit to improve health and wellbeing along with work, productivity and skills. It is also aimed at boosting cohesion and education along with opportunities for local communities. The original ambitions of the national programme, which was previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns, also remain and include reviving town centres, regeneration, promoting heritage and culture and addressing safety and security concerns. Improving transport and connectivity are also key considerations under the initiative. More public consultation would be carried out before a new plan was submitted by the winter of this year, the council said. Read more on the Irish Sun Projects are set to be rolled out from spring 2026. Councillor Les added: 'The fact that the scope of the Plan for Neighbourhoods has been broadened to the previous incarnation of the scheme gives us an even greater chance to transform Scarborough for residents, businesses and visitors.' 7 There is a natural beauty to Scarborough, which boasts two sandy beaches 7 Residents say they want improved transport links for their town 7 Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds headlined Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2016 and 2018
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Consultation over reducing number of North Yorkshire councillors
A consultation on reducing the number of members on North Yorkshire Council has Local Government Boundary Commission is proposing cutting the number of councillors from 90 to proposal would include 85 divisions, each represented by a single councillor, and two further wards which would each have two proposals are based on submissions from North Yorkshire Council, political groups and others, including parish council and residents. The commission said the new two-councillor divisions would be Sherburn in Elmet and South Milford, and Malton and of the existing division boundaries are also set to to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the body has favoured proposals submitted by the Liberal Democrats over suggestions made by the include a reconfigured North Richmondshire division, a revised Richmond division, and the creation of a new Brompton and Scorton division 'Common sense' Carl Les, the Conservative leader of the council, said the authority was still examining the draft proposals."It's going to take some time to see what implications there are, and why the proposals have changed from the council submission - if that is the case."Clive World, chairman of Richmond and Northallerton Liberal Democrats, said: "Community should come first when it comes to setting boundaries, so it's good to see that's what has taken priority, and that common sense has prevailed."Officials say boundaries are being reviewed to ensure each councillor represents roughly the same number of Scallan CBE, deputy chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, said: "We have drawn up proposals for new divisions in North Yorkshire. "We want to make sure these new electoral arrangements reflect communities."He urgeed residents to let them know if they backed the proposals, ahead of any a final decision being taken.A ten-week consultation on the draft plans runs until 9 June. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campaign group says 'unbelievable' station gateway plans need to be scrapped
Campaigners fighting plans for the £12m Harrogate Station Gateway scheme have seized on comments from North Yorkshire Council's leader suggesting there is doubt over the success of the project. The Get Away group also claims the bad news contained in the government's Spring statement highlights the need to scrap the work. The scheme would see work in the station area to improve traffic flow, create new cycling infrastructure and improve pedestrian accessibility and public spaces. North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said in a news report last year on the task of balancing the needs of pedestrians, cycle users and the business community, 'whether we've got it right, only time will tell.' Get Away member David Waddington, of Hornbeam Park Developments Limited, said of the comment: 'This is unbelievable and clear that the council does not know whether it's going to work or not, but yet happy to spend more than £12m in finding out. 'It's hardly a vote of confidence in the scheme they are pushing the town's population to accept.' Bur Cllr Les said the campaigners were 'playing with semantics'. He added: 'No business plan, no matter how well researched, can be 100 per cent certain of success. RECOMMENDED READING: 'We are responding to competing demands, the demands of part of the community for a more welcoming, more traffic-free Harrogate town centre, whilst also listening to the concerns of the business community for a welcoming and thriving retail centre. 'We have made alterations to the initial scheme based on consultation feedback on those competing demands.' Mr Waddington said this week's gloomy Spring Statement highlighted the financial constraints facing the country. He added: 'Enough is enough now. The time has come to pull the plug on this unwanted and totally unnecessary project which will do nothing for Harrogate except to tank the local economy. 'Our traders need all the help they can get in difficult times like this but forcing Station Gateway on the town could be the final nail in the coffin for many.' Get Away has launched legal action in a bid to stop the Gateway scheme. The group has instructed lawyers to challenge North Yorkshire Council over its issuing of traffic regulation orders. But North Yorkshire Council has said it will defend the project and says work could start soon on elements not covered by the orders.
