Scarborough, Helmsley and Malton projects receive funding from Mayor's High Street Fund

Across the region, 26 further projects have been awarded funding to drive long term regeneration and strengthen the resilience of local high streets for years to come.

These include two projects each in Scarborough and Malton, and one in Helmsley.

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said: "High streets are constantly changing, but they have, and always will be, hubs for our communities.

“The final phase of the High Street Fund has backed 26 creative projects from the people who know their community best.

“When we work together, we will transform our high streets into vibrant destinations that residents and visitors will want to return to again and again.”

In Scarborough, Eastborough Traders were awarded £90,000 to help regenerate retail and hospitality in the historic old town of Scarborough. Destination Eastborough is a place-making project using vibrant art, strategic interventions, rebranding and coordinated marketing to reinvigorate the area, support local businesses, and inspire visitors.

Crescent Arts was also awarded £71,263 from the High Street Fund. Crescent Arts on Tour is a creative partnership that will transform a vacant Falsgrave shop into a creative hub that will drive local footfall.

In Malton and Norton, the University of York will look to build the heritage tourism offer across the historic High Streets of Malton and Norton. Heritage Connections will create a diverse programme of heritage exhibitions, activities and experiences, boosting regenerative tourism across the historic High Streets of Malton and Norton using its award of £87,725.

Circular Malton & Norton CIC’s project – Even More WOW – which was awarded £149,953, aims to enrich all of Malton with a vibrant retail incubator, circular community events, and expanded loyalty passport, creating a differentiating town legacy.

The Howardian Hills National Landscape Partnership project, Heart of Helmsley, will deliver a vibrant market town where all feel welcome; visitors, residents, young or old, and particularly those with additional accessibility needs, using their allocation of £149,150.

A spokesperson for the project said: “The Howardian Hills Partnership is delighted that our application has been successful. We look forward to working with our partner organisations, high street businesses and residents to make Helmsley’s High Street, town and facilities more welcoming and accessible for all. Particularly for multi-generational families and those with restricted mobility or other additional accessibility needs.

“This will give a much-needed boost to the local economy and business confidence, whilst also retaining Helmsley’s rightful place as a key gateway to our two local protected landscapes of the Howardian Hills and North York Moors.”

Since Mayor Skaith introduced the fund in February 2024, a total of 65 projects across York and North Yorkshire have now received financial backing to thrive.

Projects will now move forward to deliver improvements to local high streets, set to revitalise communities across the region and drive economic growth, enhancing their appeal to both residents and visitors.