Go-ahead for Dunkirk attraction in Scarborough harbour with Regal Lady as the centrepiece

Scarborough Council has agreed to allow a new Dunkirk-themed attraction to make use of the town’s harbour.
The Regal Lady, beside the HispaniolaThe Regal Lady, beside the Hispaniola
The Regal Lady, beside the Hispaniola

Scarborough Council’s cabinet member for Major Projects, Cllr Mike Cockerill (Ind), granted the use of the harbour on Friday following a request by the new owner of the Regal Lady.

The Regal Lady was one of the 700 Dunkirk Little Ships which made the trip across the Channel in 1940.

Picture spotlight on the Regal Lady HERE.

Plaque on the Regal LadyPlaque on the Regal Lady
Plaque on the Regal Lady
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The new Dunkirk-experience will make use of the Regal Lady’s spacious interior, with a second, smaller boat used to take trips out of the harbour as part of the new attraction.

The new owner of the boat needed permission from the council for the boat to remain in the harbour while it was refurbished.

The Regal Lady will continue to give pleasure trips this summer; it will transfer to its new owner in September.

A report that went before Cllr Cockerill outlined the plans.

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It stated: “Local business Scarborough Pleasure Steamers Ltd, operator of the national historic vessel Regal Lady, is for sale [and there is a] proposal from a potential new company owner.

“The potential purchaser aspires to provide a unique year-round Dunkirk-themed visitor experience to Scarborough. Suggesting it would appeal to all markets including school groups, special interest groups as well as locals and visitors to the borough.

“The proposer suggests that ‘visitors whilst wanting to enjoy the environment very much want to have experience based and hands-on activity holidays’ [and] being able to see, sense and experience a Dunkirk- themed attraction will fulfil this need.

“The attraction would also fit in with key events that are held across the borough including Seafest, Armed Forces Day, etc, similarly providing a wet weather attraction with the exhibitions, artefacts and cinema being indoors. Importantly it will provide local jobs.

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“To secure the Dunkirk experience the proposer requests that following their significant capital investment, the vessel Regal Lady is permitted to remain in Scarborough Harbour.

“The enhanced/refurbished vessel would predominantly be a static display. It is also requested that to allow a ‘complete experience’ intrinsically linked to the attraction, would be an additional accompanying vessel. This would be a small historic vessel similarly themed as a Dunkirk little ship, undertaking sea trips for a maximum of 12 passengers.”

The report added that the boat will transfer to its new owner in September and will be renamed Regal Lady/Oulton Belle, as it was called when it was part of the Dunkirk fleet.

In total, the boat made three trips to France and rescued more than 1,200 souls. It has been berthed in Scarborough since 1954. Only around 100 of the Little Ships remain.

The Regal Lady attraction, which can currently hold 150 people, will be free to board and will also have a licensed cafe on board.