The youth of Scarborough have their say on future of the town: Here are some of their ideas

An indoor skatepark, a 'chill out' centre or cafe for young people with games, and a creative, inspiring youth gig space are among many ideas suggested to the Scarborough Town Deal board.

The ideas will be considered among hundreds of submissions to help secure a share of the Government's £3.6bn Towns Fund, from which Scarborough could bid for up to £25m to create long-term economic regeneration.

The Town Deal Board, which comprises community and business representatives, is also considering the impacts of the coronavirus on opportunities for the development of skills and improved digital and transport connectivity.

Young people supporting the indoor skatepark idea have submitted their views, saying: "It could also include a trampoline park, a cafe, skate shop, break-out spaces and other activities and a climbing wall.

"There could also be an area for beginners, a foam pit to try somersaults."

Another group, of 30 teenagers aged 14 to 18 from St Augustine’s School, Scarborough Sixth Form College, Scarborough College and Scalby School, have produced a 'mood board' of more than 70 images for the Town Deal to consider, decorating and creating a relaxed and inspiring green space that "feels like a festival all year round" with multi-use for youth gig and arts activities.

Scarborough's YMCA have also added youth ideas, including more cultural activities for young people and an indoor climbing, bouldering or parkour (obstacle course) centre.

David Kerfoot, who chairs the Scarborough Town Deal board, welcomed the youth contributions and urged more young people to add their opinions too.

He said: “The views of youth are very important to help us in our considerations and I thank everyone who has contributed so far.

“The volume and variety of other suggestions to date have also been greatly encouraging".

They include the idea of alternative industries, harbour regeneration, a greener Scarborough with carbon neutrality, more visibility of the creative and arts sectors and better connectivity to enable digital businesses to thrive.

Mr Kerfoot, who also chairs the York and North Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership, added: “We are very keen to work together with Scarborough residents and the business community to develop an investment plan that really stands out as innovative, inclusive and sustainable, with objectives for transforming the vitality of the area.

“We can’t over-promise on the outcomes but we will evaluate all the ideas for the best that we can achieve for the years ahead.”

He said there are six over-arching Scarborough Town Deal themes which are being worked on:

Connectivity (digital and transport)

Skills and enterprise

Culture, leisure and Special Places

Supporting a thriving town centre

Well-being and social interaction

Resilience, sustainability, carbon neutrality

The Town Deal has joined forces with the Town Centre Strategy Team to help revitalise Scarborough town centre, but the Town Deal covers a wider strategy and geography.

If you have any questions on the project, email [email protected]

You can add your thoughts, and read what other people have already suggested, at the official website https://mytown.communities.gov.uk/ and choose Scarborough.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you