Pride in Place investment helping bring arts and culture to more people in Scarborough
Pride in Place investment is to support two projects that aim to make cultural experiences more accessible and create new opportunities for local people.
The Scarborough Neighbourhood Board has agreed £485,000 over three years towards The Scarborough Fair and £400,000 towards a wider £3.6 million programme of improvements at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
Both projects are helping to strengthen Scarborough's cultural offer, support year-round activity and make it easier for people to experience and participate in the arts.
The Scarborough Fair delivers a year-round programme of festivals celebrating arts, culture, entertainment and sport.
Its events take place across the town, from traditional venues to streets, cafés and community spaces, providing opportunities for local performers, artists, musicians, sports clubs and businesses to get involved.
Catherine Goble, Festival Manager for The Scarborough Fair, said: “The Scarborough Fair was originally set up in 2023 and provided a much-welcomed platform for local creatives to showcase their work.
“Many of these opportunities have previously been short-lived, so the boost from the Pride in Place funding for a further three years has enabled us to carry on the festivals that were set up to support this highly talented and enthusiastic sector
in Scarborough.
“We are also delighted to be able to commission artists and sports clubs to work with local groups, schools and businesses to create work and activities that involve all aspects of the community, making our events accessible to everyone of all ages and backgrounds.
“Scarborough Lights is a particularly good example of this collaborative approach, and I urge everyone to go to see what has been developed as part of The Scarborough Fair, and thanks to overall funding from Pride in Place.”
At the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Pride in Place is contributing £400,000 towards a £3.6 million programme of improvements to the Grade II listed building.
The wider project is being supported through a combination of funding sources, with Pride in Place contributing towards improvements that will help protect the theatre's long-term future.
The project will address essential building infrastructure, including roof and air-handling systems, alongside improvements to the McCarthy theatre space.
Plans include renewed seating, improved facilities and a platform lift and accessible toilet, helping more people use and enjoy the space.
Pride in Place has also helped secure a commitment from the Stephen Joseph Theatre to maintain its existing community access provision, ensuring that the benefits of the investment extend beyond improvements to the building.
This includes a commitment to increase the number of £1 tickets offered each year from 1,000 to 2,000.
The £400,000 Pride in Place investment will help protect both the theatre's facilities and its ability to continue providing opportunities for local people.
Caroline Routh, Joint Chief Executive, Stephen Joseph Theatre, said: “Our theatre was converted over 30 years ago, so much of our infrastructure is now in desperate need of replacement.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Pride in Place for their support of this project; once completed it will mean that SJT can continue to deliver a programme of shows, workshops and community activity that is experienced by over 100,000 people every year.”
The projects form part of Scarborough's £19.5 million Pride in Place programme, led by the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board, with North Yorkshire Council acting as the accountable body.