Developers reveal the next phase of Scarborough’s Brunswick revival
Scarborough’s long-awaited Brunswick Centre redevelopment is targeting an opening date in 2029 after an £18.5 million public funding package was agreed in principle by regional and local leaders.
The revised scheme, now known as SQ1, would transform the former shopping centre into a cinema, leisure, restaurant and retail destination in the heart of the town centre.
Developer Scarborough Group International (SGI) is targeting an opening date in 2029 if planning, funding and tenant milestones are met.
The project will move into its next phase after securing support from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire Council and the Pride in Place programme.
The package comprises £7 million in Combined Authority grant funding, £3.5 million from Pride in Place and an £8 million council loan.
Under the revised proposals, the former Brunswick Centre would be transformed into a mixed-use development featuring a six-screen cinema, family leisure attraction, restaurants and major retail units, including space for a national retailer.
However, despite the funding approvals, several hurdles remain before construction can begin.
An initial £3 million will be used to fund detailed design work, strip-out works and a fresh planning application after the site’s previous planning consent lapsed.
Construction funding will only be released once planning permission is secured, tenant commitments are in place, and SGI has secured commercial finance.
David Wells, development director at Scarborough Group International, said the revised scheme had been reworked to reflect changing market conditions.
“A scheme like this has to work for everyone. It needs the right occupiers, the right finance and a sound commercial footing, which benefits the public purse too, as the public sector shares in any profits above agreed levels.
“As the market has shifted, we’ve reworked the plans to make sure SQ1 delivers on all of that, and we’re now in discussions with a major national retailer and a cinema operator.”
The identities of the proposed retailer and cinema operator have not yet been disclosed publicly.
The project is currently expected to cost around £35 million, with SGI saying it will fund approximately half of that amount through its own investment and commercial borrowing.
The company said this includes money already spent acquiring the Brunswick Centre, meeting holding costs and carrying out design and planning work.
According to estimates, the completed scheme could support more than 400 direct jobs, create around 160 additional supply-chain roles and attract approximately 850,000 visits a year. Annual spending linked to the development has been estimated at up to £45 million.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, described the project as a key part of the new Scarborough Mayoral Development Zone.
“Transforming the Brunswick Centre into SQ1 will bring major retail, leisure, and a cinema back to the town centre, creating hundreds of new jobs and opportunities.”
Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader and executive member for open to business, said the agreement represented: “A strong vote of confidence in the future of Scarborough town centre.”
SGI said design work is already underway and strip-out works are expected to begin in early 2027.