The council's planning committee has approved a change of use for Scarborough's Brunswick Centre, clearing the way for a multi-screen cinema development.
At a meeting on Thursday, March 9, members of the council’s planning committee voted unanimously to give the multi-million pound conversion the green light.
Cllr Steve Siddons, leader of the council, said the cinema would be
“a game changer for Scarborough and is going to be a real benefit for the town”.
The “mostly vacant” Brunswick shopping centre has seen a decline in trade and tenants since it was opened in the 1990s and councillors are hoping the scheme will bring the town centre “back to life”.
Scarborough Group International (SGI) which acquired the centre in 2021 has said it aims to turn the centre into a “leisure-led destination” made up of shops, food and drink businesses, as well as indoor sport and recreation establishments.
The scheme is set to be funded by a mix of private and public sector investment.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the decision, the leader of Scarborough Council, Cllr Steve Siddons, said:
“I’m delighted and I think that it is the right decision at the right time.
“Like everyone else, we’ve suffered from a decline in retail and town centre activity and this is the thing that will bring that back, particularly the early evening economy which is something we’ve been very much lacking.”
Asked how soon businesses could expect to see a difference, Cllr Siddons said:
“I think it is going to take a little while yet and we are looking at the next 18 months or so if I understand the process correctly.
“But I think that once people realise this is going to happen, then they will make plans accordingly, so I don’t think we will see a reduction in business activity in the town, I think people will start building up towards this.”
Cllr Siddons added that he had “absolutely no concerns” about the plan and praised the developer, Scarborough Group.
Thursday’s meeting was the last to be held by Scarborough Council’s Planning Committee before the local government shake-up on April 1 will see a new county-wide authority, North Yorkshire Council, take over.
Reflecting on the decision, Cllr Siddons said:
“I think it is interesting that it is one of the last decisions we make. I think we’re going out on a positive note here and long may it continue.”
Following unanimous approval by the committee, council officers have been granted delegated powers to approve the conversion of the Brunswick centre subject to conditions and as long as no “substantive” changes or objections are made.
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