Newby and Scalby Community Hall to be transformed into ‘vibrant’ community hub
Newby and Scalby Community Hall near Scarborough is set to be transformed into a “vibrant and inclusive community hub” after the owners of a popular local food hall won a tender to acquire the building.
Louise and Adrian Wilson, who run the award-winning Wilsons Food Hall in the nearby village of Seamer, plan to turn the building into Wilsons Food & Community Hall.
It comes after the pair recently won the tender to acquire the community hall, which dates from 1922, from the Newby and Scalby Community Hall Trust.
Mr Wilson said: “We are delighted to have successfully won the bid and tender to purchase the Newby and Scalby Community Hall.
“The Trust have been very clear in their requirements to make sure that the village hall continues to be a go-to community destination fit for the future, accommodating as many community-based activities as possible.
“We are excited to become the new owners of this historic local building. Our vision is to create a vibrant and inclusive community hub while continuing the hall’s legacy as a space for local clubs, activities and social engagement.”
The 4,000 sp ft hall, located in the village of Scalby, was previously run by Scarborough Borough Council before ownership was transferred to the Trust.
The building was put out to tender earlier this year. The Trust stated that preference would be given to buyers committed to maintaining the building's legacy and providing ongoing community benefit.
The community hall is Louise and Adrian’s second business in the area after the couple opened Wilsons Food Hall in November 2024.
Wilsons is an all-day bistro combining a café, deli, wine bar, bakery, takeaway and community hub, which champions local and regional independent producers. The site employs a team of 27 staff.
Wilsons Food Hall was also recently crowned best Start Up Business at the FSB and HSBC Small Business Growth Awards for Yorkshire, The Humber and the North East.
Ms Wilson said: “We’re passionate about creating strong community spaces that people can feel proud of. Wilsons Food Hall is highly valued by local residents – and we want to replicate that in Scalby.
“Our vision is to expand even further our involvement within the community, and learn from all the engaging and supporting activities and projects already implemented within the Seamer village and its surroundings.
“The hall will continue to serve as a base for local clubs while also hosting food-related events, community meals, educational workshops and social gatherings. And we want to improve and upgrade the facilities of the hall to provide showering and washing facilities for local sports clubs, such as the local Scalby tennis and bowls clubs, giving them a provision similar to that of a clubhouse.”