Assurances sought over town centre progress

BUSINESS leaders worried about the axing of a resort’s town centre manager are to seek assurances that the progress he achieved will not be lost under new arrangements for part-time stewardship.

Scarborough Chamber of Trade is to meet Nick Taylor to discuss his new role – which includes looking after the town centre, a job formerly done full-time by Malcolm Hall.

Mr Taylor will attend the chamber’s meeting on October 5 to talk about his new post of Investment Manager for Scarborough Borough.

This role includes bringing vibrancy and new investment into the town centre as well as continuing to run the Renaissance and Town Team initiatives.

The chamber is keen to meet with Mr Taylor as it wants to ensure that the hard work already carried out to improve Scarborough town centre continues. Chamber President Janet Jefferson said: “We were very concerned at the news that the post of Town Centre Manager was being discontinued.

“The Chamber and Scarborough Anti-Theft Group worked with Scarborough Borough Council to get a post of Town Centre Manager created in the first place.

“Since then a great deal of hard work has been carried out to bring new life and investment into the town centre.

“Malcolm Hall did a tremendous job after taking on the role in 2003. He was a fantastic ambassador for Scarborough and played a pivotal role in transforming the town centre. The rejuvenation of Scarborough Fair, Christmas lights, parades and entertainment, shopping festivals, the pancake Olympics, the list of achievements is a long one.”

At a special presentation evening for Mr Hall, organised by the council, the chamber presented him with a cut-glass whisky glass as a gift from the group.

Last year Mr Hall was awarded the Andrew Hansell Award for his contribution to Christmas in Scarborough.

The chamber’s meeting with Mr Taylor is at the Lysander Hotel on Weydale Avenue, Scarborough on Tuesday at 6pm for 6.15pm.

The chamber has members from a full cross-section of local businesses.