Calls to retain resort’s historic town hall

Scarborough Borough Council has announced the results of a wide-ranging public consultation on the proposed move from the Grade II listed building on St Nicholas Street, which it has occupied for more than a century, to the former Scarborough Building Society headquarters at Prospect House.

Nearly two-thirds – 62 per cent – of the 758 responses to the consultation stressed that the location of civic services is more important than cutting costs. A total of 51 per cent of respondents claimed they would prefer to retain the town hall in its existing location. Access to democracy, the location of the building and the impact upon the town centre were cited as the main reasons for the location being important.

The proposed move has been prompted as the council faces a soaring maintenance bill for its property portfolio while having to contend with major funding cutbacks. It is estimated the maintenance costs of the authority’s buildings will be in the region of £5.8m over the next 25 years.

The authority’s cabinet will discuss the planned relocation on July 17, before a full council meeting will make a final decision three days later.