Firms fear drop in trade as advice roles are merged

Two existing posts which have helped drive forward investment and attract enterprise to Scarborough are now being combined into a single role, prompting fears that the town's recent successes will falter.

Scarborough has carved out a burgeoning reputation for new business after being crowned the most enterprising place in the country in the Enterprising Britain 2008 Awards.

However, Scarborough Council confirmed that the posts for the town centre manager and the urban renaissance manager will be merged as part of a three-year efficiency drive.

Scarborough Chamber of Trade president Janet Jefferson said: "We recognised that such a position was vital to help keep our town centre vibrant, attractive and enticing to shoppers – both local and visitors.

"While we understand the rationale behind the changes, it remains extremely important that this crucial role is not lost.

"Ensuring that Scarborough has a proper strategy to professionally promote and look after the town centre and market is as important to Scarborough's future as anything else." The council confirmed that current urban renaissance manager Nick Taylor has been appointed to the new post of investment manager.

However, current town centre manager Malcolm Hall will be made redundant once the new structure is introduced, although an exact timescale has yet to be finalised.

Council strategic director Hilary Jones paid tribute to the work of Mr Hall, who took on the role in 2003 and has helped rejuvenate Scarborough Fayre and the town's Christmas lights displays as well as parades, entertainment and shopping festivals.

Mrs Jones added: "It is always very unfortunate when we have to carry out redund-ancy procedures, but what is clear is that the regeneration and planning service is attempting to deliver increased activity with diminishing resources, which has been affected by the general loss of Yorkshire Forward funding."