Scarborough to get a huge cash injection aimed at improving the tourism industry. (Image: Getty)
Once a celebrated seaside town, Scarborough has now been gripped by a homelessness and poverty crisis. However, a major cash injection will be coming to the former tourist hotspot in a bid to turn it into ‘Scarbados’.
Developers will be splurging millions of pounds into the North Yorkshire town with hope that it can return to its former glory. Attractions such as a huge 650m clifftop zip wire and a grand new hotel will reportedly be popping up.
However, not everyone in the area has greeted the plans with such enthusiasm, as locals say the council should be focusing their efforts on “improving the lives of people who actually live there” before focusing on the tourism industry.
Homeless people scatter the pavements as many families struggle to make ends meet. Barrowcliff, a Scarborough district, is among the most deprived 1% in England according to recent indices of deprivation.
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Scarborough was once a leading UK holiday destination. (Image: Getty)
Gallows Close community centre works tirelessly to help local families and individuals in need, so far helping 8,000 locals since opening its door.
Kimmie Avison, who runs the centre, told The Sun: “There are kids on the estate who haven’t visited the beach, which people find shocking, but it’s true.
“When you think about it, how is a single mum with maybe five children and not enough money to go around going to manage that?
“She can’t afford public transport to get her family there and when they arrive there’s the expectation that the kids will want to buy an ice cream or play in an arcade.
“There are families here who are on the breadline and even a trip across the town to the beach is out of the question.
“That’s why we’re here and our help has never been needed more than it is right now.”
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Locals say some children have never seen the beach. (Image: Getty)
Speaking on the council’s new plans to spend millions on attracting new tourists, Kimmie says: “I’ve said time and time again that they need to concentrate first on improving the lives of people who actually live here before ploughing more money into the tourist industry.”
North Yorkshire’s director for community development, Nic Harne, defended the council in a statement: “Like many seaside towns in the UK, Scarborough can have issues with hardship. That’s linked to access to jobs and opportunities.
“We want to support all the things that have long-term benefits for Scarborough. This includes tourism, which brings jobs and new opportunities. However, we also make sure that people who need support can get it.”