Scarborough MP Demands Post Office Answers

If Westborough is your usual Post Office, the search for its replacement matters. The branch closes early next year, and Alison Hume is pressing for somewhere in the town centre offering the same services. She's asking about temporary arrangements, too, so people aren't left working out where to pay a bill or post a parcel after it shuts.

Access to services is also troubling hospital leaders. Scarborough's A&E figures show 21% of patients spending more than 12 hours in the department, against 9% at York. Finding enough senior doctors remains a problem, despite funding for additional shifts.

There's a change coming at Yorkshire Water, where Nicola Medalova takes over in January. She joins as chief executive designate tomorrow, following the company's one-star environmental rating, with pollution among the first things needing her attention.

And if you're making plans for Thursday evening, the cricket club's Bonfire Night display starts at 7:30 pm on North Marine Road. Gates open two hours earlier for food stalls and entertainment, and £25 gets two adults and two children in. You can leave the fireworks to someone else.

Read on for more from around the coast this week.

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📰 Scarborough Life

🏥 Scarborough's long A&E waits exceed York's. Hospital leaders heard 21% of Scarborough patients had A&E stays exceeding 12 hours, compared with 9% at York. Difficulty recruiting and retaining senior medical staff is contributing to the difference.

📮 MP seeks town centre Post Office. Alison Hume wants replacement Post Office premises in Scarborough secured before Westborough's branch closes early next year. She's also seeking temporary arrangements and assurances that a replacement would retain the full range of services.

🎆 Cricket club's Bonfire Night display returns. Scarborough Cricket Club's Bonfire Night fireworks display is on 5 November, with gates opening at 5:30 pm and fireworks at 7:30 pm. A £25 family ticket covers two adults and two children.

💧 Yorkshire Water announces leadership change. Nicola Medalova will replace Nicola Shaw as chief executive on 1 January 2027, joining as chief executive designate on 2 November. The announcement follows the company's one-star Environment Agency environmental rating.

🏥 Hospital trust seeks £8 million support. York and Scarborough's hospital trust is awaiting an £8 million cash support decision from NHS England after reporting an £18.4 million mid-year deficit. Leaders warn continued savings shortfalls could worsen its position.

🎵 Fusion's 2 am alcohol licence approved. Scarborough's St Thomas Street nightclub has secured permission for later alcohol sales, subject to noise controls. An approved noise plan, limiter and acoustic lobby are required before the extended hours can begin.

🏘️ YMCA explains Thoresby housing plans. YMCA North Tyneside says its planned 10-bed Thoresby accommodation on North Marine Road would have round-the-clock staffing and help adults move towards independent housing. Referrals would come through Scarborough's Housing Options team.

🚻 Brunswick plans omit public toilets. Scarborough's proposed redevelopment includes customer toilets within businesses, but replacement public toilets aren't budgeted. The council is considering options; adding facilities would need further funding and the building owner's agreement.

🌊 Scalby Beck water monitoring trial begins. Sensors are taking readings every 15 minutes for a two-year water quality prediction trial. The project aims to develop quicker bacterial pollution warnings; a public app would follow only if it succeeds.

🎄 Saint Catherine's Christmas Fair returns. The Christmas fair at Saint Catherine's on Throxenby Lane opens at 10 am on 21 November, with Santa arriving at 9:45 am. Around 20 stalls, entertainment and a teacup ride are planned.

🏅 Whitby honours seven community champions. The Mayoral Champions Awards at Pannett Gallery recognised contributions spanning heritage, youth support, performance and rowing. Recipients included SENDure founder Sean Kirk and Lindsay and Kevin Close, who helped revive Whitby Regatta's Greasy Pole competition.

📚 Volunteers power Whitby Lit Fest. Thirty-four volunteers, trustees and patrons will support Whitby's four-day literary festival from 19 to 22 November. More than 50 events are planned, with guests including Hugh Bonneville, Ann Cleeves and Joanne Harris.

🎾 Wykeham Lakes padel courts refused. Planners rejected two floodlit padel courts at North Yorkshire Water Park, citing countryside harm and reliance on cars. There were no resident objections, and Hutton Buscel Parish Council supported the proposal.

⛏️ Minister visits Whitby's Woodsmith mine. Reindustrialisation minister Blair McDougall toured the Woodsmith fertiliser mine development near Whitby. Anglo American says the project employs more than 1,000 people, with 76% drawn from North Yorkshire and Teesside.

🎬 Brunswick tenant names remain confidential. A cinema operator, major retailer and restaurant chains have expressed interest in Scarborough's Brunswick Centre redevelopment, councillors heard. The two anchor tenants must agree heads of terms before full financing is released.

🏫 North Yorkshire SEND plan approved. The Department for Education has approved a three-year programme of SEND reforms. It aims to provide earlier support, strengthen mainstream inclusion and give schools quicker access to psychologists, therapists and specialist teachers.

🌍 Council emissions progress faces scrutiny. North Yorkshire Council's operational emissions fell 3% in 2025/26, but emissions from its vehicle fleet increased. Scrutiny councillors want a dedicated review of progress and options for accelerating reductions

🧖 Beach sauna opens at Flamborough. ROE Wild Saunas offers wood-fired sessions at North Landing, beside the old lifeboat slipway. Shared sessions cost £12 for 55 minutes, with weekend availability dependent on weather and sea conditions.

🏏 Mauritius holiday stay up for auction. North East Yorkshire World Cup Cricket Legacy's online auction includes a two-week Mauritius holiday-home stay and a North Bay beach chalet rental. Bidding closes at 5 pm on 5 November, supporting opportunities for disadvantaged youngsters.

⭐ Readers’ Choice: Top Posts From Last Issue

🏮 Free lantern display at Peasholm. Animated Objects' free Art in the Park display runs until 28 November, with lanterns lit until 10:30 pm nightly.

🗿 Freddie Gilroy decision put back. Scarborough Town Council has deferred taking ownership of Freddie Gilroy and backing the £50,000 relocation project.

🌧️ Coastal communities recover after storms. Residents and farmers helped clear roads and check on neighbours alongside emergency services.

🎸Events, Activities & Live Music

We keep it short here - head to our EVENTS PAGE for links and future events.

Sunday, 1 November

16:00 🎭 Dead Famous - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
16:00 🎤 Under 20s Open Mic - The Crescent Lounge, Scarborough
17:00 🎯 Sunday Socials - Haddock Hideaway, Scarborough
19:30 🎧 Sexy - Whitby Rifle Club
19:30 🎶 The Jersey Beats - Scarborough Spa

Monday, 2 November

09:30 🧘 Yoga Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
09:45 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:30 🧵 Craft & Social Group - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🧘 Tai Chi Classes - Filey Evron Centre
17:45 💃 Clubbercise with T. J - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
18:45 🥊 Beat Boxing Fitness - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 🎧 Dead Skool Disco - Whitby Friendship Amateur Rowing Club
19:30 🎧 Blue Monday 80s Night - Whitby Rifle Club
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Live Music: Folk Club - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Tuesday, 3 November

09:30 🧘 Pilates Plus - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
11:00 🧘 Chair Exercises - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
11:15 🎯 Social Bowls - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
13:00 💃 Line Dancing: Beginners - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Line Dancing: Improvers - Alexandra Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 🎨 Afternoon Art Session - Robin Hood's Bay Studio & Gallery
19:00 🎯 Deaf Group - Room 22 - The Street, Scarborough
19:00 🧘 Pilates Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
19:30 🎯 Quiz Night - The Merchant Irish Bar, Scarborough

Wednesday, 4 November

10:00 🎯 Happy Days Friendship Group - Hunmanby Community Centre
10:00 🎶 Ukulele Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
11:00 💃 Circle Dancing - St. James Community Hall, Scarborough
13:00 🎯 Board Games Sessions - Haddock Hideaway, Scarborough
13:00 🏓 Pickleball - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
14:00 💃 Easy Sequence Dancing - Cayton Village Hall
17:00 🧵 SEWcial Sewing & Textile - Stitched by the Beach, Scarborough
17:30 🧘 Yoga Class - Crossgates Community Centre, Scarborough
18:45 🧘 Peach Squad: Workout - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 💃 Clubbercise - Queen Street Methodist Church, Scarborough
19:30 📷 Scarborough Camera Club - Newby & Scalby Community Hub
19:30 🎭 Daniel Kitson: Thrum - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
19:30 🎯 Quiz Night & Jackpot - The Ramshill, Scarborough
20:00 🎶 Filey Folk Night - The Imperial, Filey

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👋 That’s All For Now 🎬

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Sue | Editor | The Scarborough Insider