Date set for Brunswick Centre revamp

Scarborough’s retail and leisure destination will close on 17 September and reopen as SQ1, a 20-unit venue across three floors with cinema chain Odeon anchoring the development.

Final design details and costs are still being confirmed, after which a contractor will be appointed.

Units will range from 250 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft, and there will be kiosks for independent F&B operators.

Owned by the town’s namesake developer, Scarborough Group International, at its peak the shopping centre had an average footfall of 7m per year, and this overhaul will focus on providing more leisure-led options such as bars and restaurants to attract more visitors.

A new entrance will improve connectivity between the high street and the seafront, and the new units will be let via Barker Proudlove and Savills.

The closure date was set to align with the end of the service charge year and the expiration of tenants’ leases.

Many occupiers, including The Fragrance Shop, Holland & Barrett, Toyland and Nomination have relocated within Scarborough into vacant units, and Next is relocating to a larger store on Seamer Road.

The closure will include the multi-storey car park.

Mark Jackson, project lead at SGI and Scarborough native, said: “The closure of Brunswick is a major step forward, not just for the project, but for the wider regeneration of Scarborough.

“While change can be disruptive in the short term, this marks the start of a much-needed transformation that will help the town centre match the strength of its visitor appeal.

“Scarborough already attracts over 23m visits a year and outperforms major cities in dwell time and year-round tourism.

“The challenge has been keeping people in the town centre for longer, and that’s what SQ1 will help deliver.

“This is about more than buildings. It’s about reimagining the heart of the town and creating a place where people want to spend time, whether they live here, work here, or are visiting for the first time.”