Date confirmed for revamp of shopping centre

Work to modernise a North Yorkshire shopping centre is set to to begin later this year, it has been confirmed.

The 1990s-built Brunswick Centre was bought by Scarborough Group International (SGI) in 2021 after suffering from declining footfall.

Plans to revamp the centre and build an Odeon cinema and food court were approved by North Yorkshire Council in 2023.

Mark Jackson, development director at SGI, said work on the project will now commence in the autumn of this year.

"Like so many traditional seaside destinations, Scarborough has faced stiff economic challenges, which need to be met with a concerted effort from the authorities and businesses invested in the town," he said.

"Scarborough has great strengths and remains popular but, for the town centre to thrive, it must evolve to suit a much-changed world.

"We have worked hard to secure ODEON Luxe, the best cinema operator, as SQ1's principal anchor operator, and expect to confirm other occupiers in the coming months."

Mr Jackson, who is leading the project, said the work was expected to finish in spring 2027.

SGI previously said the transformation would include internal and external alterations to address the building's "outdated interiors and leaky atrium roofs".

North Yorkshire councillor Simon Myers also previously said the project could help "uplift the whole area".

He said: "It's very obvious when you visit Scarborough, particularly that part of the town, what a key role this building could hold in the revitalisation of this part of Scarborough.

"So, it's really excellent news the council is getting behind a vision to see a development there and a repurposing and uplifting of the whole area."

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