Waterpark among sites considered for development

A waterpark is among several sites in Scarborough set to be marketed to developers by the council.

Alpamare closed in December 2023 and the site was taken over by North Yorkshire Council, before it was reopened by new operator Flamingo Land last July.

The council is now considering plans for a "marketing exercise" to ask developers how they would transform the waterpark, as well as five other sites in the North Bay area.

Councillor Liz Colling said: "This is about the future of Scarborough and potentially bringing new job opportunities and careers to the people who live here and in the surrounding area."

The development of the council-owned sites could deliver "significant financial returns," council officers said.

Alpamare shut after its previous owners went into administration.

When Alpamare closed, it still owed £7.8m to the council. The loan was written off last year.

Flamingo Land reopened the attraction on a 12-month lease and has expressed an interest in running the site for another year.

The council said the venue should remain as a waterpark under any future proposals.

The authority plans to launch a "market testing exercise" to find out about future development opportunities for the Alpamare venue, along with the former Marvel's amusement park, Atlantis waterpark site and Kinderland children's activity park.

It will also look at opportunities to develop the former indoor pool site and footpaths in the area.

Colling said any developments in the North Bay area should be "beneficial for residents too".

"This is set to be the first step in identifying potential developers for these sites which will hopefully lead to investment to benefit our local communities in the town," she said.

Under the plans, a market testing exercise would be launched in February to run for up to six weeks, to enable the council to meet with potential developers.

An update on the findings would be presented to councillors later in the year.

Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for open to business, said the sites offered "real potential to help to drive forward the local economy".

"Scarborough is one of our most popular destinations on the coast, and we want to help ensure that there is the investment in the town to benefit both local communities and visitors alike," he said.

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