Historic beach huts restored to Edwardian glory

A block of Edwardian beach huts have been restored after the original Grade-II listed buildings had to be demolished.

The 11 multi-coloured chalets in Scarborough were removed after they were seriously damaged by two landslips in 2018.

North Yorkshire Council has spent £580,000 rebuilding the wooden chalets to match the period huts on the town’s South Cliff, which form part of a crescent of 22 chalets beneath the Clock Cafe.

Among the returning tenants were a family who have rented huts for 50 years.

Retired couple Martin and Jenny Johnson said they were looking forward to getting back in the chalets after their old rental, number 250, became a victim of the elements.

Mr Johnson said: “Beach chalets are in our blood - both of us grew up spending hours at chalets in Scarborough rented by our families so it was only natural that we rented one ourselves.”

He added: “Our three daughters also grew up with them, and when they return home it’s one of the first places they want to go to. The newly built chalets are lovely, very true to the originals and it’s great to see them reopened.

“We love the community that is generated by them - we have a lot of friends we have met there. It is a very relaxing place to come to sit and watch the sea, the children playing on the beach, and meet friends for coffee.”

The council owns 35 chalets for hire in Scarborough, as well as 170 in Whitby and 36 in Filey.

The rebuilding project was part of the South Cliff Gardens restoration scheme, which was funded by Lottery grants.

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les hoped the new chalets would improve the town’s tourism offer.

He said: “Rebuilding these chalets means we have restored an important part of Scarborough and adds to the £7.2m restoration scheme at South Cliff Gardens.”

South Bay has had beach huts since 1911, and their tenants now enjoy improved access to the promenade and Spa complex.

North Yorkshire Council member for Weaponness and Ramshill, Richard Maw, said the new beach chalets looked “amazing”.

He said: “They mirror the original huts while simultaneously providing improved facilities. I am certain that locals and tourists will find these new chalets very much to their liking and are a welcome investment to South Cliff.

"Beach chalets are a crucial part of the seaside visitor experience and these new builds can rightly be celebrated.”

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