Scarborough's Town Centre is a story of four distinct characteristics: a commercial area hanging off Westborough; a Medieval town with a fine grain of charming alleys and streets; a beachfront area that is dominated by a monoculture of gambling and a Valley that brings the visitor dramatically to the sea.
The overloaded schizophrenia of these four personalities is not the problem in itself; they could even be an attraction if but one was robust and attractive enough to function strongly alone.
However it is not so, and not only is the character of Scarborough split, but the parts fail any longer to add up to a viable whole.
This is in complete contrast to the time of Scarborough's heyday when the many attractions added up to a town that was larger than its parts during the summer months fine Victorian public spaces overflowing with people; this is the image of how the space of Scarborough was conceived.
Scarborough abounds with many a nook for young lovers to escape the eyes of the crowd, unfortunately when there is no crowd these places become dangerous and fearful.
Scarborough has an oversupply of run down public space.

THE PROMISE OF A SECONDARY WATERFRONT

The inherent beauty of the Medieval town - by far the facet of Scarborough's personality with the most attraction - has been stained by neglect and decay. The open carparks, For Sale signs and empty alleys indicate that the medieval heart is underutilised and poorly maintained. The connection with the commercial area abruptly ends at St. Thomas Street. The innards of the street blocks are dominated by carparks and rubbish containers. Much of what would be prime inner city real estate in any other town is dominated by houses and Victorian B&B's which crave a contemporary urban life to ensure their survival.