‘People are afraid ...nobody knows what to do’

The cost of living crisis is affecting people and businesses in Scarborough, writes Louise Perrin.

October 1 saw new energy bills being sent out. Shirley Smith, president of Scarborough Hospitality Association, said: “The Government says we might get help, but they haven’t said what, or what percentage.

"We’ve had no timescales or anything.

“We had a meeting of the Hospitality Association and everyone sat there like dummies. People are afraid.

“Some businesses are shutting odd days like Monday and Tuesday, some simply don’t know and can’t say what they are going to do. “Food has gone up in price in restaurants, nobody knows what to do.”

Mrs Smith owns 10 holiday flats in Scarborough and says that she is struggling to fill them for Christmas, meaning she might not make enough to cover her gas bill.

She said: “I’m usually full now and I’m empty for the first time ever in 21 years.

"I’ve had loads of cancellations for this month and a few already for next month. I expect more to cancel. “Usually I’m full for Christmas, but I’ve only got one booking and usually I am turning people away, so I might have to say ‘I’m sorry but you’re the only one’ and have to cancel their booking.” Scarborough’s businesses are now winding down for the winter. Students are moving away to study in big cities and leaving behind part-time jobs, and not fuelling the local economy.

Mrs Smith added: “All the students are gone now and there’s nobody wanting jobs, and nobody wants to set them on because we don’t know whether we can pay them.

“I looked in Scarborough last Friday and it seemed busy around town. Scarborough is full on a weekend, on a Friday and Saturday night, and then it goes quiet.”