Tasty change for old office
A new bar and independent restaurant is set to open in one of Scarborough’s most iconic buildings next month.
Josh Moscrop, a chef by trade with a background in catering and hospitality, is venturing on his first solo restaurant project with his father-in-law – who runs the Scarborough Arms pub – having previously operated several other businesses.
The new bar and restaurant on Aberdeen Walk, at the former Scarborough Evening News and Mercury newspaper offices, will be called Elysium Bar & BBQ.
It is due to open on December 1.
“It’s just exciting,” Mr Moscrop said. “Times are hard, but it’s never a good time to open a restaurant. We’ve got a good relationship with the owners so it just feels like the right time to open it.”
The venue will serve breakfast, brunches and lunches during the day and will open as a cocktail and champagne bar in the evening, alongside a restaurant.
Mr Moscrop, who hopes to create up to 20 new jobs with the venture, said the restaurant will also operate a barbecue as “we’re going to cook everything over flame and charcoal. Everything will be flame-cooked and barbecued, is what we’re trying to go for”.
The building’s interior has been completely gutted and no original features remain, however, the new restaurant will be furnished in a gentleman’s club style, with lots of leather and greenery on the walls to create a “moody look”.
However, “outside, we want to the keep the marble front and keep it quite simple as the front of the building is amazing,” Mr Moscrop said.
Mr Moscrop has applied for an alcohol licence from Scarborough Council to serve drinks between 10am and 11pm, seven days a week.
The former Scarborough Evening News and Mercury newspaper offices were previously home to Bentley’s Coffee Shop and a charity shop. Bentley’s closed in April due to “unforeseen circumstances and ever-increasing pricing pressures from energy and other providers”.
The property features a space of similar size downstairs, which Mr Moscrop hopes to open up in the future to provide a different range of activities, which could include a hire venue for parties or cocktail-making classes.