Sponsored by
Major plans for a much-loved Scarborough venue
A SPECTACULAR multi-million renovation of Scarborough Spa Com-plex, including the Grand Hall, hopes to herald a new era for the much-loved venue.
History has been made at the Spa, which used to be a favoured venue for political party conferences. It was there that Labour's Harold Wilson made his famous "white heat of technology" speech in 1964 and his predecessor as Labour leader Hugh Gaitskill made the historic "fight, fight and fight again to save the party we love" speech as part of a debate to stop party members voting for unilateral nuclear disarmament.
Tony Blair also made his last public appearance before the 1997 general election in the Spa Grand Hall.
The Spa is just as high profile in the world of entertainment, with everyone from top music hall stars to rock band Feeder treading its boards.
Held in September, Scarborough Jazz Festival has attracted top names including Georgie Fame, Clare Teal and Courtney Pine in recent years and has become a major event on the UK's jazz calendar.
December's Festive Spectacular Charity Carol Concert, in the Grand Hall, is also a traditional favourite. Organiser Nigel Wood said that although he had booked the venue for the 2010 event, the plans were subject to change.
He said: "We have been in discussions and are waiting for news on whether the work will be completed by then.
"We will keep our options open until a committee meeting in February when, hopefully, more guidance will be available."
The Spa continues as a popular venue for conferences with trade unions, businesses and political groups regularly using its facilities. At weekends a host of special interest groups descend on the seafront venue, with everyone from chess buffs to rock and roll addicts getting together to celebrate their interests.
It also hosts a variety of regular entertainment – concerts by the Spa Orchestra and its annual summer show are very much a part of Scarborough's summer scene.
The University of Hull, Scarborough Campus holds its annual degree ceremony at the Spa, which was where Snainton-born Hollywood star Sir Ben Kingsley picked up an honorary degree in 2008.
An episode of TV antiques show Dickinson's Real Deal, hosted by flamboyant presenter David Dickinson, was also filmed in the Grand Hall in April last year.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Scarborough
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
