Scarborough is set to host a new food and drink festival to attract thousands of visitors and support local businesses. Scheduled for April 12-13 at the Open Air Theatre, the event will feature 50 independent vendors offering various products, from international cuisines to handcrafted goods. The festival is designed to strengthen Scarborough’s position as a year-round tourist destination, with local traders benefiting from exposure to both regional and national audiences.
Crofts Chocolates, a local business that sees such events as vital for growth, is among the participants. Their participation highlights how food festivals can serve as valuable marketing platforms for small enterprises.
The festival is expected to contribute to the local economy, encouraging earlier-season visits and adding to Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s £8.5 million impact on the area last year. Scarborough’s tourism sector, which generates £561 million annually, plays a crucial role in the local economy, with over 3.8 million visitors and 5,600 jobs tied to the industry.
In addition, the Filey Food Festival will return this year with multiple dates, further driving foot traffic to the region and complementing Scarborough’s efforts to extend its tourism season.
