The trustees of Newby and Scalby Community Hall Trust are pleased to announce the successful bid, following an informal tender, for the Community Hall building, securing the future of the Trust and creating new opportunities to support the local community.

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The Hall was gifted to the people of Newby and Scalby by Claire Sayer-Brown in 1922 and has served the community for more than 100 years. Over that time it has hosted a wide range of activities, including exercise classes, choirs, craft fairs, exhibitions, community groups and NHS Blood Donation sessions.

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The challenges associated with maintaining the Hall are not new. In 2005, Scarborough Borough Council commissioned an independent review of community and village halls across its estate. The review identified a number of venues, including Newby and Scalby Community Hall, that were operating at a significant cost to the Council and would require substantial investment in the future.

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At that time, discussions took place regarding the possible transfer of this site (and others) to local councils. However, concerns over the building's condition, refurbishment costs and future operating liabilities meant that no transfer proceeded.

By 2010, it was reported that the Hall had cost Scarborough Borough Council approximately £125,000 more to operate than it had generated in income over the previous five years, and that substantial further investment would be required to bring the building up to modern standards.

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Following transfer into charitable ownership in 2011, successive trustees worked hard to keep the Hall open and serving the community. Funds raised from the sale of Parish Hall Cottage helped support refurbishment works and ongoing operations. However, the Hall continued to rely heavily on its reserves to meet maintenance, compliance and operating costs while providing affordable facilities for local users.

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The trustees also explored fundraising opportunities, but community support was limited, with one appeal raising just £25. This reinforced the challenge of funding the significant investment required to secure the Hall's future.

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When new trustees joined the Trust in 2024, they inherited a number of significant challenges, including property registration matters, increasing compliance obligations and the need for further investment in the ageing building. Following a detailed review of the charity's position and after taking professional advice, the trustees concluded that selling the Hall building was the most responsible way to protect the charity's assets and ensure its long-term future.

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The Trust is delighted that the sale of the Hall has been agreed with Adrian and Louise Wilson. Wilsons Foodhall has built a strong local reputation in Seamer, and we are confident their investment will bring new life to the building while continuing to benefit our community. The Trust will close the venue on 31 July 2026 as already announced, before reopening in due course as Wilson's Foodhall following refurbishment. Importantly, the wider site remains in the ownership of the Trust and will continue to be managed for community benefit.

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All trustees remain fully committed to the future of Newby and Scalby Community Hall Trust and to ensuring that the proceeds of the sale continue to benefit local people for many years to come. The funds generated from the sale will remain within the Trust and will be managed responsibly and transparently in accordance with the Trust's charitable objectives and Charity Commission guidance. The trustees believe that retaining the proceeds of sale within the Trust provides the greatest long-term benefit to the community.

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The trustees are currently developing a formal grant-making programme, together with a new website and application process, through which local charities, community groups and projects will be able to apply for financial support.

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Grants will be awarded in accordance with Charity Commission guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-grants-to-charities-and-other-organisations) and appropriate governance procedures to ensure funds are used fairly, effectively and for the benefit of the community.

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While the Hall building is entering a new chapter, the charity itself is not coming to an end. The trustees remain committed to protecting the Trust's assets and ensuring they continue to support local people, local organisations and community initiatives for generations to come.