Almost a million pounds worth of funds from the Whitby Harbour Reserve are going to be used to finish off the new Maritime Hub being built on Endeavour Wharf.
North Yorkshire Council’s Executive agreed at a meeting yesterday that £378,000 could be used to fit out the first floor and an estimated £445,000 could be used for fitting out the second floor. It was also revealed a further £126,000 would be needed from the Whitby Harbour Reserve pot to meet additional construction costs in relation to supervision/management and weather-related compensation events.
A council report said the fit out costs had been “omitted” from the original approval and it was expected the revenues generated by the Hub will be used to repay the Whitby Harbour Reserve fund.
According to the report, the Hub – which has divided opinion in the town – is largely complete with tenancies secured.
Coun Mark Crane is North Yorkshire Council’s Executive Member for Open to Business and represents the Brayton and Barlow ward near Selby.
He told the meeting: “The reaction to this is a good one. The Maritime Hub is just about finished externally, this is for the fit out within.
“It looks a positive part of Whitby sea front and the opportunities for young people to get into industries within maritime is a positive one.
“I hope the residents of Whitby will feel very positive about what is being delivered there with government money and this council putting significant sums in.
“The fact we have got so many businesses and institutions wanting to take a place in that is a positive piece of news for this council and the people of Whitby.”
The Maritime Hub is a project which has already cost £10m and was given the planning go-ahead in August 2024 with work on site having started in April 2025.
NYC says the project addresses a need to develop a better supply of technical abilities to meet the demand in both developing new skills and recertification. It will also provide accommodation for maritime businesses and service providers to support economy growth and resilience within the local community, the authority added.
