In this episode we meet Katie Lawson, owner and founder of OLIVE, an Italian inspired coffee house hidden away on Bar Street. We discuss starting a business as a young person, the challenges and the highlights. Katie has lived in and around Scarborough for most of her life, after moving to Italy for a short while she returned and opened OLIVE. Her inspiration, the quaint coffee shops of Italy, their charm and their brilliant food and coffee. Katie wrestled with the challenges of opening a business as a young person, but remembers the great times spent with her family helping bring her vision to life. Now OLIVE is a hive of activity, a staple on the highstreet and one of many brilliant coffee places in our town. Katie’s determination and passion for bringing a slice of Italy to our seaside town has paid off, celebrating their 1st birthday this year, OLIVE is proof that young people really can do just anything. Over the course of the episode we get to know Katie, exactly why she opened OLIVE and look to her for advice on opening a business.

In this episode we meet George, originally from London he now lives in Scarborough with his pet dog Bruce. PR consultant and Chair of Trustees for Scarborough Pride, George helps a dedicated team of volunteers create an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and their allies to celebrate here in our seaside town. We discuss, the queer history of Scarborough and exactly what you can expect from Scarborough Pride 2024. Scarborough Pride has been established to promote Equality and Diversity, and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity of those living in Scarborough and the surrounding areas. We aim to deliver events through the calendar year that appeal to a broad spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community (including younger and older people), as well as delivering an annual Scarborough Pride event, aimed at the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. These activities will promote LGBTQ+ community cohesion, combat isolation and provide an opportunity for organisations providing health and wellbeing services to connect with the LGBTQ+ community.

In this episode we meet Molly, Joel and Nathan from Mandy Apple Collective a Scarborough based art collective. We discuss the power of being creative and having access to creativity and culture. The opportunities available for young people and why art is so important. 3 local, young artists all came together to open a community studio, Mandy Apple was made possible with the help of Old Parcels Office, with the team wanting to give Andrew Aldis a big shout out for his support. Nestled on Newborough in the Old Town, Mandy Apple sits at the centre of the Scarborough arts quarter. A once unloved and disused commercial space, the collective have worked to make the space into a bright, multi functional studio. Mandy Apple Collective, work collaboratively with local artists to programme exhibitions, host film screenings, run workshops and events to raise money. The 3 artists behind the venture talk to us about their own practice, why Mandy Apple is so important for Scarborough and their hopes for our creative town in the future.

In this episode we meet Ernie, Musician, Facilitator and Creative Engagement Co-ordinator at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. We talk about the creative opportunities available for young people and the importance of access to the creative industries. Ernie highlights the many programmes young people can get involved with, and the benefits of accessing them here in our town. He recalls his own experiences moving to Scarborough 21 years ago for university, and how he felt compelled to stay. We discuss life navigating the arts and culture industry, from first jobs to dream projects. Ernie talks of his greatest highlights and challenges along the way. We make our way from The Box to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, just a short walk up the highstreet. We arrive and take a seat to continue chatting and Ernie talks of the different jobs the industry offers. We uncover how young people may access these jobs and experiences. He discusses the importance of taking the opportunities and learning and growing as a creative. The Stephen Joseph Theatre is an independent theatre and cinema based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Our home is a beautifully-restored 1930s Odeon cinema, home to our famous theatre-in-the-round which was the first of its kind in the world.