A North Yorkshire heritage railway has been acquired by new owners, supported by advisers from law firm Wake Smith. John Kerr and Peter Bryant have become the new owners of the 90-year-old Scarborough North Bay Railway, which has about 120,000 passengers a year. The duo already run the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.
The 90-year-old narrow-gauge system, first opened in 1931, runs for three-quarters of a mile from Peasholm Park Station to Scalby Mills, with views over North Bay.
It is home to a steam locomotive, as well as four historic diesel locomotives – Neptune, Triton, Poseidon and Robin Hood – all in service since the 1930s.
A reopening date of 12 April 2021 is targeted for the railway.
Rebecca Robinson, director in the company commercial team at Wake Smith, dealt with the acquisition including drafting the share purchase documentation, negotiating terms and liaising with the new and previous owner of the attraction, David Humphreys. She said: "John and Peter have run the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in North East Lincolnshire since 2014, and bring their enthusiasm and expertise to the North Bay line, including all the additional attractions.
"They have made a real success of the Cleethorpes' venture which has driven ambitious plans for Scarborough. With UK holiday resorts looking to gain market advantage this summer, we wish them the best of luck for the future."
Director John Kerr added: "Before his retirement, David did a fantastic job of revitalising this much loved attraction including the addition of new rolling stock, station buildings and lakeside attractions and we are looking forward to working with his dedicated team to further this. We can't wait to take the railway to its centenary and beyond.
"There is masses of potential to develop with the railway, sky trail and historic water chute. We want to expand its out-of-season trade and the secondary offering, and I am confident we can do that."