Historic cliff lift closure confusion damaging local trade, says manager

Colin Powell said the Central Tramway Company cliff lift has been inundated with confused messages following the closure of Britain's oldest funicular (Image: Supplied)

A MAN has said confusion over the closure of Britain’s oldest cliff lift has negatively impacted the business he runs.

Colin Powell is the general manager of the Central Tramway Company in Scarborough.

It has served as the coast’s second cliff lift, leading to South Bay Beach, for over 145 years.

Colin said: “Cliff lifts are a piece of heritage. They’re more than just a service; they are part of the community.”

The Central Tramway Company has served Scarborough's South Bay Beach for over 145 years (Image: Supplied)

News of the Victoria Spa Cliff Lift this August, Colin said, had been saddening.

He explained: “It was a good thing to have competition.

“We want to see the cliff lift, which had been Britain’s oldest, back open.

"It must be heart-breaking for the staff.”

Since the announcement, the family-run Central Tramway Company, managed by Colin for more than four years, has been inundated with mistaken reports about the closure.

Colin said: “Our funicular is still very much open.

“The confusion around it is impacting our business and others around it.

“We have received messages from as far away as the south coast saying that they would miss it.

“For some, the cliff lift is a vital resource, helping the elderly who would not ordinarily be able to navigate down to the shoreline.

“For others, it’s the nostalgia of the experience, spending time with their families.

Colin is keen to set the record straight about the status of the Central Tramway Company cliff lift, which has been owned by the same family since the 1960s and currently employs around 15 staff.

He said: “Scarborough is the birthplace of the funicular. Prior to the closure of the Victoria Spa lift, ours had been the country’s second oldest.

“We want to preserve it and a part of British history.”

The owners of the Central Tramway Company aim to keep the service running for as much of the year as possible.

This year’s close-down period is still being considered, Colin said.