Local Community Support Organisation Celebrating 40 Years Launches a New Space for Food, Creativity, and Community

Yorkshire in Business, Scarborough’s local enterprise agency celebrating 40 years of supporting the coast’s new and growing businesses, is thrilled to announce the opening of Grind & Tonic — Scarborough’s newest creative venue designed to bring together independent talent from across the region under one collaborative roof.

Following the success of Explore indie and Grind Coffee Shop on St Nicholas Street — which opened four years ago as a hub for local independent sellers — this new venture marks an exciting evolution. Located on Queen Street, Grind & Tonic expands on that original concept to offer an innovative new platform that supports self-employed people in the hospitality and creative industries.

“At Explore Indie, we support around 50 small makers each year to showcase and sell their products,” said Jenn Crowther, CEO of Yorkshire in Business. “Now, with Grind & Tonic, we have a new opportunity to support an even wider range of self-employed and emerging businesses.”

At its heart, Grind & Tonic has been built around a unique model — multiple small businesses operating independently while sharing one inspiring space. The result is a constantly evolving venue that celebrates Scarborough’s entrepreneurial spirit.

During the day, Grind & Tonic operates as a relaxed coffee shop, open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, serving fresh ciabattas, homemade soups, and antipasti boards — perfect for catching up with friends or taking a quiet moment to unwind.

On Saturday evenings, the space transforms into The Green Room Dining, a pop-up restaurant led by the culinary talent of Chef Rob Porter, offering an intimate dining experience that showcases local produce and creativity.

“We wanted to create a space where independent chefs, creatives, and entrepreneurs could thrive — somewhere that truly represents the spirit of collaboration that Scarborough is known for,” said Jenn Crowther. “Grind & Tonic is about more than food and drink; it’s about opportunity, creativity, and community.”

With over 40 years of empowering local businesses, Yorkshire in Business continues to be a cornerstone of Scarborough’s enterprise community — helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive.

Now, Grind & Tonic is calling out to pop-up chefs, cocktail makers, and emerging musicians who’d like to collaborate and bring their own flavour of creativity to the venue.