Tourism supported by fishing is the mainstay of Whitby's economy in an
isolated community with poor transport infrastructure and restricted by
building constraints in the surrounding North York Moors National Park. The
economy is governed by the changing fortunes of fishing, tourism and to some
extent, manufacturing. Structural changes have led to concentrations of
deprivation, unemployment and benefit dependence. A narrowing employment base
and dependence on low wage and low skill sectors has resulted in younger age
groups leaving the area. There are few business start-ups and small and medium
sized enterprises
