Perhaps the problem doesn't lie with Whitby but with ourselves and our eroding pensions/salaries.

The young of today seem quite happy to pay exhorbitant prices for just about everything while we oldies expect to get good value for money particularly when on a restricted income.

I spent a fortune at Whitby (not unexpectedly) but I also had a great time and as I use Whitby as my main holiday it was still a lot cheaper than anything else I could have done. Fortunately I didn't come across any pub/club charging for water so saved a lot that way.

Parking wasn't a problem as I parked out of town and used my free national bus pass - of course I could have walked.

I didn't buy a season ticket but paid at the door for the things I wanted to do and took advantage of the 25% off for pensioners.