A FORMER Rhyl High School pupil has transformed the town's former county court into a business hub.

The court, on Clwyd Street, closed in 2016. Hannah James has given the building new life and has opened a hub with meeting and function rooms.

The chartered building surveyor, who purchased the building in September, has been supported with a grant from Denbighshire County Council. The money will allow her to purchase equipment to help her kit out the building, renamed Clwyd Chambers.

Hannah has previously worked in Oxford, the Midlands and Cheshire. The Coventry University graduate also runs her own firm, Hannah James Associates from Clwyd Chambers.

Hannah said: "I chose Rhyl as it’s my home town, my family have lived here for four generations.

“I have made alterations to refurbish the building into a fully functioning business hub with 13 flexible small business units as well as converting the court room into a high-quality meeting and function room.

"The aim is to create a space in Rhyl for businesses to use as much or as little as they need. We are offering all-inclusive rates, flexible terms, furniture if needed, meeting spaces and tea and coffee facilities.

"Many people work from home, it is very difficult to present yourself as competent and professional to clients whilst over the kitchen table.

"I am keen to support the public investment in the town with our private investment. Support from all sides will re-generate the building."

Denbighshire County Council’s grant, provided through the Council’s economic and business development team, will help pay for signage, furniture, training and office equipment.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: "It shows there is confidence in Rhyl. This facility will offer new and growing businesses the chance to expand and take advantage of modern facilities in the centre of a busy town. This will give a boost to businesses in the town and help increase footfall."

Hannah added: "We are also providing a training centre for collaborative working for small businesses. Collaborative working for small businesses allows us all to take a ‘bigger bite of the work by doing it together’, it’s the silent revolution.

"Here in Wales we need to look at things differently post-Brexit and to actively collaborate to be competitive."