STAFF preparing to open a new hotel in Rhyl are first planning to turn their efforts to helping the community.

Premier Inn will open for business on the seafront at West Parade on Monday, February 26. The 70-bed hotel, being built on the former Honey Club site, will also incorporate a Cookhouse and Pub restaurant.

Before they get down to business, 20 Premier Inn staff – from reception, housekeeping, to operations managers – will take part in a ‘community day’ at Our Lady of the Assumption RC Church in Rhyl, also known as St Mary’s Church, where they will undertake painting and general maintenance tasks.

The generous group will be donating their time on Friday. Painting will be carried out along with generous maintenance tasks.

Paul Moore, operations manager at the new Premier Inn, has worked for the company for eight years. The 33-year-old is from Manchester originally but has lived in Rhos on Sea for 12 years.

He said: “What the church is doing is unbelievable, but many people are just unaware.

“They have a ‘men’s shed’ and a ‘women’s shed’ as well as a youth club, art and craft classes, guitar school, street sports and parent and toddler groups. Most activities are free or low cost.

"They help to reduce social isolation for people in Rhyl and surrounding areas. We were inspired to help transform the church as they don’t get much funding, but they continue to help the community."

The volunteers, who are donating four hours each, will be painting the church, toilets and kitchen, tiling the toilets, polishing the floors and creating a basketball court and car parking spaces in the grounds.

Mr Moore added: “We are hoping this organisation will received some much-needed recognition and the staff, volunteers and community will have a boost with improved surroundings.”

On Friday, February 16, Premier Inn will host a ‘kids’ fun day’ at the church between 4.30pm and 7.30pm in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

There will be face-painting, beat-the-goalie, a cake stall, sweet stall , bottle tombola, plus bric-a-brac and a raffle.

Speaking about the hotel’s opening, Mr Moore said there was “a real good vibe” amongst the team.

“Quite a lot of the new staff have been out of work so this is going to be a new chapter in their life,” he said.

“For myself, I am extremely excited to be part of the new opening. I have a lot of good memories of Rhyl from when we use to holiday here in my childhood.”