THE latest phase in the redevelopment of Rhyl's waterfront could take a leap forward with an injection of £5million from the Welsh Government.

Ambitious proposals to rejuvenate the former Savoy Hotel and Queens Market, on the promenade, will be discussed by members of Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet at Ruthin County Hall tomorrow (Tuesday). 

In April 2018, the cabinet agreed to purchase the buildings, subject to receiving external funding.

The Welsh Government have now confirmed funding, with an initial offer of £2.5million to allow the Council to progress with the purchase of the properties and initial preparation work, with an in principle commitment to another £2.5million of funding to assist with the site's redevelopment.

Leader of the council, cllr Hugh Evans, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the on-going regeneration of Rhyl by bringing the partially derelict properties in the town centre back into use.

“This would provide opportunities for new jobs and business growth, as well as stimulating the private sector to undertake further investment in the town."

A revamped Savoy Hotel would add to the significant investment being poured into Rhyl’s waterfront, joining the £15million SC2 water park and the £25million Marina Quay retail park developments.

Plans for the vacant former Savoy Hotel and amusement arcade will see the authority work with a development partner to find a new use for the site, which housed the Bistro nightclub before it closed in 1999.

Within the Queen’s Market complex lies much of the turn-of-the-20th-century 'Little Venice', believed by some residents to be sealed under the floor of the current structure.

The proposal involves removing partially derelict town centre buildings and returning the site back to use, providing premises which will enable the mix of uses in the town centre to be diversified, providing it with a sustainable and economically sound future as a key component in the Council’s commitment to support and transform the fortunes of the town centre.

Cllr Evans added:“This would be a significant project that would form part of the overall masterplan for Rhyl and would complement the works going on or having been completed in Rhyl. They include the redevelopment of the Pavilion Theatre, the creation of the 1891 restaurant and the brand new SC2 waterpark and visitor attraction being built in Rhyl.

“This would be on top of the private sector investment in new hotels and restaurants in the town.”