RHYL volunteers are aiming to bring the former Wellington pub back into use but as a home for a number of community groups.

A consortium of volunteers and community workers going working together under the umbrella of Brighter Futures are seeking to take on the Wellington Road pub, which closed in December for being in an "extremely dangerous condition”.

The Journal reported in December that pub, which was formerly known as The Liverpool arms, was granted an emergency prohibition notice by District Judge Gwyn Jones, following concerns from Denbighshire County Council's public protection officer, after he was shown pictures of its kitchen - which had no running hot water, was littered with broken glass and was described as having a stench of urine.

He said: “It is quite clear that these premises are in an extremely dangerous condition.”

Plans are due to be put forward by Brighter Futures - which is currently based on Abbey Street and pools the resources Rhyl Men’s Shed, Rhyl Women’s Shed West Rhyl Children and Parents Group, Rhyl Youth Group, Rhyl, Youth Shed, Street Games, Wifi Connections and the Moontime Project - to create a community space capable of coping with demand for their collective services with demand for their combined services.

Jaynie Coltman-Jones, Men’s Shed coordinator, said: "We consulted with members and community about a number of premises to move too, overwhelmingly we were asked to stay close to town.

"The Wellington is a very old building that it very much part of Rhyl’s Heritage - it would be a shame to see it left unoccupied and not restored and it is also in a central location with Bus and Train routes and within walking distance to all the town's amenities."

This latest project, which is currently in the final stages before a planning application is submitted to Denbighshire County Council, will see the groups continue to pool their resources, with about £30,000 in funding from various organisations including PACT, Gwynt Y Mor and Rhyl Community Partnership, earmarked for being invested into the building, alongside an estimated £40,000 in volunteer time and support from Rhyl residents.

Mrs Coltman Jones added: "A huge amount of work is required, the Pub was closed recently by the courts due to it’s dire condition.

"But as community groups we will all save money by sharing the facility and its running costs, meaning we will need less funding.

"There is lots going on at the moment regenerating Rhyl and making it better, but not every family can afford these amenities. Our services are free and our adult groups have subsidies meals at very low cost to them. Where as all the food we provide for the children and youth groups is free. We are also very conscious of the need for places for young people to "hang out" during the evenings within the town centre.

"Wider impacts we hope will be the money it will save in the long run as such as Police dealing with issues on the streets, older people needing support, potentially putting children and young people through the court system, it also costs the NHS for example with supporting older people with loneliness and isolation, so ultimately the tax payer saves."