RHYL’s “forgotten beach” could be the key to reviving the Victorian town back to its ‘bucket and spade heyday’.

Setting up a market place on the site of the Queen’s Market Building and former Savoy Hotel, extending the high street and more high quality retail, food outlets and offices are also crucial, a report says.

The ambitious plans to revive tourism and bring the seaside resort back to its former glory were debated by Denbighshire Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, September 24; cabinet gave the 'vision' its backing.

The local authority have been working ‘collaboratively’ with a range of people and partners over the past 18-months to develop a vision for Rhyl Town Centre.

In the report to cabinet - Rhyl Town Centre Vision - it is stated: “The wide tarmac of the parade and a piecemeal string of leisure attractions along the waterfront bisect the town centre and its beach.

Rhyl Journal:

Queen's Market concept

“Broadly speaking, the town is divided into less affluent areas to the west and those with higher incomes to the east. Many locals with money to spend tend to avoid the town centre and go elsewhere.”

“Once a graceful Victorian seaside town and thriving British seaside resort, Rhyl’s fall from its ‘bucket and spade’ heyday has been dramatic. Declining tourism over the past two decades has hit Rhyl hard. However, the town now faces an exciting turning point in its development as it seeks to shake off negative perceptions and redefine itself as a great seaside town once again.”

Eight ‘big ideas’ have been put forward to help shape the future of Rhyl town centre.

More than 2,500 people got involved in the process through meetings, drop-in sessions, exhibition, workshops and online consultation.

  • Reunite the beach and town centre
  • Expand the existing recreational-led offer and diversify the choice in retail and food
  • Create a great town centre throughout the day
  • Invest in public realm; creative civic spaces to be proud of
  • Create great places to spend time
  • Transform the Queen’s Buildings into a vibrant community asset
  • Make the town centre a destination for locals
  • Create opportunities for the local community to shape their town and raise aspirations.

Proposals including setting up a market place on the site of the Queen’s Market Building and former Savoy Hotel. The contemporary market will be at the centre of the site, along with a mix of high quality retail and food outlets, offices and an open courtyard.

It would also serve as a route to join the town centre to the beach front.

A yet unconfirmed landmark structure could be built on the beach to attract more people and the pedestrian bridge that links the town centre to the beach could also be taken down to improve views.

Work is now underway to develop these eight ideas into a programme of priorities and projects over a 15 year period. This will form the basis for a draft plan for the Rhyl Programme Board to deliver.

Leader of Denbighshire, cllr Hugh Evans, said: “This vision document has been drawn up after working together with people from public and private sectors, as well as the local community with a deep interest in creating a better future for Rhyl. It is based on the issues highlighted by local people and the suggestions, solutions and ideas they have put forward.

“This ’vision’ document will now become a vital reference point for decision makers, developers and investors, to help coordinate and speed up the regeneration of Rhyl. It sends a clear message to residents and the wider community that confidence in and perceptions of Rhyl town centre are changing – and will continue to change – for the better.

“Key to all of this is to create a modern, distinctive seaside town that meets the needs of its community and gives people from in and outside Rhyl a reason to visit”.

Recent projects have attracted over £65million in investment in Rhyl.

These include The new Pont y Ddraig Bridge and Harbour improvements, Gerddi Heulwen new housing and community park, A new Premier Inn, Cookhouse & Pub, Renovation of the Pavilion Theatre and creation of 1891 Restaurant, A new Travelodge and Marstons Pub and SC2 water park.