Edwardian attraction may have existed before being altered and destroyed in 1907 fire, says Cadw

Few people have seen it with their own eyes but the legend of Little Venice lives on through nuggets of evidence and word of mouth passed down the generations since the brief existence of the canal attraction beneath what is now Queens Market from 1902 to 1905.

Contemporary newspaper reports and adverts described it as a “faithful reproduction in miniature of Venice” including “real gondolas” among leading Edwardian attractions including 40 “modern” shops, ballroom dancing, varieties, an orchestra, ice cream-making and a roof garden.

The Queens Palace roof garden as described in newspaper article dated 1903. Pictures from Stuart Jones

After just three years there Little Venice was reported to have been altered into a Constantinople-themed display with the “‘canal’ and its gondolas … done away with”.

A fire in 1907, in which the glass dome roof of Queens Palace collapsed, is said to have cut off the underground attraction which was then abandoned and forgotten in subsequent decades.

Devastating damage caused by the fire in 1907, which destroyed the Queens Palace glass dome. Pictures from Stuart Jones

Damage caused by the 1907 fire as seen from the outside. Pictures from Stuart Jones

The lack of hard evidence over Little Venice’s existence has raised doubt over whether it ever existed to begin with. It was not included in the original blueprint for Queens Market and photographic evidence is limited to an old black-and-white print.

Rhyl History Club made its own investigations over the years and no conclusive evidence was found.

Local historian Stuart Jones claims the attraction was designed as a “tunnel of love” amusement featuring eight spanned arches and was flooded with six inches of water.

“Queens Palace only had a few years of existence but I still believe there are remains of the archways that could be salvaged,” he said.

“If it gets lost in history of time I will be sorry to see it go. If anything could be found there then I would like the people of Rhyl to know about it and see it.”

Rhyl resident Chantelle Thompson is more certain. She said: “We know there is something, even if its small with the fire damage it suffered. We would like to see it before it is destroyed forever because it is an important piece of history for Rhyl.”

Newspaper extracts dated to 1903 (left) and 1905.

Cadw carried out surveys in 1994 and 2007, which found that due to fire damage and later alterations it did not meet listed criteria.

“It’s our understanding that there was a short-lived canal attraction beneath the hotel, but evidence shows this had gone by 1905,” a Cadw spokesperson said.

“The building could have been considered for listing as it appeared prior to the 1907 fire, but the damage and further alterations have eroded its architectural character.”

Glamorous dancers in Queens Palace ballroom during the 1960s. Pictures from Stuart Jones

As part of Denbighshire County Council’s redevelopment of Queens Market, one of the rooms is due to be restored and turned into a meeting or conference room.

A DCC spokesperson said: “Since the council took ownership of the buildings in early 2019 there has been an extensive amount of clearance and site investigations. To date no evidence of Little Venice still being in existence has been found, but given the nature of the demolition and asbestos works that are currently taking place, the contractor will be very vigilant and notify the council if anything becomes apparent.”

The food and markethall design for the Queens Market redevelopment. Picture: Queen’s market design and access statement

Cllr Joan Butterfield said the legend of Little Venice carried on throughout the 20th century and, whether it exists or not, history is being lost in the redevelopment.

“Rhyl was a proud and iconic seaside resort that was thriving with a lot of history and pride. Losing any part of our history is a sadness, but looking at the integrity of the building it was quite shocking.

“Each time Queens Market comes up for planning the existence of Little Venice is resurrected. Whether it existed how we might imagine it, we don’t know.

“But if we don’t look after and maintain our buildings then they won’t last forever.”