A NEW attraction that will give thrill-seekers unparalleled views of the coast from 400ft in the air is coming to Rhyl. 

Not for the faint hearted, the SkyFlyer - which is nearly twice as high as the Sky Tower in Rhyl - will take riders into the sky on board a gondola set on a 15m platform.

Riders will enjoy 360° views reaching from Moel Famau, to the Great Orme in Llandudno, all the way to Liverpool on a clear day.

Sean Taylor, owner and founder of Zip World, is behind the proposals.

A planning application has been submitted to Denbighshire County Council.

Mr Taylor Sean said: “This is a fantastic attraction for Rhyl, as well as the whole of North Wales, and will see visitors from all over the country. Similar to Velocity and Bounce Below, people will be coming to tick this off their bucket lists.

"The success of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd’s recent projects and investments has given us and other businesses the confidence to invest in the SkyFlyer and the Rhyl seafront. Rhyl is definitely a sleeping giant, it is on the up and we’re excited to be part of that.

"Rhyl has seen incredible improvements over the last few years and the quality of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd’s attractions, and facilities; and their imminently planned projects are proof that Rhyl is the place to invest.”

Per Lindstrand, Swedish aeronautical engineer, pilot, adventurer and entrepreneur, best known for his series of record-breaking trans-oceanic hot air balloon flights and attempts to be the first to fly a Rozière balloon around the Earth – all with British entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, owns the company creating the SkyFlyer. Lindstrand Technologies Ltd, is a manufacturing firm in Oswestry, Shropshire, on the English-Welsh border.

Riders will enoy 360° views reaching from Moel Famau, to the Great Orme in Llandudno, all the way to Liverpool on a clear day

Riders will enoy 360° views reaching from Moel Famau, to the Great Orme in Llandudno, all the way to Liverpool on a clear day

Mr Lindstrand explained that the SkyFlyer is attached to a 15-metre platform, which passengers would approach via the gangway for their 15-minute flight above the Rhyl Pavilion and Welsh sea front.

He added: “The SkyFlyer will be the first of it’s kind in Europe that is fully certified by EASA and the CAA as a commercial aircraft and as such enjoys the same safety as flying in a Jumbo Jet.

"We are extremely excited to be working with Sean on this excellent project.”

The attraction, which can fly in all weathers, will add to the improvements created on Rhyl Waterfront over the last few years, including the opening of SC2, the £15million waterpark and Ninja TAG, the adrenaline fuelled TAG arena.

The Rhyl Pavilion Theatre has also been refurbished in 2021, including upgrades to the popular 1891 restaurant and bar.

The summer of 2021 will also see the opening of The Terrace at 1891, an outdoor dining and bar experience, adjacent to the proposed SkyFlyer site.

Jamie Groves, managing director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Sean, as a highly renowned operator, on this fantastic new attraction.

"This last year has been a turbulent time for everyone and bringing this to Rhyl is a real boost for the whole of the North Wales tourism industry. Since SC2 opened in 2019 we have been delighted with the numbers of residents and visitors enjoying the waterfront and coming to Rhyl.

"With all the new offers we have planned, alongside the SkyFlyer, Rhyl will again become the destination of choice for day trippers and overnight stays. We will see visitors flocking to the town to try out our new attractions, food outlets and take their ‘voyage of a lifetime’ on the new SkyFlyer.”

If the planning application is approved, the attraction is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to Rhyl every year, increasing footfall in the town centre and sharing the success with local businesses in Rhyl and North Wales.

Jim Jones, managing director of North Wales Tourism, said: “I'm really pleased to learn that Denbighshire Leisure Ltd are working with Sean Taylor on this new exciting attraction, especially in Rhyl. The town has recently seen a huge investment into its tourism infrastructure and not only will the SkyFlyer complement these existing attractions but will attract many more visitors.

"This will lead to the creation of new jobs and a big boost to the local economy, especially now when we need it most. Hopefully, if planning is approved, it will give North Wales another great attraction to add to the ever-increasing adventure portfolio and capitalise on our branding as the adventure capital of Europe.”

If the application is approved, the SkyFlyer will take flight in Spring 2022.