THE leader of Denbighshire County Council has defended Rhyl after The Telegraph ranked it bottom of its 'best and worst seaside towns' list.
The Telegraph gave the town a score of just five out of 100 in its seaside gentrification index, which rated Britain’s 20 best and worst seaside towns.
The publication wrote: "North Wales’ oldest pier was demolished in 1973, the domed Pavilion theatre was azed the following year. Efforts to make Rhyl a desirable destination – the Sun Centre in 1980, White Rose Shopping Centre in 1984, a museum and library complex in 1986 – have failed. The Ocean Beach funfair closed in 2007. A Sky Tower ride was decommissioned. There were plans to make it a light show; it’s now a pay-and-display car park.
"No past, no arts or entertainment, no fun: gentrification is not suited to all seaside towns but Rhyl – once unfortunately dubbed the 'Costa del Dole' and, on one occasion, 'Blackpool after a neutron bomb' – is how not to do things."
Cllr Jason McLellan, who was elected Leader of Denbighshire County Council last May, has now defended the town and said he intends to "continue the work of securing investment in Rhyl."
"There has already been a £65 million investment to regenerate Rhyl for residents and businesses alike, around leisure, commerce, and community projects," he said.
“This so far has delivered a new harbour, new leisure facilities such as SC2 Waterpark, a newly renovated Pavilion Theatre and the creation of the new 1891 Restaurant. In addition national chains have built new hotels in Rhyl.
"There is a new housing and a community park as well as businesses like Pro Kite Surfing, an excellent facility that attracts kite surfers from all over the UK, who have invested in the Kite Surf Café.
“The historic Queen's Market site, an iconic location in Rhyl, is currently being developed to include a food hall, an indoor market hall and flexible space that can accommodate any number of events, the sort of venue popular all over the UK.
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“In the community Rhyl Youth Centre officially opened this week, creating a comfortable, modern environment for young people to develop skills and access tailored support through activities and training.
“As part of a business offer the newly redeveloped Costigan’s building provides modern, high-quality business accommodation serviced by ultra-fast broadband and is a flexible base for a whole new generation of small businesses, encouraging them to set up and use the town centre as their base, so Rhyl can be a hub of entrepreneurship. The council is also currently in discussion with a number of external investors who all see the opportunities in Rhyl and are willing to invest.
“The town centre has been struggling recently, as has been seen up and down the country, however Denbighshire County Council and all the hard-working Rhyl Councillors are committed to long-term development and overall, the aim of this huge regeneration project is to invest in the town for the benefit of our residents.”
Readers surprisingly didn't think The Telegraph had been too harsh with its critique.
Scott Williams took to the Journal Facebook and wrote: "There's a line in this article that says 'a lesson in how not to do things' and it is 100 per cent spot on.
"Going all the way back to Rhuddlan Borough Council, white elephant after white elephant has absolutely ruined this town."
Keith Williams posted: "Potential and all DCC Councillors should be required to live, eat and sleep in the town before they are allowed be elected to the council. Then they will know whats needed after a 12 month residency!"
Catherine Robbins said: "How many Denbighshire County Councillors live in Rhyl and who are they?
"Rhyl will never be a seaside holiday destination again. Anyone wanting activities will go to Towyn to the fair, pubs, caravans and camp sites.
"If anyone wants shops they go to Prestatyn. Rhyl's best asset is the beach."
Gillian Taylor added: "Rhyl has been ruined completely. In the 50s, 60s, 70s Rhyl had everything. It was beautiful and packed to capacity. Now derelict with bomb site buildings."
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