JOURNAL readers have shared their memories of the Rhyl SeaQuarium after it closed for good on Monday (November 27), and their sadness about it permanently shutting its doors.

Many took to Facebook to recall happy times spent at the attraction, which had been established in Rhyl for beyond three decades and welcomed more than 80,000 visitors a year.

The SeaQuarium said it took the decision to close “with a heavy heart”, and said it came “as a result of the ongoing coastal sea defence work on Rhyl Promenade”.

Denbighshire County Council said it is engaged in “ongoing legal matters” with the SeaQuarium.

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Rhyl SeaQuarium confirms closure ‘with a heavy heart’

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Ann Willis said she took great comfort in visiting the SeaQuarium after the death of her parents.

She added: “I’m very sad that I won't be able to visit one last time.

“I went there some time after my parents died - they lived in Rhyl - and remember it being such a comforting experience, especially watching the stingrays.”

Mike Nawikas said: “I used to love the days as kids when you could walk down to the Sea Life Centre, and they'd have the crabs and starfish outside for you to see and hold.

“They used to hold clean-ups on the beach, as well. Everyone who helped got a stamp on your hand, with free entry to the Sea Life Centre.

Diane Waters, who said she was part of the SeaQuarium’s original opening team, added: “I was so sorry to hear this, especially as I was part of the original opening team.

“It is such a shame - a sad day indeed for all those involved, and for Rhyl as a town.”

April Williams added that the SeaQuarium’s closure was “such sad news”, having been “one of Rhyl’s best attractions”.

She said: “I had my daughter’s sixth birthday party there some 20+ years ago, and have continued to visit over the years.”

Christy Williams said he was “absolutely gutted” by its closure.

He added: “I worked there as a talks presenter in the 1990s and returned some years later, and had the honour of working with the seals.

“It was a privilege to have worked there. (It is) so sad to see the sudden closure, without one last walk around the centre.”

Sarah Johnson added: “My kids loved this place when they were little; we had two of my daughters’ birthdays here.

Likewise, Paul Jones said: “I had taken my grandson there on a few occasions for an hour or two. He loved the place. I feel sorry for the employees.”

Jim Garwood wrote: “I remember going to the opening ceremony 30-odd years ago. I got my photo taken with (TV presenter) Sarah Greene from ‘Going Live’.”

Jade McCoan added: “This is so, so sad. We used to go here every time we went to Rhyl when I was little, and I took my daughter there.”

SeaQuarium added that some of its animals have already been offered new homes within other aquariums and zoos throughout the UK.

This transition will be carefully co-ordinated to minimise the disruption to their lives, it said.

It has also pledged to support its staff through their redundancies processes.