THE newly developed £12.6million Queen's Market in Rhyl has been left without an operator. 

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group had been awarded the contract to operate the premises.

Now after "careful consideration and discussion", Denbighshire County Council and Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group have "mutually agreed" not to take forward their proposed partnership.

Both parties have agreed that a "collaborative vision" for the Queen's Market could not be achieved.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: “The Queen’s Market project is a vitally important part of the long-term development work happening in Rhyl, and structural work on the building is nearing completion.

"The Queen’s Market will provide a unique retail offering to the people of Denbighshire and beyond, and we are committed to ensuring that this project will deliver the very best offering and outcome for the people of Rhyl.

"Work will continue to fit out the facility as planned, and we look forward to the Queens Market opening for business in 2024. 

"We would like to thank the Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group for their cooperation and collaboration on this project and wish them all the best with their future endeavours.”

Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of the Mikhail Group said: “We would like to thank the team at Denbighshire Council for their support over the last few months as we have enjoyed working with them to find a mutually beneficial solution for this fantastic venue. 

"Ultimately, we felt that the Queens Market didn’t fit within our operating model. We wish the team at the Council every success for the future of the Queens Market project.”

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Former Prestatyn councillor Paul Penlington, who has been selected as Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East, said: "Following Denbighshire’s Labour leader’s recently leaked letter informing councillors the county may face bankruptcy, I questioned the authority asking for an update on the Queen's Market ‘development’ in Rhyl. This project currently has no operator lined up, seems to have ceased development and is currently 112 per cent over its original budget, just short of seven million pounds of public money, yet Denbighshire County Council continue pouring public money into this overblown cattle shed with no outcome in sight.

"Combined with several other projects in recent years that have gone way over budget and continue draining funds; SC2, the coastal defence schemes, waste services and more, I calculate at least £10 million has been frittered away with poor financial management of the authority."

The council are implementing a new plan to appoint an operator for the facility.

Further updates are expected to be provided in due course.