AFTER months of anticipation, Rhyl’s seafront is finally days away from welcoming back a fully fledged cinema – and this week I had the chance to step inside for the very first time.
I attended the VIP launch of the eagerly awaited Strand multiplex, which officially opens its doors today - Friday, December 19 - under the operation of Merlin Cinemas.
The excitement in the foyer was unmistakable, with guests including MP Gill German, Denbighshire Council leader Jason McLennan and council chairman Arwel Roberts all gathered to see what the town’s new picture house has to offer.
The answer, as it turns out, is quite a lot.
A fresh start for a familiar landmark
The first thing that struck me was the foyer: bright, spacious, and gleaming with Merlin Cinemas’ distinctive blue branding.
Everything feels new – from the lighting to the signage – and there’s a real sense that the building has been given a fresh start.
The smell of freshly popped popcorn hit me almost immediately, joined by the crunchy crisps that genuinely live up to their name.
Alongside the usual cinema snacks and soft drinks, the atmosphere had that unmistakable “big night out” feel that only a cinema can create.
Comfort, quality, and a packed opening line‑up
Inside the screens, the upgrades continue. All seats are new, and two rows in each auditorium have been fitted with luxury seating offering extra leg room – a welcome touch for anyone settling in for one of the longer blockbusters.
Sound and picture quality are exactly what you’d hope for from a modern cinema, with crisp projection and immersive audio that remind you why watching a film on the big screen is still such a special experience.
And the Strand isn’t easing into things quietly.
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Opening day will feature a full slate of major titles: Wicked: For Good, Avatar: Fire and Ash (in both 2D and 3D), Zootropolis 2, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. It’s a line‑up clearly designed to appeal to families, film fans, and anyone eager to make cinema‑going part of their routine again.
“For the people of Rhyl”
Merlin Cinemas director Geoff Greaves has been clear about the company’s intentions, describing the Strand as a cinema “for the people of Rhyl”.
He has spoken previously about the ongoing improvements planned for the building, acknowledging its size and complexity but emphasising the value of bringing cinema back to the town.
As he put it, watching a film with others is “a very different experience to watching at home”, offering a sense of occasion that can’t be replicated on a sofa.
With plans for private hires and school screenings, the Strand is being positioned not just as an entertainment venue but as a social hub – something Rhyl has been missing for far too long.
A hopeful return
Walking out of the launch, the feeling I was left with was one of optimism. The Strand looks and feels like a cinema ready to welcome people back regularly, and there’s a genuine hope among those involved that Rhyl residents will embrace it.
If the opening night atmosphere is anything to go by, the town is more than ready.
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