BRITAIN’S worst seaside town dubbed “Blackpool after a neutron bomb” is set to be transformed in a huge £20m makeover.
The once booming resort of Rhyl in Wales was known for its great beach, arcades and shops until a huge series of business closures.
Rhyl’s fun fair on the sea front is temporarily closed Nigel Iskander
Boarded up sites by the beach Nigel Iskander
The sale of the White Rose shopping centre recently fell throughNigel Iskander
But now it has been dubbed “Blackpool after a neutron bomb.”
Over the years, the town has faced some major setbacks – from recently losing its cinema to failed launches of tourist attractions.
The Telegraph rated Rhyl as the UK’s worst seaside town in 2023 and said efforts to make Rhyl a “desirable destination” had fallen flat.
The review read: “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.”
The town’s SeaQuarium shut in 2023 and the SC2 waterpark closed for months after storm damage – but it is set to return this year.
A planned Skyflyer attraction – a balloon airship – also was a blow to the town after it failed to launch after several setbacks.
Some locals thought their town was “the best place in the world” to live” and “great place for locals.”
But youngsters thought “that so little is open” and not much to do in the area.
Student Megan Johnson said in the summer season that “so many attractions and shops are either shut or empty.”
However, the town is now set to return to its former glory with a £20 million makeover from the government’s £1.1 billion levelling up investment of “left behind” towns.
From this fund, £12 million is being used for “improvement projects in the town centre and central promenade.”
Rhyl Council previously dismissed allegations that the town is in crisis, and instead described its future as “exciting.”
A council spokesperson said over the past decade a whopping £200 million has been invested into the area for its “long-term” development.
“This includes over £100 million to upgrade the sea defences to protect Rhyl from coastal flooding and to safeguard the future of Rhyl as a place to live, work and visit,” they added.
The Queen’s Market, a new food hall and events facility, is also set to open this summer.
The market will have 16 food and retail units, a double-sided bar, an events space, and space for hosting events, markets, or as additional seating.
They added: “Future phases could include a mixture of developments to support tourism, employment and economic growth in the town, with discussions taking place about a potential hotel, in addition to potential residential, retail, and leisure uses.”
The council has also invested in leisure and entertainment facilities, such as a new indoor water park and Ninja assault course, which has already contributed 65 new jobs to the region.
Boarded up shops on Rhyl’s High StreetNigel Iskander
More closed down sitesNigel Iskander
But plans are in the making to transform RhylNigel Iskander
It comes after Denbighshire Leisure Ltd announced the reopening of SC2 Waterpark in Rhyl.
The water park previously closed after its roof was damaged during a storm.
But now, the £15million water park could reopen in “early summer”, DLL revealed.
Rhyl Pavilion Theatre has also seen a £2.4 million makeover, which has a new restaurant and bar that offers stunning coastal views.
The spokesperson added: “The council has delivered many projects to improve green space areas for the health and well-being benefits of residents and visitors.”
The private sector has played a significant role in boosting the local economy – with developments like a Premier Inn and Travelodge on the promenade and The White Rose Shopping Centre selling for above its guide price.
Rhyl also saw a tourism boom with an impressive 1.8 million visitors in 2023 – which was up from 1.7 million in pre-Covid years.
LOCALS HAVE THEIR SAY
Amongst a Facebook group for local residents, a host of various activities, workshops and craft stalls are regularly advertised with the slower paced lifestyle lending itself to a community feel.
Some have even taken to social media to share their thoughts.
One user said: “Rhyl is a lovely place… with a lovely beach.”
Another put: “It’s good for the family and we recommend it to others.”
Someone else wrote: “Rhyl has a lovely golden sandy beach, that stretches all along the prom.
“There is an underground car park by the clock tower, one by pavilion theatre and one by the Marsdens pub.”
A fourth commented: “Lovely spot – arcades, sandy beaches, little funfair.
“Lots to do with the family – clean and tidy – easy parking. Welsh seaside fun.”
Despite small seaside towns across the UK often receiving negative attention, it seems many appreciate what Rhyl has to offer.
From its proximity to beautiful locations, cheap house prices and even classic fish and chips, holidaymakers put off by the unwanted feedback for the town may want to reconsider.
According to Rightmove, average house prices in the area were £172,791 over the last year – far lower than the national average of £288,000.
Rhyl’s police stationNigel Iskander
Diggers working on the sea defence of RhylNigel Iskander
Rubbish left behind on a Rhyl beach after a Bank Holiday weekend in previous yearsNigel Iskander
The Palace Fun Centre is a large family arcade with modern machines and games Nigel Iskander
Geronimo’s Adventure Playground Cafe is also on the promenadeNigel Iskander
Full table of the best UK seaside towns
The full table created by Which? of the UK’s best seaside towns and their overall customer scores.
Bamburgh, Northumberland – 86%
Portmeirion, Gwynedd, Wales – 83%
St Andrews, Fife, Scotland – 82%
Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear – 81%
St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales – 80%
Dartmouth, Devon – 79%
Rye, East Sussex – 79%
Southwold, Suffolk – 79%
Llandudno, Conwy, Wales – 78%
Swanage, Dorset – 78%
Aldeburgh, Suffolk – 77%
Crail, Fife, Scotland – 77%
Lyme Regis, Dorset – 77%
Whitby, North Yorkshire – 77%
Blakeney, Norfolk – 76%
Criccieth, Gwynedd, Wales – 76%
Portstewart, Co. Londonderry/Derry, NI – 76%
Sidmouth, Devon – 76%
Bally Castle, County Antrim, NI – 75%
Frinton-on-Sea, Essex – 75%
Nairn, Highlands, Scotland – 75%
Sheringham, Norfolk – 75%
St Mawes, Cornwall – 75%
Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales – 74%
Beaumaris, Anglesey, Wales – 74%
Bude, Cornwall – 74%
Conwy, Conwy, Wales – 74%
Deal, Kent – 74%
Lytham St Annes, Lancashire – 74%
North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland – 74%
Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire – 74%
Amble, Northumberland – 73%
Beer, Devon – 73%
Cromer, Norfolk – 73%
Dungeness, Kent – 73%
Falmouth, Cornwall – 73%
Lymington, Hampshire – 73%
Lynmouth, Devon – 73%
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales – 73%
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear – 73%
Fowey, Cornwall – 72%
Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland – 72%
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire – 72%
Weymouth, Dorset – 72%
Aberdovey, Gwynedd, Wales – 71%
Broadstairs, Kent – 71%
Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland – 71%
Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland – 71%
Seahouses, Northumberland – 71%
Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland – 71%
Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland – 71%
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk – 71%
Exmouth, Devon – 70%
Filey, North Yorkshire – 70%
Mevagissey, Cornwall – 70%
Looe, Cornwall – 69%
Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales – 69%
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales – 69%
Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland – 69%
Ventnor, Isle of Wight – 69%
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – 68%
Budleigh Salterton, Devon – 68%
Clevedon, Somerset – 68%
Whitstable, Kent – 68%
Easbourne, East Sussex – 67%
Grand-over-Sands, Cumbria – 67%
Shanklin, Isle of Wight – 67%
Southsea, Hampshire – 67%
St ives, Cornwall – 67%
Teignmouth, Devon – 67%
Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales – 66%
Brixham, Devon – 66%
Portrush, County Antrim, NI – 66%
West Bay, Devon – 66%
Dunbar, East Lothian – 65%
Felixstowe, Suffolk – 65%
Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland – 65%
Appledore, Devon – 64%
Bournemouth, Dorset – 64%
Padstow, Cornwall – 64%
Plymouth, Devon – 64%
Salcombe, Devon – 64%
Abersoch, Gwynedd, Wales – 63%
Brighton, East Sussex – 63%
Hunstanton, Norfolk – 63%
Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales – 63%
Torquay, Devon – 63%
Poole, Dorset – 62%
Scarborough, North Yorkshire – 62%
Worthing, West Sussex – 62%
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales – 61%
Folkestone, Kent – 61%
Porthcawl, Bridgend, Wales – 61%
Swansea, Swansea, Wales – 61%
Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire – 60%
Minehead, Somerset – 60%
Penzance, Cornwall – 60%
Barry Island, Glamorgan, Wales – 59%
Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire – 59%
Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Wales – 58%
Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset – 58%
Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland – 57%
Dawlish, Devon – 57%
Morecambe, Lancashire – 57%
New Brighton, Merseyside – 57%
Newquay, Cornwall – 57%
Seaton, Devon – 57%
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales – 56%
Herne Bay, Kent – 56%
Ramsgate, Kent – 56%
Ilfracombe, Devon – 55%
Littlehampton, West Sussex – 55%
Southport, Merseyside – 55%
Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire – 54%
Lowestoft, Suffolk – 54%
Margate, Kent – 53%
Southend-on-Sea, Essex – 53%
Fleetwood, Lancashire – 51%
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk – 51%
Blackpool, Lancashire – 49%
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex – 48%
Skegness, Lincolnshire – 48%
Bognor Regis, West Sussex – 47%
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset – 47%
Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire – 46%
Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales – 42%
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