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Business News Wales
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Merlin Cinemas Confirmed as New Operator for Rhyl Cinema
Independent national cinema operator Merlin Cinemas is set to take over the five-screen cinema in Rhyl town centre. The Cornwall-based independent operator has 21 other cinemas across the UK, including the Scala at Prestatyn. Denbighshire County Council said the company had a reputation for operating historic cinemas, as well as repurposed and modern buildings as cinemas, in communities often overlooked or underserved by larger cinema companies. Earlier this year, Merlin's founder and managing director, Geoff Greaves, was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the cinema industry – recognition of his 35 years spent championing the big screen in small towns. Following the closure of the cinema at the end of January, Denbighshire County Council has been working to attract an operator to the popular amenity on Rhyl's promenade. The announcement is subject to Merlin completing lease arrangements with Denbighshire County Council. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: 'We're delighted to have Merlin on board to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a great day out in Rhyl. Once the lease is signed and Merlin have taken over, the cinema will play a pivotal role in the broader regeneration efforts in Rhyl town centre.' The council added that Merlin is working closely with the council to complete and sign the lease and with suppliers to assess the work needed behind the scenes before it can reopen. The firm is committed to improving the cinema, the council said, and enhancing the cinema experience for the local community. This may mean that the cinema reopens in phases. There will also be a new name, still to be announced. Geoff Greaves said: 'We're delighted to have been successful in our bid to operate this cinema. We're already familiar with the location because of our cinema four miles along the coast in Prestatyn, but when the opportunity came along, we jumped at the chance. We are doing everything we can to get the doors open so that the town has a cinema again. We really believe that seeing a film at the cinema on the big screen with family or friends is a very different experience to watching it at home; it is more memorable, more sociable and offers a sense of occasion.' Councillor McLellan said: 'The cinema itself is in a great location opposite Queen's Market Food Hall and event space, which will open on July 10, therefore this is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting time for Rhyl. As a council we're delighted to have found an operator to take over the site so quickly and we're looking forward to working with Merlin to secure the success of the facility. 'When it opens, I urge residents to support the cinema as well as other leisure facilities in the town – we need everyone to be backing our businesses to ensure their continued success.'
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Rhyl's multi-screen cinema to reopen in latest boost for seaside town
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Rhyl's multi-screen cinema is set to reopen as the embattled seaside town shows early signs of a revival. The town has suffered a tough few years with the closure of the Vue cinema on the seafront, as well as losing the SeaQuarium and the failure of the Skyflyer to take-off. This was compounded by storm damage closing the SC2 waterpark. But this week came the news it would reopen next month. The town is also set to benefit from a £20m UK Government investment in the resort - with a board set up to decide how that should be spent. The Queen's Market Food Hall and Event space will also open in July. Now independent national cinema operator, Merlin Cinemas have announced they will take over the closed five-screen cinema, subject to completing lease arrangements with Denbighshire County Council, who own the site. The Cornwall-based independent operator has 21 other cinemas across the UK, including the Scala at Prestatyn. The company has a reputation for operating historic cinemas, as well as repurposed and modern buildings as cinemas, in communities often overlooked or underserved by larger cinema companies. Following the closure of the cinema at the end of January, Denbighshire County Council said it has been "working hard" to attract an operator to the popular amenity on Rhyl's promenade. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: 'We're delighted to have Merlin on board to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a great day out in Rhyl. Once the lease is signed and Merlin have taken over, the cinema will play a pivotal role in the broader regeneration efforts in Rhyl town centre.' Merlin is working closely with the Council to complete and sign the lease and with suppliers to assess the work needed behind the scenes before it can reopen. They said they are committed to improving the cinema and enhancing the cinema experience for the local community. It may mean that the cinema reopens in phases. There will also be a new name, which is still under wraps. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Merlin's Founder and Managing Director, Geoff Greaves, who was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the cinema industry, said: 'We're delighted to have been successful in our bid to operate this cinema. We're already familiar with the location because of our cinema four miles along the coast in Prestatyn, but when the opportunity came along, we jumped at the chance. "We are doing everything we can to get the doors open so that the town has a cinema again. We really believe that seeing a film at the cinema on the big screen with family or friends is a very different experience to watching it at home; it is more memorable, more sociable and offers a sense of occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back to your cinema very soon.' Councillor McLellan added: 'The cinema itself is in a great location opposite Queen's Market Food Hall and Event space, which will open on 10 July, therefore this is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting time for Rhyl. As a Council, we're delighted to have found an operator to take over the site so quickly and we're looking forward to working with Merlin to secure the success of the facility. 'When it opens, I urge residents to support the cinema as well as other leisure facilities in the town – we need everyone to be backing our businesses to ensure their continued success.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
13-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Rhyl's multi-screen cinema to reopen in latest boost for seaside town
Rhyl's multi-screen cinema is set to reopen as the embattled seaside town shows early signs of a revival. The town has suffered a tough few years with the closure of the Vue cinema on the seafront, as well as losing the SeaQuarium and the failure of the Skyflyer to take-off. This was compounded by storm damage closing the SC2 waterpark. But this week came the news it would reopen next month. The town is also set to benefit from a £20m UK Government investment in the resort - with a board set up to decide how that should be spent. The Queen's Market Food Hall and Event space will also open in July. Now independent national cinema operator, Merlin Cinemas have announced they will take over the closed five-screen cinema, subject to completing lease arrangements with Denbighshire County Council, who own the site. The Cornwall-based independent operator has 21 other cinemas across the UK, including the Scala at Prestatyn. The company has a reputation for operating historic cinemas, as well as repurposed and modern buildings as cinemas, in communities often overlooked or underserved by larger cinema companies. Following the closure of the cinema at the end of January, Denbighshire County Council said it has been "working hard" to attract an operator to the popular amenity on Rhyl's promenade. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: 'We're delighted to have Merlin on board to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a great day out in Rhyl. Once the lease is signed and Merlin have taken over, the cinema will play a pivotal role in the broader regeneration efforts in Rhyl town centre.' Merlin is working closely with the Council to complete and sign the lease and with suppliers to assess the work needed behind the scenes before it can reopen. They said they are committed to improving the cinema and enhancing the cinema experience for the local community. It may mean that the cinema reopens in phases. There will also be a new name, which is still under wraps. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Merlin's Founder and Managing Director, Geoff Greaves, who was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the cinema industry, said: 'We're delighted to have been successful in our bid to operate this cinema. We're already familiar with the location because of our cinema four miles along the coast in Prestatyn, but when the opportunity came along, we jumped at the chance. "We are doing everything we can to get the doors open so that the town has a cinema again. We really believe that seeing a film at the cinema on the big screen with family or friends is a very different experience to watching it at home; it is more memorable, more sociable and offers a sense of occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back to your cinema very soon.' Councillor McLellan added: 'The cinema itself is in a great location opposite Queen's Market Food Hall and Event space, which will open on 10 July, therefore this is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting time for Rhyl. As a Council, we're delighted to have found an operator to take over the site so quickly and we're looking forward to working with Merlin to secure the success of the facility. 'When it opens, I urge residents to support the cinema as well as other leisure facilities in the town – we need everyone to be backing our businesses to ensure their continued success.' Join the North Wales Live
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Kneecap film wins top prize at Celtic Media Awards
The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the long-established Cornwall-based celebration of media throughout the Celtic identifying regions.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
A Covid boom propelled the luxury yacht industry, but higher taxes hit demand for more affordable boats
Despite economic headwinds in Britain, the luxury yacht market remains buoyant, with wealthy buyers undeterred by higher taxes and tariffs. While larger yacht makers like Princess and Sanlorenzo report strong sales, demand for smaller, more affordable boats has softened. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads ( Originally published on May 21, 2025 ) Britons are feeling the pinch from higher taxes, weak economic growth and now US tariffs adding to the uncertainty. But one industry's customers appear to be sailing through relatively unscathed: luxury yacht buyers."Large yachts are still selling strongly," Joe Hill, sales director of motor yachts at British maker Princess, said at last week's British Motor Yacht Show at Swanwick Marina on England's south coast. Pointing to a model costing 4.3 million ($5.7 million) before value-added tax, he said: "If you have that as disposable income you're probably riding over the peaks and troughs of the economy anyway."Wealthy buyers are still splashing the cash on high-end yachts decked out with their own trim and other personalised features, contributing to an industry worth an estimated 1.4 billion. But less wealthy consumers aren't immune to the slowdown. They've been reining in spending, with a drop in demand for smaller and slightly more affordable yachts "There are still plenty of people spending money at the top end, but at the lower end it's quieter," said Dave Cockwell, founder of Cockwells, a Cornwall-based boutique builder that makes classic-style boats with upgraded technology. There were "more inquiries than ever" for bigger boats, but smaller ones struggled to attract buyers, he sales boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic as wealthy people sought ways to spend their money, with overseas travel limited and restrictions tight. Since then, sales have larger yachtmakers continue to enjoy strong demand. Sanlorenzo SpA, an Italian manufacturer listed in Milan, reported an 11% increase in net revenue for new yachts to ₹930 million last year, powered by its superyacht yacht show in Swanwick - which featured 45 boatmakers - pulled out all the stops to reel in the roughly 1,500 potential buyers. A lobster stall served hungry customers, while those ready to make an offer could step into luxurious lounges put on by the major yacht companies with free food and show also talked up how buying a yacht is free of stamp duty. That's become a bigger selling point after the Labour government last year raised the surcharge on second-home purchases to 5% from 3%.Sanlorenzo, which makes boats starting at 6.5 million, lured wealthy buyers with its two luxury vessels on display. The SX76 sleeps eight guests and two crew with a large saloon, dining room and full-size kitchen as well as extensive outdoor space, while its SL96A was custom-built for a client with a dark wood interior and several modern art boatmakers had less luck securing deals for their smaller vessels. People at that end of the market, who are potentially testing their financial limits, might buy a boat on finance, said Princess's Hill, and high interest rates might make them hold off purchasing for and cheaper boats - like Princess' V40 which starts at 700,000 - have seen weaker sales over the last few years, Hill said. The Plymouth-based company, which employs around 2,400 people, makes boats ranging from 40 feet to 95 feet a similar story for Rib-X, which makes speedy craft that can be used for sports, and tenders, which are smaller boats used as lifeboats or support vessels for large yachts. Sales of its smaller vessels have slumped around 40% in the past year, estimates Ross Collingwood, chief executive officer of Rib-X owner Vortec Group.
