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Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Prestatyn coastal defences completed early and under budget
The Central Prestatyn Coastal Defences Scheme was not due to be finished until the end of 2025, but a small completion ceremony was held today (June 19), and was attended by Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS. A plaque was also unveiled to mark the completion of the project, which includes a new embankment to store storm surge waters and reduce the risk of them reaching Prestatyn's town centre. The Deputy First Minister said the flood defences will be a 'huge benefit' to residents of Prestatyn. He added: 'I'm delighted to be here today, to officially open this amazing coastal protection scheme. 'It's a massive piece of work from Balfour Beatty and Denbighshire County Council, and funded by over £22million of Welsh Government money. 'This is the sort of work we're doing now to tackle climate change and protect these homes and businesses, and to make a beautiful esplanade along the front for tourists to enjoy, as well. 'It's a great piece of work.' Huw Irranca-Davies next to the plaque marking the project's completion. (Image: Newsquest) Balfour Beatty delivered the scheme on behalf of Denbighshire County Council. Additional protective measures include new rock armour at the western end of the scheme, providing erosion protection around the slipway, along with improvements to existing culverts and construction of two new outfall structures. Welsh Government provided 85 per cent (£22.2 million) of the construction funding through its Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP). Denbighshire County Council contributed the remaining 15 per cent, while Welsh Government also fully funded the £1.75m development phase. Cllr Jason McLellan (L), leader of Denbighshire County Council, also attended today's event (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Jason McLellan, Denbighshire County Council leader, attended today's event, and said: 'I want to say thanks to Balfour Beatty. This project has been delivered ahead of time and under budget, and we rarely say that about a big infrastructure project like this. 'I'm here as council leader, but the ward I also represent (Prestatyn North) is literally next door, and I think the community engagement here has been excellent. 'There have been some concerns and push-backs from residents as you would expect, but Balfour Beatty and the team have dealt with them brilliantly.' Huw Irranca-Davies with some of the Balfour Beatty staff who worked on the scheme (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Barry Mellor, the council's lead member for environment and transport, also attended today's completion ceremony, and said: 'Having witnessed the devastating effects of the coastal flooding which hit Rhyl on December 5, 2013, this work is particularly close to my heart. 'The council opened Rhyl Leisure Centre at that time as an evacuation centre due to the severe flooding, and the sight of my residents coming in soaking wet clinging to their loved animals will never leave me. 'I still have residents coming up to me to this day saying how grateful they are as they now can sleep at night without having to worry about their homes flooding. 'So, I'm so pleased to see the completion of this part of the project which will now give peace of mind to the residents of Prestatyn.' The scheme could protect up to 2,700 Prestatyn homes from flooding (Image: Newsquest) As well as protecting the area from flooding, the work created eight new jobs and more than 190 days of work experience was provided for people. The Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, meanwhile, is set for completion in August or September.
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl woman in household of seven is denied second waste bin
The woman, who asked not to be named, claimed in March that a binman told her residents will only have one bin emptied a month 'whether you are a single person or a family of eight'. She labelled this 'shocking', and said it 'doesn't make any sense', adding that she also believes the move has caused numerous instances of fly tipping across Rhyl. Last week, the woman contacted the Journal again, saying following advice from her binmen, she made a fresh enquiry with Denbighshire County Council about this matter. 'I contacted the council again this week after discussing with the binmen that we should have two bins,' she said. 'This was, again, denied by the waste team.' Last June, the council introduced changes to recycling and waste collections, including new containers and weekly collections for recyclable materials, and the scrapping of the blue wheelie bin. Since then, some of the county's residents have been required to separate their 'dry' recycling using a new three-tier 'Trolibocs'. Denbighshire leader Cllr Jason McLellan with one of the council's new recycling 'Trolibocs on wheels' - to replace their blue bin (Image: Submitted) But the council then issued multiple apologies for residents across the county not having their bins collected on time. In her enquiry, the woman wrote: '(I am a) customer (who) spoke with binmen on Monday. I previously had two refuse bins collected every two weeks because of seven people and children with disabilities (at my home) 'They advised to ring the council, to be put on a list so that the crew can collect two bins. Please can this be assessed?' But the council's response read: 'Our policy is for bin per family to be collected every four weeks. 'Larger families can order an extra Troliboc to assist with the extra recycling that is produced.' When approached by the Journal for further comment, a council spokesperson said: 'It is council policy for all properties to be issued with either a black or blue 240-litre bin for residual waste. 'Our collection teams will empty one bin (black or blue) from properties on a four-weekly basis. 'Further recycling provisions can be made for households that require additional further recyclable waste capacity, as well as those who have been assessed and meet Denbighshire County Council's criteria.'
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.'
Business News Wales
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Opening Date Announced for Rhyl's Queen's Market
The new Queen's Market in Rhyl will officially open its doors to the public on July 10. The Queen's Market buildings have been an iconic landmark in the centre of Rhyl since 1902 and have provided a variety of uses for the town throughout the years. The new development includes 16 individual food and retail units, a double-sided bar and a large events space, and will be an integral community space right in the heart of Rhyl, Denbighshire County Council said. To celebrate the opening of the venue, a series of celebratory opening weekend events will be held each day from Thursday July 10 up until the end of the weekend. The internal fit out of the Market is now reaching the final stages, with final preparations being made ahead of opening the venue. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: 'This venue will bring a fresh, modern and exciting offer to Rhyl and Denbighshire as a whole, and plays a major role in our regeneration efforts in the area by creating jobs and increasing footfall in Rhyl. 'The Market has great public transport links and is walking distance from both the high street and the beach. 'Queen's Market will be a hub for the community and will feature high-quality food, drink and retail options, as well as a state of the art, modern events space, which will be used to host concerts, markets, comedians, events and more. 'The building is opening right in time for summer, and just before the start of the summer holidays, one of the busiest times for footfall and tourism in the area. We are inviting all residents of Rhyl, and further afield, to come along to the opening weekend and discover what this new venue can offer them.' Andrew Burnett, Director at Midlands Events (Rhyl) Limited, said: 'We have a fantastic mix of high-quality food retailers, a themed bar and a full weekend of fantastic entertainment planned for the opening weekend. 'We look forward to welcoming all customers to come along to relax, eat good food, have a relaxing drink and enjoy the free entertainment we have planned over the weekend. 'We are very proud of the venue we have created and look forward to welcoming everyone on site.' The Queen's Market project has received funding from the Welsh Government, largely through its Transforming Towns Programme. The project has received funding from UK Government's SPF funding. It has also received funding from UK Government through the Pride of Place & Natural Environment: Rhyl, Prestatyn & Denbigh Programme. The project is also funded by Denbighshire County Council.
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
