A formerly picturesque British seaside town that was popular with tourists for years but was recently named one of the country’s worst is hoping its fortunes will soon change for the better thanks to regeneration plans
Setbacks have bestowed a previously splendid Victorian seaside town’s efforts to restore its reputation but it is still desperately trying to bounce back.
A Welsh town was once a glorious tourist hotspot where holidaymakers flocked year round to enjoy the long sandy beach and traditional seaside attractions. Rhyl, on the coast of north Wales, once boasted a 2,115ft long pier, an artificial boating lake, pleasure rides and a miniature railway. But in recent times its reputation has suffered a huge blow and critics have been quick to share their damning reviews.
One horrified visitor in February this year shared her feelings and really didn’t hold back. She explained she’d taken her children there for a visit as she’s from Wales but left after 20 minutes feeling “ashamed” it’s part of her country. “Disgusting, dirty place, I felt like I wanted to sanitise my hands with acid after going there and have felt nauseous since I got home,” she ranted on Tripadvisor. “I can’t fathom why anyone would go there on holiday it’s the worst place I have ever been / the whole place needs knocking down and rebuilding, the cafes I wouldn’t risk my health eating at and the carpets in the arcade looked like something out of the 50,s my feet were sticking to them. Absolutely vile.”
Her’s isn’t the only savage slating of the town, with others slamming it as a “dump”, “depressing” and a “disgrace”. Adding to its woes, last year, Rhyl was named the worst seaside town in the UK and it was awarded a pitiful 5/100 by the Telegraph.
It pointed to the arrival of the package holiday in the seventies as the main reason for its fall in popularity, as British holidaymakers and locals flocked abroad for warmer weather and more exotic locations. It also highlighted the closure of the famous Victorian pier and pavilion around the same time and failed efforts in the years after to attract tourists, such as the shopping centre, museum and library and the loss of the funfair on the beach. In November, it was announced that the SeaQuarium, which drew in 80,000 visitors annually, would be permanently closing due to ongoing coastal sea defence work on Rhyl Promenade.
A £65million investment to regenerate the town has also seen its setbacks. In December, storms damaged the roof of the SC2 waterpark, which opened in 2019. It has now been confirmed that the waterpark will not reopen this year, dealing another blow to the seaside resort. A Skyflyer attraction has also been plagued with issues and was ultimately scrapped in October due to storm damage. Despite the completion of the Queens Market redevelopment, it remains vacant. The Rhyl Airshow has also been cancelled for this year as the Red Arrows are unavailable.
However, there are still reasons to visit – including a beautiful sandy beach, amusements, Ninja Tag and a popular cinema. Several projects have been brought forward including a new harbour and a newly renovated Pavilion Theatre and the 1891 Restaurant. National chains have also built new hotels and existing business Pro Kite Surfing, which attracts kite surfers from across the UK, has invested in the Kite Surf Café.
Last year local councillor Jason McLellan remained upbeat about the town and its appeal: “Rhyl is definitely still a tourist destination,” he told Nation Cymru. “If you look out the window at the front of my office, you will see the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, the 1891, which is attracting a lot of visitors there. We see the Kite Surf Cafe. We’ve got private-sector investment in Rhyl from a number of national chains, and we’ve got an events arena, which is used in the summer and brings people in. We are holding more and more events. Our next challenge will be the town centre and to regenerate that. With all the work that is going on there across town and private-sector investment, Rhyl has the potential to be a real top tourist destination.”
There are also recent more positive reviews on Tripadvisor among those condemning the town. One wrote: “Rhyl has everything… its a great place shops… the sea the beach best chippy around its down the road from snowdon… .they are spending big money on Rhyl doing it up.” Another enjoyed the famous beach: “A little walk from the Lyons Robin Hood Caravan Site and you are on Rhyl Beach. A nice, clean, dog friendly beach is what greets you. The kids had a great time in the sea and collecting seashells, the simple pleasures in life.” Just last month another visitor posted: “Not an ideal weather but the view is outstanding. Plenty places to see and visit so you definitely not gonna get bored! Hotly recommend.”
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