Families who regularly head to Rhyl for days out and holidays are being invited to help shape the future of one of the North West’s best-loved coastal destinations as part of a major public engagement campaign.
The seaside resort is seeking ideas on how £20 million of investment should be used over the next decade, with visitors encouraged to share their thoughts this summer while enjoying everything Rhyl has to offer, or online after returning home.
The latest stage of the campaign follows a community discussion led by Clwyd North MP Gill German, where residents met at Ffordd Las Community Centre to explore priorities for the Pride in Place programme and put forward ideas aimed at making Rhyl an even stronger destination for local people, businesses and the millions of visitors it attracts each year.
Suggestions included celebrating the town’s rich entertainment history through new heritage trails and events, creating more family-friendly attractions along the beach including barbecues and seasonal fireworks displays, investing further in the library and museum, supporting schools to celebrate local history, helping independent businesses flourish and ensuring Rhyl continues to evolve as a thriving seaside resort for future generations.
The discussion followed a successful weekend of engagement at Rhyl Carnival, attended by hundreds of children, families, businesses, charities, community organisations and market traders.
Now the Our Rhyl / Ein Rhyl Board is widening the conversation even further, with residents and visitors invited to meet Board members at community events throughout the summer, including St Mary’s Annual Parish Feast on August 16, Queen’s Market’s outdoor summer markets beginning on August 2, Rhyl Miniature Railway’s Bank Holiday celebrations and a range of local school, sporting and community events.
People unable to attend in person can also share their views online via the campaign survey or by scanning QR codes displayed throughout the town.
Gill said: “It was fantastic to welcome so many residents to the discussion and hear such a wide range of thoughtful, ambitious and positive ideas for Rhyl’s future.
“People spoke passionately about protecting what makes Rhyl special while also looking ahead to new opportunities for families, young people, businesses and our community. Every conversation matters and I’ll be feeding all of the ideas back to the Our Rhyl Board as this work continues.”
She added: “This funding represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I want to make sure as many voices as possible are heard over the coming weeks and months. I’ll continue meeting with residents and encouraging everyone to get involved.”
The engagement programme builds on more than a year of consultation that has already generated thousands of survey responses from residents, businesses and stakeholders, helping to shape a long-term vision for Rhyl.
Alongside community events, themed Action Groups are also being established to give people practical opportunities to help develop projects, identify priorities and support delivery of the programme over the next decade.
Craig Sparrow, Chair of the Our Rhyl Board, said: “The response we’ve received has been incredibly encouraging. Whether it’s through Gill’s community discussion, Rhyl Carnival or conversations at local events, people are telling us they care deeply about the future of their town and want to play a part in shaping it.
“If your organisation is holding an event, if your community group would like us to visit, or if you simply have an idea you’d like to share, please get in touch. This is a genuine opportunity for local people to help shape how £20 million of investment benefits Rhyl over the next 10 years.”
Every conversation will help inform the final vision for Rhyl, ensuring future investment reflects the ambitions not only of those who live and work in the town but also the many visitors from across Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and the wider North West who return year after year.
