At a glance

Rhyl, a popular seaside town in the North West, is moving forward with a £20 million plan to revitalise the area over the next decade. The Our Rhyl/Ein Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, alongside local organisations, is focusing on community-driven development, ensuring that residents and businesses have a significant role in shaping the town's future. The initiative aims to create lasting positive changes by aligning projects with local needs and priorities.

A seaside town loved by generations of visitors from across the North West is preparing to turn an ambitious £20 million vision for its future into action. Rhyl, long a popular destination for families and day-trippers from Merseyside, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and across the border, is looking ahead to the next stage of a 10-year programme designed to deliver lasting change for the resort.

Members of the Our Rhyl/Ein Rhyl Neighbourhood Board recently joined representatives from communities across the UK at a major Pride in Place event at Dewi Sant, Cornerstone Cardiff, sharing ideas, discussing best practice and looking ahead to delivery. Chair Craig Sparrow was joined by Board members Julie Pierce and Linzi Jones, alongside Janine Downing, Chief Officer of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC). Julie is Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice Denbighshire, while Linzi is founder of The Step-Up Hub, a marketing and communications consultant and DVSC trustee.

For decades, Rhyl has enjoyed strong links with the North West, welcoming millions of visitors to its beach, promenade and attractions. Now, alongside its continuing role as one of the region’s best-known seaside destinations, the focus is firmly on the future and ensuring residents, businesses, organisations and young people have a major say in how the town develops.

The Pride in Place forum provided an opportunity for areas to exchange ideas and discuss progress on long-term plans shaped by the people who live and work in their communities. For Rhyl, it was also a chance to reflect on the strides already made following extensive engagement with residents, young people, businesses, organisations and community groups. The Board is continuing to refine and strengthen its proposals ahead of the next stage, with a focus on ensuring local people remain at the heart of decision-making.

“It was incredibly useful to meet people from other areas, share ideas and hear about the different approaches being taken,” said Craig.

“There was a real sense that Rhyl is in a strong position. A huge amount of work has already taken place, particularly around engaging with our community and listening to what people want to see happen in the town.

“We are continuing to develop and strengthen the plan, and events like this give us the opportunity to learn from others while also sharing some of the positive work taking place here in Rhyl.”

Julie added: “What came through strongly was the importance of communities being involved in shaping what happens next. We have an opportunity to make a real difference over the coming years, but that has to be driven by the priorities, experiences and ideas of the people of Rhyl.

“There is a lot of positivity and commitment around the programme, and it was encouraging to see that reflected in conversations with other areas in Cardiff.”

Linzi said: “We would also like to thank the Pride in Place team for their continued advice, guidance and support throughout this process.

“The next chapter is about turning all of that engagement and planning into action, working alongside organisations, groups and residents across Rhyl to make sure this investment has a positive and lasting impact. “This is a 10-year journey, and we want the community to be part of it every step of the way.”

The programme will see £20 million invested in Rhyl over the next decade, with projects and priorities shaped by local needs and the views of the community.

Editorial insight

Rhyl’s plans for a £20 million investment signal a period of significant regeneration for the seaside town, which has long drawn visitors from across the North West. While the area’s traditional appeal as a family destination remains, this initiative is focused on securing a more sustainable future by involving local residents, businesses and organisations in shaping priorities for the next decade.

The emphasis on community-led development reflects a wider shift in how regeneration projects are being approached across the UK, with local input seen as crucial to ensuring long-term impact. For Rhyl, the challenge will be to translate ongoing engagement into tangible improvements that benefit both visitors and the year-round population, with the success of the programme likely to be measured by its ability to deliver lasting change beyond the resort’s peak tourist season.

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