Vision for Rhyl's transformation sees progress on Queen's Market, Next and more in 2020

Advancements on the Queen's Market, a new lease of life for the former Granite and Next buildings and the first Denbighshire car park to catering electric vehicles are some the developments on offer for town in the New Year.

These projects will add to plans included in the Rhyl Vision Document, which aims to reunite the beach and town centre with viable, vibrant community assets - building upon 2019 successes such as SC2 - following a survey of more than 2,500 residents, businesses and visitors conducted by Denbighshire County Council.

Leader of Denbighshire, cllr Hugh Evans, said: “This vision document has been drawn up after working together with people from public and private sectors, as well as the local community with a deep interest in creating a better future for Rhyl.

"It is based on the issues highlighted by local people and the suggestions, solutions and ideas they have put forward."

The centrepiece of the changes is the progression of the council's multi-million pound development of the former Queen's complex - which includes the former Savoy Hotel and Fusion nightclub - on Sussex Street.

Concept art revealed in April for the prospective transformation of the Queen’s Market complex

Updated proposals are expected to be released in next two months or two, with preparatory works to start in the spring to enable the site to be developed in autumn 2020.

The council has also purchased the two prominent, former Granite and Next Buildings buildings with a view to converting the upper floors into residential apartments and for the renovation of the ground floor shop units to continue as retail spaces. Planning permission and Conservation Area consent will be submitted in the New Year.

In April, The Journal reported of complaints that the buildings had become eyesores after being taken over by pigeons, "putting off visitors to town".

The renovation works are expected to take about 12 months and the shops and apartments are expected to be ready for occupation in spring 2021.

Work is also progressing on a 36-space car park at Rhyl Town Hall – due for completion early in 2020 -which will include two electric vehicle charging points and will be free to use after 5pm.

The listed, semi-derelict Costigans pub on Bodfor Street

The next year will also see the completion of the Costigans business hub, at the derelict former Listed pub on Bodfor Street - which has been underway since October. The project was awarded £312,000 in funding through the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government and will create office accommodation for about 20 business start-ups and a coffee shop on site.

In line with the views of the majority of respondents who called for improvements to the appearance of the town, 50 buildings have been rejuvenated as part of the 'Improved Buildings' scheme since the project was launched in October 2018, while refurbishment work is either on-going or planned on a further 17 properties.

Cllr Evans said: "The vision document sends a clear message to residents and the wider community that confidence in and perceptions of Rhyl town centre are changing – and will continue to change – for the better.

“Key to all of this is to create a modern, distinctive seaside town that meets the needs of its community and gives people from in and outside Rhyl a reason to visit.”