UK Government Minister backs £20m regeneration vision for tourist favourite
A UK Government Minister has thrown his support behind a £20 million regeneration plan aimed at revitalising the popular seaside town of Rhyl.
Alex Norris MP, Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth, visited the town today (Thursday) to meet with the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board—the group leading efforts to develop a long-term strategy to boost employment, improve infrastructure, and enhance the town’s appeal over the next decade.
During his visit, the Minister—whose responsibilities include local and regional growth, high streets, and Investment Zones—hosted a forum at the East Parade Youth Centre with Board members. Discussions focused on key priorities and challenges, effective community engagement, and the short- and long-term ambitions aligned with the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.
Mr Norris later joined Board Chair Craig Sparrow, Denbighshire County Council Leader Cllr Jason McLellan, Corporate Director Tony Ward, Clwyd North MP Gill German, and North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin on a walkabout through Rhyl’s promenade, high street, and central and western areas.
“It was brilliant to visit Rhyl and hear about the fantastic, ambitious plan the local Neighbourhood Board has drawn up for this wonderful seaside town,” said the Minister.
“Our Plan for Neighbourhoods is all about restoring pride in our communities by giving local leaders the resources to regenerate their areas, drive growth and create new opportunities.
“Rhyl promises to be a great example of what can be achieved.”
Craig Sparrow thanked the Minister for his visit, describing the discussion as “very positive” and instrumental in progressing the Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign.
“We explored our long-term vision for Rhyl, next steps and how we can work together to implement a regeneration plan and work with our communities in the years ahead to bring about change,” he added.
“The Minister supported the direction we plan to take and sharpened our focus on what the timeline and targets should be in the months and years ahead.
“It was a valuable meeting and will be very positive in helping us shape ideas, draw up an action plan and seek out best practice from other areas of the UK in a bid to boost Rhyl’s economy, securing investment and commercial opportunities in a wide range of sectors – there is so much potential.”
To learn more about the Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl initiative, visit www.sirddinbych.gov.uk/bwrdd-cymdogaeth-y-rhyl (Welsh) or www.denbighshire.gov.uk/rhyl-neighbourhood-board (English), and follow @einrhyl and @ourrhyl on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
