‘Doomed’ UK ‘ghost city’ with ‘nothing to do’ – even the ocean lions are leaving

In its heyday, thousands of visitors would flock to Rhyl but now the North Wales resort is a mere shadow of its former glory.

Where there was once a thriving funfair, skating rink and the much-loved Rhyl Sun Centre, daytrippers from around the UK would arrive in their droves for a day at the seaside. And while millions of pounds has been pumped into the area since “waves in the lagoon pool” was announced for the last time – there really isn’t much to show for it.

The new £15m SC2 waterpark on the promenade has been forced to close for the year after being damaged by storms. A huge airship dubbed the Skyflyer was pipped to bring in more visitors – but it was plagued by so many issues due to bad weather, it quite literally never got off the ground.

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Then the brand new Queens Market which hemorrhaged millions from the public purse faced major delays and is yet to open its doors. The much-loved Rhyl Airshow has also been cancelled this year because the Red Arrows are not available, North Wales Live reports.

And if that wasn’t enough, even the sea lions are leaving after the town’s coastal defence work forced the closure of the SeaQuarium – which brought in 80,000 visitors a year.

The blows have left locals questioning what’s left for people to do in the “ghost town” which is already among Wales’ most deprived.

One local said: “Rhyl was thriving when I was in my teens & 20s, we’ve seen the best years in the 60 70s and 80s they’ve taken everything away.

“The Colosseum, Gaiety Theatre, pavilion with the coloured dome…the funfair, paddling pool, floral hall and lots of other places. Rhyl’s a ghost town.”

Another added: “Rhyl is doomed. There’s no coming back now. Don’t blame visitors not coming.”

While one said: “Who wants to come to a seaside town where you can’t see the sea without ‘yomping?’ Some of us are too old to do that. It is much better to be able to go further along the coast and enjoy the sea view, get an ice cream etc.

“The 20mph isn’t helping either.”

Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said: “This series of setbacks means that the town is now left without some of its most important attractions, which could have a noticeable impact on tourism and the local economy, which along with retail is the mainstay of Rhyl’s economy.”

While the town boasts a wonderful sandy beach, amusements, Ninja Tag and a popular theatre and cinema, there are serious questions over its future.

Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS said: “Rhyl was once a bustling tourist town with so much to keep families entertained, but sadly this is no longer the case…the past couple of years we have seen nothing but the closure of attractions and failed ventures in the town.

He added: “I know I am not the only one who has been gravely disappointed by the lack of progress in Rhyl in recent years.”

Rhyl East County Cllr Justine Evans added: “How on earth can we expect people to want to visit our town if there is nothing here for them to do?”

Speaking when they announced the SC2 closure, Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “The last thing we wanted, as a company, was to be closed during our peak season, especially after the past three years of constant disruption to our business caused by various extreme weather incidents.

“We are very proud of the fact we offer an exceptional service, and that we have not only survived but grown, while many leisure companies across the UK have suffered badly…we are all in this together and we are just as disappointed as our customers that our waterpark is not open this summer.”

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