Denbighshire County Council is considering using up to £5.5 million in savings from the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence project to fund a major revamp of Children's Village, a seaside attraction in Rhyl that has faced years of decline.
The attraction, which opened in the 1990s to help regenerate the resort and attract more visitors, has seen Rhyl suffer the loss of several major tourist attractions since then. Some locals have joked that Children's Village is cursed, and the town has been dubbed the "Costa del Dole" and named Britain's worst seaside town by The Telegraph in 2023.
Proposals to Transform the Site
Cabinet members were due to discuss the proposals on October 20, with the money potentially paying for improved access, landscaping and more accessible public spaces. The plans also include creating a flexible space for community activities, with the wider aim of reconnecting Rhyl's town centre with its seafront and beaches.
A council spokesman said: "The Council is considering using the underspend from the Central Rhyl Coastal Defence project to support regeneration and tourism improvements at the Children's Village." The spokesman added that the proposals were intended to create a more welcoming destination and help reconnect the town centre with the coastline.
History of Closures on Rhyl's Seafront
The proposed revamp comes after a succession of closures that have changed Rhyl's seafront. The Sky Tower shut in 2010 before being repurposed as an illuminated landmark. The Sun Centre, once billed as Europe's first indoor surfing pool, closed in 2014, while Seaquarium shut its doors in 2023.
The council hopes the latest investment will help reverse that decline and encourage visitors to spend more time in the resort. The authority says more than £200 million has been invested in Rhyl over the past decade, including improvements to coastal defences, the promenade, housing and public spaces.
Wider Investment and Future Plans
Other developments include the SC2 waterpark, the Queen's Market food hall and the town's events venue, now known as Arena Mike Peters. Further investment is also expected. Around £12 million from the Pride of Place and Natural Environment Fund is earmarked for improvements to the town centre and promenade, while a further £20 million from the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme is intended to support a 10-year regeneration plan.
However, the proposed £5.5 million project is not simply about restoring an old amusement attraction. The plans focus on making the area more accessible, improving its appearance and creating a space that can be used for different community activities and events throughout the year.
