Residents and visitors to Rhyl, a seaside town in Denbighshire on the north-east coast of Wales, have voiced deep frustration over its decline, with some calling for the town to be demolished. The town centre ranks among the most deprived areas in Wales, and crime rates stand at more than double the national average, according to official figures from Crime Rate.
Decades of decline and lost attractions
Rhyl, once a thriving Victorian seaside resort, has lost dozens of shops and major attractions in recent years, including the Sun Centre wave pool, the SeaQuarium, and the Victorian Pier. The Ocean Beach Funfair closed in September 2007 and was replaced by the Marina Quay Retail Park in 2017, which now houses Aldi, The Range, and B&M. Despite over £200 million in investment from Denbighshire County Council and other partners over the last decade, locals say the town continues to struggle.
Mary Carr, 77, a lifelong resident, told the Daily Express: "Rhyl is a total disgrace and needs demolishing. When I was a child, it was incredible. The high street was vibrant but all of the shops have now moved to Prestatyn." She noted the loss of Marks & Spencer to Parc Prestatyn in 2013, and the closure of Wilko, Iceland, New Look, GAME, and Pizza Hut between 2023 and early 2026.
Visitors shocked by deterioration
Craig Wake and Ann-Marie Royal, visiting from Manchester after 50 years, described the town as "dilapidated." Wake said: "It reminds us of Blackpool. They seem to take care of the seafront, but all of the back is rundown and forgotten about." Royal added: "There’s nothing for the kids to do. I remember all of the arcades, but it’s not the same now." Wake noted that restaurants and curry houses were empty, with smashed windows, making them unappealing for families.
Lynda Waite, 72, a caravan owner who regularly visits, said: "Once they took the funfair, they took the heart out of the town. There’s not even shops now, just fast food places and charity shops. People have no reason to go into the town."
Dog poo and crime: everyday issues
Wendy McAuley, 59, raised the issue of dog poo: "The town is full of it, especially across the seafront. Holidaymakers let their dogs poo and just leave it." Katie Readymarcher, 17, agreed: "It’s just messy all the time. They need to improve it or people will leave." Crime Rate data shows Rhyl records 154 to 196 crimes per 100,000 people, more than double the Welsh average, with anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, and shoplifting most common. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation lists Rhyl West as the most deprived area in Wales.
Readymarcher said she does not feel safe: "Do you know how many people have been stabbed in this town? I wouldn’t feel safe at night because there’s loads of people on drugs." Wake added he felt "vulnerable" in the town centre, joking he needed a "stab vest."
Investment and community efforts
Rhyl has received significant funding, including £33 million from the Welsh Government for the Royal Alexandra Hospital, £20 million from the UK Government's "Our Rhyl" Pride in Place Programme (2026-2036), £66 million for the Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, and over £2 million from the council for energy costs. However, locals feel the money has been misdirected. Simon Waite, 68, said: "The government is wasting money on the wrong things. The town centre needs help, not just the seafront."
Despite the challenges, community groups like Brighter Futures are working to turn the tide. Susie Ingram, a volunteer, said: "I love the town. As long as you’ve got good people with good hearts helping each other, we can build a better future." The charity runs a youth club, community cafe, and support groups. Steve Johnson, the coordinator, said about 60 children attend the youth club on Monday nights: "It gives them something to do rather than walking the streets. If they’ve got nothing to do, they’re going to be on the streets causing trouble."
Keith Povah, 67, a retired coach driver who has lived in Rhyl all his life, remains optimistic: "The beach is really nice; it’s massive. When it’s warm, you would pay good money to go to Spain for that, but we’ve got it on our doorstep." He noted that the town has become quieter but still has potential.
