Record community response helps shape £20m regeneration vision for Rhyl
Record community response helps shape £20m regeneration vision for Rhyl
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Residents, businesses, and community groups in Rhyl have turned out in record numbers to shape a new 10-year, £20 million regeneration strategy for the seaside town.
Over the past few months, the Our Rhyl/Ein Rhyl Board has been working alongside advisers Savills, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), Denbighshire Youth Service, and a range of local partners to ensure the plan reflects the ambitions and priorities of local people.
The extensive engagement campaign included workshops, surveys, pop-up events, social media discussions, and face-to-face conversations across the community. A summer survey alone received more than 550 responses, both online and at key sites such as the promenade, high street, Queen’s Market, the library, and the Women’s Centre.
Nearly 80% of respondents either lived or worked in Rhyl, while the remainder were regular visitors. A dedicated business workshop engaged 20 local employers, complementing strong youth and third-sector participation.
Top concerns among residents included the decline of the town centre and empty shops (93%), poverty and inequality (72%), and community safety and anti-social behaviour (68%). Respondents said the most positive changes would come from safer streets, better youth and leisure facilities, and cleaner, greener public spaces.
Craig Sparrow, Chair of the Our Rhyl Board, said the response demonstrated how strongly local people feel about shaping the town’s future.
“People care deeply about Rhyl’s future, and their voices are shaping the journey ahead,” he said.
“This isn’t a top-down exercise, but a plan built from the ground up, using local knowledge, lived experience and ambition. Rhyl belongs to its people – their priorities will guide how we invest to build a stronger, safer, more vibrant town.”
The findings mirror results from a separate 2025 resident survey highlighting a strong desire for high-street renewal and more activities for children. Together, the feedback reinforces the four key priorities identified in Rhyl’s existing placemaking plan, which has already captured insights from more than 2,500 local voices.
Youth engagement has been a major component of the process. Denbighshire Youth Service reached over 300 young people through 18 street-based sessions, five focus groups, and a 10-episode podcast series featuring partners such as Wicked Wales, Brighter Futures, Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl, and North Wales Police.
Young participants identified their top priorities as creating a dedicated Youth Zone, developing a shared digital platform to promote clubs and events, expanding volunteering opportunities, and improving outdoor and recreational spaces.
Meanwhile, DVSC gathered views from more than 40 voluntary and community organisations. The sector stressed the need to address poverty, isolation, and poor mental health, while unlocking opportunities for young people and building pride of place.
DVSC also called for long-term, flexible investment and a genuine role for communities in decision-making — ensuring that regeneration is delivered with residents, not for them.
That approach will underpin the forthcoming Pride in Place programme, which will focus on creating thriving neighbourhoods, stronger communities, and greater local control. The programme will guide the town’s initial investment plan, set to be submitted later this year.
The £20 million regeneration strategy marks one of the most ambitious efforts to date to reshape Rhyl’s future — aiming to transform the town through a decade of community-led investment and revitalisation.
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