A DERELICT Rhyl landmark has been chosen as launch site for a new £90 million investment scheme.

Welsh town like Rhyl, are set to benefit from additional investment as part of a new Welsh Government approach, revealed at the the former Queen's Market complex on Sussex Street by Deputy minister for housing and local government, Hannah Blythin.

The fund aims to transform town centres across the country by boosting similar projects to the rejuvenation of the historic 97,000 sq ft site, which dominates the town centre and also includes the former Savoy Hotel and Fusion nightclub. The redevelopment is the flagship project in Denbighshire County Council's (DCC) Rhyl Vision document, which also includes plans to return the former Granite and Next buildings to use.

Rhyl Journal:

Main entrance to the Queen's Market on Sussex Street. Picture: Phil Micheu

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of DCC, said: “The council welcomes this announcement from the Welsh Government and the support for towns across Wales

“The Council and the Welsh Government have been working together on the town’s regeneration and there has already been significant public and private investment on the seafront which is making a real difference.

“The focus is now moving towards improving the town centre and Our Rhyl Vision document focusses on delivering a vibrant and balanced mix of uses including improved ease of access and pedestrian flows, a desirable town centre atmosphere and a more pleasant environment.

“This includes the Queen’s Buildings development which will see mix of residential, food and beverage, office accommodation, indoor food hall, indoor “flexible” market space, leisure and community uses.”

Rhyl Journal:

The colourful and ornate ceiling of the old Queen's Ballroom, which is now kept behind the false ceiling of the current Queen's Market trading area. Picture: Phil Micheu.

The £90 million Transforming Towns package builds on the £800 million investment in towns as a result of significant Welsh Government investment since 2014, with more than third latest raft of funding aimed at town centres and £2 million earmarked specifically for coastal towns. The funding also aims to encourage green infrastructure - such as the two electric vehicle charging points set for the new Rhyl Town Hall carpark - as well as tackling empty and dilapidated buildings and land.

Ann Jones, AM for the Vale of Clwyd, said: "I was delighted to welcome my good friend and deputy minister Hannah Blythin to launch the Welsh Government Transforming Towns initiative. The Queens Building is currently a focus for regeneration and this announcement from Welsh Government will now boost projects like this.

"A further announcement on a policy to enforce absent landlords to tidy up and renovate those buildings that are left in decline was also mentioned and I believe that we will begin to see a much needed uplift to our town centres.”

Updated proposals for the Queen's complex are expected to be released in the coming months, with preparatory works to start in the spring to enable the site to be developed in autumn 2020.