The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, is confident that the fortunes of Rhyl can be turned around.
The Cabinet Minister visited the seaside town on Saturday and was positive about its future. His visit took place only weeks after the Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young MP, also chose to visit Rhyl.
Rhyl has received much negative press in recent years, but Mr Gove strongly believes that the Levelling Up funding assigned to the town last year from the UK Government will contribute towards a transformation.
Nearly £13 million from the Levelling Up Fund will be used to improve Rhyl's town centre and seafront.
During his visit to Rhyl, Mr Gove praised the "big-hearted" community and called the resort's expansive beach "beautiful".
He said:
"It's a place with great spirit that in the past has been dependent on its visitor economy. This money will help support the town change in a way that attracts business investment and that's a place for families as well as visitors.
“Levelling Up money is helping to transform Rhyl. It’s had big challenges but the town has a big heart and a great future.”
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, who accompanied the Secretary of State during his visit to Rhyl, welcomed his positive feedback.
He said:
“It was a great pleasure to welcome the Secretary of State for Levelling Up to Rhyl on Saturday and to show him exactly where the Levelling Up funding will be invested in the town. He picked up immediately on the great spirit of the town.
“Nobody is denying that Rhyl is not without its problems, but it has huge potential and now that Levelling Up funding has been assigned to the town, that potential can be better realised.
“The Minister saw beyond the issues facing Rhyl and rightly focused on its assets, including its beautiful beach and welcoming residents.
“It is easy to talk a town down, and we have seen too much of this in the national press in recent years. It is far from helpful when to ensure its success, we need to attract visitors.
“If we are to be truly successful in turning the fortunes of Rhyl around, it’s important that we all get behind it, and, like the Secretary of State, start focusing on the positives and what can be achieved here.”
