The Queen’s Buildings – over 120 years of rich and iconic history on the Rhyl Coastline

The arrival of rail travel to Rhyl in the mid-1800’s saw easier and quicker travel times for day-trippers and tourists, who came primarily from the industrial areas in the Midwest and North-west, to Rhyl’s modern, newly built iron pier, Winter Gardens and the myriad of Hotels and Guesthouses that adorned the front.

Coupled with the famous, sprawling sandy beach that we know and love today, which offers picturesque sunsets and a relaxing walk along its shore, Rhyl became a must-visit seaside resort and jewel on the North Wales coast.

Built as the ‘Queen’s Palace’ in 1902, the original Queen’s building was a red-brick marvel filled with Ballrooms and theatres, before a devastating fire only five years later in 1907 forced a rebuild which saw a new name emerge from the ashes, ‘Queen’s Theatre & Ballroom’. This became a beating heart in the centre of Rhyl with unique offerings such as roller-skating and orchestra performances by night.

The Theatre and Ballroom became a source of relief during the Second World War, with the venue hosting the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), which was a Government-backed troupe who helped boost morale during one of Britain’s most trying periods.

The venue welcomed a whole host of famous names through its famous entrance including hosting comedy act Laurel and Hardy on their farewell tour, Marty Wilde & The Wildcats and Sir Cliff Richard & The Shadows.

During the 1960’s and 70’s, the venue saw a change in the way the community was using it. With the Theatre closing, the area was quickly re-developed into the famous market space, which became a bustling and busy indoor market which sold souvenirs for tourists and became an all-weather hit with the locals, who had a space to meet up, no matter the weather.

Even with High Street trends changing, the venue kept a strong sense of community, with the market’s location providing a strong link from the high-street to the promenade. The stalls stood strong, however over time, the building became unsafe, and unfit for purpose. An update and refresh was needed.

In 2018, plans were put in motion for a new, updated image for the Queen’s Building.

The now former buildings were acquired, and subsequently mostly demolished due to safety concerns, to make space for the building that we now know as the Queen’s Market. The iconic Sussex Street entrance was retained and incorporated into the new design.

The newly built, new look space, which opened last month, includes independent food vendors, a double-sided bar, mezzanine space with games and entertainment, and a state-of-the-art stage, which regularly hosts evening entertainment. The new look Queen’s Market is quickly becoming a hub for the community right in the heart of Rhyl, and is hosting delicious food and exciting entertainment for the people of Rhyl, and further afield, breathing new life into the iconic space once more.

Over 120 years have passed since the venue first opened as the ‘Queen’s Palace’ back in 1902, but the core values which made the famous buildings so iconic still stand to this day, with community spirit palpable on both the concourse, and inside the Queen’s Market and events space.

Since opening the doors, thousands have flocked to visit, congregate, chat, sing, dance and meet at the West Parade Venue, which is quickly cementing itself as a go to venue along the coast of North Wales.