Official opening for business hub supported by the Council

A Rhyl business hub located on the site of a former court building has been officially opened.

Hannah James has transformed the County Court on Clwyd Street, which closed in 2016, into a business hub with meeting and function rooms.

She has been supported with a grant from the Council to purchase equipment to help her kit out the building, renamed Clwyd Chambers, and also received support from Business Wales.

More than 50 guests took a tour of the new hub, which includes 13 flexible small business units, during the opening.

Chartered building surveyor Hannah said: “It was great to see so many people take an interest and have the opportunity to show them what Clwyd Chambers and Rhyl have to offer. I’d like to thank everyone who came along to make it such a fantastic day.

“We have already got businesses signed up to take on some of the units and have taken bookings for the function and meeting rooms.”

Hannah, a former Rhyl High School student, chose her home-town as she was impressed by the amount of public investment in Rhyl and said she was passionate about supporting the town through business growth and development.

She is also providing a training centre for collaborative working for small businesses at the site.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “The Council is proud to be able to support the excellent work ongoing at this fantastic new business hub.

“It shows there is confidence in Rhyl. This facility will offer new and growing businesses the chance to expand and take advantage of modern facilities in the centre of a busy town. This will give a boost to businesses in the town and help increase footfall.”

 Pictured is Hannah James with the Mayor of Rhyl, Councillor Alan James

Investment in Rhyl restaurant leaders to increased trade

A Rhyl fast food restaurant has seen an increase in trade since a revamp.

Franchisee Stewart Williams, who owns and operates eight McDonald’s restaurants in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, including the one on Rhyl High Street, said the recent investment in the site had increased trade.

Late last year the restaurant received a major digital makeover, creating an additional 15 jobs.

Self-order kiosks have been introduced to ensure the ordering process is as quick and easy as possible, while table service has also been introduced.

Mr Williams said he chose to invest in the town due to the positive signs for the future stemming from ongoing public investment in Rhyl from the Council.

He said: “Customer feedback has so far been positive. I’m pleased to say my recent investment in Rhyl McDonald’s has resulted in an increase in customers to the restaurant.

“I’m really proud to invest in Rhyl and be one of the businesses leading the way in putting more into the local area. The town is improving in all areas at the moment and I predict the new developments will attract more businesses to the area.

“In time the High Street will become more vibrant and attractive to shoppers and will hopefully see an increase in footfall.”

In addition to the work being carried out by Denbighshire County Council on the town’s new waterpark, the refurbishment of the Pavilion Theatre and the opening of 1891, a Premier Inn hotel will be opening in February and work on a 73-bed Travelodge and family restaurant is underway.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “It is great to see business owners invest in our county and improve the offer for both residents and visitors.

“The investment the Council is making in Rhyl is already having an impact, with private investment following. This will help create more jobs in Denbighshire and raise household incomes, which will help the local economy grow.

“The new waterpark, which will open early next year, will create 60 jobs and see an additional 350,000 visitors to the town each year. It is great to see businesses gearing up for the increased opportunities this will bring.”

Denbighshire’s March for Business month hailed a success

Denbighshire’s business community has taken part in the county’s biggest ever business month.

The Council's March for Business month saw more than 400 attendees take part in 25 varied events.

Working with partner support providers, the Council’s business month, held throughout March, included social media training, workshops on exporting post-Brexit, branding and marketing as well as a food event to showcase local produce.   

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “Our third business month has proved to be the most successful yet. I’d like to thank all the businesses, support providers and experts who have taken part to help build on the work the Council is doing to make sure the county is ‘open for business’.

“As a Council we are here to support entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and themselves, because we believe passionately in supporting our local business community.

“The real target for us is to see the success of the programme translate into local business success and there are some strong signs that this is happening.”

Over the past three years the Council, through its Economic and Business Development Team, has handled more than £20,000,000 of investment enquiries, helping businesses create 250 long-term jobs and invested more than £200,000 in 60 local business start-ups and expansions through Council grants.

Colin Brew, chief executive officer of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “Denbighshire’s March for Business month has proved a great success and highlights the local authority’s desire to engage with local companies and provide a landscape which supports their ongoing growth.

“Chamber members who have benefitted from the project have confirmed their desire to see similar initiatives across our great region and have praised Denbighshire for their forward thinking approach.”

Dafydd Evans, North Wales Regional Manager for Business Wales addresses the Federation of Small Businesses dinner at 1891 in Rhyl.

Helen Hodgkinson of the Retail Skills Academy delivering a social media workshop at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhyl

Former Bank of England economist Neil Ashbridge giving his insights on Brexit during the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Brexit event as part of March of Business.