Rhyl is a busy town with a range of shops, cultural opportunities and public services on offer. There has been a notable historic decline of the tourism industry and retail over several decades. However, recent and current investments are focused on economic and physical regeneration to stimulate the tourism and retail economy, as well as improve educational experiences and attainment through investment in schools and the college.

Multiple Deprivation in West and South West Rhyl is among the highest in Wales and encompasses worklessness, low incomes, health inequality and poor educational outcomes amongst other things.  Unfortunately, Rhyl West 1, Rhyl West 2 and Rhyl South West 2 are identified by the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation as areas of ‘deep-rooted’ deprivation. Areas with ‘deep rooted deprivation’ are those that have remained within the top 50 most deprived – roughly equal to the top 2.6% – small areas in Wales for the last five publications of WIMD ranks. Other parts of Rhyl, notably the South and East, have never ranked in the top 50 most deprived areas, and are therefore more prosperous.

The WIMD income indicator shows that just under two-thirds of the people living in Rhyl West 2 are income deprived (compared to only 5% in Ruthin 3, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal, and Denbigh Lower 1). Comparison to the 2014 Index shows that the income deprivation levels have remained stubbornly high. The Wales average in 2019 Index is 16%.[1]

The employment domain shows that 43% of the people living in Rhyl West 2 are employment deprived (compared to only 3% in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd/Llangynhafal and Tremeirchion). Whilst all LSOAs currently in the top 10% most deprived have seen a reduction in the proportion of working-age people in employment deprivation, the figures are still high compared to the Wales average of 10%.

The claimant count in Rhyl has doubled over the last five years, and child and food poverty tends to be worse in Rhyl than in other parts of Denbighshire. The biggest impact and the one that is likely to have the biggest detrimental effect on families, and especially children, is the Covid-19 pandemic.  With the retail and hospitality sectors being the areas that have been most affected, the consequences for families in poverty could be serious, especially in those areas heavily reliant on the hospitality sector, which applies to Rhyl.

The education domain shows Rhyl West 2 being particular poor on “repeat absenteeism” (being the 4^th highest in Wales) for this indicator.[2]

As at November 2020, of 22% (84) of Rhyl’s town centre outlets were vacant.

Notwithstanding the deprivation that exists in the area, people are generally proud of their community and often dislike the terminology surrounding ‘deprivation’.

[1] Denbighshire County Council (2020). Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019: Results for Rhyl.  Un-published report.

[2] Denbighshire County Council (2020). Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019: Results for Rhyl.  Un-published report.

Rhyl South West 2 ranked 151 out of 1909 LSOAs in Wales in terms of the physical environment domain of WIMD, which places it among the 10% most deprived. The purpose of this domain is to measure factors in the local area that may impact on the well-being or quality of life of those living in an area. The indicators include air quality, access to natural green space and flood risk. The latter being a particular issue across the coast.

In recent years, substantial work has been undertaken to improve Rhyl’s resilience to flooding and schemes to prevent and manage the effects of flooding are likely to continue into the long term.  Rhyl also has off-shore wind farms contributing to sustainable energy generation.

Rhyl is host one of Denbighshire’s main recycling centres at Marsh Road.  Levels of air bourn pollutants are low.  Despite its urban character Rhyl also contains a number of sites contributing to the ecology and biodiversity of the wider region.  These include the Clwyd Estuary, Marine lake and Glan Morfa along with Brickfield Pond.

Some people living in Rhyl are less likely to be able to drive or have access to a private car, but there is good public transport.

Issues of inequality are particularly pertinent in Rhyl due to the relative concentration of groups with protected characteristics which have suffered historic disadvantage and discrimination. Rhyl has relatively high levels of older people, disabled people, and people from ethnic and religious minorities compared to other parts of Denbighshire and Conwy.

This is consistent with national evidence that shows people with protected characteristics are more likely to live in the most deprived 10% of LSOAs in Wales (ranks 1 – 191).

At 14% of the population, Rhyl has a relatively low percentage of the population who can speak Welsh but this amounts to a significant number of people 3,435.  However, 77.8% reported to have no skills in Welsh (18,751 people).

Rhyl also contains Ysgol Dewi Sant Denbighshire’s largest Welsh medium primary school.  Among Rhyl’s cultural assets include the Pavilion Theatre, Museum and Gallery, SC2, skate park,  townscape heritage and the iconic harbour bridge.

Positive and Successful Experiences

County conversation workshop participants in a North Denbighshire focus group listed many positive experiences related to the local natural environment. They valued areas where there has been additional tree planting, waste lands have been developed into nature reserves and other areas that have been left to grow so nature can regenerate itself. They also valued good housing support, as well as the community support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic which seen communities come together to provide food, support and medication to those in need.

As part of the County Conversation, focus groups were held with all mainstream secondary school councils and the youth council. A theme common across all young people sessions was the positive impact of having access to local green spaces, beaches and scenery throughout the county. They enjoy that these areas are peaceful and calm with opportunities to spot wildlife. It was felt that there are a lot of good walking areas and outdoor spaces which were especially important as they are a free activity for young people to enjoy.

The young people we engaged with mentioned the community spirit they have experienced is important. There were many other important aspects of the community that they valued. Some examples include:

• Community events
• Small well connected and friendly community
• Small and independent businesses
• Feeling safe in the community

Young people, particularly in the north of Denbighshire, expressed their enjoyment of a great selection of restaurants and tourism activities such as arcades within their local areas.

Future expectations

North Denbighshire residents envisioned a place where the council would increase its engagement with communities to enable them to be more resilient. Particularly in relation to the council supporting community profiles through assistance, encouragement and through financial support.

Participants said they expected to see more carbon consumption activities and said that the council should ensure economic initiatives that are more environmentally sustainable and supportive of the local area.

Some young people had ambitious and specific career aspirations such a being prime minster or working in the Bermuda Triangle finding new aquatic creatures. In the main, having a successful career featured as a high priority for all young people throughout this engagement. Some young people could see themselves progressing through education to university and others wanted to start their own businesses.

Whilst many could see themselves moving overseas, it was encouraging to hear that most young people envisioned themselves staying and settling here in Wales with a successful career and a happy family.

What needs to be done now?

Participants emphasised the need for active travel improvements. It was felt that having these facilities would have economic benefits to encourage people to shop locally rather than online which another pressure local towns and village are facing.

There was also a desire for more activities for older people, to prevent loneliness and isolation, which is felt to be common, and to encourage older people to get back into the community and contribute to the local economy.

Job creation and employment opportunities were a high priority for people.

Consideration was given to the fact that Covid-19 has changed the working styles in many organisations and it was felt that as more organisation are working flexibly, which in turn releases more office space, it was hoped these spaces could be repurposed into social housing or apartments.

Participants wanted to ensure water quality remains at a good standard throughout the county, eg river, sea, streams and fresh water provisions.

Throughout all focus groups that were held with young people, it was frequently mentioned that there are not enough activities for young people. Young people noted that when the weather is bad they struggle to find activities that are affordable, and they can often be labelled ‘trouble makers’ if they are seen in groups on the street with nowhere to go. Some ideas of improvements that were suggested include:

• More investment is needed in youth club’s facilities to make them more attractive to young people. As well as more organised events and better publicity.
• There is a lack of sport activities in general. One young person mentioned that the sports activities on offer are those that may be perceived as male activities e.g. football; and there is a particular lack in female sport such as gymnastics and netball.
• Investment and maintenance of local parks
• Reduce the prices of leisure centres to make them more accessible to young people and locals in the area, namely SC2.
• Utilise leisure centres for activities and clubs aimed at secondary school students as it is felt that there is a lot of young children and infants.
• More sports facilities and other types of equipment’s in outdoor spaces such as volley ball nets and racket sports.
• Reading cafes and healthier food restaurants for young people to socialise in
• Make better use of unused land in towns, a popular idea was an outdoor swimming pool
• Better cycle paths

Young people were enthusiastic about their enjoyment of cultural and community events and they wanted to see more arranged in their communities. Music events and other outdoor events were popular suggestions and it was suggested that annual events would increase tourism into areas. Pupils from one school agreed that there could be better use of events areas and facilities. An example was given of the site which the Eisteddfod is hosted on which isn’t used at certain times of the year. It was proposed that this could be used during these times for events and activities targeted at young people.

There was also a call for a number of environmental improvements across the county, including:

• More bins in the community. Specifically, those that are split into general waste and recycling
• Increase litter pickers to reduce harmful litter
• Biodegradable dog bag dispensers
• Less factories which cause pollution
• Increased environmental education in schools

An important point to note is that young people want to be involved in decision making. They expressed an interest in wanting to understand what the council does and to have the opportunity to have their voices heard within the local council.

Other common themes included:

• Increased employment opportunities for young people especially those with no experience
• Public transport improvements to support young people e.g. lower prices and better routes throughout the county
• Dog specific parks and fields
• Disabled young adult clubs
• Community safety concerns e.g. better street lighting and increased police presence
• Updated highstreets shops as there is currently a lot of charity shops

Risks and barriers to overcome

Participants recognised a tension between land needed for housing and some areas not wanting more housing. Although any new permissions should involve energy efficient technology.

Participants were concerned that a heavy public sector presence in the area, and job automation could pose a risk to local economic jobs and developments, and hinder the progress of other priorities to tackle employment for instance.