Regeneration efforts to transform a derelict Rhyl hotel into a office space for local enterprises has been inspected by Huw Lewis, Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, during his visit to the town last week (Friday).
Denbighshire County Council’s £1.3m refurbishment will see the Grade II Listed Bee and Station Hotel transformed into new office space which will be able to accommodate three small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and 27 jobs.
Made possible with backing from the European Regional Development Fund and North Wales Coast Regeneration Area through the Welsh Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the aim is to create high quality office accommodation to boost competitiveness within SMEs occupying the space.
Work on the site involves developing three floors of the hotel, situated on Bodfor Street, and is being undertaken by local builders Wynne Construction with completion expected by Christmas. Located close to Rhyl rail and bus station, the new office space will offer good transport links to serve the businesses operating there.
Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis said: “This development is good news for the regeneration of Rhyl. It will not only refurbish and revitalise a well-loved and historical building but it will also provide the opportunity for businesses to establish themselves in the centre of the town, which will help regenerate the area. I’m pleased the Welsh Government was able to fund this project through the European Regional Development Fund and North Wales Coast Regeneration Area.
“I look forward to seeing the work progress on this important site. The venture will enable 27 jobs to be created, supporting the local economy ”
Councillor David Thomas, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, said: “This is a key project to deliver the Council’s corporate priority for regeneration. The Bee and Station is in a prominent location opposite the entrance to the town’s railway station and is the first thing that people see when they arrive in Rhyl by train.
“The transformation of the building will not only provide space for new businesses in the town centre building on the success of the units which the Council has created in the station buildings on the opposite side of the square, but it will also give a huge lift to the area and will be complemented by the repairs to the former Costigans bar which the County Council will also be undertaking this year.”
“The refurbishment plans address the need for more business accommodation in the area and have been developed as a result of the Rhyl Going Forward strategy aimed at driving forward the regeneration of the town”.
