Tir Prince Leisure Group MD Adam Williams has stated Rhyl is now “the only UK resort without a Showman” following his decision to sell Mr B’s Arcade, which concluded more than 75 years of his family’s presence in the north Wales town.

The West Parade site was acquired by Lyons Holiday Parks last month, with Williams telling North Wales Live that ongoing redevelopment of the town has failed to address the fundamental elements that are required for a thriving tourism industry.

“As I understand it, Rhyl is now the only UK resort without a Showman,” said Williams. “It’s sad, my family has operated in Rhyl since the 1950s. But as much as I love the town, we can’t keep losing money there. It’s a shame what’s happened to Rhyl. It’s had all that money ploughed into it but not always in the right places.”

“It highlights why we need to look after our seaside resorts. Two things make these places work; beds and attractions. But it’s often a Catch 22; people won’t invest in accommodation without attractions, and vice versa.” 

Though Lyons has promised to spend £1m on refurbishing Mr B’s, Williams warned that the whole town requires an overhaul of its current investment policy, which has prioritised green space, residential and public realm improvements.

“Without the right investment, you start losing links in the chain that made a resort successful, the generations of people who love the place and want to return. Once you’ve lost them, it’s difficult to get them back.”

Seaside missing a Showman

Adam Williams said… “It highlights why we need to look after our seaside resorts. Two things make these places work; beds and attractions. But it’s often a Catch 22; people won’t invest in accommodation without attractions, and vice versa…