£1.17m to redevelop Rhyl’s cinema and surrounding area

Filmgoers in Rhyl will soon enjoy 3D digital technology and more luxurious surroundings thanks to £1.17m of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s North Wales Coast Regeneration Area programme.


The money has been awarded to Denbighshire County Council to support the redevelopment of the Apollo Cinema and surrounding area of Rhyl Promenade, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM has announced.

Improvements at the 5 screen Apollo Cinema will include new seating and modernised, all 3D-enabled auditoria as well as upgraded digital technology. The public areas of the cinema will also be upgraded to include concession outlets and two new terraces will be created which will be open to the public.

The funding will also cover works to the promenade area which will include a refurbishing the public parking area outside the cinema and Skytower and enhancing the public realm. An entertainment plaza which will be used for a variety of events, such as open air cinema, live entertainment, a ‘Winter Wonderland’ Christmas festival, and community activities will also be created.

The Deputy Minister said:

“I am delighted to announce this funding for the Apollo Cinema in Rhyl and the surrounding area.

“This project is very important to Rhyl as it will provide a catalyst for investment and attract other businesses to West Rhyl, which is recognised as the most deprived area in Wales as well as securing the jobs of people currently employed at the cinema.

“The public areas around the cinema will also be improved, and will provide facilities for large scale events which will help to attract visitors to the town.”

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor David Thomas, said:

“This is excellent news for Rhyl as a whole and will greatly improve the visitor offer for tourists and residents alike. Regeneration is one of Denbighshire’s top priorities and the Authority has contributed £237,000 to the scheme which will play an integral role in regenerating the town.”

Rob Arthur, Managing Director, Apollo Cinemas, adds:

“This landmark partnership with the Welsh Assembly and local council will allow us to bring the cinema into the 21st century and offer the very best entertainment to the local community.

“We have always believed that to best serve Rhyl’s entertainment needs, it is key that we develop not only the cinema, but also the surrounding area. This redevelopment will enable us to build an unrivalled entertainment complex at the heart of Rhyl’s community.”

The cinema will close its doors on Sunday February 27th and the work, which is expected to take 18 weeks, will begin on Monday February 28th, with the cinema reopening in July 2011.


The money has been awarded to Denbighshire County Council to support the redevelopment of the Apollo Cinema and surrounding area of Rhyl Promenade, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM has announced.

Improvements at the 5 screen Apollo Cinema will include new seating and modernised, all 3D-enabled auditoria as well as upgraded digital technology. The public areas of the cinema will also be upgraded to include concession outlets and two new terraces will be created which will be open to the public.

The funding will also cover works to the promenade area which will include a refurbishing the public parking area outside the cinema and Skytower and enhancing the public realm. An entertainment plaza which will be used for a variety of events, such as open air cinema, live entertainment, a ‘Winter Wonderland’ Christmas festival, and community activities will also be created.

The Deputy Minister said:

“I am delighted to announce this funding for the Apollo Cinema in Rhyl and the surrounding area.

“This project is very important to Rhyl as it will provide a catalyst for investment and attract other businesses to West Rhyl, which is recognised as the most deprived area in Wales as well as securing the jobs of people currently employed at the cinema.

“The public areas around the cinema will also be improved, and will provide facilities for large scale events which will help to attract visitors to the town.”

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor David Thomas, said:

“This is excellent news for Rhyl as a whole and will greatly improve the visitor offer for tourists and residents alike. Regeneration is one of Denbighshire’s top priorities and the Authority has contributed £237,000 to the scheme which will play an integral role in regenerating the town.”

Rob Arthur, Managing Director, Apollo Cinemas, adds:

“This landmark partnership with the Welsh Assembly and local council will allow us to bring the cinema into the 21st century and offer the very best entertainment to the local community.

“We have always believed that to best serve Rhyl’s entertainment needs, it is key that we develop not only the cinema, but also the surrounding area. This redevelopment will enable us to build an unrivalled entertainment complex at the heart of Rhyl’s community.”

The cinema will close its doors on Sunday February 27th and the work, which is expected to take 18 weeks, will begin on Monday February 28th, with the cinema reopening in July 2011.