Huge job boost planned for region as Lyons Group snap up Dyserth Falls Resort

Lyons Holiday Park Limited (Lyons Group) - who own sites in Towyn, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Gronant, St Asaph, Ruthin, Gwespyr Dwygyfylchi and Cumbria - have snapped up Dyserth Falls Resort for an undisclosed sum. It was on the market with Lambert Smith Hampton for £2million.

The family-run holiday park operator intend to restore the hotel to its former glory, with a cash injection of between £2million and £3million, and create about 70 to 100 jobs.

The resort is expected to open to guests in 2021.

Picture: Kerry Roberts

The Journal met with directors Geoffrey Lyons-Mound Snr, Geoff Lyons-Mound Jnr and Joseph Lyons-Mound at the site to discuss why the site appealed to the family and the ambitions they had for the resort.

Joseph said: "I think originally, from day one, it has always been local to us. We used it as a family many years ago and why wouldn't you? It is such a great property, prime spot, great location and it is begging for something. Locally, the employment opportunities it is going to offer. It can only be good really.

"It has been sought after throughout North America, Australia. I was speaking to one of the old chaps and he was giving me all the insight about that. It is quite opening your ears to realise how far and wide people come to enjoy it.

"Offer good weekends away, midweek breaks, wedding location."

Geoff said: "It is probably the best wedding location in the area, especially when we have invested. It is going to be really high spec."

The plans are set to take 'a lot of investment'.

The site is expected to open to guests in 2021. Picture: Kerry Roberts

"All the log cabins, we are going to refurbish all of them," Geoff added.

"Everything all brand new inside, so it is going to be nice.

"The actual structure is quite good to be fair. We are going to put a new heating system in, a biomass system. Inside is going to be all refurbished. There is a swimming pool in there, the gym, couple of nice bars in there, there will be a nice restaurant. A lot of potential."

Dyserth Falls was placed on the open market earlier this year with Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of the Joint Liquidators of Dyserth Falls Limited.

The site spans more than seven acres.

Geoff Lyons-Mound Jnr, Geoffrey Lyons-Mound Snr, and Joseph Lyons-Mound at the site. Picture: Kerry Roberts

Despite its failings over the years, Geoff said he was confident they could make a success of the business.

"We have been in this game a long time," he said.

"Five generations," Geoffrey added.

"We have in the industry since 1926. My great-grandfather started it all off and we just keep on going and we are quite successful at it," Geoff said.

Dyserth Falls Resort was purchased by the Lyons Group for an undisclosed sum. Picture: Kerry Roberts

Joseph: "Over the last so long, the last few years in particular, it has not done as successful as it should have been performing. Back in its heyday it was a very successful business and that is exactly where we would like to get it back to. Thriving, car park full, people here enjoying the weekends. There is going to be entertainment as well.

"We are going to put a health suite - second to none. We are going to make sure we invest heavily in that because we feel that it is needed locally. To think you will have a lovely health suite, lovely spa, sauna, jacuzzis with a pool as well. The pool is second to none. Ok right now, as it seems, it looks run down but with 12 months investment it will be completely transformed."

Joseph admitted that the family members had not yet decided on a name for the new addition to the Lyons Group portfolio.

"We may put it out locally as a competition," he said.

"You never really know. We never really spoke about it. I always refer to it as Graig Park."

Geoffrey added: "It is early days. Prior to development it was a holiday venue for children."

Joseph: "It is 79 units in total. 79 letting units plus 18 bedrooms - over and above that as well in the B&B side of it."

The Lyons Group have more than 500 employees working across their parks.

Joseph said: "It is good to keep it all local. We are local people, local born and bred, and it is nice to keep it in the area."

Work has already started on site.

All units are being gutted. The revamp will include a complete overhaul such as new carpets, decorating, new furniture, new kitchens, bathrooms.

The family are keen not to rush the project as they want to get it right.

"It is a lot of expense but we hope it will be worth it," Joseph said

"It is going to be a multi-million pound project. It should hopefully bring a lot of people to the area - people who have never been here before and people who have been here many years ago and remember it. Seen it as it should be seen.

"The structure of the log cabins are in real good condition. The only thing that wasn't was the steps, the original steps going up to the first floor on the dormer bungalows.

“The plan is to bring it back to its former glory. When it was open back in the day, it was drawing guests from Canada. It was a big draw back in its day - about 20 to 30 years ago

"The majority is there. Our first job is a large biomass heating system as it is a big place to heat.

"We are very passionate about making it work.”

[Video: Suzanne Kendrick]