KIOSKS behind the SeaQuarium in Rhyl that have been trading in the town for more than 50 years are set to close and be demolished. 

Five kiosks – four by the SeaQuarium, and one near SC2, will close on June 4. It is claimed that as a result of the coastal defence scheme, the shops will not be replaced.

One shop - The Fish Cabin - has been in the town for 65 years. 

One concerned resident told the Journal: "The pink ice cream shop by the SC2 beachside has already closed. They have been located behind the SeaQuarium since 1950’s and are a long established family-run business that is popular with tourists and locals alike.

"Mac’s Fishing Pond, Clwyd Ices and The Seafood Kiosk, they were all there in 1950’s. These hugely popular shops have been a part of Rhyl for so long so I ask the question - why are they not being replaced?

"In Florida buildings are built to withstand hurricanes and storm surges so it is a poor excuse to say nothing can be built on site once the sea defences are in place.

"The level of the promenade in this area is also being raised 1.5 metres. Why?"

Concerned resident Andrew Jackson said: "The shops are closing down on June 4. They will never reopen again and they have been there for more than 50 years.

"They will no longer be able to trade as they have been told they are to close on June 4 and that is no good at all for all the people who come here for holidays and days out to the beach.

"I am not happy that they are closing down. We have the air show in town soon too."

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Another resident shared an image of the Fish Cabin which featured a sign that stated: "The Fish Cabin and its neighbouring kiosks will cease trading June 4 2023 in readiness for demolition. 

"Denbighshire County Council have insisted they won't be replaced so the end of an era.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the last 65 years."

The shops have welcomed thousands of visitors over the years, many of whom returned with children.

A number of readers that have been in touch with the Journal say they can't understand why there are no plans to rebuild or replace the kiosks. 

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "The beachfront kiosks are owned by Denbighshire County Council and are leased to tenants. The council has been in discussions with the kiosk tenants for 18 months regarding this situation and terms have been agreed with each of them with all the tenants having professional representation throughout the process. The legal formalities are currently being completed so that Balfour Beatty can proceed in accordance with the sea defence programme.

"The current sea defences in Rhyl must be upgraded because they are deteriorating, and we also need to improve the level of protection from coastal flooding due to the impact of climate change.

"This work is essential to protect homes, businesses and the tourist economy from flooding events and coastal erosion well into the future. The scheme will provide ongoing protection for around 600 residential and commercial properties in the area.

"The kiosks cannot remain in place whilst the works are taking place, and the new sea defence promenade will be higher, coming approximately halfway up the current kiosk buildings. Unfortunately, the kiosk must therefore be removed in order to deliver the scheme."

DCC said the kiosks were being demolished as "due to forecasted sea level rises, the design solution requires a finished sea defence that is higher than is currently in place."

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The East Rhyl coastal defence scheme officially opened in the town last Thursday (May 25). Central Rhyl and Central Prestatyn coastal defence schemes are currently under construction.

The three projects, that cost a combined £125million, will reduce risk to more than 3,500 homes and businesses.