Rhyl hub owned by charity under investigation set to go to auction

Big Help Project, whose activities include providing accommodation to vulnerable adults, is being investigated by The Charity Commission, which regulates registered charities in England and Wales.

It opened a hub, at 31 Vale Road – formerly The Prince of Wales pub – last September, but this property is due to be auctioned tomorrow (July 30), with a guide price set of £100,000.

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Per Rightmove, the property comprises five bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is available on a freehold basis.

The charity has had multiple other sites in Rhyl, including on River Street, where some households were moved from last month.

Earlier this month, a witness said the Vale Road hub seemed to be “all closed up”.

Another added: “There are no signs saying the hub on Vale Road is shut, and some windows are open.

“But I noticed a missing door handle and broken tiles that might indicate it's no longer in use or not being maintained.

"Tiles had come up, and other than open windows, there were no signs of life at the property."

Big Help Project has been approached for comment.

31 Vale Road, where Big Help Project opened a community hub last September (Image: Submitted)

Its hub on Vale Road was opened to offer such services as food clubs, drop-in advice services, and wellbeing activities.

The Charity Commission first engaged with Big Help Project after identifying a significant increase in its reported income.

It then identified concerns regarding trustee decision making, potential unauthorised trustee benefit and unmanaged conflicts of interest.

A report will be published by the department following the conclusion of the inquiry.