A TOTAL of “three local businesses” expressed an interest in taking on the building formerly occupied by the SeaQuarium attraction on Rhyl’s promenade.
SeaQuarium closed for good last November, before Denbighshire County Council (DCC) confirmed last month that the building it was situated in will be demolished later this year.
It follows none of the three businesses which initially approached the council about the site subsequently pursuing their interest in it.
In a response to a Freedom of Information request made by the Journal, DCC said: “The SeaQuarium was earmarked for demolition, and DCC was approached by three local businesses expressing interest in the building.
“None of the businesses have chosen to pursue an interest.”
On August 13, the council said that it had offered the building to other operators, but nothing had materialised.
Today (September 13), DCC did not disclose the names of the three businesses, deeming this to be “commercially sensitive”.
But it added in its response: “The businesses involved made unsolicited and direct approaches to the council.
“The building wasn’t being advertised for sale, and we hadn’t invited expressions of interest.
“From the council’s perspective, we are required to avoid deterring companies/developers from approaching us with their interest in local buildings and sites.
“Maintaining a competitive market and driving competition benefits both the council and our residents, which would again be threatened by the disclosure.
“We could lose out on potential offers and beneficial developments.”
SeaQuarium attributed its decision to close to Denbighshire County Council’s Central Rhyl Coastal Defences Scheme, the development of which is taking place by the site.
Its owners had previously said they believed the coastal works would have a harmful impact on hearing, and induce a chronic stress response from seals with behavioural and physical welfare issues.
It is envisaged that the process of demolishing the building will take between two and three months.
Balfour Beatty, the contractor currently working on Rhyl’s coastal sea defence scheme, will oversee the demolition as part of the current programme of work it is completing.
A Freedom of Information request made by the Journal in February revealed that the council contributed £90,000 towards finding new homes for SeaQuarium’s six seals.
SeaQuarium had been established in Rhyl for beyond 30 years, welcomed in excess of 80,000 visitors each year, and employed more than 20 people.
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