Summer market event at Rhyl Events Arena refused permission

Kevin Gurney, owner of events company Twilight Touring, was behind proposals for a parade and music event to be held at the venue in June 2025 – to be funded by grants from the Gwynt y Môr Community Fund.

This came after previous plans for a Christmas market at the arena fell through, with hopes a summer event next year could be held.

However, these plans have also been withdrawn, with Denbighshire Leisure saying the reason for this was Mr Gurney’s “inexperience in delivering events on this scale, lack of local knowledge and contacts, and his understanding of the processes and costs involved in delivering an event of this scale”

The company expressed “grave concern” at funding for the event, which they did say was a “good idea”.

DLL said it remained “ready to work with any credible events company to run events” and was “fully invested” in the town.

The event would have taken place on Rhyl’s promenade and the Events Arena, and would have included a parade and musical entertainment.

Mr Gurney spoke of his dismay at the decision in a group set up to keep the public informed about the event on social media, posting: “Unfortunately this morning Denbigh Leisure have refused us permission to use the Events Arena and so the plan has fallen through.

“Travis and I are both gutted by this as we had invested lot of time in the planning of this event and putting the grant application together.

“While we wish the outcome had been different, we're left with no choice really other than to abandon our plans to bring some colour to the community of Rhyl and go back to doing things for money.”

A spokesperson for DLL said: “We have taken the decision to withdraw the use of the Events Arena for the proposed event from Mr Gurney. To be clear, we have no issue with this event idea.

“However, based on Mr Gurney’s responses last week, we are concerned about his inexperience in delivering events on this scale, lack of local knowledge and contacts, and his understanding of the processes and costs involved in delivering an event of this scale.

“We are also gravely concerned that the event is wholly reliant on donations from the local public and funding applications, the outcome of which won’t be known until next March, leaving less than three months to secure talent, support services and infrastructure required to host the event.  

“This is the second of such events put forward by Mr Gurney, the first being a Christmas market proposal that didn’t have any substance, as it turned out to be gazebos and table top sale in the middle of winter on the Events Arena – not what is expected of a Christmas market.

“For these reasons, we do not believe the event will be deliverable to a standard that we would want to be associated with.

“We are also concerned that he is asking the public to donate money towards an event that we don’t believe can be delivered to a professional standard or meet public expectations.

“When considering any partnership with any individual or company, we undertake a thorough due diligence into their background, as we have a professional duty to do this. On that basis, we are not prepared to be involved.

“We stand ready to work with any credible events company to run events, that has its own resources and track record.

“However we will not accept negative comments towards DLL.

Denbighshire Leisure regularly organises events in Rhyl, including the Christmas lights switch-on, Rhyl Air Show, free family beach fun days, and the recently announced free-to-attend Christmas concert at Rhyl Pavilion.

The DLL statement added: “DLL is fully invested in Rhyl, already operating a number of attractions, leisure centres and restaurants;  and one of the biggest employers and investors in the area.

“We have a reputation of running and hosting high quality events and working with established events companies and promoters over many years.”

The Journal has attempted to contact Mr Gurney for further comment this morning.