Residents of a British seaside resort dubbed “Costa del Dole”, say that they’re not surprised to hear it was voted as one of Britain’s worst.
Travel experts gave Rhyl, North Wales, a score of just five out of 100 in the Telegraph’s Seaside Gentrification Index.
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St Ives Cornwall, which was rated 93 points higher than Rhyl in the study, came out on top.
The standard of a town’s high street, its air quality or even the cleanliness of its streets were all factors that are considered.
Central Recorder was told by residents of Rhyl that their small town’s ranking had been lowered because it has “gone horribly downward” over the past few years.
Amy Jones, 42 years old, blames her town’s decline on its “drunks”, and “drug problems”.
“We wish we did not live here,” she said. There are many hotels full of addicts.
No decent shops. Drunks stagger around on the streets and the place has a dreadful drug problem.”
Rhyl’s decline began in the 1970s as cheap package holidays to Europe, notably Spain, soared in popularity.
The town’s oldest pier in North Wales was destroyed in 1973.
Next year, the beloved Pavilion dome theatre was torn down.
Willain Revatto (57), a Rhyl native and resident, said: “In 1970s and 1980s, you could not walk on the street because so many people came here to have a good night.
The new seafront buildings are so ugly that you can no longer see the ocean. Town planners try to make improvements.”
But the resort’s efforts to inject new life into the town with a new shopping centre and a museum and library complex have failed.
‘HELLHOLE’
And the proposed site for a light show is now a pay-and-display car park.
One angry visitor called it “a garbage dump” and other visitors have also left very negative reviews.
The TripAdvisor users wrote, “The beachfront appears tired and worn out. The arcades are even more tatty.
It’s a pity, because it could become a favorite spot in the house for all family members with just a bit of care.
A second person was angry about the beach. They added, “We thought that this could be a nostalgic outing. We were wrong.
There is a serious drug problem in this town. People are openly injecting drugs while you pass by.
INVESTMENT
One third called Rhyl “a complete hellhole”.
The warning is: “You will see ASBO gangs, mainly teenage ASBOs, roaming around the streets screaming and shouting.”
As part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, nearly £25million is being spent on the town centre as the resort attempts to redefine itself.
More £65million in investment has also been attracted for projects including a waterpark, a new bridge and harbour improvements.
The Pavilion Theatre has been renovated and the town now has a Premier Inn and Travelodge.
Rhyl’s redeveloped Queen’s Market is due to be unveiled this summer, providing a new indoor market hall and “event space”.
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