RESIDENTS of a seaside town called ‘Costa del Dole’ say they are not surprised it has been voted one of the worst in Britain.
Travel experts gave Rhyl, North Wales, just a five out of 100 in the Telegraph’s Seaside Gentrification Index.
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Rhyl-born and raised Willain Revatto, 57, said urban planners tried to save the city but failed. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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Rhyl’s decline began in the 1970s as cheap package holidays to Europe, particularly Spain, became more popular. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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Efforts by the resort to breathe new life into the city with a new mall and museum and library complex have failed. Credit: Nigel Iskander
St Ives, Cornwall – which was 93 points ahead of Rhyl – topped the list, which examined 20 resorts over the past three decades to see how they have adapted.
Cities were judged on everything from air quality to the standard of their main roads.
But Rhyl residents told The Sun that the poor placement was due to the town having “gone terribly downhill” lately.
Amy Jones, 42, who lives in the city with her family, blames “drunk” and “the drug problem” for the city’s downfall.
She previously said: “We live here but we wish we didn’t. A lot of the hotels are full of drugs, it’s a disaster.”
“There are no decent deals. Drunks are stumbling around the streets and the place has a terrible drug problem.”
Rhyl’s decline began in the 1970s as cheap package holidays to Europe, particularly Spain, became more popular.
In 1973 the town’s famous pier – the oldest in North Wales – was demolished.
The popular domed theater Pavilion was leveled the following year.
Willain Revatto, 57, who was born and raised in Rhyl, explained, “In the ’70s and ’80s you couldn’t walk across the sidewalk because so many people came here to have a good time.”
“You can’t even see the sea now because of all the ugly new buildings they’ve put up along the coast. City planners are trying to make improvements.”
But the resort’s efforts to breathe new life into the city with a new shopping center and museum and library complex have failed.
“HELL HOLE”
And the planned location for a light show is now a metered parking lot.
The city’s decline is reflected in terrible reviews from visitors – one angry tourist even dubbed it “a dump”.
They wrote on TripAdvisor: “The beach looks tired and very shabby. All the arcades look even worse.”
“What a pity that with a little care and attention it could be a favorite family spot.”
Another ranted about the beach, adding: “We thought this might be a nostalgic day trip. We were completely wrong.”
“Obviously there’s a very bad drug problem in the city, and when you walk by, people are openly injecting themselves.”
INVESTMENT
While a third called Rhyl “an absolute hell hole”.
They warn visitors, “Expect to see gangs of teenage ASBOs running through the streets screaming and screaming.”
As part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, almost £25m will be spent on the town center as the resort seeks to redefine itself.
It has also attracted a further £65m in investment for projects such as a water park, new bridge and port improvements.
The Pavilion Theater has been refurbished and the city now has a Premier Inn and Travelodge.
Rhyl’s revamped Queen’s Market is due to open this summer and will feature a new market hall and ‘meeting room’.
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Amy Jones (left), who lives in the city with her family, blames the city’s decline on “drunk” and the “drug problem”. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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One visitor called Rhyl “an absolute hell hole”. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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As part of the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, almost £25m will be spent on the town center as the resort seeks to redefine itself. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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The city’s decline is reflected in horrible reviews from visitors – one irate tourist dubbed it “a dump”. Credit: Nigel Iskander
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It has also attracted a further £65m in investment for projects such as a water park, new bridge and port improvements. Credit: Nigel Iskander
Source : www.thesun.co.uk