Rhyl is being lit up blue to launch a marathon fundraising event in honour of the memory of Ethan Ross.
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd is turning Rhyl BLUE to mark the launch of #MoveAMarathonForEthan, an event to honour the memory of Ethan Ross from St. Asaph and to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance and Young Minds.
Teenager Ethan tragically lost his life following a collision on the A55 near St Asaph in September, and his family and friends are encouraging the public to ‘move a marathon for Ethan’ in his memory.
Over the weekend of 18th/20th June 2021, you can help raise funds for this worthwhile cause by completing 26.2 miles of any activity you enjoy. You can get friends and family to join you in as many activities as you want and break your ‘marathon’ into as many sessions as you need. Once your 26.2 miles is complete, you’ve moved your own marathon! Ethan’s dad Paul will taking the tougher route by running a full marathon on Sunday 20th June and Paul would like to invite as many people as possible to join in and support him along the way.
The event launches this week, and Denbighshire Leisure Ltd as official partner, will be lighting their buildings in Rhyl, including Rhyl Skytower, 1891 Bar and Rhyl Pavilion Theatre to mark the launch on Tuesday, 1st December.
Ethan was a hugely popular, and well respected young man, who worked part time as a waiter in Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, and was also a member of the Denbigh Town FC Development Squad. He was described by his family as “selfless, kind, caring, determined, quiet and gifted with huge competitive nature “. Ethan’s Year 13 class and friends at Denbigh high school have designed a wall in the Year 12/13 common room in his memory, featuring all his favourite things, including computer games, music, his football team and some things that signify personal memories of their happy times with Ethan.
Planning for the event is well underway, with a number of activities already lined up. On Friday 18th June 2021 a number of schools from Llangollen – Denbigh – St. Asaph – Prestatyn will also be taking part, and holding a fundraising day in their school. A logo in Ethan’s memory has been designed by his girlfriend Mya, and a webpage has been created as a hub for the event (denbighshireleisure.co.uk/moveamarathonforEthan).
Helen Ross, Ethan’s mum, said: “We would love as many people as possible to get involved and Move a Marathon in memory of our beloved son Ethan. We would like to thank Denbighshire Leisure Ltd for offering to support the event and for being our official partner. We have chosen the Welsh Air Ambulance and Young Minds, two charities that are very important to our family. We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch already, let’s make this event as ginormous as Ethan’s heart and make him as proud as he did us.”
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd is proud to be the events main partner and supporter, raising funds for the company’s charity Wales Air Ambulance. Donations can be made on the event Just Giving link on the official webpage, set up in Ethan’s memory.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “Denbighshire Leisure Ltd are proud to be the official partner for this charity event, in honour of the memory of a wonderful young man. As a company we will be coordinating a number of fundraising activities leading up to the main event and coordinating the social and marketing campaigns to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and support two very worthwhile charities, Young Minds and Welsh Air Ambulance, both of which are close to Ethan’s family’s hearts. We would also like to wish Paul all the best in his efforts on the day, and look forward to following his journey and training for this.”
Visit denbighshireleisure.co.uk/moveamarathonforEthan for more information, including the Just Giving page, how to get involved and when you can make a donation in Ethan’s memory at Denbighshire Leisure’s centres.
Exciting times ahead for Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, with 400k refurbishment and array of top acts secured for 2021.
Theatre goers will have an exciting array of top names to look forward to when they visit the Pavilion Theatre next year, including Jimmy Carr, Rob Brydon, Toploader and Blood Brothers all confirmed, with over 98% of shows postponed following Covid-19 restrictions, now rescheduled for 2021.
In addition to providing a range of top class shows, Denbighshire County Council and Denbighshire Leisure Ltd have also invested over £400k into the Theatre during its closure period.
Work undertaken has been designed to improve the customer experience which includes a brand new PA system within the auditorium, and full refurbishment of ground floor and first floor toilets. The company has also invested in a new state of the art ticketing system, which will deliver a more modern and efficient booking process for customers.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “At Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, the safety of our staff and customers is paramount and we will not compromise on the exceptional experience that our customers have come to expect from us across all of our sites. In partnership with Denbighshire County Council we have used able to use the downtime during lockdown to invest in our facilities to ensure we come back bigger and even stronger next year. We are pleased to announce that 98 per cent of all shows that were previously postponed in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic have been rescheduled and are now available to book. We are extremely grateful to Denbighshire Council for their investment in this important attraction. The closure period has allowed for essential maintenance to be undertaken without disrupting the programme or our valued customers”
“Despite the disappointment this year, staff at the Theatre have remained positive, and have worked tirelessly throughout the closure period to secure new dates for postponed shows. We have some exciting new developments to look forward to at Rhyl Pavilion and when we have further guidance from the Welsh Government we will update our website and social pages with more information.”
Many theatres and arts organisations across Wales have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 situation. Denbighshire Leisure Ltd and Denbighshire County Council have worked together to ensure the Pavilion Theatre will reopen in a solid financial position in order to continue providing its customers with the best possible experience and programme.
Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence, said: “Denbighshire County Council are committed to investing in high quality Leisure facilities, as we recognise they will play a fundamental part in improving our residents wellbeing, especially now during these difficult times, we continue to work in partnership with Denbighshire Leisure LTD to make sure these facilities remain sustainable and high quality ”.
Festive surprise planned to bring Christmas cheer, following cancellation of annual lights switch on due to Covid-19
The Christmas Pops concert and Rhyl Christmas Lights switch on have been cancelled to ensure the safety of the public amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The events, traditionally organised by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd and supported by Rhyl Town Council, have been cancelled to protect the health of everyone involved.
Last year, excited crowds gathered on the high street to see former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley turn on the Christmas lights in Rhyl town centre. The Christmas Pops concert brought in hundreds of party-goers for an evening full of music and entertainment.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “We have been monitoring government advice closely, and after much discussion and careful deliberation we have arrived at this inevitable conclusion. Our decision has been made in light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, and the continuing expectation of social distancing measures.
“Unfortunately, we feel we would not be able to guarantee the safety of staff, volunteers and visitors attending both of these events, or wish to risk putting additional stress on the emergency services at such a difficult time. The entire Denbighshire Leisure Ltd team are naturally disappointed, but will now set their sights on making next year’s events programme better than ever.
Rhyl Mayor Cllr Ellie Chard has given a glimmer of festive cheer to residents and visitors as she has revealed that the town council is working on an alternative event for this year.
Rhyl mayor Cllr Ellie Chard said: “The lights switch on and Christmas Pops concert are usually two of the highlights in Rhyl’s festive countdown. But we thoroughly understand and support the reasons for not going ahead this year. Although disappointing, our town will still be lit up and magical throughout the festive period. The town council also has a little something up its sleeve which will bring Christmas cheer to children everywhere, enabling them to enjoy a festive treat from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Watch this space as we’ll be releasing details soon.”
New state-of-the-art website will create a better customer experience and raise the profile for leisure company in Denbighshire
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd has launched its new company website, which will give the customers a better experience and showcase the breadth of the company’s portfolio.
The new site provides easy navigation links to all areas of the business, including attractions such as SC2 and Ninja TAG and restaurants including 1891 Rhyl and Beach Hut Nova. As well as this, it incorporates two microsites; one for the company’s Active Communities portfolio and another for the 8 Denbighshire leisure centres.
Customers can now access this new website to book activities, check out the latest online timetables and browse online menus using the latest technology such as interactive maps and video walkthroughs of each attraction, eatery and leisure centre.
Designed for mobile as well as larger devices, the website enables users to access the information they need very easily by limiting the amount of clicks required, thereby ensuring the best possible customer experience. The website, with a new modern look and feel, better reflects the company’s brand and secures the company’s place amongst the best operators in the Leisure sector.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director, explained: “During the period of lockdown, the team has worked tirelessly on projects designed to deliver a number of new digital platforms and offers for customers, including our new website”.
“This new website gives our customers a much better experience; it rivals some of the best in the sector and represents the company’s dynamic image. This site is just the start of all the exciting things to come for Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.”
Visit denbighshireleisure.co.uk to experience the website for yourself.
Denbighshire Leisure Covid-19 update
Covid-19 update – 15.07.2020
The most recent relaxation of lockdown restrictions by Welsh Government means that at long last we will be able to reopen some of our outdoor facilities. We are thrilled to announce that from next Monday (20th July 2020) we will be launching an exciting new outdoor fitness class programme, with over 40 classes across all Denbighshire Leisure sites. As we are all coming out of lockdown, it’s important to keep your mind and body healthy, and these classes will help towards this for our members and residents.
The food and drink kiosk in Rhyl Events Arena is open on Rhyl Promenade and has proved very popular, this will be followed by the outdoor Terrace Bar at SC2, serving a delicious range of food and drink, overlooking the panoramic views of Rhyl Beach.
Down the coast we also have our newly refurbished Beach Hut café and bar with outdoor takeaway at Nova launching next weekend, with an authentic rustic feel and far reaching views of the sandy beaches of Prestatyn and the North Wales coast. This will initially launch as a takeaway offer due to current Government guidelines, and it will evolve into a rustic indoor and outdoor eatery serving pizzas, build your own burgers and a range of delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
We are also getting ready to reopen our ATP and 3G pitches, we are making adjustments to our systems which will allow us to take bookings, with non-refundable deposits, from clubs who wish to secure their slots.
Denbighshire Leisure is back, Keep an eye on our social media and website over the coming days.
Denbighshire Leisure lights up its landmarks in blue to thank the NHS workers for their hard work during Covid-19
Denbighshire Leisure has lit the Rhyl Sky tower and Rhyl Pavilion in blue in support of the NHS staff working to treat people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two locations were lit up last night (26.03.2020) at 8.00pm to honour those working on the front line during this world-wide crisis.
The ‘Clap for Carers’ campaign started on Thursday evening, with members of the public all coming together to clap in their front gardens and other buildings across the UK turning blue including Wembley Arch, the Principality Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall and Lincoln Cathedral. This tribute is part of the #lightitblue campaign which has been organised by members of the events and entertainment industry to say thank you to our frontline workers.
The organisers of the campaign which was organised online said they decided to stage this nation-wide ‘clap’ because “during these unprecedented times they (NHS staff) need to know we are grateful”.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “We’re living in unprecedented times and we wanted to show our gratitude to those members of the public who are working on the front line. Many of our staff have family in the NHS and front line services and we thought it was only right to honour them and thank them for their hard work by lighting up Rhyl Pavilion and Sky Tower in blue. While this is only a small gesture compared to the amazing work they are undertaking, we hope this goes some way to show that we are right behind them and cannot thank them enough.
Bobby Feeley, Lead cabinet member for well-being at Denbighshire County Council: “This is a lovely way to recognise all of the hard work that staff in the NHS, Social Care and all frontline services are doing every day. This gestures is to show our thanks and appreciation for those workers who are putting others before themselves. We hope everyone stays safe during this uncertain time.”
Note to editors: Please contact Angie Platt, Marketing Manager for Denbighshire Leisure, for any further information. High resolution images available on request.

Free home workouts created by Denbighshire Leisure to keep people active during Covid-19
Denbighshire Leisure have created a series of free online videos and useful fitness tips to ensure their customers stay active during Covid-19.
The leisure company hopes that these fitness videos, digital work-outs and daily fitness tips will give people an opportunity to keep moving and healthy at home, with exercises for all ages and abilities.
Over 14 videos have been filmed and edited, including HIIT workouts, strength training, stretching, low and high intensity sessions and also the important warm ups and cool downs. The exercises range from low to high impact, including shorter work outs for those who have limited time or space at home.
While you cannot beat the experience of working out in a gym or attending a fitness class, these videos will show people how to make the most of the space you have at home, as well as using items within the home to help with your work out, including bottles of water or cans of beans instead of dumbbells.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “We are committed to providing a service to our members and our residents during this difficult time. Following Government advice, people are not able to come to the gym or take a fitness class, so we have brought their fitness classes and gym sessions for them.
“We hope these videos will keep our members active, focussed and healthy until we’re able to open again in the future. Our dedicated staff have put together a number of dynamic fitness videos for everyone of all abilities to try at home, we hope this virtual replacement will be enough to keep people engaged and raise their spirits during this difficult time. We hope everyone stays safe and well and look forward to seeing them again when we reopen.”
Councillor Bobby Feeley, cabinet member for well-being and independence at Denbighshire County Council, said: “There is a real link between leisure and people’s health and well-being and there is clearly a demand in our communities for classes and leisure activities, so it is fantastic that Denbighshire Leisure are bringing people’s workouts to their homes through social media. It’s a great initiative from the Denbighshire Leisure staff and I know this will be appreciated by the community as well as people who are working from home.”
These workouts are free to everyone and can be accessed through the Denbighshire Leisure website or Denbighshire Leisure Facebook page.
All fitness membership direct debits have now been frozen until further notice. Further to this, Denbighshire Leisure is working with TechnoGym to provide Denbighshire Leisure members with exclusive access to digital MyWellness workouts, This service is free of charge and offered to current members through their MyWellness app.
Note to editors: Video links can be accessed here.
‘Rainbow Challenge’ launched by Denbighshire Leisure in support of front line workers
As part of their ongoing support for NHS and front-line workers, Denbighshire Leisure have launched a seven day rainbow themed health and wellbeing challenge for families during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Following government advice to #stayathome, Denbighshire Leisure are hoping to bring positivity into people’s homes with a 7 day health and wellbeing campaign for the whole family to join in, created by one of their fitness instructors.
All over the UK people are showing their support for NHS and front line workers by creating rainbow images and placing them in a prominent position in their homes. The rainbows are symbolic as the sun emerging from a rainy sky and these images have served as a reminder for people to stay positive during the covid-19 pandemic.
Denbighshire Leisure fitness instructor Kara created the challenge, she explained: “As instructors we have been speaking as a group about the mental health and wellbeing of our members since the start of this pandemic and we have been putting together workouts, challenges and tips on social media to interact, however wanted to take it that step further and follow the trail of hope. I have family in the NHS, so I wanted to give something back, it was a no brainer. The children were making Rainbows in support of the NHS stay safe campaign and I just thought it would be a great opportunity to turn this into a health and wellbeing challenge. I can’t wait to see the children and families of Denbighshire taking part!”
Denbighshire Leisure are also lighting up Rhyl Pavilion and 1891 restaurant and Rhyl Sky Tower every Thursday evening at 8pm to honour NHS and health care workers on the front line during this world-wide crisis.
Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “Many of our staff have family in the NHS and front line services and we thought it was only right to honour them and thank them for their hard work by lighting up Rhyl Pavilion and Sky Tower in blue. While this is only a small gesture compared to the amazing work they are undertaking, we hope this goes some way to show that we are right behind them and cannot thank them enough.”
Bobby Feeley, Lead cabinet member for well-being at Denbighshire County Council: “This is a lovely way to recognise all of the hard work that staff in the NHS, Social Care and all frontline services are doing every day. This gestures is to show our thanks and appreciation for those workers who are putting others before themselves. We hope everyone stays safe during this uncertain time.”
Note to editors: Please contact Angie Platt, Marketing Manager for Denbighshire Leisure, for any further information. Graphics and high resolution images available on request.
Local business secures international funding following project
The one-of-a-kind Ninja TAG installation at SC2 in Rhyl has been the springboard for local business, Play Revolution, to secure more exciting projects all over the world.
SC2, the new £15m waterpark and adventure centre on Rhyl Promenade, boasts the largest Ninja TAG arena in the UK and the 1st Junior Ninja TAG (for under 8’s) in the world. Ninja TAG is described as Ninja Warrior meets Total Wipeout and challenges adrenaline seekers young and old to test their own strategy, speed, agility and bravery, whilst promoting fun, fitness and competition.
This exciting new visitor attraction was opened last April by Denbighshire County Council and Denbighshire Leisure, and has now welcomed over 150,000 visitors through its doors. This includes 10,000 a week through the peak summer season and over 1,000 people every week over the Winter period, with Ninja TAG proving a prefect activity for a rainy day.
Play Revolution, a supplier on the UK Leisure Framework; a £750m framework managed by Denbighshire Leisure and hosted by Denbighshire County Council; has continued to go from strength to strength since installing Rhyl’s Ninja TAG arena.
Owner of Play Revolution, Andy Edwards, from Ruthin, explained that he is delighted to be involved with Denbighshire County Council’s flagship project and said that Ninja TAG Rhyl was the catalyst for securing new projects around the World for his company.
He told us: “As a company TAG Active™ supply our products and services worldwide but we were particularly thrilled when the opportunity arose to provide one of our innovative TAG Active™ Arenas so close to our head office. Potential customers from around the world regularly visit our offices, and our manufacturing facility in Llay near Wrexham and now with the fantastic SC2 on our doorstep we can take them to see and experience, what is quickly becoming a truly iconic TAG Active™ destination location.
“From concept to completion, Denbighshire Leisure’s innovative approach, allowed us the freedom to design and create a truly unique TAG Active™ arena. An experience that has already been enjoyed by thousands players. In addition to generating valuable new business and attracting visitors to Rhyl, SC2 has facilitated the TAG Active™ brand in generating new projects around the world and securing jobs for our talented, locally based workforce.”
In April 2019, Rhyl welcomed the opening of SC2, a £17 million development project, creating a modern, destination waterpark attracting hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Denbighshire Leisure is proud to have worked with a number of local businesses and suppliers at SC2 throughout the development, which is now the centrepiece of Denbighshire County Council’s waterfront development programme in Rhyl.
Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, Jamie Groves, said: “There has been an exciting buzz around SC2 and Ninja TAG since we open last Spring and we are thrilled to have worked with Play Revolution and TAG Active, a company local to us. Working with local businesses is very important to us and it’s fantastic that TAG Active are now able to use Ninja TAG in Rhyl to showcase their amazing product to the rest of the World. SC2 is a first class attraction for the whole of the North Wales coast and we are extremely proud to have brought this facility to Rhyl.”
The construction of SC2 forms part of a wider waterfront regeneration project by Denbighshire County Council which also includes development of high quality restaurant at the Pavilion Theatre, and new developments from national hotel and restaurant chains. SC2 has been funded by Denbighshire County Council with contributions from Rhyl Town Council and Welsh Government.
Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Wellbeing, said: “The opening of SC2 and Ninja TAG last Spring is an exciting chapter for the town for its community. Rhyl’s waterfront is undergoing a huge period of change and the scale of investment in our town is to be applauded. The SC2 project has been the catalyst for further investment in Rhyl, bringing new business to Rhyl and working with local businesses from across North Wales.”
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