Like many organisations, the company has had to face a number of difficult challenges over the course of the last 12 months, with Covid-19 putting paid to some plans and ideas.  However this did not stop the team thinking outside the box, remaining positive, achieving new goals and the opening a host of new and upgraded facilities.

Despite the difficulties, the company launched a brand new eatery on the Prestatyn coast during last summer’s lockdown. The Beach Hut at Nova Prestatyn has been incredibly successful and received fantastic 5* reviews, during the summer season, and recently the Company has announced further new Food and Beverage outlets due to open along the Rhyl waterfront -The Terrace at 1891, The Shack and Rhyl Pavilion Costa

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd is renowned for its high standards and during the year, there have been exciting developments at a number of leisure centres across the county.  Denbigh Leisure Centre’s fitness suite was fully refurbished and Llangollen Leisure Centre received a new 3G pitch and their fitness studio was upgraded to improve group exercise class facilities.

Corwen Leisure Centre, renamed Canfolfan Hamdden Huw Jones in honour of beloved councillor Huw ‘Chick’ Jones, is due to reopen soon, having received an extensive refurbishment, thanks to investment from Denbighshire County Council.  This has included a new pool hall, spectator area, and wetside changing, an overhaul of the upstairs fitness suite, and a brand new studio.

Within the Arts sector, Rhyl Pavilion Theatre took on the exciting challenge of hosting the filming of a National Online Pantomime, streamed across the UK, and the theatre also underwent an extensive £400,000 refurbishment during the closure period, in partnership with Denbighshire Council.  The Company’s small Community Arts team embraced the challenge of supporting their various community groups through the pandemic by introducing online activities and social media based communications in order to help members stay active and positive.

The Active Communities team went above and beyond during the pandemic, making safe visits to many vulnerable residents shielding across the county, as well as providing activities and challenges for school groups.

During the Covid-19 closures, the company’s attractions on Rhyl promenade took centre stage by being lit up in blue for the NHS, in rainbow colours to support frontline workers and was also lit in blue in tribute to local teenager Ethan Ross, and to mark the launch of #MoveAMarathonForEthan, an event to honour his memory.

A new website was created and launched during the pandemic, including two brand new microsites, which give Denbighshire Leisure Ltd customers the best virtual experience possible, and included an array of social media and digital campaigns to keep people engaged during lockdown.

A local business partnership was formed with McLords, to create a Denbighshire Leisure Ltd branded sanitiser product for the leisure industry. Another partnership with local Ten Top Tourism attraction The Welsh Mountain Zoo, saw SC2 and Ninja TAG join in with the fundraising efforts to keep the zoo open after it suffered losses due to the pandemic.

Managing Director, Jamie Groves, said: “Despite most of our facilities being closed longer than they were open last year, I am really proud of everything our team has achieved. It’s been a difficult year in many respects, but we have tried not to let the situation hold us back.  This is just the start for our Company and we are continuing to look beyond the pandemic to the very exciting future we know is ahead of us.  We already have some fantastic projects launching Rhyl this summer and have many others in the pipeline.”

Note to editors: For more information and high resolution images, please contact Angie Platt, Head of Marketing, Brand and PR for Denbighshire Leisure Ltd on angie.platt@denbighshireleisure.co.uk.