Afternoon tea, Military bands and royal appearances were just some of the delights at a prestigious garden party hosted on behalf of King Charles at Buckingham Palace this week.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, received an invitation to the garden party from the Lord Chamberlain on behalf of His Majesty, following his work with DLL and his dedication to the leisure industry over the last 15 years. Jamie was nominated for this honour by friends, Mike and Jules Peters.

Invitees were greeted by two Royal Military bands in Buckingham Palace grounds, followed by afternoon tea in the gardens.

Prince William was in attendance and joked with attendees that it was ‘good weather for swimming’.  The future King was also joined by his cousins, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Zara Tindall, with her husband Mike.

Speaking of the event, Jamie Groves said: “It was a honour to be nominated by Jules and Mike, and to attend such a prestigious event was a truly unbelievable experience. It was surreal to walk through the palace grounds in the presence of members of the royal family and it truly was a day we will never forget.  I’m so proud to represent the company at this event and incredibly humbled to be nominated, it is very special that the work myself and my team do at DLL has been recognised in this way.”

DLL are excited to announce that Jason Mohammed, star of BBC Ones’s Final Score, will be presenting the 2024 DLL Active Communities’ Awards.

These prestigious awards honour members of the community who have made a difference or achieved something special in sport, activity or arts and culture within the last year.

The awards, previously the Denbighshire Sports Awards, have now grown to honour local individuals, groups, teams, schools and clubs that have made a difference or achieved something in sport or activity, arts and culture in their community.

Over 450 guests, including residents, partners and local businesses, attended this major event at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in November 2023, alongside all nominees and their families, organised by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL). With 12 awards received on the evening, including Sports Club of the Year, Excellence Young person and Best Community Creative project.

The 2024 ceremony will take place on the 13th November and will be held once again at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre with an after party at 1891 Rhyl bar and restaurant.

Nominations for the awards will open on the 1st June, with DLL encouraging all members of the public to get involved and nominate someone in their community via the website.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jason Mohammad to Rhyl this November. The DLL Active Communities’ awards is a fantastic event that helps recognise and celebrate the success of individuals, teams, clubs and schools within Denbighshire. We’re thrilled to be back at Rhyl Pavilion theatre, and 1891 restaurant and bar. We are looking forward to receiving all the nominations, of which I’m sure will give the judges a hard job to choose from!”

Judging for the awards takes place in August and the winners will be announced live on stage in November.

For more information please visit https://denbighshireleisure.co.uk/ac-awards-2024/

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL)’s ‘proud to be Welsh’ competition received hundreds of entries from children sharing their love of the Welsh culture by designing a poster that would be printed onto DLL fitness instructor t-shirts.

DLL invited young artists to participate in a t-shirt design contest themed around ‘What Makes You Proud to Be Welsh’, aimed at children aged 11 and under.

Over 150 entries were received and due to the high quality of the entries, three winners were picked to receive Ninja TAG tickets at SC2 Rhyl.

Daisy from Ysgol Dewi Sant drew the winning design and her poster was printed and worn by DLL fitness instructor t-shirts across all of their fitness sites. Emma from Ysgol Caer Drewyn and Darcie from Ysgol Bryn Clwyd were also picked as winners and will receive two Ninja TAG tickets each.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director at DLL said:  “As a Welsh business it’s important to us to celebrate our Welsh culture and this year it’s been a delight to see all the amazing entries for this competition. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who competed in our poster design competition of ‘What makes you proud to be Welsh’. The response has been amazing and we’ve had over 150 entries from across all of Denbighshire. It was so hard to choose just one winner, so we have awarded a 2nd prize and a 3rd prize who have also won 2 Ninja TAG tickets each, we have contacted these individuals and schools directly. Once again, I want to say a huge congratulations to everyone for competing and for drawing such high quality posters. #weareDLL, #weareproudtobewelsh”

DLL’s Community Arts team has designed a range of arts projects to promote and celebrate Global Intergenerational Week (GIW) from 24^th to 30^th April.

2024 is the fourth year of GIW, the annual worldwide campaign which encourages people of all ages to embrace intergenerational practices and relationships.  The campaign looks to bring people together to form important and lasting connections and friendships, and to enjoy projects with benefits such as improvements in wellbeing, whilst also being educational and fun.

The programme designed by the Community Arts Service will include pupils from Ysgol Borthyn, Ruthin joining the regular Lost in Art Group between 1-3pm at Ruthin Craft Centre to enjoy an afternoon of making.  Lost in Art is a project aimed at people living with dementia, along with their family members and carers, and aims to use visual arts to address issues such as social isolation.    

Paned a Chân, the weekly Welsh Language singing for wellbeing community group at Llanrhaeadr village has been invited to join pupils from Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch primary school on Tuesday, 30th April (10.30am-11.30am) for a fun intergenerational singing session to celebrate GIW in partnership with Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Music Centre. 

In addition to GIW, the team continues to work on a range of ongoing projects, such as supporting DCC Housing in engaging with their citizens around the county via creative interventions; supporting South Denbighshire Community Partnership to run creative art groups at Canolfan Ni in Corwen and Canolfan Pengwern in Llangollen and working with housing associations to support creative activity in extra care facilities such as Gorwel Newydd (Clwyd Alyn), Awel y Dyffryn and LLys Awelon (Grwp Cynefin).  The team also run Story Pals an intergenerational creative friendship project between different primary schools and care homes and community hospitals in Denbighshire and regularly work in partnership with third sector organisations such as Kim Inspire and Vale of Clwyd Mind to organise all sorts of different creative workshops for people living with mental health challenges in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Corwen and Llangollen.

DLL will also be lighting up buildings in Rhyl in pink in support of GIW.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said “DLL are delighted to support Global Intergenerational Week through these inventive and inspiring arts initiatives.  As always our Community Arts Team have worked exceptionally hard to bring together a range of motivational, educational and enjoyable projects for people of all ages across Denbighshire to enjoy.  It’s important to remember that the work of the DLL Community Arts Service is not just limited to GIW, however, and they are busy delivering many similar initiatives on a regular basis, which see positive benefits for many residents across the county.”

If you are interested in getting involved in any of the above projects, please contact Sian Fitzgerald on Sian.Fitzgerald@denbighshireleisure.co.uk.

DLL attractions across Denbighshire were lit up in blue to shine a light on Prostate Cancer last month, with a range of fundraising activities across their leisure sites and fitness clubs raising over £1000 for charity.

The team raised money through special fitness classes, a social media campaign, Coffee and Cake dates at our fitness clubs Refuel cafes, wearing blue across the company and by lighting up the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, 1891 restaurant and bar, The Sky Tower, SC2 Rhyl and Ruthin Craft Centre between 5th and 11th of March.

In Wales, 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives and the DLL team were on a mission to spread awareness throughout last month and a total of £1030 was raised. Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “I’m really proud of everything the DLL team did last month to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer, it’s an incredibly important topic that needs to be talked about more often. We’re proud to have raised over £1000 going to Prostate Cancer UK. Thank you to all of our fitness members who got involved with our themed classes, coffee mornings, challenges across our sites and also anyone who bought a cake and coffee where 10% of the cost was donated to this cause. All of this activity opened up the door for some amazing and truly inspiring conversations across our sites which helped raise awareness as well as the fundraising for this cause. ”More information on the campaign can be found on the DLL social media channels Facebook and the DLL website

Adventure is coming to Prestatyn this Autumn with the opening of a ‘first in Wales’ digital fitness experience, climbing wall and interactive squash court.

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) are once again bucking the national trend and investing in a new adventure hub and junior fitness facilities.

Following the success of Nova, as DLL’s premium Leisure destination, Prestatyn leisure will take training to a new level with a brand new Prama interactive fitness studio, revolutionising the junior fitness programme and delivering an innovative circularium for students.

First of its kind in Wales, Prama is an immersive and interactive group exercise concept where sound, lights, floors and walls come to life to motivate and guide you through a unique training experience.

The new technology on site will also see an immersive Squash experience, bringing the sport into a new era and making it accessible for all.

A Clip and Climb climbing experience will also be added to Prestatyn Leisure, adding a new attraction to DLL’s already extensive portfolio of family friendly adventures.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “We are investing in the next generation with top digital technology to innovate junior fitness. The new Prama studio will take PE and fitness training to the next level, creating a digital fitness experience packed with interaction and engagement for all ages. This new investment will bring Prestatyn Leisure into a new era, showing our commitment to investing in the community and the wellbeing of our members and customers. Following in the success of Nova as an attraction, including Club Nova, Beach Hut and our adventure play, we’re proud to now bring adventure to Prestatyn Leisure. We are pledging our support to the community and education by providing this new interactive hub for young people in the area.”

Neil Foley, Headteacher at Prestatyn High School, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of DLL’s next investment, this project will truly revolutionise the PE programme, modernise the curriculum and take fitness training to a new level. We’re proud to be working in partnership with DLL to be the first and only High school in North Wales with a Prama studio, and cannot wait for the work to start this imminently. This along with the new climbing walls and interactive squash will add a complexly new and exciting dimension to Prestatyn High for current and future pupils.”

In addition to the new technology and exciting new adventure plans, Prestatyn Leisure will also have a DLL Refuel station installed with Costa Coffee and a relaxing member area.

On 29th March, DLL will be celebrating 50 years of Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones, their leisure site in Corwen.

Originally built as a swimming pool, the facility opened on 29th March 1974, following a campaign by then Councillor William Roberts.  Councillor Roberts was adamant that the town needed somewhere for local children to learn to swim, after two tragic drowning incidents occurred in the nearby River Dee. 

The leisure centre, managed for many years by Cllr Roberts’ son Adrian, was extended by Denbighshire County Council’s Leisure Services (Now DLL) to include squash courts, a fitness suite and an outdoor 3G pitch. 

In 2020, the facility became part of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), who have continued to invest in this popular local facility, refurbishing the facility throughout, including pool hall, circulation areas, a new functional training area with sector leading equipment from the Technogym Skill Range; as well as the addition of a new studio area for group exercise classes.

In 2021, Corwen Leisure Centre was renamed Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones, in tribute to another popular and well respected local and County Councillor, who sadly passed away in 2020.  Huw Jones was dedicated to the Corwen community and as Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Leisure played a very important role in improving and developing leisure across the county.

Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones now boasts a 20m swimming pool, a fitness suite which includes a range of Technogym’s Excite Cardio equipment, and Tanita total body analyser, first floor functional training space, glass fronted squash court, functional studio, and outdoor pitch with 3G surface.

DLL Managing Director, Jamie Groves said “We are exceptionally proud of Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones and the service it offers today.  Looking back across 50 years, the facility has seen many developments and improvements, and now offers a first class leisure provision to residents and visitors to Corwen.  The site has a reputation for offering a friendly, professional service and this is reflected in the many fantastic testimonials we receive from our members.”   

Councillor Alan Hughes said “Denbighshire County Council are delighted to see Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones reach such a fabulous milestone, and the site continues to be a hugely important asset to the town of Corwen and surrounding neighbourhoods.  Although they now deliver a wide variety of leisure activities, the team on site still work incredibly hard to deliver a very comprehensive swimming lesson programme, and I am sure Cllr William Roberts would be very proud of their success.”   

A brand new interactive fitness studio is coming to Denbigh to give fitness members a 180 degree digital experience, revolutionising the class programme and providing a first class and unique training studio.

Following the success of Studio 360 at Club Rhyl, DLL and Future Studios are joining forces again to bring a 180 interactives studio to Club Denbigh next month. DLL are once again bucking the trend nationally, delivering one of the most innovative and exciting fitness clubs in the country.

Take your indoor cycling up a gear with interactive wall and top of the range Technogym bikes and equipment.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “Our aim is to deliver one of the most innovative and exciting fitness experiences in Wales and with the introduction of Studio 180 and the success of Studio 360 at Club Rhyl, we are committed to be bringing the most innovative technology to the people of Denbighshire. DLL is continuing to lead the way in the fitness industry and is bucking the trend nationally when others are downsizing, we’re growing and investing, ensuring our members have the best possible experience. If you thought indoor cycling was exciting, hold on tight because the experience is about to reach a whole new level.”

The investment will not only enhance the health and fitness offer at Club Denbigh, but will allow DLL to provide experiences that appeal to people of all ages and demographics to help encourage more members of the community to take part in exercise.

Delivered via the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by DLL and Alliance Leisure, the innovative health and wellness space will offer immersive, all-inclusive experiences to engage and inspire existing group exercise participants and attract new audiences.

DLL has worked with creative agency Flareform to repurpose an existing exercise studio at Club Rhyl in Denbighshire to produce a one-of-a-kind exercise environment that uses 360 degree projection onto all walls of the room to create seamless animated scenes that transform with each class.

Joe Robinson, co-founder of Future Studios and creative director at Flareform, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with DLL as we embark on this second exciting project to deliver brand new experiences for the members. From the very first interaction, it’s been evident that we are working with a client who shares our passion for innovation and excellence. Their enthusiasm for this project is infectious and inspiring, and it aligns perfectly with our creative vision for the product. As a sector leading leisure operator, DLL is continually investing in its fitness facilities with a view to delivering the very best experiences for its customers. We genuinely feel privileged to be a part of this partnership and can’t wait to see the incredible results we will achieve together on our second project.”

A brand new interactive fitness studio is coming to Denbigh to give fitness members a 180 degree digital experience, revolutionising the class programme and providing a first class and unique training studio.

Following the success of Studio 360 at Club Rhyl, DLL and Future Studios are joining forces again to bring a 180 interactives studio to Club Denbigh next month. DLL are once again bucking the trend nationally, delivering one of the most innovative and exciting fitness clubs in the country.

Take your indoor cycling up a gear with interactive wall and top of the range Technogym bikes and equipment.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “Our aim is to deliver one of the most innovative and exciting fitness experiences in Wales and with the introduction of Studio 180 and the success of Studio 360 at Club Rhyl, we are committed to be bringing the most innovative technology to the people of Denbighshire. DLL is continuing to lead the way in the fitness industry and is bucking the trend nationally when others are downsizing, we’re growing and investing, ensuring our members have the best possible experience. If you thought indoor cycling was exciting, hold on tight because the experience is about to reach a whole new level.”

The investment will not only enhance the health and fitness offer at Club Denbigh, but will allow DLL to provide experiences that appeal to people of all ages and demographics to help encourage more members of the community to take part in exercise.

Delivered via the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by DLL and Alliance Leisure, the innovative health and wellness space will offer immersive, all-inclusive experiences to engage and inspire existing group exercise participants and attract new audiences.

DLL has worked with creative agency Flareform to repurpose an existing exercise studio at Club Rhyl in Denbighshire to produce a one-of-a-kind exercise environment that uses 360 degree projection onto all walls of the room to create seamless animated scenes that transform with each class.

Joe Robinson, co-founder of Future Studios and creative director at Flareform, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with DLL as we embark on this second exciting project to deliver brand new experiences for the members. From the very first interaction, it’s been evident that we are working with a client who shares our passion for innovation and excellence. Their enthusiasm for this project is infectious and inspiring, and it aligns perfectly with our creative vision for the product. As a sector leading leisure operator, DLL is continually investing in its fitness facilities with a view to delivering the very best experiences for its customers. We genuinely feel privileged to be a part of this partnership and can’t wait to see the incredible results we will achieve together on our second project.”

DLL is proud to announce the return of the acclaimed comedian John Bishop to Rhyl Pavilion Theatre stage for the first time since 2012.

The much-anticipated event is set to take place on Friday 21st February 2025, where audiences can expect an evening of laughter and entertainment with Bishop’s new tour, ‘SJM Concerts Present: Back At It’.

John Bishop, known for his whit, charm and engaging storytelling has made him one of the most beloved comedians of our time.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL  said: “We are thrilled to announce that we are welcoming John Bishop back to the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre. This is further endorsement that The Pavilion Theatre is fast becoming a premier destination for top-tier comedy talent, and Bishop’s return further solidifies our reputation as a hub for entertainment excellence. The continued investment in Rhyl Pavilion is clearly paying off.  We are looking forward to an evening filled with laughter and joy as we host John Bishop and his ‘Back at It’ tour.”

Tickets start from £29 and will be available for pre-sale exclusively to Rhyl Pavilion Theatre marketing email subscribers on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, at 10:00 AM. General ticket sales will go live on Rhyl pavilion theatre website on Friday, March 22nd, 2024, at 10:00 AM.