THE Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Rhyl is to move to winter opening times from October, as options are being looked into to increase footfall at the site.
In April, the Journal reported that the centre was decreasing its summer opening times to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9.30am-4pm, due to making little income.
As usual, from October 1 until March 31, the centre, based within the Children’s Village on West Parade by the seafront, will be open on:
• Mondays (1-4pm)
• Tuesdays and Thursdays (9.30am-4pm)
• Fridays (9.30am-12.30pm)
A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council (DCC) said: “The Rhyl TIC will be open over the winter period running its usual operational opening hours.
“The council is in the early stages of looking at options to help and support the continued provision of tourist information in Rhyl in the most suitable way going forward and we will inform the public once any progress is made.”
The TIC in Rhyl first opened in March 1995, and has been managed by North Wales Tourism for more than 20 years.
A plaque marking Rhyl TIC’s opening in 1995. Photo: Jim Jones
Jim Jones, North Wales Tourism chief executive, is optimistic that discussions with DCC will lead to positive improvements at the centre.
He said: “We’re all keen (to improve the centre) because we want to make sure Rhyl retains some form of information centre.
“We’re really just waiting to find out (from DCC) what the proposals are. In the meantime, it’s business as usual.
“What we don’t want to happen is what has happened previously, when every county in North Wales had a TIC, and they were brought back in-house under local authorities and ended up closing.
“There is only a handful left, and we seriously do need to provide it. It’s part and parcel of a visitor’s experience.
“We’re fairly optimistic that something good will come of it, but at the moment, we’re waiting until we’ve found out what these options are.
“Fingers crossed, we’ll get something for Rhyl that we can all be proud of.”
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Rhyl Tourist Information Centre reduces opening times after making ‘very little income’
The Rhyl TIC also sells crafts, maps, guides and books.
North Wales Tourism is also responsible for the TIC in Llangollen.
A spokesperson for Rhyl Town Council added: “The town council would be concerned at any reduction in the services provided by the TIC in supporting not only Rhyl and the wider tourism business sector, but also ensuring that local residents are informed of the many activities which take place in and around the town.”
