January 2025
I visited this place on my own while touring the North Wales coast. I had missed a chance to see it before, as I had heard it was set to be demolished. I wanted to stop by, especially since I remembered visiting it as a child during family trips to Rhyl. As I drove along the coastal road, the building came into view. I decided to check it out while I was there. However, I soon saw that the area was fenced off, and a large hole had appeared in the side of the structure.
At that moment, I thought I had lost my opportunity. Still, I parked the car and found a way onto the site without being noticed. Once inside, I felt a wave of relief. The demolition work had only taken out the gift shop and reception area so far. The rest of the aquarium was still intact and, apart from a few pieces of broken glass, it remained in decent shape. As this beloved attraction nears its end, it’s hard to see what the future holds for Rhyl. Over my 30 years, I have watched it change from a bustling holiday spot to a mere shadow of its past, with many of the attractions I remember now gone, replaced by tarmac and grass.
History
Opened in 1992 as the Rhyl Sea Life Centre, this attraction was situated on the Rhyl promenade. It showcased various species from around the world across nine different zones, along with an outdoor Seal Cove where visitors could meet harbour seals in a large pool filled with 330,000 litres of water. For many years, the centre operated under the Sea Life brand, part of the Merlin Entertainments group, until it was sold to SeaQuarium Ltd, which also owned the Weston-super-Mare site that has since closed. The centre was popular, drawing in tens of thousands of visitors annually and employing around 20 staff. Unfortunately, in November 2023, it announced it would shut down, with its final day of operation on 27th November. Following the closure, the animals were relocated to other aquariums.
SeaQuarium cited the ongoing coastal works by the council as the main reason for the closure. They claimed these works would negatively affect trade and cause welfare issues for the seals. After the closure, Denbighshire County Council applied for approval to demolish the building. In their planning documents, they stated that the structure was outdated as a modern tourist attraction. Although the council recognised the prime location of the building, they noted it required significant investment. Demolition began on 7th January 2025, with work expected to take about six weeks.
[1] - The Aquarium as seen in my February 24 recky.
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Fujifilm X-T2, 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR
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