Virtual shop to help Rhyl youths

Aug 27 2008 by David Rutland, Rhyl Visitor

THREE derelict properties in Rhyl are to be cleared out and revamped as community facilities and affordable housing.

Rhyl Youth Action Group has taken the lion’s share of Assembly Government grants awarded to Denbighshire, and will use £77,000 to improve the site on Wellington Road.

The buildings, on Wellington Road and Elwy Street, were purchased seven months ago for £150,000 and will be converted into a range of uses. Shane Owen helps run the project and has been deeply involved in plans for the buildings.

“Upstairs is going to be accommodation which we’ll be renting out and downstairs is going to be a virtual shop,” he said.

“People from Rhyl will come in for retail training and pretend to be working in a shop. There’ll be electronic point of sale equipment and stock control. It’ll be just like a real shop and it’ll give people a taste of what it’s really like to work in a shop before they actually apply.

“Next door there’ll be a another shop selling stuff made in Rhyl. Jewellery, pottery and crafts.”

The development will also feature a state-of-the-art computer suite with networking and a 100Mbs internet connection and a large meeting room. Overall the project is costing in the region of £500,000.

“It’s all coming from different pots,” said Shane. “We’ve had funding from literally everywhere and everyone’s had to chip in a little.”

Formed in 2003, the organisation works together with many partners to combat social exclusion. The group has a membership of more than 500 and hopes to improve the general health and well-being, confidence, citizenship and position in society of young people living in areas of multiple deprivation.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: “This is wonderful news for those organisations involved. The funding will help them to continue to provide excellent services to the community and promote the regeneration of the area.”

Rhyl Youth Action Group hopes to be fully youth directed and self-financing group by 2017.

Have your say. Write to Visitor Letters, 84 High Street, Rhyl, LL18 1UB. Visit the website at www.rhylvisitor.co.uk.