It’s a sad time for a cinema that I first started doing my reviews for, Blazing Minds, many years ago. Vue Cinema in Rhyl closed in January 2025, which means the town has lost its only cinema. We posted the sad news last year about the closure. The reason for the closure is that the lease that Vue takes on the venue is ending, and they no longer wish to extend the lease on the building.
The town has been hit with shops closing for other places, and the town has been getting a bit of panning, but thanks to a small collection of people who love to entertain and support Rhyl, not everything is lost for those looking to check out movies and join in the fun of live entertainment.
When I started Blazing Minds back in 2008 I wasn’t sure what route I wanted to take on the website and there was a point that I was going to throw in the towel, but then the cinema in Rhyl which was the Apollo at the time asked me to do reviews, of course, I jumped at the chance.
Shortly after my success increased, theatres began to ask me to write reviews. The Apollo changed ownership and was taken over by Vue, and I continued my reviews for some time until the staff changed and the opportunity to write reviews began to diminish. Soon after, Cineworld invited me to start reviewing their newly opened IMAX screen in Broughton, and I have been writing reviews there ever since.
But the Vue Cinema in Rhyl on the Coast Road has always meant something special to me, even back in the days before I started Blazing Minds.
Now with the bad news that Vue in Rhyl has closed and now the question is what now for those that visit the cinema in the North Wales Town?
Of course, there is the Scala Cinema in Prestatyn, Theatre Colwyn in Colwyn Bay and Cineworld in Llandudno or Broughton.
But as I mentioned earlier there are a few who are still champions of entertainment and the world of film, such as Chad Jones who brings us the brilliant Rhyller Thriller Horror Festival each year and Andrew Virgo who is the director of Wicked Wales.
I caught up with Andrew and asked him about what’s next now that Vue in Rhyl is closing.
Andrew told me, “The recent announcement of the closure of VUE is a devastating blow to the town it makes the ability to watch the latest films on the big screen even more inaccessible during these challenging financial times.
I think now is the time for the communities to come together and support the community cinemas here in Rhyl. We have 2 here in Rhyl (Wicked Wales cinema and Rhyller Thriller) in which between them cover most bases.
Although we can’t screen the latest releases we do screen films as soon as the licenses become available to us.“.
I also got in touch with Vue Cinemas for their say on the matter but sadly didn’t hear back from them.
With the Vue Cinema in Rhyl closing in January 2025, only time will tell to see what impact the loss of the cinema makes on the seaside town, but with thanks to Andrew, Chad and others that keep the entertainment alive for locals there is a glimmer of hope for those that prefer a night out to sitting in front of the TV!
Fantastic News Just In: Merlin Cinemas to Take Over Former Rhyl Vue Cinema
WE have the amazing news that the former Vue Cinema in Rhyl is getting a new lease of life as Merlin Cinemas are taking over the site. When visiting the Merlin Cinemas website and scrolling down the venues, there is a line that says “Rhyl Cinema, Rhyl – Coming Soon!“. Clicking on the link sends you to the new landing page titled, “Hello, Rhyl! Lovely to meet you”.
It is anticipated that the cinema will soon reopen with unmissable blockbusters, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Final, Disney Pixar’s Zootropolis 2, Tron: Ares, and Wicked: For Good, among many more.
Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said, “We’re delighted to have Merlin on board to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a great day out in Rhyl. Once the lease is signed and Merlin have taken over, the cinema will play a pivotal role in the broader regeneration efforts in Rhyl town centre. ”
Geoff Greaves, Company Founder, said: “We’re delighted to have been successful in our bid to operate this once-popular cinema. We’re already familiar with the location because of our cinema 4 miles along the coast in Prestatyn, but when the opportunity came along, we jumped at the chance. We are doing everything we can to get the doors open so that the town has a cinema again. We really believe that seeing a film at the cinema with family or friends is a very different experience to watching it at home; it is more memorable, more sociable and offers a sense of occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back to your cinema very soon.“
Here at Blazing Minds, we can’t wait to see the venue re-open and see a cinema back in the town. Merlin Cinemas took over the Scala in Prestatyn 10 years ago, and it has been a superb cinema to visit with wonderful staff.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
