Rhyl Air Show is confirmed as not going ahead in summer 2025
It comes as DLL has announced a host of big events for the summer, including the Summertime Weekender and outdoor cinema experience - but the popular air show will not be among them.
Denbighshire County Council, which owns DLL, revealed this news in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from the Journal.
The Journal asked the council to disclose whether the air show is going ahead this year, and if not, why not.
In response, the council said: 'It is not taking place. DLL confirmed to the council that there wouldn't be an air show in 2025 on February 6, 2025, owing to a lack of funds.
'It is a DLL-run event, and we do not manage the event.'
The Red Arrows at Rhyl Air Show in August 2023 (Image: Amy Owen) A spokesperson for DLL added: 'DLL provides major events in Rhyl that are funded by Denbighshire County Council and Rhyl Town Council. Since 2020, costs to run and host such major events have risen significantly.
'DLL has in the past, and up until recently; underwritten a large shortfall in the available funding for the air show.
'But like every other business in Rhyl, DLL does not have an endless pot of money to underwrite costs associated with running such events.
'All Rhyl businesses benefit significantly from events such as the air show, but it has historically been DLL that underwrites the costs and the shortfall.
'Added to that, an event on the scale of the air show may not have been feasible this year due to the ongoing coastal defence works, with large sections of the promenade being inaccessible.
'Instead, sensibly and responsibly, DLL has worked with Rhyl Town Council to agree an attractive events programme, which will be delivered over the summer, giving thousands of free tickets away to residents for the Summertime Weekender at Rhyl Events Arena and for a brand new outdoor cinema event which will be taking place in August, alongside the existing and hugely popular family fun days at 1891.
'DLL have also contributed to the RAF Rhyl Town Show with free use of the Rhyl Events Arena, and opened SC2 for free for hundreds of people to enjoy the waterpark and Splash Pad to celebrate the reopening.'
DLL's decision to cancel the 2024 Rhyl Air Show was attributed to the Red Arrows, a regular feature at the event, being unavailable.
In February 2024, Jamie Groves, DLL's managing director, said: "We have concluded that (without the Red Arrows) it would be impossible for DLL to deliver a show in keeping with the proud tradition of the Rhyl Air Show, which also meets public expectations.
'But we will come back in 2025 stronger.'
The Red Arrows featured at the 2022 and 2023 Rhyl Air Shows, but did not attend the 2019 event – the last prior to the COVID-19 pandemic - as it clashed with a tour of North America.
As well as the Red Arrows, the 2023 Rhyl Air Show also featured performances from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Strikemaster Pair, Calidus Autogyro, and more.
Alternative events in Rhyl organised by DLL this summer include a 'Summertime Weekender' event on August 2-3, and a an 'outdoor cinema experience' on August 22-24.
Both of these are free of charge and are being held at Rhyl Events Arena.
DLL's SC2 water park on Rhyl's seafront also re-opened in early July, having been shut since late 2023 due to storm damage.
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