Former Vue cinema in Rhyl will re-open under a new operator
Merlin Cinemas, which also runs the Scala venue in Prestatyn, has confirmed it is the new operator of the premises.
Though, an opening date for the new cinema remains 'a little while' away, the company said.
Vue closed in Rhyl in January after deciding not to extend its lease at the building, which is owned by Denbighshire County Council.
But in March, the council confirmed it was looking for a new operator as a long-term tenant partner.
Merlin Cinemas was founded in 1990 and now operates more than 20 venues in the UK.
A statement from Merlin Cinemas read: 'The cinema on the promenade in Rhyl, previously operated by Vue (and) closed in January, will soon be reopening again under a new name, which is still under wraps.
'Merlin is working closely with the local council and suppliers to assess the work needed behind the scenes before it can reopen.
'They are committed to improving the cinema and enhancing the cinema experience for the local community, and that may mean that the cinema reopens in phases.'
Denbighshire County Council said in May that it had received 'a number of credible expressions of interest' in the venue.
The cinema comprises five screens, a concessions and ticketing area in the foyer along with a coffee bar, and a bar area at the rear of the building.
It is within walking distance of Rhyl's bus and railway stations, while there are more than 150 parking spaces nearby.
Geoff Greaves, company founder, said he is 'delighted' that Merlin Cinemas was successful in its bid to operate a cinema at the site.
He added: 'We're already familiar with the location because of our cinema four 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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
13 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Feeling the Most Car Buying Pressure
New data from Bank of America shows that younger buyers are getting the financial short end of the stick at the dealership. Cars continue to be an expensive necessity The United States is a land where its people rely on cars for their everyday transportation needs; however, purchasing a new or used vehicle can often feel like an extensive financial cross-examination rather than a straightforward and effortless transaction at dealerships and car lots. If you have been to your local dealerships, scrolled the options on car-buying websites, or curiously poked around at the newest cars on the websites of any automaker these days, you are probably more than aware that new cars today are very expensive. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More According to the latest data from Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive, the average cost of a new car in the U.S. reached an astonishing $48,883 as of June 2, 2025; a high price tag that can discourage even the most enthusiastic car buyers. However, recent findings from Bank of America indicate that younger buyers are significantly influencing current trends in the auto market, although their motivations are not always driven by sound financial reasoning. A Hyundai dealership in Richmond, California, US, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Bank of America: Younger car buyers got the tariff shock When the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts in late March, BofA researchers and analysts saw that some concerned buyers rushed to purchase vehicles before the tariffs could translate into higher sticker prices. The bank saw a sharp spike in car loan applications in late March and April, with sales data peaking at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 17.8 million. However, a deeper dive into its data reveals that Gen Z and younger Millennials were much more active in this pre-tariff buying spree than older demographics. From March to May 2025, Bank of America found that large payments (those over $2,000) to car dealers and finance companies were steadily rising among these younger age groups in comparison to older buyers. What this shows is that younger consumers seemed more motivated to lock in prices before tariffs made vehicles even more expensive than they already were. Unlike Baby Boomers or Gen Xers, many Gen Z and Millennial buyers are either purchasing their first or second car, and they're entering the market at an unaffordable time by all kinds of metrics. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The deck is already stacked against younger car buyers According to Bank of America payments data, the median monthly car payment has jumped over 30% since 2019, outpacing the rise in new and used vehicle prices. This data point proves that a car can be a financial ballast for young people who have to balance monthly costs like rent, groceries, student loans, and other miscellaneous subscription-based services they may be in for. Today, one in five U.S. households pays more than $1,000 a month ($12,000 per year) just for their car payments, which can be a massive financial burden for younger buyers. In fact, between June 2024 and May 2025, a significantly higher share of younger buyers saw their monthly car payments climb. Bank of America data shows that Gen Z and younger Millennial car buyers accounted for the biggest year-over-year increase in the percentage of households who paid more than $500 per month for their cars, with some paying $1,000 or more. Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE — Source: Toyota However, the financial data isn't entirely age-related; it's also tied to income. Many younger buyers tend to earn less money and fall into the lower or middle-income brackets, meaning their margins and budgets are tighter than most. According to the report, lower-income buyers also showed increased activity in the pre-tariff rush, further underscoring how policy shifts like tariffs can hit the most vulnerable groups hardest. Nonetheless, young people are committed to car ownership because they need to get around, even if it means buying a car at a time when cars are more expensive than ever and loans are harder to get. According to data from The New York Federal Reserve, the likelihood of getting turned down for a car loan reached 33.5% in February 2025, the highest level on record. The deck is already stacked against younger car buyers According to Bank of America payments data, the median monthly car payment has jumped over 30% since 2019, outpacing the rise in new and used vehicle prices. This data point proves that a car can be a financial ballast for young people who have to balance monthly costs like rent, groceries, student loans, and other miscellaneous subscription-based services they may be in for. Today, one in five U.S. households pays more than $1,000 a month ($12,000/year) just for their car notes, which can be a massive financial burden for younger buyers. In fact, between June 2024 and May 2025, a significantly higher share of younger buyers saw their monthly car payments climb. Bank of America data shows that Gen Z and younger Millennial car buyers accounted for the biggest year-over-year increase in the percentage of households who paid more than $500 per month for their cars, with some paying $1,000 or more. CarMax dealership However, the financial data isn't entirely age-related; it's also tied to income. Many younger buyers tend to earn less money and fall into the lower or middle-income brackets, meaning their margins and budgets are tighter than most. According to the report, lower-income buyers also showed increased activity in the pre-tariff rush, further underscoring how policy shifts like tariffs can hit the most vulnerable groups hardest. Nonetheless, young people are committed to car ownership because they need to get around, even if it means buying a car at a time when cars are more expensive than ever and loans are harder to get. According to data from The New York Federal Reserve, the likelihood of getting turned down for an auto loan reached 33.5% in February 2025—the highest level on record. Final thoughts Although personal finance is a central fixation for some social media-addled Gen Z and younger Millennials, this data from one of America's largest financial institutions shows that many in these age groups are in situations fit for a Caleb Hammer or Dave Ramsay clip floating around on their feeds. What this research means for Gen Z and Millennials is that they are buying more, paying more, and doing it at a time when the deck feels increasingly stacked against them. However, as I have previously mentioned, this highlights just how important it is to approach car buying responsibly and plan financially. It's truly important to take a step back, let the temptation simmer, and examine your financial situation and set a budget that you can actually comfortably afford. By being diligent, you can protect yourself from potential hurdles and make a decision that won't wreck you or your credit. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
Auto Blog
20 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Major Nissan Supplier Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The tier-one supplier cites tariffs, COVID, and the failing to adapt to the EV market as the reasons for its downfall. A perfect storm In a move that emphasizes the financial pressures faced by major global auto suppliers, one of the largest tier-one suppliers in the world has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. Marelli supplies lighting systems, electronics, and other critical components to automakers like Nissan, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram. Its parent company, Stellantis, said in its court filings on June 11 that it faced a perfect storm of pandemic-related disruptions, global tariffs, and industry-wide shifts toward electrification prior to its decision to file. 0:02 / 0:09 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More A picture taken on October 22, 2018, in Corbetta, west of Milan, shows the headquarters of the Italian multinational company Magneti Marelli. — Source: Getty Images COVID, semiconductor shortage, and tariffs affected the company For an industry used to navigating cyclical turbulence, Marelli's story reflects just how volatile the landscape has become after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In court documents, Marelli CEO David Slump pointed to long-running disruptions that occurred during the pandemic, including labor shortages and difficulty sourcing raw materials. As if that wasn't a huge problem already, Marelli also got caught up in the global semiconductor shortage, which limited production and halted factories of major automakers and their suppliers. However, Slump says that the final nail in Marelli's coffin was the impact of wide-reaching auto industry tariffs that were imposed earlier this year. Back in March, the Trump Administration announced a new round of levies on imported vehicles and auto parts. For a company like Marelli—formed from the 2019 merger of Fiat Chrysler's parts division, Magneti Marelli, and Calsonic Kansein, a Japanese supplier owned by American private equity firm KKR, and heavily reliant on international trade—the tariffs killed any potential to recover financially. 'Marelli was severely affected by tariffs due to its import/export-focused business,' Slump said in the filing. 'Macroeconomic headwinds associated with the imposition of tariffs in countries around the world' worsened the company's liquidity at a critical time. Nissan Oppama Plant — Source: Nissan Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Marelli tried to adapt to EV demand As automakers shifted resources toward electric vehicles, suppliers like Marelli became involved in a capital-intensive rat race to retool and adapt to a fast-changing marketplace. Billions were spent across the industry to create and support groundbreaking new EV platforms, but suppliers like Marelli were left with fewer orders and the financial burden when EV demand slowed and automakers adjusted or delayed their EV timelines to react to the market. Marelli's Chapter 11 filing is a warning of what's ahead for others in the space. The supplier landscape is changing amid uncertainty and shifting trends in powertrain electrification, and suppliers operate on tight margins. Companies like Marelli feel financial pressure without consistent production volumes or stable regulatory environments. 2026 Jeep Cherokee — Source: Jeep But while Marelli is going through bankruptcy filings, it should be noted that it isn't a liquidation (liquidations occur in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy) but rather a strategic restructuring. Marelli says it intends to continue operating throughout the Chapter 11 process thanks to over $1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing from its lenders. Marelli has backing from more than 80% of its senior lenders, and its plan is to convert a large portion of the company's roughly $5 billion in debt into equity, essentially giving control of the business to its creditors. Currently, the company has some unfinished business with customers. According to Automotive News, Stellantis and Nissan are the two largest unsecured creditors listed in the bankruptcy filing. Marelli said it owes Stellantis $454 million and $313 million to Nissan. 'For Nissan, securing a stable supply chain is essential. We are committed to support Marelli to maintain its revenue generation and will coordinate with Marelli's other customers while actively monitoring the supply chain to prevent disruptions,' Nissan told AutoNews in an emailed statement. Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack — Source: Stellantis Final thoughts For now, Marelli insists that operations will continue, but its situation is an example of how interconnected and fragile the modern automotive ecosystem is. Tariffs, pandemics, supply shortages, and technology transitions aren't just speed bumps for automakers; they could mean life or death for the companies that keep the car industry running behind the scenes. Marelli may be the first, but it probably won't be the last. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Chinese firms in talks to join group to buy Li Ka-shing's ports, Bloomberg News reports
June 12 (Reuters) - Chinese ports operator China Cosco Shipping Corporation is among the firms in talks to participate in a global consortium seeking to buy 43 ports from billionaire Li Ka-shing-owned CK Hutchison ( opens new tab, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. CK Hutchison said last month that Mediterranean Shipping Company, run by the family of Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte, was the main investor in a group seeking the portfolio of ports, which includes two near the Panama Canal, for $22.8 billion. Negotiation for the deal that covers 43 ports in 23 countries is on an exclusive basis between CK Hutchison and the consortium for 145 days until July 27. Adding Chinese investors to the consortium emerged as one of the options after high-level talks in Switzerland last month between Chinese and U.S. officials, the Bloomberg report said. China Cosco Shipping Corp is among the state-backed companies in talks with the consortium run by the Aponte family, the report said. CK Hutchison and China Cosco Shipping didn't immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The deal has been through weeks of global scrutiny and criticism in China and the U.S. over CK Hutchison's plan to sell the ports to a consortium, previously led by U.S. investment firm BlackRock (BLK.N), opens new tab. BlackRock remains part of the group.
