Everything to do with Colwyn Bay

[SteveH]

The tragedies behind an iconic clock in a North Wales resort
The timepiece has become something of a landmark in Colwyn Bay but many will no little about it's sad history

Scores of shoppers will glance up at this popular clock in Colwyn Bay town centre every day. Not everyone will know about the tragic history behind it.

It is a handsome and useful feature of Station Road. But the original timepiece was put up in memory of a talented, local musician, who died 39 years ago last week, aged just 33. In a second tragedy, another man died during its installation.

The original Andrew Fraser Memorial clock was installed in 1989 at the behest of his parents Stan and Margaret, of Rhos-on-Sea. Donations were made through a trust for its maintenance and repair.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tragedies-behind-iconic-clock-north-26264936?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A forgotten department store from a bygone age has been transformed to finally bring life back into the building. The Longmans property was designed by renowned architect Sidney Colwyn Foulkes in the heart of Colwyn Bay in 1930.

It became stylish department store Dando?s at a time Colwyn Bay was booming thanks to the holiday trade. Those glory days did not last and the Grade II-listed building later became a discount store before it later closed - lying empty for years.

Regeneration money from Conwy council, Welsh Government and the EU revamped the site but the pandemic hit plans to create an office hub and the site remained ghostly quiet.

That is now changing as an artist from Llandudno Junction is opening a contemporary gallery aimed at breaking down barriers in the art world. He wants to enrich North Wales?s cultural scene by incorporating the world of NFTs and the Metaverse.

Rob Bebbington, 31, came up with the idea for ink. Gallery after feeling inspired by the sense of community in the world of street art. He has been backed by British Business Bank Start Up Loans.

Along with co-founder and fellow artist Luke Dalton, Rob Bebbington they secured two Start Up Loans from the British Business Bank totalling ?30,000, which the pair received in December 2022

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/forgotten-department-store-bygone-age-26329802?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

People struggling to afford food could soon be helped by a 'social' supermarket in Colwyn Bay. Adferiad Recovery has submitted a planning application to Conwy County Council's planning committee, seeking permission to convert Porter's Coffee Shop and Bistro into a social supermarket.

If it gets the go-ahead the site at 41-43 Station Road, Colwyn Bay, will be managed by the St Giles charity. Porter?s is currently managed by drug and alcohol charity Adferiad Recovery (formerly CAIS), which is opting to close the caf? due to declining numbers of customers.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/popular-colwyn-bay-cafe-close-26385337?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Vacant North Wales care home could be converted into two properties
A planning application has been submitted for Guys Cliff Care Home in Colwyn Bay

Mr Jones wants permission for a change of use for the care home at 79-81 Conway Road before renovating both properties? ground and first floors. Whilst the care home is still in use as a care home in terms of its use, the building is currently vacant.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vacant-north-wales-care-home-26418286?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

North Wales Police have launched an appeal for information after discovering a boat adrift in the sea near Colwyn Bay.

Police officers are appealing for information following the discovery of a small boat adrift in the water in Colwyn Bay this morning.

At approximately 6.00 am today (Saturday 18th March) police were made aware of a boat adrift in the sea between the pier and Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay.

Detective Sergeant Mark Bamber said ?We believe that the boat came into the area yesterday and entered the water in Conwy. The boat is called Phoenix Hardy.

?We are appealing for the owners or the people who have any knowledge of the boat to contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting reference number A039123.?

Police appear to have used police tape to corden off the boat, which is now positioned on Colwyn Bay beach.

RNLI lifeboat Llandudno repoted that searches of the bay to ascertain whether unknown casualties may have entered the water were inconclusive.

A spokesperson for the RNLI lifeboat Llandudno said: "An attempt was made to refloat the cruiser with a plan to tow it to Rhos Marina. However, this was unsuccessful, at which point the ILB was stood down and returned to Llandudno Lifeboat Station."

[SteveH]

Update on above

Police 'satisfied' nobody is missing after boat was found adrift off North Wales
Four men went out on the boat before it was later found empty

They have now issued an update saying they are "satisfied" nobody is missing. In a statement, they said: "Thank you to all those members of the public that came forward with information regards the circumstances of the 'Phoenix Hardy' boat that was adrift and washed up on the beach at Colwyn Bay.

"The information provided generated a number of enquiries and we are now satisfied that there are no people that may be missing from the boat. Enquiries continue to understand the circumstances that led to the boat being washed ashore."
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/police-satisfied-nobody-missing-after-26507621

[SteveH]

Crewless boat which sparked major search is removed from beach   ref DP

[SteveH]

Two good news stories this morning.........

THE PLANNED closure of the HSBC bank in Colwyn Bay has been put on hold, after the banking giant?s closures underwent an independent assessment.

The Colwyn Bay branch was set to close on August 15, but a letter sent to Clwyd West MS stated that these plans have been paused.

The letter states: ?All our closures have now been independently assessed by LINK, who have recommended a deposit service in Colwyn Bay.

?As a result of this recommendation, I wanted to let you know that the closure of Colwyn Bay branch will be paused until such a solution is in place.           cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23402900.hsbc-delay-planned-closure-colwyn-bay-branch/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589



A FREE annual family event is to return to Colwyn Bay in May.
Prom Xtra will take place on the town?s promenade on Saturday, May 13, with activities including a funfair, stalls, and a range of entertainment features.

All of its stalls, charities and exhibitors will be dotted across the site, with a wide variety from tasty treats to gorgeous gifts and more.

Any traders, exhibitors or charities wishing to apply for a space this year can find further information on Conwy County Borough Council?s website.

The application form should be completed and returned to the council by April 14.

Last year?s Prom Xtra event saw families entertained with an exciting bike show performance, a giant scaletrix, magician?s act, quadbikes, and segways.

Businesses and initiatives in attendance included Rhos-on-Sea-based Aspire Fitness Studio, Wheelie Play Bus, community musical theatre group Llandudno Musical Productions, and Llandudno?s Prom Ally.

https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Visitor/Events/Prom-Xtra/Prom-Xtra.aspx

[SteveH]

AN ARTISAN market in Colwyn Bay will return for its ?Easter Eggstravaganza? event later this month.

The market, which is held every third Saturday of the month, will celebrate its special Easter event on April 15.

It will be held between 10am-4pm on Station Road and Sea View Road.

Visitors can explore two large streets lined with a selection of artisan stalls, including of arts, crafts, cakes, bakes, gifts and goodies galore.

There will be fun in store for children, too, who can come and meet the Easter Bunny and take part in a special Easter egg hunt at the market.

You can also enjoy Punch and Judy, a magic show, balloon modelling, puppets, chalk pavement art, and plenty of street fun and games.

There will be live music and performances throughout the day, including a choir, and the ?Ghostbusters? community band.

For more information, go to www.theartisanmarketcompany.co.uk.   

[SteveH]

More on what to expect from Colwyn Bay?s ?Prom Xtra? event

A FREE family event will take place on May 13 along Colwyn Bay?s promenade between 10am and 6pm.

?Prom Xtra? has lots of free activities to keep the family entertained, including funfair, stalls, and of more entertainment along the beach.

For youngsters, there will be bubble football, space hoppers, kids? quads and cricket for free.

The ?Wheelie Play Bus? a converted double-decker bus which provides a safe and fun soft play area for children ages three to eight, will also be at Prom Xtra.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23479414.expect-colwyn-bays-prom-xtra-event/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Prom Xtra event set to return to Colwyn Bay promenade this weekend

A FREE family event will be held tomorrow (May 13) along Colwyn Bay?s promenade from 10am until 5pm.

?Prom Xtra? has plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained, including a funfair, stalls, and lots more entertainment along the beach.

For youngsters, there will be the chance to play bubble football, as well as try out space hoppers, kids? quads and cricket.

The ?Wheelie Play Bus?, a converted double-decker bus which provides a safe, fun soft play area for children aged three to eight, will also be at Prom Xtra.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23517114.prom-xtra-event-set-return-colwyn-bay-promenade-weekend/

[SteveH]

PICTURES: Prom Xtra enjoys sunny return to Colwyn Bay promenade!

THERE was sandcastle-building, live music, fairground rides and more to enjoy at Colwyn Bay's annual "Prom Xtra" event yesterday (May 13).

The event, held in glorious sunshine, attracted plenty to the prom, with bubble football, slot racing on a Skalextric track, a double-decker soft play bus and a variety of food stalls also among the attractions.

cont plus photos https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23520478.pictures-prom-xtra-enjoys-sunny-return-colwyn-bay-promenade/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A POPULAR greeting cards company in Colwyn Bay is celebrating expansion plans after a COVID-19 pandemic business boom.

?Lima Lima? was launched by Carly and James Brands in 2015 and got off to a flying start, producing and selling daring and risqu? gifts and cards that quickly gained popularity and began selling everywhere.

The impact of Brexit that same year took its toll on the company, notably in Europe, but the couple have diversified and bounced back.

They achieved a significant rise in turnover, sell more than 550,000 items annually, and now employ up to 10 full and part-time staff.

read full story  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23543212.colwyn-bay-risque-greetings-card-company-open-new-hq-printworks/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A CHARITY shop in Colwyn Bay is set to close this weekend due to it being ?no longer profitable?.

Barnardo?s, situated on Station Road, will shut its doors on Saturday, June 10.

But its members of staff will be transferred both to the company?s existing Rhyl store, on Vale Road, and to a new Barnardo?s shop set to open in Denbigh.              https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23574341.barnardos-charity-shop-colwyn-bay-set-imminent-closure/

[SteveH]

CONCERNS have been raised that the lake in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay appears to have turned purple.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23576648.colwyn-bay-lake-changes-colour-look-like-weak-ribena/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589