Clwyd West AM Darren Millar is calling on the Welsh Government to prioritise support for Kinmel Bay and other North Wales coastal communities after a report found it is in the top five towns most economically at risk from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK. 

Research conducted by the Centre For Towns and the University of Southampton found that Wales could be the most affected region once the coronavirus pandemic is over and that along with Mablethorpe, Skegness, Clacton-on-Sea, Bridlington, Kinmel Bay could be in the top 5 worst affected areas. Prestatyn and Rhyl also featured in the top 20, raking at 16 and 19 respectively. 

Half of the coastal towns are among the top 10% most at risk, and a third of ex-industrial towns.

Commenting on the report, Darren said:

“The research found that of the top 20 most at risk towns in the UK, nine were coastal and 10 were ex-industrial, which is very worrying for this part of North Wales. It is particularly concerning that Kinmel Bay is in the top five most at risk towns.

“I am therefore calling for the Welsh Government to prioritise support for Kinmel Bay, and other Welsh towns on the list, as we seek to protect communities from the impact of the current pandemic and the lockdown it has caused. 

“These are very dismal times for everyone and people need assurances that the effects of this pandemic will not been deep and lasting and that with the right support they will, in time, bounce back. I therefore hope the Welsh Government heed my calls and give Kinmel Bay and other coastal towns here in North Wales the help they are going to need to recover from this crisis.”