4. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Queen's Buildings development in Rhyl? OQ59102

Our Transforming Towns programme is supporting the redevelopment of Rhyl's Queen's Buildings, bringing new vibrancy to the town centre. The market is expected to open this summer, following a £13.2 million investment, which builds on a broader programme of regeneration delivered in the town over recent years through strong local partnerships.

Thank you very much for that answer, Trefnydd, and I'm pleased to see the latest news that the ambition is for the Queen's Market Building to be opened, indeed, this summer, as you mentioned. And indeed, seeing the erection of the steel frame on the promenade in recent weeks has caused me much delight. However, there are many units to fill, and the opening in the summer of this year needs to be raring to go, with traders ready to do business in the local area to increase footfall in Rhyl, which has waned over the years with a struggling town centre and people choosing to go to Chester or Cheshire Oaks for their entertainment or to dine out and have a drink. What I want to ask is around the occupancy of the building, once established. So, what work is the Welsh Government doing to engage with local businesses, Denbighshire County Council and stakeholders to make sure that the building is a success when opened, and that local people can feel that they have a go-to place in their local town rather than it just being the latest in a long line of Welsh Government-funded projects that are socialist vanity projects? Thank you.

Well, it's a pity the UK Government failed to support the application for levelling-up funding to support Rhyl. Those vanity projects that you refer to I think have really transformed Rhyl. It's a town I've known a lot longer than you, having spent many days there as a child, and I think it's really, really benefited from the Welsh Government funding. As I say, it's just a shame the UK Government didn't come forward with some levelling-up funding. I know Jason McLellan, the leader of Denbighshire Council, and working in partnership, has got some really ambitious plans for Rhyl. I visited it myself last summer as part of my visit to look at specifically regeneration projects as north Wales Minister, and it was really good to see that focus on regeneration, and I know they're working very hard to make sure those units are fully utilised.