The Rhyl Gardens Lake and Land Company Limited

PROSPECTUS. This Company is formed for the purpose of taking over the Rhyl Winter Gardens, together with all the valuable Freehold Estate, Brickworks, Plant, and Privileges connected therewith. The property which comprises about 60 acres of freehold land, free from chief, or nearly one-fifth of the town of Rhyl, having extensive sea frontage to the promenade and turnpike road for villa or other residences together with the gardens which are laid out in a choice and ornamental manner with bowling greens, lawn tennis, croquet, and archery grounds, caverns, serpentine lakes, rustic bridges, terraces, combined concert hall and skating rink (the largest in the kingdom), refreshment rooms, fully licensed, greenhouses, offices, &c., being enclosed by a substantial and ornamental wall. The Brick and Tile Works, one of the finest in the country, having an extensive frontage to the Chester and Holyhead Railway, with ample accommodation for sidings, with the modern machinery, buildings, and 22 acres of freehold land, which contains a most valuable bed of clay. The late proprietors have expended over £20,000 upon the whole estate, and since they commenced operations the land has doubled in value notwithstanding this, the present Company have purchased the entire estate for a little over half the sum originally expended. The Vicar and Wardens of Rhyl have purchased a plot of land for the site of a church at more than four times its original cost, a deposit has been paid, and the Company have thus a profit of several hundred pounds as a nucleus towards the first dividend and the fact of a church being erected upon the Company's property enhance the value of the other land for residential purposes. It is intended to acquire certain rights from the Crown to foreshore, and by a little dredging and expenditure to a moderate extent a naturally formed lake of about 30 acres, where the tide regularly ebbs and flows, will be added to the Company's estate for boating and other purposes, which would be exceedingly attractive and a source of a large revenue to the Company. Being the largest brick-makers in North Wales, they will be in a position to treat with builders and others on such terms that will not only be a source of profit to the shareholders, but advantageous to those who trade with the Company. It is anticipated that, when the Company carry out their proposed improvements, it will have the effect of making Rhyl the centre of attraction of North Wales. It being a junction station on the main line between Chester and Holyhead, it is easily accessible from all parts of the northern and midland counties. Taken as a whole, Rhyl stands to the fore as the queen of watering places, and the Brighton of the North. The Directors of the Company intend organising excursions from all parts, and with this object in view are in treaty with the several railway and steamboat companies. Prospectuses can be had from the Brokers, Solicitors, Bankers; or the Secretary, at the offices of the Company, Rhyl. [Rhyl Advertiser 2 July 1881 page 2]

Architect        W Telford Gunson C E, Architect and Surveyor to the Company. 10 Marsden Street Manchester

Reference    Manchester Guardian 22 June 1881 page 7 – prospectus
Reference    Rhyl Advertiser 25 June 1881 page 2 – prospectus
Reference    Rhyl Advertiser 2 July 1881 page 2 - prospectus
Reference    Rhyl Advertiser 2 July 1881 page 2 - editorial
Reference    Rhyl Advertiser 28 January 1882 page 3 – company in liquidation

It would appear that W T Gunson had little professional involvement, the Directors failing to amass the necessary sum for purchase of the estate.