Latest news with #GaryLongworth
Rhyl Journal
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Former shop in Rhyl transformed into live music venue
Deutch's Bar, located on the corner of Wellington Road and Windsor Street in Rhyl, is the town's first purpose-built creative arts and performance space. It is the vision of electrician and musician Gary Longworth, who invested £250,000 to transform the former Bargain Corner retail shop into a fully refurbished venue. (Image: Supplied) Mr Longworth said: "I first came to Rhyl as a child and had very happy memories of the town. "So when I was looking for a venue I thought: 'This is the place.' "I wanted to bring something different to Rhyl: a space to encourage creative people in all areas — not just singers and musicians but artists, writers and poets, of all age groups — to meet and collaborate." Originally from Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, Mr Longworth now lives in Rhyl. (Image: Supplied) He purchased the premises in 2023 and spent 18 months converting it into a live music hub, complete with a bespoke PA system and professional-grade facilities. The venue has quickly become known for its vibrant open mic nights, live music gigs, jam sessions, and karaoke evenings. Mr Longworth, a keen musician himself, often takes to the stage to perform and offer support to emerging talent. He said: "These premises needed a total refurbishment to transform it into what it is today. "It took 18 months of hard work to turn it into a top grade music venue." (Image: Supplied) Professional musicians perform every Saturday, and the bar hosts special events, including a Bistro reunion night on August 16 to celebrate the legacy of the former West Parade nightclub. The venue's name has a personal meaning for Mr Longworth. He said: "Dad's nickname was 'Deutch' as he worked as a plasterer in Germany for a while. "He also loved art and when he passed away he left a lot of his own artwork behind. "This whole project started with me wanting to do something with dad's paintings and memorabilia. (Image: Supplied) "Which is why I named the bar after him." The walls of Deutch's Bar are lined with paintings by his late father, John Longworth, including a letter from Yoko Ono thanking him for a portrait of John Lennon. Mr Longworth said: "I hope I've done dad proud. "I couldn't bear to see his pictures rotting away. "It's amazing to think that, after wondering what to do with them all those years ago, they are now here on display in Rhyl where everyone can enjoy them — and of course, the music too."
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Sparky took over Rhyl bargain store and has created something very special
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The seaside town of Rhyl has its challenges and many critics but there are also green shoots of recovery to show things are changing for the better. There's no surer sign of this than on the corner of Wellington Road and Windsor Street. It was Bargain Corner - a fairly typical budget catalogue store people would find in any town facing struggles and where average incomes are low. But in 2023 it was taken on by music loving electrician Gary Longworth. He has spent £250,000 refurbishing it into the venue of his dreams with a bespoke PA system - creating Deutch's Bar, the first custom-built dedicated venue in Rhyl for live music and creative arts. Gary, originally from Ashton-under- Lyne, Manchester, but now resident in Rhyl, said: "I first came to Rhyl as a child and had very happy memories of the town. So when I was looking for a venue I thought 'This is the place'. "I wanted to bring something different to Rhyl: a space to encourage creative people in all areas — not just singers and musicians but artists, writers and poets, of all age groups - to meet, and collaborate." It's early days for Deutch's but already the Open Mic nights are busy with performers of all ages and musical styles. The live music gigs and jam sessions are equally popular as are the karaoke nights. Gary, a keen musician, often gets up on stage and joins in, while encouraging and advising those who are just starting out making music. Professional musicians are on every Saturday and there are one-off events planned including a Bistro reunion night on Saturday August 16, which will recreate the sounds of the much-missed West Parade nightclub. "These premises needed a total refurbishment to transform it into what it is today," Gary said. "It took 18 months of hard work to turn it into a top grade music venue. "I chose the location for its long narrow shape and high ceilings. It's great for acoustics while playing music. The gallery shape is also perfect for displaying my late dad's artwork - he was a keen amateur painter." The story behind the bar's unusual name is an interesting one. "Dad's nickname was 'Deutch' as he worked as a plasterer in Germany (Deutschland) for a while. He also loved art and when he passed away he left a lot of his own artwork behind," said Gary. "This whole project started with me wanting to do something with dad's paintings and memorabilia. Which is why I named the bar after him." His father John Longworth's paintings cover the walls and the display includes a letter from Yoko Ono thanking him for a portrait he did of John Lennon after his death. Gary proudly displays them both in the bar, along with many more of his father's artworks. "I hope I've done dad proud,' he added "I couldn't bear to see his pictures rotting away. It's amazing to think that, after wondering what to do with them all those years ago, they are now here on display in Rhyl where everyone can enjoy them - and of course, the music too." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Sparky took over Rhyl bargain store and has created something very special
The seaside town of Rhyl has its challenges and many critics but there are also green shoots of recovery to show things are changing for the better. There's no surer sign of this than on the corner of Wellington Road and Windsor Street. It was Bargain Corner - a fairly typical budget catalogue store people would find in any town facing struggles and where average incomes are low. But in 2023 it was taken on by music loving electrician Gary Longworth. He has spent £250,000 refurbishing it into the venue of his dreams with a bespoke PA system - creating Deutch's Bar, the first custom-built dedicated venue in Rhyl for live music and creative arts. Gary, originally from Ashton-under- Lyne, Manchester, but now resident in Rhyl, said: "I first came to Rhyl as a child and had very happy memories of the town. So when I was looking for a venue I thought 'This is the place'. "I wanted to bring something different to Rhyl: a space to encourage creative people in all areas — not just singers and musicians but artists, writers and poets, of all age groups - to meet, and collaborate." It's early days for Deutch's but already the Open Mic nights are busy with performers of all ages and musical styles. The live music gigs and jam sessions are equally popular as are the karaoke nights. Gary, a keen musician, often gets up on stage and joins in, while encouraging and advising those who are just starting out making music. Professional musicians are on every Saturday and there are one-off events planned including a Bistro reunion night on Saturday August 16, which will recreate the sounds of the much-missed West Parade nightclub. "These premises needed a total refurbishment to transform it into what it is today," Gary said. "It took 18 months of hard work to turn it into a top grade music venue. "I chose the location for its long narrow shape and high ceilings. It's great for acoustics while playing music. The gallery shape is also perfect for displaying my late dad's artwork - he was a keen amateur painter." The story behind the bar's unusual name is an interesting one. "Dad's nickname was 'Deutch' as he worked as a plasterer in Germany (Deutschland) for a while. He also loved art and when he passed away he left a lot of his own artwork behind," said Gary. "This whole project started with me wanting to do something with dad's paintings and memorabilia. Which is why I named the bar after him." His father John Longworth's paintings cover the walls and the display includes a letter from Yoko Ono thanking him for a portrait he did of John Lennon after his death. Gary proudly displays them both in the bar, along with many more of his father's artworks. "I hope I've done dad proud,' he added "I couldn't bear to see his pictures rotting away. It's amazing to think that, after wondering what to do with them all those years ago, they are now here on display in Rhyl where everyone can enjoy them - and of course, the music too."
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sparky took over Rhyl bargain store and has created something very special
The seaside town of Rhyl has its challenges and many critics but there are also green shoots of recovery to show things are changing for the better. There's no surer sign of this than on the corner of Wellington Road and Windsor Street. It was Bargain Corner - a fairly typical budget catalogue store people would find in any town facing struggles and where average incomes are low. But in 2023 it was taken on by music loving electrician Gary Longworth. READ MORE: 'Superb in every way' North Wales village named 'best' UK coastal destination READ MORE: Which? ranks UK's best and worst seaside towns with mixed news for North Wales He has spent £250,000 refurbishing it into the venue of his dreams with a bespoke PA system - creating Deutch's Bar, the first custom-built dedicated venue in Rhyl for live music and creative arts. Gary, originally from Ashton-under- Lyne, Manchester, but now resident in Rhyl, said: "I first came to Rhyl as a child and had very happy memories of the town. So when I was looking for a venue I thought 'This is the place'. "I wanted to bring something different to Rhyl: a space to encourage creative people in all areas — not just singers and musicians but artists, writers and poets, of all age groups - to meet, and collaborate." It's early days for Deutch's but already the Open Mic nights are busy with performers of all ages and musical styles. The live music gigs and jam sessions are equally popular as are the karaoke nights. Gary, a keen musician, often gets up on stage and joins in, while encouraging and advising those who are just starting out making music. Professional musicians are on every Saturday and there are one-off events planned including a Bistro reunion night on Saturday August 16, which will recreate the sounds of the much-missed West Parade nightclub. "These premises needed a total refurbishment to transform it into what it is today," Gary said. "It took 18 months of hard work to turn it into a top grade music venue. "I chose the location for its long narrow shape and high ceilings. It's great for acoustics while playing music. The gallery shape is also perfect for displaying my late dad's artwork - he was a keen amateur painter." The story behind the bar's unusual name is an interesting one. "Dad's nickname was 'Deutch' as he worked as a plasterer in Germany (Deutschland) for a while. He also loved art and when he passed away he left a lot of his own artwork behind," said Gary. "This whole project started with me wanting to do something with dad's paintings and memorabilia. Which is why I named the bar after him." His father John Longworth's paintings cover the walls and the display includes a letter from Yoko Ono thanking him for a portrait he did of John Lennon after his death. Gary proudly displays them both in the bar, along with many more of his father's artworks. "I hope I've done dad proud,' he added "I couldn't bear to see his pictures rotting away. It's amazing to think that, after wondering what to do with them all those years ago, they are now here on display in Rhyl where everyone can enjoy them - and of course, the music too." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
