History of Wrexham in Timeline

Wrexham is a city located in north-east Wales, near the English border. Historically part of Denbighshire, it became the administrative center of Wrexham County Borough in 1996. In 2021, the built-up area had a population of nearly 45,000, while the wider county borough had over 135,000 residents. Wrexham was officially granted city status in 2022.

1902: Completion of Poyser Street drill hall

The Poyser Street drill hall was completed in 1902.

1904: Talbot Hotel building constructed

In 1904, the half-timbered Talbot Hotel building was built at the junction of Hope Street and Queen Street.

1912: National Eisteddfod of Wales

In 1912, the National Eisteddfod of Wales was held at Wrexham, where T. H. Parry-Williams won both the Chair and the Crown.

1912: Rebuilding of Wrexham General

Wrexham General was rebuilt in 1912.

1913: Coal Field Production

By 1913, the North East Wales coal field was producing up to 3 million tonnes a year and employed over 10,000 people.

1931: Formation of North Wales Rugby Union

In 1931, nine northern Welsh clubs met at Wrexham to form the North Wales Rugby Union, with Wrexham RFC as one of the founding members.

1933: National Eisteddfod

Wrexham hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1933.

1934: Gresford Colliery disaster

In 1934, one of the worst mining disasters in British history occurred at Gresford Colliery, costing the lives of 266 men.

1935: Enlargement of the borough

In 1935, the borough was enlarged to take in parts of several neighbouring parishes.

February 1940: Demolition of Wrexham Town Hall

In February 1940, Wrexham Town Hall was demolished to improve traffic flows.

1946: Collieries operating

In 1946, there were seven large-scale collieries operating in the Wrexham area.

1950: Foundation of Yale College

In 1950, Yale College was founded as a state school on a site at Crispin Lane in Wrexham.

1958: Construction of Darland High School and Ysgol Bryn Alyn

In 1958, Darland High School and Ysgol Bryn Alyn were both built in Wrexham.

1960: Demolition of St. Mark's Church

In 1960, St. Mark's Church in Wrexham was demolished after being declared unsafe. A multi-storey car park named St. Mark's was erected on the site.

1968: Remaining collieries

By 1968, only two functional collieries remained in the Wrexham area.

March 1970: Establishment of First Twinning

On 17 March 1970, the first twinning was established between the former Kreis Iserlohn and Wrexham Rural District.

1970: Canonization of Saint Richard Gwyn

In 1970, Richard Gwyn, Wrexham's patron saint, was canonised by Pope Paul VI.

1971: Construction of Wrexham Methodist Church

In 1971, Wrexham Methodist Church was built on the site of the former Brynyfynnon Chapel on Regent Street.

1973: Wrexham Police Station

From 1973, the police were formerly based at the Wrexham Police Station.

1973: Yale College Renamed and Relocated

In 1973, Yale College was renamed as Yale Sixth Form College and its pupils were relocated to other schools as part of the conversion of local schools to the comprehensive system.

1974: Wrexham becomes part of Clwyd

In 1974, Wrexham became part of the new county of Clwyd, historically it was in Denbighshire.

1974: Wrexham becomes part of Wrexham Maelor

In 1974, the borough of Wrexham became part of the larger Wrexham Maelor district of the new county of Clwyd.

1977: National Eisteddfod

Wrexham hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1977.

1982: Motörhead at Racecourse Ground

In 1982, Motörhead played at Racecourse Ground.

1985: Subdivision of the pre-1974 borough

In 1985, the area of the pre-1974 borough became a community, but was subdivided into smaller communities.

1986: Closure of Bersham Colliery

In 1986, the last pit to close in the Borough was Bersham Colliery.

1987: Reconstruction of Roman Catholic Province of Wales

In 1987 the Roman Catholic province of Wales was reconstructed, since which time the Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows has been home to the Bishop of Wrexham.

1991: FAW Relocates to Cardiff

In 1991, the Football Association of Wales relocated its headquarters from Wrexham to Cardiff after being in Wrexham since its formation in 1876.

1996: Wrexham becomes administrative center

In 1996, Wrexham became the principal settlement and administrative centre of Wrexham County Borough.

1996: Creation of Wrexham County Borough

In 1996, local government was reorganised and the modern county borough of Wrexham was created.

1996: Twinning Taken Over by Wrexham County Borough Council

In 1996, the twinning with Märkischer Kreis was taken over by Wrexham County Borough Council.

1997: Rebuilding of Wrexham General

Wrexham General was rebuilt again in 1997.

1998: Yale College Takes Up Residence in Two Sites

In 1998, Yale College began operating from two sites in Wrexham: the faculty of engineering and construction at Bersham Road, and a multi-purpose site at Grove Park campus.

1998: Construction of Island Green Retail Park

Until the 1998 construction of the Island Green retail park, Wrexham Central station was located 50 metres further along the track.

1999: Central Station opened

In 1999, Central Station opened.

June 2000: Bellevue Park Reopens

In June 2000, Bellevue Park reopened to the public after undergoing a major restoration project.

2000: City status bid

In 2000, Wrexham had bid for city status unsuccessfully.

2001: Märkischer Kreis Enters Twinning Arrangement with Racibórz

In 2001, Märkischer Kreis entered a twinning arrangement with Racibórz (Ratibor), a county in Poland.

September 2002: Racibórz Delegation Visits Wrexham

In September 2002, a delegation from Racibórz, Poland visited Wrexham to begin discussions about possible co-operation.

2002: City status bid

In 2002, Wrexham had bid for city status unsuccessfully.

2003: Merger of Secondary Schools

In 2003, St David's School, Ysgol Bryn Offa and The Groves High School were merged to create Rhosnesni High School, and Ysgol Clywedog.

March 2004: Signing of Articles of Twinning with Racibórz

In March 2004, Articles of Twinning were signed between Wrexham and Racibórz, Poland.

2004: Wrexham Symphony Orchestra in residence

The Wrexham Symphony Orchestra has been the orchestra in residence at William Aston Hall since 2004.

2005: Welsh Children in Need Concert Held

In 2005, the Welsh Children in Need concert was held at Llwyn Isaf, featuring performances by Bryan Adams and Katherine Jenkins.

2007: Business start-up success

In 2007, Wrexham was ranked fifth in the UK for business start-up success.

March 2008: Calon FM Base at Glyndŵr University

In March 2008, Calon FM, a community radio station, began operating from Glyndŵr University, serving Wrexham.

April 2008: Wrexham & Shropshire Services Started

Wrexham & Shropshire began running train services on 28 April 2008, providing passenger services from Wrexham via Shropshire to London Marylebone.

2008: NEWI Granted University Status

In 2008, the North East Wales Institute (NEWI) was granted full university status, becoming Wrexham University.

2008: National Trust land development

In 2008, there were protests regarding the development of National Trust (NT) land at Erddig for over 250 homes.

2010: FOCUS Wales festival begins

FOCUS Wales is a festival that began in 2010 to showcase musicians from Wales and around the world using venues across the city.

2010: Celtic Crusaders Move to Wrexham

In 2010, Wrexham became the new home of Celtic Crusaders rugby league club, who played their final two seasons in the Super League there.

January 2011: Wrexham & Shropshire Ended Services

Having decided they could not make the business profitable, Wrexham & Shropshire ended train services on 28 January 2011.

2011: Welsh speakers in Wrexham

According to the 2011 census, the average percentage of Welsh speakers (aged 3+) in Wrexham County Borough was 12.9%.

2011: Celtic Crusaders Enter Administration

Following the end of the 2011 season, the Celtic Crusaders rugby league club entered administration.

2011: Wrexham Census

For the 2011 census, the ONS identified a wider Wrexham built-up area with a population of 65,692, which comprised three built up area subdivisions.

2011: National Eisteddfod

The National Eisteddfod returned to the Wrexham area in 2011, held on the land of Lower Berse Farm between 30 July and 6 August.

2012: City status bid

In 2012, Wrexham had bid for city status unsuccessfully.

2012: Wrexham.com Opens Offices

In 2012, Wrexham.com, an online news website, started operating from offices on Regent Street in Wrexham city centre.

August 2013: Coleg Cambria Formation

On 1 August 2013, Yale College merged with Deeside College, Northop College, and Llysfasi College to form a new college named Coleg Cambria.

January 2015: Portuguese migrants in Wrexham

In January 2015, it was estimated that more than 2,000 Portuguese migrants lived and worked in Wrexham.

2015: Belle Vue Park dedication as a Fields in Trust Centenary Field

In 2015, Belle Vue Park was dedicated as a Fields in Trust Centenary Field due to its links with veterans of two world wars.

2015: Discovery of King James Bible

In 2015, a first edition (1611) of the King James Bible (also known as the Authorized Version) was discovered in a cabinet by the Vicar of the parish at St. Giles church.

February 2016: HM Prison Berwyn named

In February 2016, the 2,100 capacity Category C male prison being built on the former Firestone Site was named HM Prison Berwyn.

2016: Live music returns to Racecourse Ground

In 2016, live music returned to the Racecourse Ground, with Stereophonics playing a live show.

2016: North Wales Crusaders Move to Queensway Stadium

In 2016, the North Wales Crusaders rugby league club moved to the Queensway Stadium in Caia Park due to lower matchday attendance.

March 2017: HM Prison Berwyn opened

In March 2017, HM Prison Berwyn, a 2,100 capacity Category C male prison, opened on the former Firestone Site.

2017: UB 40 and Olly Murs at the Racecourse Ground

In 2017, UB 40 and Olly Murs played live music at the Racecourse Ground.

2017: Plans for New Railway Stations

In 2017, plans were announced for two new railway stations named Wrexham North and Wrexham South, to be located outside the town.

2017: Name selected for Tŷ Pawb

In 2017, the name Tŷ Pawb (Welsh for "Everybody's House") was selected by public vote for Wrexham's largest facility for visual arts and exhibitions.

June 2018: Stereophonics at the Racecourse Ground

In June 2018, the Stereophonics returned to the Racecourse Ground alongside special guest Jake Bugg.

2018: Chetwood Financial banking license

In 2018, Chetwood Financial, a fintech lender, acquired a full banking licence.

February 2019: Closure of Live Rooms Wrexham

Shortly after its rebrand to Live Rooms Wrexham, the venue was found to be under financial pressures and closed on 9 February 2019.

2019: Tŷ Pawb in Venice Biennale

In 2019, Tŷ Pawb was the lead organisation for Wales in the Venice Biennale.

2019: Closure of Wrexham Police Station

The local police was based at the Wrexham Police Station until 2019, with the building demolished the following year.

November 2020: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Take Over Wrexham AFC

On 16 November 2020, it was confirmed that actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, through the RR McReynolds Company LLC, would be taking over Wrexham AFC after receiving the backing of the Wrexham Supporters Trust.

2020: Redevelopment of Coleg Cambria's Yale Grove Park Campus

In 2020, Coleg Cambria's Yale Grove Park Campus in Wrexham city centre underwent a £20 million redevelopment, creating the new Hafod building described as a "commercial village".

2020: Demolition of Wrexham Police Station

In 2020, the Wrexham Police Station building was demolished.

January 2021: End of Calon FM Base at Glyndŵr University

In January 2021, Calon FM ceased operations from Glyndŵr University.

2021: Wrexham Census

According to the 2021 census the Wrexham built up area had a different definition than in 2011.

2021: Wrexham City of Culture bid

In 2021, Wrexham County Borough's bid made it to the final four bids of twenty for the title of UK City of Culture in 2025.

2021: North Wales Crusaders Move to Colwyn Bay

In 2021, the North Wales Crusaders rugby league club moved to Colwyn Bay.

May 2022: Wrexham lost City of Culture bid

In May 2022, Wrexham lost its bid to Bradford for the title of UK City of Culture in 2025.

September 2022: City status confirmed

In September 2022, Wrexham was granted city status as part of the civic honours to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

2022: Wrexham awarded city status

In 2022, Wrexham was awarded city status.

2022: Venue re-opened

In 2022, the venue re-opened as The Rockin' Chair with local band The Royston Club as the opening act.

May 2023: Kings of Leon at the Racecourse Ground

In May 2023, Kings of Leon headlined shows at the Racecourse Ground.

October 2023: Announcement of Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park

On 23 October 2023, the creation of a Ryan Rodney Reynolds memorial park was officially announced. It is expected to consist of play facilities, tables and chairs, artworks, street food and a community cinema.

2024: Health and Wellbeing Complex at Coleg Cambria

A health and wellbeing complex at Coleg Cambria is expected to be built by summer 2024 at a cost of £14 million.

2024: Wrexham University EEOC Funding

Wrexham University's Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) funding is now in place with Wynne Construction expected to start on the Plas Coch campus in 2024.

January 2025: Closure of Gwersyllt Studios

In January 2025, the commercial radio stations Heart North and Mid Wales and Capital North West and Wales closed their studios in Gwersyllt, leaving the location vacant.

April 2025: Licence transfer of Calon FM

In April 2025, the licence of Calon FM transferred from Wrexham Community Broadcasting CIC to Premier Radio CIC.

2025: UK City of Culture

In 2021, Wrexham County Borough's bid made it to the final four bids of twenty for the title of UK City of Culture in 2025, however Wrexham lost to Bradford in May 2022.