Town centre regeneration plans start to deliver

The latest update on work to regenerate the town centre reveals 2026 has so far seen significant progress on a range of key projects which support the council's plans - and details initiatives which have already been delivered to support businesses and kick-start a transformation of the high street.

Successes noted in the update include:

• five long-term empty shop units let under the Government's High Street Rental Auctions
• ten units awarded council grants to improve shop fronts - with nine further grants confirmed for 2026/27
• the £275,000 town centre events programme for 2026/27, funded by the council, has boosted average footfall by between ten and 20 per cent compared to the previous year's events programme
• the council's business rates relief scheme has credited £95,000 to 102 town centre businesses in 2026/27
• the launch of new Rugby branding - including a refreshed Rugby Town website - to promote the town to residents, visitors, investors and businesses

Last month, the council approved a ten-year delivery plan to revitalise the town centre, setting out short, medium and long-term projects to improve key sites, public spaces, events, the outdoor market, support for businesses and empty shops.

Projects already underway include major improvements to St Andrew's Church to make it a 'focal feature' of the town centre and the creation of 'The Stitch' - an ambitious project to create a new public square and connect Market Place with Old Market Place, where the council has plans to create a cultural quarter.

Further public realm improvements look set to start within weeks, with new seating and extensive planting in the town centre - including biodiversity boosting 'Living Pillars'.

Meanwhile, long-term projects to develop 'catalytic' sites have gathered pace.

The update highlights:

• the demolition of Cemex House looks set to start later this month following planning permission being granted for an Aldi food store
• talks between the council and owners of the Rugby Central shopping centre continue over the future of the site
• the council has completed due diligence on Brotherhood House - the building at the heart of the proposed cultural quarter in Old Market Place - and has entered negotiations with the owner
• the council has entered talks with Warwickshire County Council and developers who have an option to buy the former Herbert Grey College in Little Church Street

Cllr Louise Robinson, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: "The ten-year delivery plan sets out our ambitions to revitalise Rugby town centre, but this latest progress report shows our ambition has already been backed by action.

"We're delivering on our short-term plans and laying the foundations to fulfil our long-term vision for the town centre, working with partners, negotiating with key stakeholders, and exploring every opportunity for funding and investment.

"We have delivered support to businesses through business rates relief, shop front grants and our events programme, and we're committed to working with the business community throughout the ten-year delivery period.

"Regeneration's very much a marathon rather than a sprint," Cllr Robinson added.

"But this report demonstrates we've made a good start on our goal of delivering a town centre we can all be proud of - a welcoming, thriving centre where people choose to visit, shop, spend leisure time and invest."

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, deputy leader of the council, said: "We're taking practical action now while preparing larger projects for the future.

"From supporting traders and improving shop fronts to planning better public spaces, each project has a part to play.

"We want Rugby town centre to feel welcoming, active and full of opportunity for residents, businesses and visitors."

The update on the town centre regeneration plans looks set to be considered by the council's cabinet at a meeting next Tuesday (8 September).

Town centre businesses have been invited to take part in a series of workshops to share experiences and ideas to strengthen the town centre.

The first 'business roundtable' takes place on Monday 14 September at the TSOS Unity Hub at the Town Hall.

For more information - and to book a place - visit www.rugby.gov.uk/roundtable