Council agrees ten-year plan to transform Rugby town centre

Cabinet approved the plan at its meeting on Monday 3 August 2026.

The “Rugby Revitalised” delivery plan sets out how the council will turn ambition into action, with projects to improve key sites, public spaces, events, the outdoor market, support for businesses and empty shops.

It also sets out how the council will seek new funding and investment to support long-term change.

The ten-year plan will transition to the new unitary council for north and east Warwickshire that is set to replace Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council in April 2028.

Projects in the plan include work to shape the future of Rugby Central, support the creation of a cultural quarter, improve the route between the Clock Tower and Old Market Place, and create a new public space for events and community activity.

The council is already working on improvements to St Andrew’s Church and Gardens, Rugby Outdoor Market, town centre frontages, and ways to make the town centre safer, greener and easier to move around.

The plan also refers to the council’s Social Value Framework. This means town centre projects will be planned with wider benefits in mind, such as local jobs, skills, support for small businesses, health and wellbeing, climate action and opportunities for community groups.

Cllr Louise Robinson, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “This is a major step forward for Rugby town centre.

“Even as we prepare for a new unitary council to come into effect from 2028, we are leading the change that our residents and businesses want to see.

“We are setting out the steps needed to turn the town centre around, bring key sites back into better use, improve public spaces and attract new investment, both in the short term and in the long-term under a new unitary authority.

“This is about more than buildings. It is about creating a town centre that feels active, welcoming and full of pride. We want Rugby to be a place where people choose to visit, shop, spend time and invest.”

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Deputy Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “Town centres across the country are changing, and Rugby has a real chance to shape its own future.

“This delivery plan gives us a clear route forward. It looks at what can be done now, what needs more design work, and what will need longer-term investment.

“It also means we can make the most of every project.

“We want the benefits of this work to be felt by residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.”

The council has already taken steps to support town centre regeneration. These include a development brief for Rugby Central, plans for a new public square at Old Market Place, improvements to public spaces, support for the outdoor market, and action to tackle long-term empty shops.

The delivery plan will help guide future decisions and give the council a stronger basis to work with partners, landowners, businesses and investors.

More information on the town centre delivery plan will be published on the council’s website.