Ten-year plan agreed to transform town centre

A 10-year plan to breathe new life into Rugby town centre has been approved by the borough council.

The "Rugby Revitalised" project was approved by the council's cabinet at a meeting on Monday.

It includes proposals 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 space for events and community activities.

The council said it was already working on improving St Andrew's Church and Gardens and the outdoor market, as well as tackling the problem of empty shops.

The plan also sets out how the council will look for new funding and investment to support long-term change.

It will be passed onto the new unitary authority for north and east Warwickshire, which is due to replace Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council in April 2028.

Councillor Louise Robinson, leader of the borough council, said: "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."

She added the changes were aimed at creating a town centre that was "active, welcoming and full of pride".

The council said projects would be planned with wider benefits to the town in mind, including local jobs, skills, support for small businesses, health and wellbeing, climate action and opportunities for community groups.

The deputy leader Jerry Roodhouse said Rugby had "a real chance to shape its own future".

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

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