Town centres across the UK face a number of complex challenges – from changes in the retail sector and people’s shopping habits to post-pandemic changes in the use of office space and the rising cost of living.
Rugby Borough Council has worked in partnership with residents, businesses and other stakeholders to develop a bold new vision for the town centre.
The Rugby Regeneration Strategy, adopted by the council in December 2022, sets out this vision – to create a town centre fit for the 21st century.
The regeneration strategy was the result of extensive public consultations, starting with one-to-one meetings between the council and key stakeholders, including major businesses and landowners.
The first public consultation on developing a new vision for the town centre attracted more than 1,200 responses, helping to identify the community’s priorities for the regeneration of the town centre.
Working with strategic real estate advisor Avison Young, masterplanners Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, and transport and movement specialists Urban Flow, the council then published a draft, ‘emerging’ regeneration strategy for further public consultation.
The consultation was supported by an online survey, exhibitions at community venues, an online drop-in session for businesses and an online session for stakeholders.
The council also hosted a business breakfast at the Benn Hall to give businesses the opportunity to further engage with the delivery of the strategy, including ideas for direct improvements to the town centre to deliver greater resilience for businesses.