A PUBLIC consultation aims to discover the views of residents and businesses on the future of Rugby town centre.

The first stage of consultation marks a key milestone in the development of a new Rugby Town Centre Spatial Strategy, creating a roadmap for the regeneration of the town centre over the next 15 years.

In addition to public consultations to find out the views of residents and businesses, Rugby Borough Council plans to conduct detailed analysis of the town centre’s current strengths and weaknesses in order to identify opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio for growth and investment, said: “The council’s new Corporate Strategy prioritises driving the borough’s economic recovery following the pandemic and the Rugby Town Centre Spatial Strategy forms a key component of our plans.

“The challenges facing town centres across the country have been brought into sharper focus during the pandemic, and while Rugby town centre has proved to be resilient in comparison with other town centres, we know we need to adapt to changing circumstances in order to create a thriving town centre for the future.

“Residents and businesses play a vital role in creating a vibrant town centre, so this first stage of public consultation has a vital role to play in helping us shape a successful strategy.”

The council has joined forces with strategic real estate advisor Avison Young, masterplanners Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, and transport planners Urban Flow to develop the strategy, which focuses on retail, residential, leisure, transport and tourism.

The team has worked on a number of high-profile town centre regeneration projects, including Luton, Enfield, Birkenhead and Northstowe.

The first stage of public consultation runs from today (Monday 8 March) to Thursday 19 March. Residents can complete the online consultation on the council’s website: www.rugby.gov.uk/tcstrategy