Rugby Revitalised

Programme

Public Realm

Artist's impression of a town centre street looking towards the Clock Tower, with wide stone paving, a block-paved carriageway, new trees and planting, and people walking and cycling.
Artist's impression of a street looking towards St Andrew's Church spire, with wider pavements, planted beds beside Pleasance Gardens, new trees and a raised crossing.
Artist's impression of a tree-lined street with a bus, wide paved footways, a planted verge between the road and the cycle route, and people crossing at a raised table.

The streets and public spaces in Rugby town centre are used every day by residents, businesses and visitors. They shape how people experience the town centre, whether they are shopping, meeting others or simply passing through.

The Public Realm Masterplan sets out proposals to improve these spaces by adding more greenery and making them easier and more pleasant to use. The plans would also create more opportunities for markets, events and community activities.

The work forms part of the wider regeneration programme and is intended to support investment across the town centre. New buildings will play an important role, but the streets and public spaces around them will also shape whether people choose to spend time in the town centre.

The Council has also revised its Living Pillars programme following further work with Warwickshire County Council and specialist suppliers. The updated programme will include Living Pillars on selected CCTV columns, new freestanding Living Pillars and hanging baskets in the town centre. This will bring more planting into the town centre while responding to safety and infrastructure checks.

Creating better connections

The first phase of the masterplan focuses on a series of linked projects known as The Stitch.

Running through the heart of the town centre, The Stitch would improve the route between the Clock Tower, Market Place, Old Market Place and the emerging Cultural Quarter. It would improve the walking route through the town centre and create places where people can stop, meet others or attend events.

One of the biggest proposed changes is at Old Market Place, where part of the existing car park could become a new public square. Brotherhood House would overlook the space, making Old Market Place a central part of the Cultural Quarter and a location for community events throughout the year.

Illustrative Public Realm Masterplan of Rugby town centre with red lines marking the extent of priority projects 1, 2 and 3. Project 1 runs from Clock Tower Square along Church Street and Castle Street to Old Market Place. Project 2 runs along North Street to Evreux Way. Project 3 runs along Church Street and Clifton Road, past The Pleasance.
Public realm priority projects. Project 1, The Stitch: Clock Tower Square (at Market Place), Church Street, Castle Street and Old Market Place. Project 2: Evreux Way and North Street. Project 3: Church Street and Clifton Road.

What will change?

The proposals include:

  • Wider and less cluttered pavements
  • New and improved pedestrian crossings
  • More trees, planting and rain gardens
  • Better cycling links through the town centre
  • New seating and places to spend time
  • Streets designed to slow traffic and improve safety
  • Spaces that can support markets, performances and other events

Together, the changes would make it easier to walk between different parts of the town centre. This could encourage people to visit more than one area and spend longer in local shops and businesses.

The proposed planting would provide more shade and support biodiversity, while helping to manage surface water during periods of heavy rainfall. Existing materials will be reused where possible as the designs are developed.

Shaped by local feedback

The masterplan has been influenced by feedback from residents, businesses and other local organisations.

During the public consultation, people called for wider pavements, more trees and safer routes for walking and cycling, including improved crossings. Many also wanted more places to relax and spend time in the town centre. Those comments have helped shape the proposals now being taken forward.

Further consultation will take place as the designs develop. This will help test the proposals and consider the needs of people using the town centre.

How the spaces could look

Timeline

What happens next

The Council is taking the first priority project through the next stage of detailed design.

This work will refine the proposals and establish construction costs. Completing it will also help the Council apply for external funding for later phases.

Construction will only begin once funding is secured and necessary approvals have been received. The Council will update this page as the project progresses.

Other programmes

For more information on our work to regenerate Rugby town centre, please contact the Major Projects and Regeneration Team.

Contact the team