Rugby is not making enough of the day and weekend visitor trade

There has been a significant growth nationally both during the recession and in this period of austerity of day and weekend visitor s to historic towns like Rugby .The trade in Warwickshire is worth billions of pounds in hotel ,catering and retail sales. But in Rugby we have been slow to act and benefit from this economic opportunity. We really must get Rugby on the Stratford, Warwick Leamington circuit for visitors. We have just as many historic figures, buildings and landmarks as our neighbours, coupled to an international game named after our town.

Without visitors from outside the CV21/CV22 post code areas it becomes ever more difficult to retain and attract independent retailers into the town. Without good marketing by Rugby First and the Council it becomes more difficult to attract quality hotels with conferencing facilities to offer accommodation for visitors and the business community.

If we do not exploit our excellent transport links by road, rail and coach being in the middle where it matters will not add to our overall prosperity and we will become little more than an over spill residential settlement on the edge of Coventry and Northamptonshire.

This is the sixth article in our series on the future of Rugby Town Centre that we are running this week.