Free Rugby workshops give town centre traders a say

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-18 15:47 3 min read

Exterior of a classic British pub with outdoor seating on a sunny day.

Rugby town centre businesses can book free workshops beginning on Monday 14 September 2026 at the TSOS Unity Hub in Rugby Town Hall. Organised by Rugby Borough Council and independently facilitated by TSOS CIC, the programme runs through Thursday 24 September and is intended specifically for businesses operating in the town centre.

The sessions will give traders space to describe their experiences, raise questions and suggest practical ways to strengthen the centre. Places can be booked through the TSOS Unity Hub event page, where businesses can also view the full workshop timetable and complete the accompanying survey.

Traders can put everyday concerns on the agenda

Street cleaning, safety and commercial waste are among the council services that could be discussed. Businesses can also raise issues involving town-centre events, activities and other factors affecting traders and their customers.

The programme reaches beyond immediate operational concerns. Participants will be invited to comment on The Rugby Town website and consider what local government reorganisation could mean for the town centre. This gives businesses an opportunity to discuss both day-to-day services and changes that may affect how the area is supported in future.

Louise Robinson, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said local businesses understand Rugby’s opportunities and challenges better than anyone. She described the workshops as a chance for traders to speak openly and identify practical changes that could make a difference.

Feedback and questions raised during the workshops will be reported to Rugby Borough Council. Council officers will respond where appropriate, providing a route for issues discussed in the room to reach the relevant teams.

Free Rugby workshops give town centre traders a say

Sector sessions lead into wider discussions

Some workshops will bring together businesses from similar sectors, allowing participants to discuss experiences shared within their part of the local economy. Hair and beauty businesses, along with pubs and bars, are among the sectors named in the council’s programme.

Two mixed-sector sessions are scheduled for Thursday 24 September. These are intended for businesses that cannot attend a sector-specific workshop or would prefer to take part in a broader town-centre discussion.

Deputy council leader Jerry Roodhouse said a strong town centre depends on cooperation between businesses, the council and other partners. He encouraged traders to complete the survey and reserve a workshop place, whether they want to discuss council services, local events or changes facing local government.

What businesses should check before attending

Attendance is free, but businesses need to book a place. The council notice does not provide session times, transport information or accessibility arrangements, so prospective participants should consult the published timetable and contact the organisers if they need further details before choosing a workshop.

The timetable, survey and booking form are available at unity-hub.org/rugby-tce. Workshop questions can be sent to TSOS CIC at [email protected], while Rugby Borough Council’s economic development team can be contacted at [email protected].

Source: Rugby Borough Council

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Event dates, venue, audience and booking details were checked against information published by Rugby Borough Council.

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