Opinions split on shopping centre options

AS CROWDS of shoppers gathered to view the new plans for the Clock Towers centre, we asked some of them for their first impressions, and where they stood on Rugby's big shopping debate: town centre or retail park?

“I think it looks great, and I’d much rather see it go ahead than the Elliott’s Field plan. If the council were here I’d tell them that it’s got to be here, in town,” Margaret Meadows, Railway Terrace.

“I agree with the fact that it needs to be in the town rather than out of town, although I’d like it if car parking was free. If it brings people in and it fills the shops that are empty, I’m definitely for it. I’d urge the council to rethink,” Bob Cope, Elter Close.

“It looks nice; it’s new, it’s modern and it’s nice and clean. Rugby’s looking a bit sad and run-down at the moment. So yes, it would be lovely. I’d definitely support this over Elliott’s Field,” Julia Cope, Elter Close.

“It looks good, it’s what Rugby needs, and its also good to save people trailing out of the town all the time. I wish the Clock Towers the very best of luck with their judicial review, and I hope that someone like Debenhams comes to the town centre. I think it’s what’s wanted,” Peter Bullard, Rugby.

“I’d rather have the new development here than down at the Leicester Road. I think it would kill the town. There’s lots of shops that have closed down here, so the new development here would be a lot better than Debenhams. People will be more for the development here than at the Leicester Road,” Val McQuillan, Hillmorton.

“I’m not supportive of it. I personally support the Elliott’s Field development. We’re a market town; let’s be a market town. We’re not going to compete with Leamington or Stratford. The people who are behind the new Clock Towers development are the same people responsible for where we’re standing now. And this has been like Bucket Alley for years (referring to the leaky roof). On their present track record, I’m not impressed. I understand their arguments for a judicial review, but I can’t help feel there’s a bit of sour grapes as well. It’s almost as if they’ve seen something and been galvanised into action,” Howard Richards, Harborough Magna.

“Given the choice between here and Elliott’s Field, I’d choose this place. I believe there’s too many out-of-town places, and the town centre is dying. If you get more people into town with new shopping, you’ll encourage more in the town itself,” Roger Christian, Wolston.

“It’s awful to see some of the cities with the shops closed, I think that’s terrible. So it would be nice if this plan went ahead. It would be great,” Lynne Christian, Wolston.

Warren and Dot Makepeace take a look at the public exhibition of the development plans. 41.013.010.rug.nc2

Buy photos» Project consultant Andrew Todd talks through the plans with Danielle James 41.013.010.rg. nc4

Buy photos» There was a lot of interest at last week's exhibition. 41.013.010.rug.nc3

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