Rugby: "A gem" in Warwickshire enjoying impressive business growth

The expansion of Rugby and its growing status as a town is having a positive knock-on effect for start-up businesses in the area.

Rugby and the surrounding borough saw a 12.6 per cent rise on the number of new businesses established in the last year compared to the previous 12 months - at a time when there was a slight drop nationally.

The information, from BankSearch, puts Rugby ninth out of the 326 English districts for start-up activity and Craig Humphrey, the managing director of the CWLEP Growth Hub – which signposts businesses to support available in the region – believes it is testament to the improving image of the town.

He said: “Rugby is growing and is fast becoming a real gem in the crown for Coventry and Warwickshire.

“There is a great deal of development going on and Rugby is, in my view, now really making the most of its links to the sport with the creation of the new World Rugby Hall of Fame and that is really helping perceptions.

“There has never been any doubt about its location or connectivity – it really is as good as it gets. And I think the country is really starting to wake up to what a great place this is to do business.

“Judging by the number of start-up businesses in Rugby, entrepreneurs clearly feel that it’s the ideal location to set-up and achieve growth.

“These are stats that we should be proud of, but we must not rest on our laurels and we at The Growth Hub are here to support fledging businesses to survive and thrive as well as assisting the fantastic range of established businesses in Rugby.”

Caldecott saw the biggest leap in the number of start-up businesses with New Bilton, Newbold and Brownsover North also seeing a strong increase.

The top three industries for business start-ups in Rugby are real estate, professional services and support activities; transport, storage & communication; and wholesale & retail trade.

Mr Humphrey added: “Businesses in Rugby can contact the Growth Hub if they want to grow and we can signpost them towards a whole host of support available, while bodies such as the Chamber and FSB also have a strong history of supporting companies in and around the town.

“So it’s a very positive story for Rugby right now and one we are delighted to be part of."

Among Rugby borough-based business thriving on a national and international scale is bespoke furniture-maker NEJ Stevenson, who count the Royal Household and the Vatican among their clients. Read his remarkable story here.

Additionally, any individual looking to start a business can have access to free business support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. They offer a range of help from workshops, to one-to-one mentoring. The support is part of the ERDF funded Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme managed by Warwickshire County Council and part-funded by the districts and boroughs proving a comprehensive package of start-up support across the county.