From the Rugby Advertiser archives - January 9, 2020 edition

January 9 , 1920

The RugbyBoard of Guardians Children’s Homes Committee reported that the children all had a happy time at Christmas. Mrs Mitchison kindly provided goose and hare for the Mitchison Home boys and on Boxing Day they attended the pantomime.

Children from the McClure and Townsend Homes attended the Empire at the invitation of friends. The children’s party was held in the Board Room on New Year’s Day, with team followed by a Christmas tree, Punch and Judy, sketch and games. Invitations were also accepted to attend the St Matthew’s Band of Hope treat and Co-operative Society’s Children’s party.

January 9 , 1970

The first phase of Rugby’s town centre re-development scheme will be carried out by a London fir, at an estimated cost of £3million.

It is expected that this will include the town’s first multi-storey car park, 50,000 square feet of new shops and a pedestrian precinct linking North Street and Chapel Street in a zone bounded by Corporation Street - Chapel Street and North Street.

It is hoped the Borough should see some positive re-development in approximately three years. The company chosen to do the job is County and District Properties of London, with whom the council are negotiating terms.

January 5 , 1995

Traders protesting against a ban on advertising boards outside shops say it will damage their business if it is enforced.

Outraged retailers say A-boards attract town centre custom. But Rugby Borough Council says it will prosecute shops which break the ban - imposed to make pavements safer. Obstruction laws should only be enforced where a hazard is proven, shopkeepers argue, saying other councils don’t enforce a ban.