Information on Loughborough

High Level Talks on Loughboroughs Rushes Centre

Posted on 20/12/2008

A high level meeting was held in Loughborough yesterday (Thursday) between Charnwood Borough Council Leader Cllr Richard Shepherd (Conservative councillor for Quorn & Mountsorrel Castle), Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration Cllr Stephen Hampson (Conservative councillor for Syston East) and Duncan Mathieson, Chairman of Realis Estates who manage the Rushes Centre.

The meeting was prompted by the announcement that Woolworths, which currently anchors the centre, has gone into receivership. However, the talks ranged well beyond that immediate issue and looked at the activities which Realis are undertaking to promote and market the centre in the context of the Councils ongoing efforts to improve and develop Loughborough Town Centre as a whole.

Councillor Shepherd commented, "This really was a very positive and worthwhile meeting. We were impressed by the continuing commitment of Realis both to the Rushes Centre and to Loughborough. They are working hard to improve the centre and to attract leading retailers.

Duncan Mathieson said, "We have agreed a programme of regular dialogue with the Council and engagement with the Loughborough Town Centre Partnership. The Council has a clear vision of how it wants Loughborough Town Centre to develop and we are very keen to play a full part in that. We wont know the exact position with Woolworths until we hear from the administrator. In any event we are in discussion with a number of retailers on the Woolworths unit as well as with other retailers for units in the mall.

Councillor Hampson added, "The proposals in the Town Centre Masterplan for the Inner Relief Road and for improvements to the public realm will reinforce the connections between the Rushes and the rest of the town centre and ensure its full integration.