I am delighted that after many years of encouraging a department store to come to Rugby, that ambition will finally be realised with the development of a Debenhams store at Elliots Field and look forward to it opening by 2015. However, I do recognise people’s concerns that this location is outside our town centre. This new development means that we will have to continue to work hard to ensure that people choosing to shop in Rugby come into town. This will be achieved by providing good quality shops, both multiple retailers and independents, as well as an attractive place for people to meet up and use our restaurants and bars. The substantial levels of new housing that Rugby will be providing over coming years will be important in ensuring sufficient customers to enable both the town centre, and the new retail space at Elliots field, to thrive and trade succesfully