THE NEW neighbourhood in Rugby is already boosting the town’s economy, business leaders have heard.
Houlton’s visitor centre hosted the latest committee meeting of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Rugby branch.
Joh Thomas from the estate’s master developers Urban & Civic told the meeting houses were selling well.
The meeting was also given updates from Rugby First’s new operations director Rich Warren, Warwickshire County Council’s Melanie Adekale on health and wellbeing, and the Chamber’s Lizzie Mara on the work the organisation is doing to bring schools and business together.
Karen Shuter, the chair of the Chamber’s Rugby branch, said: “The sheer size and scale of Houlton is incredible and to see the first elements taking shape is fantastic.
“The Tuning Fork eatery is already trading extremely well, more than 140 families are now living there and the first school is open.
“It is great that local businesses have played a part and Joh Thomas of Urban & Civic said the company will look to do even more with firms in the borough where they can.
“That fits perfectly with the Chamber’s Go For Growth: Trade Local campaign which is encouraging more businesses to work together across the Coventry and Warwickshire region.”
She added the group was keen to see Houlton have a positive impact on the town, and said the new £35 million link road, due to open in July, should encourage more people to visit the town centre.
“We also heard how Rich Warren and the Rugby First team intend to make it an even more attractive place to go with events and leisure, rather than just retail,” she said.
“It was great that we could bring so many different people together at the meeting and hear about some key developments that will affect everyone in Rugby and the surrounding borough.”
The development, on the former Rugby Radio Station site, will eventually see 6,200 homes built, three primary schools, a secondary school, a district centre, a GP surgery, community facilities and open spaces.
Sixteen hectares have also been set aside for employment space including small industrial and office accommodation.
