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Applications for Pitch Up open
Apply for Pitch Up, the West Midlands' premier pitching competition
Applications are open for Pitch Up, the West Midlands' premier pitching competition. Apply now to boost your investment skills and profile. Organised by the Centre for Enterprise and Enterprise at Aston University, University of Birmingham Enterprise, and Minerva Business Angels at the University of Warwick Science Park, the competition is in its 11th year and has connected over 230 entrepreneurs with investors, helping to secure over £75,000,000 in investments for the region's small businesses.
Published 22 December 2025
Small Business Saturday
Rugby Town Centre Celebrates Small Business Saturday
Rugby Mayor, Cllr Barbara Brown, Local MP, John Slinger and Rugby First Business Director, Linda Lowne were out in Rugby town centre on Saturday 6 December visiting small businesses as part of the national ‘Small Business Saturday’ campaign.
Published 09 December 2025
Festive Weekend
Santa Express and Chinese Dragon Steaming into Rugby
Rugby First are inviting everyone to jump on-board the Santa Express (novelty train ride) and join the lantern procession on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December. Visitors can expect lots of Christmas cheer, including lantern making, children’s Christmas crafts, music, an independent market (Sun only), face painting, Father Christmas, Alfie – a real-life Elf and much, much more.
Published 08 December 2025
Small Business Saturday
Rugby First, Mayor and Local MP to support Small Business Saturday
Rugby Mayor, Cllr Barbara Brown, Local MP, John Slinger and Rugby First Business Director, Linda Lowne will be throwing their weight and support behind the national ‘Small Business Saturday’ campaign when they visit town centre businesses on Saturday 6 December.
Published 01 December 2025
Fire and Ice Spectacular
Magical trail to take you on a festive journey of discovery
Rugby First and Rugby Borough Council are inviting everyone to join come into the town centre for Rugby’s first ever Fire and Ice Spectacular on Sunday 30 November. The FREE event, which will take place between 2pm-7pm will feature a magical trail that takes you on a festive journey of discovery including ice sculptures, fire beacons, live carving shows, a carving wall, story-telling, music, dance, fire breathing, walkabout characters, festive craft activities, Father Christmas, a funfair, food, toasted marshmallows, face painting and more.
Published 07 November 2025
October | Newsletter
Read the latest issue of Rugby First newsletter
The latest issue of the Rugby First newsletter is out now. This edition features a look ahead to upcoming events taking place in the town centre in the run up to Christmas, including the Fire & Ice Spectacular, Small Business Saturday and Rugby Christmas Markets. We also look back on some of the great events that happened in October.
Published 04 November 2025
Halloween in Rugby Town
Spooktacular activities for all the family this Halloween
If you are looking for some spooky fun during the Halloween break why not visit Rugby town centre! Rugby First, in partnership with Rugby Borough Council are organising some ghostly activities, suitable for all the family, including a ghost train, story-telling, ghost walks, a Halloween trail, a film screening, face painting, Halloween crafts, cupcake decorating, fancy dress and yarn bombing! The majority of the activities are FREE (some are bookable) and take place between Monday 27 October and Sunday 2 November.
Published 23 October 2025
September Issue | Warwickshire Towns Network
Read the latest issue of Warwickshire Towns Network newsletter
The latest edition of Warwickshire's September 2025 newsletter is out now. This issue celebrates the county's successful hosting of Stage 4 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain, showcases the launch of Visit Warwickshire's new social media presence, plus inspiring case studies from North Warwickshire's Teenage Markets, and updates on flood risk management, cultural data tools, and support for local food and drink producers.
Published 15 September 2025
Business Growth Workshops
Rugby First has launched an ambitious new training programme offering fully funded business development courses to local businesses, responding directly to business community feedback highlighting the need for enhanced skills support. Funded by UK Government, the 10-course programme, developed in partnership with insight6 and the Warwickshire Skills Hub, combines specialist Customer Experience (CX) workshops, plus additional workplace safety and mental wellbeing courses.
Published 04 September 2025
Rugby First Launches Comprehensive Skills Training Initiative for Local Businesses
Issue 7 | Business Rugby
Read the latest issue of Rugby Borough Council’s Business Rugby newsletter
The latest issue of the Rugby Borough Council’s Business Rugby email newsletter is out now. This edition features Lloyds Tour of Britain comes to Rugby, a spotlight on a small Rugby business going from strength to strength, and details of how to register for the Council’s October Business Engagement event.
Published 03 September 2025
Business Engagement Event
Rugby Borough Council’s Economic Development Team announces Business Engagement Event at Benn Hall
Thursday 9 October, 8AM - 1PM
The Benn Hall, Rugby, CV21 2LN
Rugby Borough council is hosting a Business Engagement Event at the Benn Hall on Thursday 09 October. The event will include breakfast, panel discussions, Q and A sessions, and opportunities to engage with innovative local businesses.
Published 01 September 2025
Adult Learning
As part of its centenary celebrations, The Percival Guildhouse is turning its focus to the future, with a refreshed visual identity and brand new website designed to better reflect its role as a welcoming hub for learning, wellbeing and connection in the heart of Rugby.
Published 12 August 2025
