by rls | Sep 9, 2021 | News
Some of the best amateur cooks in Warwickshire will battle it out at one of the county’s biggest food festivals this weekend to be crowned as champion.
The Home Cook of the Year competition is being held at the free Leamington Food and Drink Festival in the Pump Room Gardens on its second day – Sunday September 12 – and the three finalists have been revealed.
The competition is just one attraction at the festival – organised by BID Leamington with the support of local businesses – which is retuning once again after being cancelled last year due to COVID-19.
Abigail Brown, Martyn Jones, and 2019 finalist Laura Noble all qualified for the final after submitting their three-course menus to competition organisers and prominent Leamington butchers, Aubrey Allen.
The three will cook their meals from 1pm on the Sunday, with judging taking place between 2:30 and 3pm.
Aubrey Allen will be supplying short ribs of beef, chicken, and rump of lamb for the finalists to use.
Russell Allen, Managing Director of Aubrey Allen, said: “All three finalists’ menus look absolutely fantastic, and we can’t wait to see what they produce on the day.
“We’re really looking forward to hosting the competition once again this year and being part of such a fantastic festival which celebrates the best of Leamington’s food and drink.”
The festival will be held from 10am to 6pm on Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12 – and will have a huge range of food and drink from local businesses for visitors to try.
Around 110 exhibitors will be present this year, with Japanese, Vietnamese, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican, Greek, Mediterranean, Italian, Thai, Spanish, and English cuisines all featuring over the weekend.
Alongside the Home Cook of the Year competition, the Live Kitchen will feature cooking demonstrations from 12 noon on both days, including Zimbabwean creations from Caz Gundu, the perfect pork fillet by Sophie Hyam, and Aubrey Allen butchery school teaching attendees the best way to prepare meat.
The Kids Make and Bake Cookery School will also return, with parents being able to book a spot on the same day for their child from 11am.
And live music from local acts on the bandstand will provide the perfect soundtrack for visitors to enjoy as they eat and drink.
Alison Shaw, BID Project Manager at BID Leamington, said: “It’s not long to go now until the Food Festival returns, and it’s going to be another fantastic event.
“The Home Cook of the Year competition is sure to be a great demonstration of brilliant amateur cooking, and it’ll be fascinating to see who is crowned the winner.
“And the huge variety of exhibitors this year means there’ll be interesting food and drink for everyone to enjoy.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to what is sure to be a fantastic weekend of food, drink, and music.”
For more information on the festival, visit leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk
by rls | Aug 9, 2021 | News
For a small town, we are blessed with a lot of paces to find art.
Leamington town centre boasts twelve art galleries specialising in everything from photography and decorative arts, to street-inspired contemporary works.
With affordable art from the next big thing or investment pieces by famous names, there’s something for all tastes and budgets.
Though it’s OK just to look too.
The art is there for everyone and you are invited to go and enjoy it.
Leamington’s thriving art scene is also enhanced by annual events such as Art in the Park and Warwickshire Open Studios permanent and temporary exhibitions of national and international significance at Leamington Art Gallery & Museum and out in the streets and canal paths.
Find out where it is all happening on this map and check out and follow us on social media stay up to date with everything that’s going on!
by rls | Jul 6, 2021 | News
Creative business programme gives Leamington Spa’s Parade pedestrians pedal powered boost
The University of Warwick’s free Creative Futures Incubator based in Leamington Spa’s co-working space 1 Mill Street is already powering up new local businesses, but now is also powering pedestrians up the Parade in Leamington, with 2 e-trikes. These innovative pedicabs provide a creative, environmentally friendly way for residents to get around the town centre and access the shops.
The Creative Futures programme gives small creative businesses six months free access to state-of-the-art offices, meeting spaces and collaboration networks at 1 Mill Street (which is based on the corner of Mill Street and Leam Terrace). It also provides tailored coaching sessions, access to enterprise experts and mentors and the ability to network and learn from other businesses in the Incubator and Mill Street members.
In discussions with local partners about how the programme could use creativity and ingenuity to benefit residents and identify another cohort of creative businesses to work with, the team spoke to BID Leamington and hit upon the idea of supporting the link from bus stops to shops, by offering a fun, comfortable rides up and down the Parade while it is closed.
From 12noon to 4pm on 15th and 16th July and 11am – 4pm on 17th and 18th July, the Creative Futures Incubator will be providing two sponsored electric Pedicabs to provide pedal power to Parade pedestrians who wish to access shops and services. Pedicabs developed by Hailservices, a Coventry-based zero emission taxi and delivery services company, are powered by friendly riders, and will be stationed at the top and bottom of the ‘closed’ area when not enroute. Passengers are invited to flag them down and enjoy the ride completely free of charge.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director, BID Leamington said
“Businesses supported by Creative Futures have already been making a positive impact in the town centre, so we are delighted to support this programme. We are also keen to explore future sustainable access, mobility and delivery options that serve both businesses and customers, so felt this this might be interesting idea to try out”
In 7 months, the first 5 businesses in the Creative Futures Incubator raised £101k worth of finance, created 3 new jobs and gained 9 new clients. The University of Warwick through this scheme delivered 101 hours of 1:1 coaching, 23 hours group sessions & introductions to 64 business or academic contacts. The businesses also benefited greatly from connecting with over 250 small and medium enterprises in the 1 Mill Street community and connecting with the wider creative cluster which is the largest outside of Greater London.
Clare Green, Creative & Digital Communities Manager at the University of Warwick said:
“We want to help creative business accelerate, so finding a creative way to help pedestrians accelerate up and down the Parade while we look for the next cohort of creative businesses feels appropriate. Leamington pedestrians have between 15th and 18th July to take us up on our pedal power offer, but creative business have until the end of the month to apply to join the programme”
Details on how to join the scheme can be found here:
warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/enterprise/creativeanddigital/creativefutures-register/
For your chance to win £50 to spend in Leamington Town Centre take a ride and post an image (photos, video or selfie) on either ‘Twitter’, ‘Facebook’ or ‘Instagram’ using the hashtag (#) ‘#LiftLeam’ between the dates of the promotion, to be entered into the prize draw. (T’s and C’s apply)
PediCab Comp_WIN 50 Pounds to Spend in Leam T&Cs_07.07.2021
by rls | Apr 1, 2021 | News
The Great Easter Egg Hunt returns to Leamington Town Centre this April! The trail is aiming to hatch a bit of fun while encouraging families to support their high street as lockdown restrictions ease.
Encompassing 50 shops the trail will run from Thursday April 1 to Wednesday April 28 and will also introduce treasure hunters to some new businesses as well.
BID Leamington has organised the trail where colourful eggs will be displayed in shop windows with a choice of two trails, blue or green or you can do them both!
There are two ‘golden eggs’ to be found, one on each route and once found the treasure hunters just have to jot down the name of the shop (s) onto the entry form to be entered into a grand prize draw to be in with a chance to win one of five £50 vouchers to be spent in Leamington Spa Town Centre shops.
There is also an adaptation of the trail online at www.loveleamington.com
The Great Easter Egg Hunt coincides with the planned reopening of shops on April 12, and Alison Shaw, BID Project Manager at BID Leamington, hopes it will encourage people back into the town.
She said: “We wanted to spread a bit of Easter fun around Leamington and give families a reason to come back into the town and visit our fantastic shops.
“It’s a great way for people to explore the town again, visit a wide range of retailers and enjoy themselves after what’s been a tough year.
“We hope plenty of people give The Great Easter Egg Hunt a go, and we’re looking forward to seeing our shops welcome back their customers once again.”
Treasure hunters can also view artwork from youngsters who participated in the ‘I Love Leamington’ campaign organised jointly with Go Go Makers, who asked children to create a self-portrait inside a heart – including the words ‘I Love Leamington’. Their pictures are now on display in a selection of shop windows until April 6, and will then be displayed in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre after April 12.
Alison added: “We’re delighted with what the young artists have created. Their work and the Great Easter Egg Hunt will both help to encourage people into town as our shops reopen.”
Entry forms for the Great Easter Egg Hunt can be downloaded online at www.loveleamington.com, can be picked up from the white unit on the Lower Mall of Royal Priors, or can be found in the Leamington Observer. Forms will also be available from shops once they have re-opened.
A post box for posting entries will be located at Coffee Break on the Upper Mall of Royal Priors, or entries can be posted directlyto BID Leamington.
Closing date for postal and online entries is Wednesday, April 28 and the winner will be notified by Wednesday, 5 May.
Further information visit www.loveleamington.com
by rls | Nov 2, 2020 | News
Leamington is to get its very own ‘walk of fame’ to shine a light on the stars of the town over the festive period as part of preparations for Christmas arriving earlier this year.
The Spa Stars walk of fame is being created by BID Leamington and will feature the names of 100 local people nominated for being a shining light.
The sparkly stars will decorate walkways around the town centre, including spaces around the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, Regent Court and the Town Hall.
People are now being urged to nominate friends and loved ones for a star between November 1 and 8.
The nominations opening marks the start of Christmas coming to Leamington earlier than usual in order to give people more time and space to shop and enjoy the festivities.
Alison Shaw, project manager at BID Leamington, said: “From the start of November, we are going to be lighting up Leamington with a host of festive attractions including the Spa Stars walk of fame to enable people to avoid the usual Christmas rush.
“With the road closures to support social distancing and the measures implemented by businesses, we already have a safe shopping environment and by bringing Christmas to the town centre earlier we are giving people more time and space to enjoy the festivities.
“The idea of Spa Stars is for people to nominate someone who is a shining light in their life for a chance to see them celebrated in our walk of fame.
“It could be a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague and we are asking for a short reason for each nomination. It could be for a kind act, for their friendship or simply because they are loved.
“One hundred names will be selected at random to feature on a star that will make up the walk of fame around the town centre, and those not selected will be celebrated online via our Love Leamington website.
“The stars will be gold and sparkly so will be a great addition to Leamington’s display of lights and decorations, and another attraction for people to come into the town centre over the festive period and support business on their doorstep by shopping local.”
To nominate a shining star, complete the Spa Stars entry form available at www.loveleamington.com from November 1 to 8.
by rls | Oct 16, 2020 | News
Halloween’s arrived there’s no place to hide
As ghosts and witches come alive
52 Orange pumpkins waiting to be found
In shop windows all around town
Each with a clue to help you unlock
the place you will find…the ‘scarey post box’
Post your form in the giant witches pot
Whether you gathered all the clues or not?
A trail of pumpkins will be carving its way through Leamington town centre to lead families on a treat of a treasure hunt to celebrate Halloween.
Collect clues from any 10 shop windows to enter the prize draw to win prizes for ALL the family including a family meal, sweet treats and gift cards (please note that due to current restrictions there are no treats this year and ALL clues will be found on the outside of shop windows).
The treasure hunters will be challenged to collect at least ten hidden clues from participating outlets. Along the way, they will find the mystery location of the Scarey Post Box for their entries to be posted.
For the first time, you can complete the Pumpkin Path on this website! The game is simple, find 10 of the 52 pumpkins hidden around this website, and enter the competition.
Over £1000 worth of prizes will be up for grabs with businesses taking part in this year’s Pumpkin Path organised by BID Leamington from Saturday, October 24th to Saturday, October 31st with entry forms being available at participating outlets and in the Upper Mall of the Royal Priors Shopping Centre from Saturday, October 24.
Once you’ve completed the path, you can submit your entry in the following ways:
- Post your entry form at the ‘Scarey Post Box’
- Email the form to info@bidleamington.com
- Send to BID Leamington, 35c Park Court, Park Street, Leamington Spa CV32 4QN by 5.00pm Saturday 31st October!
by rls | Sep 11, 2020 | News
We are proud that Warwickshire based family business Aubrey Allen have been crowned National Catering Butcher 2020.
Aubrey Allen, who earlier this year won Chef’s favourite Butcher have succeeded again this time in an industry led event- Meat Management Industry Awards.
The awards, which took place virtually on Tuesday night, recognise the best in the business and Aubrey Allen were delighted to scoop the top award.
Russell Allen, Managing Director said “After the year we have all had, we are so pleased to be acknowledge by our peers as a leader in our industry. Our staff have had to continue to work through lockdown, managing stocks for us and many more have now returned have been giving their all to get the business back up and running so it’s fantastic news to be able to share with them”.
by rls | Aug 27, 2020 | News
One of Leamington’s best-loved attractions, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is now officially open, after being closed for almost four months.
Located in the Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, shut its doors in mid-March, and has recently reopened. There has been an incredible response to the reopening of the venue, with hundreds of visitors coming through the Royal Pump Rooms doors, many of which tourists from neighbouring towns, as well as some visitors from as far afield as Devon!
Visitors have been particularly complimentary about the current exhibition, Making Histories: New responses to the Ceramics Collection. This exhibition was due to open in March 2020 but unfortunately was unable to due to lockdown. As a result, the exhibition will now be open until the end of the year, giving anyone who was looking forward to it, a good opportunity to view the exhibition.
“It has been so nice to be back in Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. It is such an important part of Leamington and I have missed it whilst it was gone!”
“I’ve particularly enjoyed the ceramics exhibition, specifically the works of Rose Wallace, who if I has the money, I would buy them all. Thanks for a lovely, lovely, morning.”
Visitors are now able to book onto either a Thursday-Sunday morning (10am – 12pm) or afternoon slot (1pm – 3pm/ 1pm – 4pm weekends) through the gallery website – prebooking is one of the essential measures the art gallery has put into place to limit the spread of Covid-19. Other safety measures introduced are increased cleaning regimes as well as social distance floor markers and hand sanitizing stations. Viewing points have also been introduced for visitors to take in art for a little while longer, whilst allowing other visitors to safely walk past them.
As well as the safety measures, the Art Gallery has introduced better methods for viewing and experiencing the art work, including producing engaging video content for those who are not ready to visit the gallery yet (available on their YouTube channel), showcasing online exhibitions and collections, as well as creating a new audio tour which is due to be finished shortly.
For those wishing to visit the art gallery this weekend, it is essential that you prebook your tickets in advance on the gallery website, here www.warwickdc.gov.uk/artgallery
by rls | Aug 17, 2020 | News
Smowkhaus is the latest independent food concept to hit the buzzing Leamington food scene.
A joint venture between Bedford Street Bar and Smowkhaus.
Rani, owner of Bedford Street Bar and Mitch, founder of Smowkhaus, both shares the ethos of a relaxed but professional service and a welcoming vive as well as their love for BBQ and southern style smoked meat, it really was a no-brainer to work together.
We have southern pride American wood smoker which was imported from the States using a mix of oak, cherry, apple and hickory wood. All of our meat is locally sourced, free range and grass fed and butchered in Stratford upon Avon. We treat the meat just as well after its with us! Using our signature rubs and marinades we impart flavour and then smoke slowly at around 115 degrees for up to 14 hours to make our briskets and ribs mouth wateringly moist and tender.
Mitch, head chef has spent over 14 years perfecting the art of the perfect cook, the rubs, sauces, dustings and glazes come from years of practice and serious training, visiting Austin Texas to see the pros in action as well as working in Michelin star kitchens in London and the Lake district, we can be sure Smowkhaus certainly know what they are doing.
The ethos here is on a community spirit, Smowkhaus @ Bedford Street is the place you come to celebrate those awesome A level results as a family, that spot you meet your friends for a big catch up and a good feed and drink and the place you can bring the latest clients to impress. A warm relaxed atmosphere with great service from friendly staff will await you at Bedford Street.
We are beginning to work with P3, a homeless charity that do work with the community in Leamington. We cook and donate food for the homeless and those in need in our local community as well as offering up to a dozen new jobs for the locals in the hospitality sector, currently being ravaged by Covid 19.
We are very much looking to the future and we hope that our decision to open up proudly in these uncertain times will pave the way for the industry to get back up from its knees and march on to prosperity and success.
To find out more, Follow Bedford Street on Facebook and Instagram!
by rls | Jul 27, 2020 | News
One of Leamington’s best-loved attractions, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum has announced it will be officially reopening on Thursday 6th August, after being closed for almost four months.
Located in the Royal Pump Rooms, on Leamington’s Parade, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, shut its doors in mid-March, but is set to welcome visitors back to the venue, after an incredibly successful trial period in July.
Martyn Darvell, the Customer Services Manager comments:
“The reopening of the Royal Pump Rooms including the Art Gallery and Museum is really positive for Leamington Spa. The trial opening was very successful and it was fantastic to see visitors’ reactions to some of the new and existing works on display, whilst ensuring we operate safely with social distancing in place. We are delighted to be open again”
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum has also received the “We’re Good To Go” mark, which is the official UK mark to signify that the venue has worked hard to follow COVID-19 guidelines and has the appropriate processes in place to maintain these.
Visitors are now able to book onto either a Thursday-Sunday morning (10am – 12pm) or afternoon slot (1pm – 3pm/ 1pm – 4pm weekends) through the gallery website – prebooking is one of the measures the art gallery has put into place to limit the spread of Covid-19. Other safety measures introduced are increased cleaning regimes as well as social distance floor markers and hand sanitizing stations. Viewing points have also been introduced for visitors to take in art for a little while longer, whilst allowing other visitors to safely walk past them.
“I’ve loved being back in the gallery, it’s definitely a change from my daily routine, and a positive one for sure! It felt incredibly safe and spacious and the staff took great care of me during my visit.”
As well as the safety measures, the Art Gallery has introduced better methods for viewing and experiencing the art work, including producing engaging video content for those who are not ready to visit the gallery yet (available on their YouTube channel), showcasing online exhibitions and collections, as well as creating a new audio tour which is due to be finished shortly.
For those wishing to book a gallery visit for this weekend, prebook on the gallery website, here www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms
