by rls | Jul 20, 2020 | News
Chocolate lovers in Warwickshire are in for a treat with the opening of a new luxury chocolate store today.
Cenu Cacao chocolate shop proudly opened its doors at 114 Regent Street. Leamington
The luxury chocolatier is known for producing chocolate using Aztec methods taking organic cacao beans and creating a fabulous array of tempting chocolates. It is rare to find a “bean to bar” chocolate in the UK but it is now in Leamington to enjoy.
Cllr Susan Rasmussen, Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa,
“The presence of a real chocolatier in Regent Street is a cause for excitement as well as local pride, and on the day that bars and pubs are re-opening many will see the re-launch of Cenu as a cause for double celebration. It’s fascinating to see the process that turns cacao beans into products of an international standard, from delicate morsels to tempting drinks. Cenu is one of the individual businesses and retail outlets that make Leamington town centre the special place it is, and I’m sure others will join me in wishing Rosemary and her team the very best of luck in their new premises.”
Founder of the Cenu Cacao Rosemary Ndukuba has chocolate coded into her DNA having grown up within a Nigerian Cacao farm where she experimented with the flavours before starting her own chocolate making business.
Rosemary said: “Our organic cacao beans come from Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia and we stone grind them on site. We then create the chocolate expertly made up from scratch using Aztec methods and Cenu Cacao is the first and only shop of its kind in the West Midlands. Our beloved cacao beans are created into irresistible pralines and truffles for you to enjoy.” Our hot and Ice drinking chocolates are out of this world!!
by rls | Feb 12, 2020 | News
Following the success of The Scottish NBL Awards 2019, Creative Oceanic is delighted to launch The Inaugural English NBL Awards Midlands 2020.
The awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate the best professionals and businesses in Midlands.
The elegant ceremony will take place on Sunday February 16 at The Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport.
The awards seek to recognise everyone that work hard to leave the region glowing; from nail technicians and lash specialists to brow bars, beauty teams and academies among others.
They will also aim to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of the very best professionals that enhance our features and give us that glow from within by ensuring their customers always receive high-quality services and trending treatments, meeting every client’s expectations.
Esqué Beauty Salon in Leamington Spa has been shortlisted in the Best Beauty Team category for the Midlands. The Esqué Angels will find out if they will be crowned winners at the elegant ceremony taking place in February.
Salon Owner, Amy Selby said:
“We are thrilled to be in the finals for Best Beauty Team. Being a people-based industry, the whole team work so conscientiously to care for our clients, giving them the very best experience & client journey on each and every visit. Without them we couldn’t do what we do; it is a privilege to work with such a wonderful team.”
Charlene Young, Campaign Manager of The English NBL Awards 2020 said: “The inaugural English NBL Awards 2020 are organised by Creative Oceanic but voted for by the public. All finalists should feel honoured as it is their clients that went behind the nomination process and put them forward to receive the recognition they deserve.
The awards aim to acknowledge everyone in the sector that provides impeccable services, inspiring and innovative treatments that really work. The beauty industry plays a vital role in the country’s economy and these awards aim to provide a platform to thank those who have dedicated their whole career in this field, letting them know that their amazing work doesn’t go un-noticed.
We wish all finalists the best of luck and we can’t wait to welcome our guests and deliver a memorable event.”
by rls | Nov 25, 2019 | News
Leamington shoppers are in for a cracking Christmas with town centre businesses donating over £3,500 of prizes in a new giveaway to encourage people to buy local over the festivities.
Anyone making a purchase from a participating outlet will be given a Christmas Cracker Scratchcard with the chance to win one of the mystery prizes which have been donated by more than 50 businesses.
There are also hundreds of instant prizes of free coffee or cupcakes up for grabs around the town, plus ten per cent off selected full-priced items from participating businesses in January.
The Christmas Cracker Scratchcard has been organised by BID Leamington with the support of town centre businesses, and is among a host of attractions to draw in shoppers at their busiest time.
Alison Shaw, BID Leamington Project Manager, said: “We are very excited about what is on offer in Leamington this Christmas as we have so much planned to help make our town centre come alive for customers.
“Christmas is a critical time for our town centre businesses so it is important that we all work together and get behind them over the festive period to make sure Leamington is as magical as ever.
“Thanks to the generosity of businesses in the town centre, we have been able to put together this fantastic prize giveaway which we hope will reward customers and encourage more people to do their Christmas shopping locally.”
Along with the hugely-popular Lantern Parade on Sunday, December 1, BID Leamington is partnering with Royal Priors to stage a Santa Elf Workshop and a Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride to the North Pole in the shopping centre.
The Santa Elf Workshop will be open on selected days from Saturday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 24, and the Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride will be open on Saturday, November 23, Saturday, November 30 and Saturday, December 7, from 11am to 4pm.
There will also be the chance to meet Father Christmas in the Royal Priors on Saturday, December 14, Sunday, December 15, Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22.
BID Leamington’s ‘Christmas Parking Angels’ will be back to help shoppers find spaces, offer maps and give information on all the events and attractions. Free car parking is available for shoppers at Riverside House, Milverton Hill, on weekends.
Late night shopping begins on Thursdays from December 5, on top of the Yuletide Markets taking place every Sunday.
The Christmas Cracker Scratchcard runs from Monday, November 25 until Sunday, December 15 and full details can be found at www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk/xmas-cracker.
For more information about all events and attractions taking place in Leamington town centre in the run-up to Christmas, visit www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk.
PICTURE CAPTION: Pictured pulling the Christmas Cracker Scratchcard are, left to right, Alison Shaw (BID Leamington Project Manager) and Stephanie Kerr (BID Leamington Executive Director).
by rls | Oct 31, 2019 | News
Why not treat yourself or a loved one to a new watch this Christmas!
Peter Stephen Jewellers are holding a Watch Brand Clearance Sale where you can enjoy upto 50% OFF the following selected brands including Oris, Raymond Weil, Hugo Boss, T.W Steel, Roamer, Jorg Gray, Rodania and Citizen.
At the same time, take a look at some of the stunning jewellery pieces they also stock including a huge range of beautiful items to suit any style. Whether you are searching for the perfect piece for a special occasion or are adding to your own collection, you are sure to find something.
You can find out more by visiting them at 98 Warwick Street, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 4QG.
by rls | Oct 31, 2019 | News
A ground-breaking initiative in Warwickshire to enable local communities to make a bigger impact on helping the homeless in their towns has been launched in Leamington.
Local charities and agencies working with the homeless and those at risk of being homeless in both towns have joined forces in a campaign called Meaningful Change, which aims to make more of a difference by providing a central focus for the public to pledge support. The campaign aims to make people more aware of the support services available in their towns, and how they can best help them by donating and volunteering.
Meaningful Change has been made possible with funding from the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Leamington and Stratford have worked together over the last year to devise the campaign and then tailor it to the specific needs of each town. Leamington and Stratford will operate their own campaigns, with individual websites providing information and an online platform for donations.
Philip Seccombe, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Meaningful Change provides an easy platform for people to help support local charities working with people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless so that they get the right help and can avoid falling into the criminal justice system. It will also help the wider community understand the support that is available to tackle homelessness and how they can help through the donation of time, money or items.”
BID Leamington has played a key role in developing Meaningful Change Leamington, alongside local charities and Warwick District Council. In Leamington, a collective giving pot has been established for funds to be distributed between local charities to direct aid to those most in need. The town’s first fundraising unit for contactless donations has been installed at the Visitor Information Centre and another is due to be installed in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre this Christmas.
Stephanie Kerr, executive director of BID Leamington, said: “The number of vulnerable people facing a range of challenges around the UK is increasing and this is no different locally.
“In Leamington, we are fortunate to have a wide range of around-the-clock support services and the work they do is incredible, but they need our support to help those people that the public may see sleeping rough, begging, or dealing with issues that are not so visible.
“As custodians of our town centre, BID Leamington is very much aware that businesses and their customers have genuine concerns about homelessness and want to know how they can best help. Meaningful Change will enable us all to make a bigger impact.”
The Leamington campaign website lists local support available including housing services, rehabilitation, food, emergency shelter, advice and training. It also highlights ways for the public to help through volunteering or donating time, items or money.
Jon Barnett, Community Support Officer at Warwick District Council, which operates the William Wallsgrove House hostel, said: “Warwick District Council is committed to ending homelessness in Leamington and across the district.
“We are pleased to be supporting the Meaningful Change initiative which is a welcome addition to the range of support services that our Housing and Safer Communities team provide to the most vulnerable in our community.”
In Leamington, the initiative is supported by a range of local charitable and voluntary organisations including Change Grow Live, ESH Works, Helping Hands, LWS Night Shelter, Leamington Night Shelter, P3 and The Salvation Army Way Ahead Project.
Funding that is raised through Meaningful Change Leamington, will be distributed between those organisations which have nominated specific areas where they wish to focus this financial support.
For more information, including a full list of charities and statutory support agencies involved in Meaningful Change Leamington, visit www.meaningfulchange.org.uk.
PICTURE CAPTION: Pictured at the launch of Meaningful Change Leamington outside the Visitor Information Centre are, from left to right, Jon Barnett (Warwick District Council), Ayyaz Ahmed (Warwick District Council), Chris Higgins (Helping Hands), Philip Seccombe (Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner), Sgt Trent McMurray (Warwickshire Police), Stephanie Kerr (BID Leamington), Aaron Greaves (Heart of England Community Foundation), Sue Verne (Helping Hands), Ljupka Stojanovska (The Salvation Army).
by rls | Sep 13, 2019 | News
The Drawing Board scoops ‘Pub Industry Oscar’ as the nation’s best boozers are honoured in UK’s most prestigious drinks trade awards
The DB has been named the UK’s Best Beer Pub in Great British Pub Awards.
The Newbold Street pub was honoured at a gala ceremony at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 5th September after beating off competition from all over the UK.
The awards – organised by pub industry bible The Morning Advertiser – celebrate the best in the business across more than 20 different categories, covering everything from the UK’s Best Pub for Beer, Best Pub for Family and Best Pub for Food, to the UK’s overall Pub of the Year award.
Prestigious gongs are also given to the UK’s Best Pub Garden, Best Pub Manager, Best Live Entertainment, and even the nation’s Best LGBTQ+ drinking hole.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, explains: “These awards really are the pub industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, so to win one is a huge achievement.
“By winning one of our awards, The Drawing Board has shown it really is one of the UK’s finest.”
“We are thrilled to have won The Great British Pub Awards ‘Best Beer Pub’ 2019 after previously being a finalist in 2016. It means so much to us – we have done tears and everything!
Since we opened in 2015 we have really tried to push the envelope with our beer selection including our own beer, Elephant Wash brewed with Old Pie Factory in Warwick. Our own ‘DB Bottle Shop’ has just opened, also in Leamington, specialising in Craft beer, Japanese whisky and Artisan liquor. We’re now really excited to continue forcing beer on people who didn’t know they wanted any”
by rls | Aug 8, 2019 | News
Each month we will be showcasing a chef or a team that makes Royal Leamington Spa special and this month, we feature Max from Oscar’s French Steakhouse & Bistro!
by rls | Jul 1, 2019 | News
Join in Royal Leamington Spa’s ‘Summer of Fun’ ! From now until September, the town centre will host a feast of yummy, action-packed community events which are all FREE to attend. So, if you’re ready to experience summer vibes like never before, make sure you put these dates in your diary!
In July, Leamington Carnival will meander around the streets of Leamington on Saturday the 13th. With spectacular floats, drummers, energetic dancers, colourful costumes, live bands and much more. This is your chance to be part of this fun community event, celebrating the town’s diversity, creativity and energy whilst supporting local charitable organisations. The Carnival will wind its way to the Royal Pump Room Gardens where the celebrations will continue at the Summer Festival with local art and crafts stalls, food for all appetites, entertainment and Barkers Amusements Funfair will be there to welcome you!
Make sure you’re ready to get creative in August when Art in the Park returns on 3rd and 4th in Jephson Gardens. Enjoy a jam-packed weekend of art, creativity and fun as local makers, musicians and performers show and display a mix of crafts and arts and to fuel the fun a little more, local eateries will provide a variety of high quality food and drinks for all appetites.
Warwickshire Pride, Saturday 17th August, has continued to go from strength to strength; getting bigger and better each year, while retaining its identity as a grassroots, community Pride event. Warwickshire Pride is now an established festival in Warwickshire’s event calendar, welcoming masses of people each year for a celebration of LGBT+ culture.
Now in its twelfth year the annual Leamington Food and Drink Festival will take place over the weekend of September 7th and 8th at the Royal Pump Room Gardens. Visitors will find an exciting variety on offer, with exhibitors displaying culinary skills and cuisines ranging from delicious Caribbean food to gourmet toasties, to Indian street food and Persian delights accompanied with an array of local brews and exotic aperitifs.
The Home Cook of the Year, organised by Aubrey Allen, also returns to crown Leamington’s finest amateur chef who will be judged on a three course cooking challenge and children will also be able to get their hands dirty by cooking scrumptious dishes at the kid’s cookery school all washed down with local live entertainment to enjoy all weekend.
To find out more visit www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk; www.leamingtoncarnival.org.uk; www.artinpark.co.uk; www.warwickshirepride.co.uk; & www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk. ADMISSION IS FREE!
by rls | Jun 20, 2019 | News
Temperatures are forecast to rise at this year’s ‘Summer of Fun’ in Leamington with a celebration of Brazilian music and dance spicing up the festival line-up.
The Brazilian Festival was a new event for the town and featured live music, performances and workshops representing the rich and vibrant culture of the South American country.
It took over the Pump Room Gardens on Sunday, June 9, and be one of many free-to-attend events happening in the town centre up to September, billed as the ‘Summer of Fun’ by BID Leamington.
Cars at the Spa is another first-timer for the ‘Summer of Fun’ and the classic car rally on Sunday, June 30 will also be held at the Pump Room Gardens.
The Brazilian Festival and Cars at the Spa will fall on the weekends either side of the oldest event, Leamington Peace Festival, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and is one of the UK’s longest-running free festivals.
Leamington Peace Festival is always held on the weekend before the Summer Solstice and returns to the Pump Room Gardens on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16.
The Big Victorian Picnic will take place on Saturday, July 27 to mark the completion of work to restore the Pump Room Gardens to their former glory.
The Pump Room Gardens will also host Leamington Carnival on Saturday, July 13, Warwickshire Pride on Saturday, August 17 and Leamington Food and Drink Festival on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8.
Art in the Park will return to Jephson Gardens on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4.
Alison Shaw, project manager at BID Leamington, said: “This year’s ‘Summer of Fun’ is set to be the biggest and best ever with new festivals being added to the programme.
“Together they attract tens of thousands of local people and visitors to the town centre, and offer something for everyone with a broad celebration of art, culture, food, drink, and entertainment.
“BID Leamington is delighted to be supporting each one and once again organising the Leamington Food and Drink Festival which in its 12th year will feature some 130 exhibitors and attract over 25,000 visitors alone.”
The Brazilian Festival will be the climax to the Brazilian Culture Week, which was first brought to the town in 2016 by the Brazil Culture & Arts Community.
Project manager Leandro Menezes said: “The Brazilian Festival will be a great way to celebrate the end of the Brazilian Culture Week and will showcase performances from the workshops held, including Samba and Capoeira.
“It will be a fun way for the whole family to experience Brazilian culture and heritage with bands, dancers, food and drink and more.”
Cars at the Spa is being organised by the Rotary Club of Royal Leamington Spa and will raise money for local charities.
Mike Hoyland, one of the organisers, said: “We will have over 100 classic cars, mostly from the Warwickshire area, ranging from pre-war Bentleys to military Land Rovers and an old Vauxhall Viva.
“There will be classics that will remind people of family cars they had when they were young, and ones that people will say they’ve always wanted. With entertainment from local bands and food and drink stalls, it should be a fantastic day.”
For more information about ‘Summer of Fun’, visit royal-leamington-spa.co.uk/whats-on/
by rls | Jun 13, 2019 | News
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s new exhibition ‘An Entertainment’ opened on Friday 14th June!
Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
This family friendly exhibition showcases the many entertainments on offer over the past two centuries, from theatres and cinemas to concerts and dances.
Since the town’s development as a Regency spa resort, Leamington has enjoyed a lively nightlife. This exhibition showcases the many entertainments on offer over the past two centuries, from theatres and cinemas to concerts and dances.
Objects on display include beautiful ballgowns from the 1800s to the 1950s, Victorian playbills and film of the 24-hour jive marathon of 1960. This will also be the first chance to see the museum’s newly-acquired Arbiter Elegantiarum medal, an enamelled badge of office worn by Leamington’s answer to Beau Nash. Visitors can find about the town’s historic venues and how they evolved over time, as ballrooms were transformed into music halls and theatres became cinemas. Displays will also explore the lives of the men and women at the heart of Leamington’s entertainment scene, from the raffish Regency impresario Robert William Elliston to the cinema magnate Edith Devis and bandleader Jan Berenska.
The exhibition comes up to date with a look at some of the many musical and theatrical groups in Leamington today. These range from the Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra and Loft Theatre to Tango Warwick and Spa Opera.
There are plenty of activities in the gallery to keep young visitors busy during the school holidays. These include the chance to create a puppet and tell your own stories in our toy theatre.
Admission is free.
The exhibition will run until Sunday 8th September 2019
For more information on all upcoming exhibitions and events please visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms
