by Stephanie Kerr | May 18, 2026 | News
Leamington Spa has welcomed its first dedicated town centre mobility store, with Max Mobility opening its doors at Royal Priors Shopping Centre.
Located in Unit 8 on the Lower Mall, the new store brings a valuable new service to the town, offering residents access to specialist mobility equipment, expert advice and professional support to help people maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Founded in Coventry in 2012, Max Mobility has built a strong reputation for supplying high-quality mobility products alongside a personalised, customer-focused service. The Leamington Spa store marks the company’s first expansion and makes its specialist expertise more accessible to customers across Warwickshire and the surrounding area.
The showroom stocks an extensive range of mobility solutions, including mobility scooters, wheelchairs, powerchairs, riser recliner chairs, specialist adjustable beds, bathing aids, walking aids and a wide selection of daily living accessories.
What sets Max Mobility apart is its commitment to understanding every customer’s individual needs. Experienced advisors take the time to assess each person’s needs and recommend products that are tailored to deliver genuine long-term benefits.
Once customers have selected the most suitable equipment, specialist installation teams provide delivery, fitting and ongoing support, giving customers confidence that their products are installed safely and correctly.
The arrival of Max Mobility further strengthens the diverse mix of retailers and services available at Royal Priors Shopping Centre while introducing an important specialist offering to Leamington Spa town centre.
Max Mobility is now open in Unit 8, Lower Mall, Royal Priors Shopping Centre. For more information about its products and services, visit www.maxmobilityltd.co.uk.
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 10, 2025 | News
Leamington Spa, UK – Sculpt Social Wellness Club, a luxury Social Wellness Club dedicated to building a community around movement, wellness and human connection, is proud to announce that it raised £5,000 for Breast Cancer UK during its very first month of trading.
The funds were generated entirely from the purchase of trial Reformer Pilates classes taken during the clubs opening four weeks of September/October, with every pound donated to support Breast Cancer UK’s vital work in prevention, awareness, and education: A personal decision made by the owners, local couple Mark and Jess Griffin.
From day one, Sculpt Social Wellness Club has aimed to be more than just a Pilates studio – it’s a space where people come together to move, connect, and grow stronger as a community. The overwhelming response from members and newcomers transformed the club’s launch into a meaningful act of giving back.
To celebrate this milestone, the team and members came together for a Sculpt Run Club event, proudly wearing the bright orange Breast Cancer UK colours. It was a powerful moment that reflected Sculpt’s mission – movement with purpose and connection at its core.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support of everyone who joined Sculpt during our first month,” said Jess Griffin, Founder of Sculpt Social Wellness Club. “This cause is really close to our family’s heart, and it feels wonderful to be able to play a small part in making a difference. Raising £5,000 purely from trial classes shows how engaged our community already is; not only did they come to enjoy Sculpt and all we have to offer – they made a difference in doing so.”
All proceeds will go directly to Breast Cancer UK, helping to fund their ongoing mission to prevent breast cancer through scientific research, education, and public awareness. For more information on Breast Cancer UK visit www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/
For more information about Sculpt Social Wellness Club and upcoming community events, visit www.sculpt-swc.com/ or @sculptswc on Instagram
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 20, 2025 | Blogs
A spooktacular Halloween treasure hunt is set to return to Leamington town centre – and this year it’s bigger than ever, with lots of fabulous prizes valued at over £1,500 to be won!
BID Leamington’s annual ‘Pumpkin Path’ will see participants hunt for clues in the windows of shops, cafes, and restaurants across the town centre between Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, November 2 for the chance to win a host of prizes generously donated by Leamington businesses.
This year’s frightfully fun family event will feature three trails, with participants tasked with finding an orange pumpkin in each shop window containing a letter. Once the trail is completed, the letters will reveal the location of the ‘Giant Coffee Cup, where entry forms can be posted.
Families who gather at least 10 clues will be entered into the prize draw, while those who collect all the clues will be entered into the grand prize draw for a chance to win £250 worth of treats.
Entry forms are available to download at HERE and can also be found at participating businesses as well as the Halloween stand on the upper mall of Royal Priors Shopping Centre.
Alison Shaw, Project Manager at BID Leamington, said:
“The Pumpkin Path is now in its 10th year and remains a fantastic annual event enjoyed by hundreds of families.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get into the Halloween spirit while rediscovering some of the town centre’s businesses, or even finding some new favourites.
“The event is always very well supported by our local businesses, and we are thrilled to be offering some incredible prizes valued at over £1,500.
“We hope everyone has fun taking part in this year’s event and gathering the clues to find the location of our spooky mummies post box.”
The competition will close on Sunday, November 2 at 4.30pm. Entries can also be posted to BID Leamington, 35c Park Court, Park Street, Leamington, CV32 4QN, with the closing date for postal entries being Tuesday, November 4.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 9, 2025 | News
Warwickshire’s very own Jones Family Jewellers are celebrating a glittering victory after being crowned ‘Retail Team of the Year’ at the prestigious Professional Jeweller Awards 2025, held on Tuesday 7th October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Beating out national giants including 77 Diamonds, Austen & Blake, Baker Brothers, Beaverbrooks, Diamonds Factory and Jeremy France Jewellers, this remarkable win shines a light on the dedication, craftsmanship and genuine care that defines the Jones Family Jewellers ethos.
Marketing Manager, Nicole Goudie, and Designer and Goldsmith, Alex Tamana, represented the team at the luxurious awards ceremony, where they joined some of the biggest names in the industry, including representatives from the Birmingham Assay Office and the National Association of Jewellers – to celebrate excellence in British jewellery retail.
Nicole shared, “We’re absolutely thrilled and so proud to bring this award home. It’s a true reflection of our incredible team, our family-first values, and the relationships we’ve built with our wonderful customers. This win belongs to all of us – our staff and our loyal community.”
As a family-run business with stores in Leamington & Kenilworth, The Jones Family Jewellers are renowned for their bespoke design services, fine jewellery collections, expert repairs, and cash-for-gold service. Their focus on hospitality – ensures every customer feels valued, listened to and cared for.
The team are inviting customers old and new to join in the celebrations:
“Pop in, say hello, and share this moment with us! We couldn’t have done it without our customers’ continued trust and support,” added Alex.
This national recognition cements The Jones Family Jewellers’ reputation as one of the UK’s most trusted and passionate independent jewellers – proving that genuine care, craftsmanship, and community spirit will always shine brightest.
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 9, 2025 | News
It was a big ‘thumbs up’ from everyone for this year’s Leamington Food and Drink Festival as thousands of foodies descended on the Pump Room Gardens at the weekend to celebrate one of the region’s most popular culinary events.
This year the organisers, BID Leamington, felt the festival was extra special as it comes at the time when local food and drink businesses really need an extra boost, and along with the sunshine, the locally focused family friendly vibe really shone through.
Over two days, around 120 exhibitors showcased with a smile, an irresistible mix of flavours, serving up everything from burgers, jerk chicken and pizzas to gyros, burritos, loaded hotdogs and curries. There was also every kind of drink imaginable from local beers, spirits, wines, cocktails, matcha smoothies, shakes, speciality coffees, soft drinks and more!
For those with a sweet tooth, the choice was just as tempting – cakes, ice cream, brownies, doughnuts, cookies, churros and cannoli filled the stalls, alongside artisan produce such as chutneys, jams, cheeses, pies and freshly baked bread.
The family-friendly two-day event, which this year was sponsored by Davidsons Law, also delivered a packed programme of live entertainment, demonstrations and hands-on fun!
Crowds at the Live Cookery Theatre enjoyed learning butchery skills with Russell Allen of Aubrey Allen, spice blending with Michael Price of Prices Spices, creative cooking tips from the fabulous Bia Rodrigues from BIA’s Kitchen Show, along with the culinary secrets of Michael Webber of Good Food Cartel, and authentic flavours from Rosa’s Thai.
The bandstand was buzzing, providing the festival soundtrack with a wide mix of live music, featuring the ever-popular Room 17, Abi Rowberry and Sam Lawrence, as well as the uplifting harmonies of the Big Sing Choir and the distinctive sounds of Sweet Mischief and Man Made Moon.
Children were also kept busy with fun, hands-on sessions at the Kid’s Cookery School, led by Anne Marie Lambert of Get Cooking! where budding young chefs could roll up their sleeves and get creative in the kitchen.
Adding to the fun Everyone Active brought along interactive activities, including a thrilling axe-throwing challenge and penalty shoot-out competitions, which proved to be a big hit with families throughout the weekend.
Festival organiser Alison Shaw, Project Manager at BID Leamington, hailed the weekend as one of the best yet. She said “Leamington Food and Drink Festival is a wonderful event to organise, and delivers a fabulous weekend of food, drink and entertainment for all ages. We are hugely grateful to the local community for their support and wish to thank our traders, staff and wonderful volunteers who made our 18th annual festival such a success”.
Stephanie Kerr, Chief Executive at BID Leamington, agreed wholeheartedly and said, “It was great to see so many people out, with many commenting that they loved the friendly atmosphere. This is really important to us as it is a community festival, with many friends and family members involved in helping the traders and behind the scenes. We really want people to come and love it”.
The Leamington Food Festival will be back in 2026, and in the meantime, visitors can continue to enjoy many of the traders here in the town centre. Please see the royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website for a full listing and download the free ‘Love Leam App’ for loyalty offers, deals and trails.
For the full programme and latest updates, visit: www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk
Please enjoy this selection of photos.
Photo Captions
- Room 17 closing the Saturday afternoon slot on the bandstand at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Thumbs up from Amy, Josh and their children as they enjoy the food at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Local business owner Charlie from Zero with her planet friendly products at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- The Wicked Cookies stall at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Family fun at the Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- The Boiler Room in Leamington serving up a range of drinks at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Russell Allen sharing butchery skills on the Live Cookery Theatre sponsored by Davidsons Law at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Bia Rodrigues from BIA’s Kitchen Show sharing her passion with local fans on the Live Cookery Theatre at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Local favourite Shakespeare Spit Roast Company at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Michael Price of Prices Spices who also demonstrated on the Live Cookery Theatre at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- The Warwick Street Kitchen team serving coffee and bakery treats at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Local business owner Rosemary from Cenu Cacao wowing customers with locally made chocolate at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- RT Catering serving with a smile at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- The World’s Smallest Irish Bar makes an appearance at Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
- Stilt Man aka ‘Willy Wonka’ made a welcome return to Leamington Food and Drink Festival 2025.
by Stephanie Kerr | Jul 28, 2025 | News
A much-loved neighbourhood gem, Oscar’s French Steakhouse & Bistro is proud to be celebrating a major milestone: 21 years of serving classic French food with flair in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa.
In an era where independent hospitality venues face unprecedented challenges, Oscar’s stands tall as a rare success story – not only as a family-run bistro with deep community roots, but as part of a wider legacy of excellence in British food craftsmanship. The restaurant is proudly owned by Coventry-based butchers Aubrey Allen, who were recently honoured with the Royal Warrant to His Majesty The King – a prestigious recognition of quality, service, and heritage – as well as its own 90th Birthday celebrations.
This remarkable link between Oscar’s and one of Britain’s most respected food suppliers shines through in every dish served – from the carefully selected steaks to the commitment to seasonal, ethically sourced ingredients.
To mark this special occasion, Oscar’s is hosting a 21st Birthday Celebration that promises to be a joyful nod to two decades of hard work, passion, and community support. The event will feature a celebratory menu, music, and of course, a glass or two of bubbles.
“We’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone,” says Russell Allen, Managing Director of Aubrey Allen. “So many restaurants haven’t made it through the past few years, so this celebration isn’t just about us – it’s about the incredible support from our loyal guests and team who’ve been part of the Oscar’s story.”
As part of the birthday festivities, Oscar’s will run Provence Month throughout August – a nod to the home region of Maître d’ Pascal. Diners can enjoy special dishes inspired by customer favourites over the years, as well as some nostalgic nods to the bistro’s earliest menus.
by Stephanie Kerr | Jun 3, 2025 | News
Local luxury dog boutique, Henderson Hound, has partnered up with behaviour expert and award-winning trainer The Spaniel Guru, for a unique, one-day, free instore event. Designed especially for Spaniels (and their owners), visitors will be able to attend exclusive advice sessions with expert The Spaniel Guru, Hannah Antrobus, explore her exclusive Spaniel Edit of hand-picked products and get top tips on care, training and must-have accessories.
Hannah an award-winning trainer and behaviour consultant based in Leamington Spa, works with Spaniels all over the world and is known for her practical compassionate approach to behaviour and training. She’s thrilled to be teaming up with Henderson Hound for a day dedicated to Spaniels and Spaniel crosses whether that be Cocakapoo, Cavapoo or Sproodle.
The Spaniel Guru commented:
“Spaniel breeds are bright, enthusiastic, and often misunderstood. This event is all about giving owners simple, realistic advice that actually works while helping them understand what is going on in that brilliant little Spaniel brain. There’s no judgement here, just support, reassurance and a celebration of everything that makes Spaniels so wonderfully unique.”
Taking place on Sunday 22nd June, Henderson Hound, a much-loved local retailer of dogs’ accessories from local and UK makers, will be opening their doors for just one unique breed, the Spaniel. Taking three places in Britain’s top 10 favourite dog breeds[1], the Kennel Club last year had approximately 33,000 Cocker Spaniels registered, 22,000 English Springer Spaniels and 3,200 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Indeed, it’s thought there could be up to 1.5 million Cocker Spaniels right now across the UK, with many of them enjoying the local areas parks – from Jephson to Newbold Comyn.
Claire Henderson, co-founder of Henderson Hound comments:
“At Henderson Hound we don’t just sell dog accessories, we believe in a strong local community of dog lovers who want the best for their pups. Whether squirrel chaser or a sofa potato, we welcome all dogs and their patient owners instore, but this Leamington Spa-niel day is set to be extra special. We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with The Spaniel Guru, a real expert in this field and known for keeping it real – no judgment – just lots of wagging tails and wisdom!”
Visit the store on 43 Park Street to check out the Spaniel Edit: a collection of hand-picked products, from training leads, harnesses and treats, all designed perfectly for the Spaniel. To find out more visit www.hendersonhound.co.uk
Event Details:
What: Celebrate Leamington Spa-niel day, with The Spaniel Guru
Where: Henderson Hound, 43 Park Street, Leamington Spa
When: Sunday, 22nd June 2025 11am – 4pm
For more information, to speak with The Spaniel Guru or for pictures and interview with Henderson Hound contact Claire at hello@hendersonhound.co.uk
[1] yougov.co.uk/ratings/society/popularity/dog-breeds/all
by Stephanie Kerr | May 7, 2025 | News
Sukhi Eyes Opens as Leamington’s First Female-Owned Boutique Optometrist
Leamington Spa welcomed a new vision in eye care on 12th April 2025 with the official opening of Sukhi Eyes.
Founded by Leamington local Sukhi Cheema, who has over 25 years of experience in eye care, Sukhi Eyes blends fashion with clinical excellence. The practice utilises cutting-edge technology and is renowned for its personalised approach. Customers consistently praise the exceptional service and satisfaction they receive.
The grand opening was marked by strong community support, including the presence of Lord Mayor Judith Clarke, who officially cut the ribbon.
“Sukhi Eyes is a fantastic example of local talent and entrepreneurship. It’s wonderful to see such dedication to both health care and the community,” said the Mayor.
Sukhi, who has the support of the community ophthalmologists, and that of the former Charnley’s team is bringing eye care and styling in Leamington into a new era.
For appointments or more information, please visit sukhieyes.co.uk
by Stephanie Kerr | May 1, 2025 | Blogs
Delancey Partners With The Zen Project, Bringing the Zen Bus to Royal Priors
A bright yellow American school bus once used to ferry children to school across the U.S. is finding a new lease of life—this time as a mobile sanctuary for mental health. In a unique partnership for Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, leading real estate investment and development advisor Delancey has teamed up with wellness organisation The Zen Project to fund and bring the Zen Bus to neighbourhoods across the UK. Including to Royal Priors, on Thursday 15th May, between 1pm – 4pm.
With free drop-in guided meditations, resilience workshops, practical wellness sessions and soundbaths, the initiative is designed to make wellbeing resources and experiences accessible to communities that often go without. For many people boarding the bus it may well be the first time they’ve paused all week, and in a world in which we are sadly still seeing a trend for a general decline in mental health, the bus and its sessions are needed more than ever. For full details of the activities available visit the link: The Zen Bus visit to Royal Priors
Mental Health: A Pressing Public Issue
The Zen Project’s work is grounded in stark statistics. According to the Office for National Statistics, over 67% of UK residents report ongoing concern about the impacts of COVID-19. Meanwhile, more than 76% of people say they have personal experience of mental health struggles—whether directly or through someone close to them. Anxiety, in particular, has surged since the pandemic, with over 65% of British workers expressing concern about returning to office life. Mental ill health is also now said to be the most common cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged 44 years and younger.
“These numbers tell us something important,” says Kaye Smith, co-founder of The Zen Project. “People are not just stressed—they’re overwhelmed. And many don’t know where to turn. That’s why we bring support straight to the street, to workplaces, to schools. The Zen Project is about showing people that wellbeing tools can be simple, practical, and part of everyday life.”
For Delancey Real Estate, the partnership reflects a broader mission to invest in communities—not just through bricks and mortar, but through meaningful social impact.
Jamie Ritblat, Founder and Executive Chairman of Delancey, explains why supporting this roadtrip is so important: “Supporting mental health is part of our commitment to the long-term success of the neighbourhoods where we operate. The Zen Bus will be visiting locations where we’re actively involved—places like Royal Priors, because we want to support people in these communities. This partnership is a reminder that property isn’t just about buildings — it’s also about helping build healthier, more connected societies.”
Over the course of the week, the Zen Bus will visit a number of other sites including Earls Court, Elephant & Castle Town Centre, Here East, Stratford, Christ Church, Southwark and Jean Stokes Community Centre in Islington. As well as a number of dedicated sessions for local schools and NHS key workers.
From School Run to Mindful Retreat
The Zen Bus’s transformation is as remarkable as its mission. Once a working school bus in the United States—making over 100,000 school runs—it now features a warm, wood-panelled interior, created using 140 pieces of reclaimed timber and countless hours of volunteer labour. The bus took 49 days to ship from New York to the UK and required the removal of 34 original seats to make way for calm zones and community seating areas.
In the lead-up to the tour, volunteers reportedly consumed over 1,000 cups of Yogi Tea—and clocked up thousands of hours in meditation to ensure the experience reflects the grounding principles of mindfulness and stillness.
In cities that never slow down, the Zen Project offers a rare opportunity: to stop, breathe, and take a moment. And sometimes, that’s exactly what people need most.
by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 24, 2025 | News
Families are invited to hop around Leamington town centre as part of a fun-filled Easter egg hunt with a difference – with a host of prizes up for grabs.
The Great Easter Egg Hunt will see participants search for Easter eggs hidden in the windows of shops, cafes and restaurants across the town centre between April 12 – 27 inclusive.
The egg-citing event organised by BID Leamington will feature three trails, and people are asked to have a cracking time finding Easter eggs with letters on and gathering the clues to discover the Easter Bunny’s three favourite things to do.
This year 75 businesses are taking part in the event, and those who correctly gather all of the clues will be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher to spend in the town plus there is a host of other prizes kindly donated by participating businesses.
Entry forms are available from participating shops, Leamington’s Visitor Information Centre and the upper mall of Royal Priors Shopping Centre or you can download the form here!
Completed entries can be posted at the Easter post box located at Cenu Cacao, 114 Regent Street or the BID Leamington office, in Park Court.
Alison Shaw, Project Manager at BID Leamington, said: “We’re very excited to invite people to take part in our Great Easter Egg Hunt.
“It will be a great opportunity to have fun while visiting some of our excellent businesses across the town centre.
“The event has been very well supported and we have some incredible prizes on offer, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the town centre this Easter.
