by Stephanie Kerr | Jul 7, 2023 | Blogs
Royal Leamington Spa…proud past, exciting present, fascinating future
In 1838, Queen Victoria granted the Royal Warrant to Leamington Spa. From that day onward it was Royal Leamington Spa.
In 1988, Queen Elizabeth II visited the town to unveil a plaque commemorating the 150th anniversary of the charter. The plaque sits proudly in the Town Hall, overlooking the Parade along which both monarchs travelled.
If either of their Majesties revisited Royal Leamington Spa in 2023, they would still recognise much: the handsome Town Hall; the Parade with its broad sweep of shops and cafes; magnificent Jephson Gardens; the elegant Pump Rooms. But they would also find a town which is fast-evolving. A place which embraces the future as passionately as it celebrates its history.
It was the creative entrepreneurial spirit within Leamington that first put the spa into this spa town. Acquisition of the Royal Warrant was driven not by the pursuit of status but by a culture of health and wellbeing. That culture still resonates. Creativity is threaded through the town’s history. It has a resounding track record of innovation, from automotive design to abstract art and from developing World War II camouflage to leadership in the 21st century digital creative sector.
Leamington Spa has a strong economy and vibrant business community and the reason for that transcends economic factors. It’s also about quality of life with a remarkably broad hospitality and shopping offer – 70 per cent of the town’s businesses are independent.
“It’s a town with excellent DNA,” said Stephanie Kerr, executive director at BID Leamington. “It really is a lovely place to live and work, and a wonderful place to visit. We are very lucky here because the town is so well-connected, externally and internally. It is very walkable and its wider links to cities, airports and universities are excellent.
“Of course, we are not immune to the challenges that are facing all town centres these days, but we are reacting to them. Businesses here are positively responding in a very creative and proactive way. There are also a number of exciting developments coming down the track for Leamington.”
Those developments include major projects powered by £10 million from the Future High Streets Fund. These improvements to the Town Hall and transformation of the Grade Two-listed United Reformed Church into state-of-the-art workspaces. Meanwhile, private investment is flowing into the town centre. Video game giant Sumo Digital has leased the top two floors of the newly renovated former House of Fraser department store on the Parade in a move which will bring 400 jobs later this year.
Supporting this investment is the legacy of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. The town hosted the bowls events at the Games and thousands of visitors were greeted by new signage around the town centre and an attractive new railway station forecourt.
Nearby, the green spaces of the ‘Spa Gardens’ extend through the heart of town alongside the River Leam. The Pump Room Gardens stretch from the historic Pump Rooms which were recently refurbished with a £1.4million Heritage Lottery Fund grant. The public realm space at Livery Street has become a renowned foodie hub while Jephson Gardens offer architectural features of a grandeur which convinced rock band Ocean Colour Scene to pose there for the cover of their 1996 album Moseley Shoals. Overlooking all is a Corinthian-style temple housing a marble statue of the eponymous Dr Henry Jephson whose mission, during 60 years as a Leamington resident (1818-1878) was to promote the healing properties of the towns’ spa waters. That drive for wellbeing continues to shape the town today.
Sport and leisure has long been integral to Leamington life. Victoria Park has hosted many national and international bowls tournaments. In 1872 the world’s first Lawn Tennis Club was formed in the town and ten years later Warwickshire County Cricket Club was founded at a meeting in the Regent Hotel. Leamington Football Club, nicknamed ‘the Brakes’ after a core product of industrial giant Automotive Products which employed thousands in the district for decades, is a great example of a small business supporting the local community.
Leamington also benefits from supportive local authorities. Warwickshire County Council, principally through its towns and regeneration teams, and Warwick District Council are deeply involved in numerous programmes and initiatives around the town. These include the Mill Street Exchange, an advice shop staffed by members of the County Council’s Economy & Skills team set in the public area at One Mill Street, a privately-run co-working space which has an immensely positive and supportive community of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
For centuries, Leamington has drawn visitors from across the world for both business and leisure purposes. In the last 30 years, another string has been added to its bow as it emerged as a hotbed of digital creative excellence and the Video Game Development Sector, in particular. Leamington’s tech sector has been entrusted with the legacy of some of the most famous characters in the world. Mickey Mouse, Shrek, Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-Man have all continued their adventures in video game studios in the centre of town. With over 3,500 employees across 83 studios, Leamington Spa is the largest games cluster outside London & the South West in the UK, equating to well over 10% of the total game development employment in the country. There’s no doubting that Royal Leamington Spa is a global powerhouse of video game development. Queen Victoria might need a bit of time to gen up on the subject, but she would definitely approve…!
by Stephanie Kerr | May 9, 2023 | Blogs
Heartbreak Productions is back for its 31st Year of bringing Unique Outdoor Theatre Experiences to audiences across the UK. Every summer they pack up the vans and bid a cheerful farewell to their teams of actors. From Cornwall to Aberdeenshire, in the sunshine or the rain, Heartbreak audiences gather at National Trust properties, garden centres, and city parks to partake of what is a traditional part of a British summer – open-air theatre.
When it comes to theatre in the great outdoors, nobody does it like Heartbreak. Familiar British classics are often framed in alternate settings. Actors weave in and out of the audience, occasionally purloining something from a picnic, and sometimes an audience member will be requested onstage to “help” with a particular part of the play.
This year Heartbreak brings three brand new titles to its repertoire. Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility invites all the ladies and gentlemen to the Matchmaker’s Ball, where Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are eager to meet gentlemen of amiable countenance and good fortune. Based on an original piece of writing by Michael Davies, MacHamLear, pits the most-loved Shakespearean tragedies against each other in the Battle of Bard. David Walliams’ Bad Dad completes the trio. This modern family favourite follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship with chases, escapes, disguises, and a comedic auntie with literary aspirations to round it all off nicely.
Maddy Kerr, Heartbreak’s Executive Director, says “We are delighted to be premiering three brand-new shows this summer. We are also sensitive to the fact that times are still very uncertain for so many. With this in mind we are continuing to offer Pay What You Can tickets at several venues, BSL interpreted performances, complimentary tickets for carers, and discounts for NHS employees. We want anyone who would like to experience theatre to have that opportunity. With an eye on sustainability, we are planting trees this summer to help counteract the environmental effects of touring, and all the paper used for our programmes is sourced from sustainable FSC forests and include recycled pulp fibbers. Our printers also Carbon Capture our order by planting trees with the Woodland Trust.”
Heartbreak will be in its hometown, Leamington Spa May 31st – June 11th. They’ll be performing at the beautiful Jephson Gardens, before they head off to destinations around the UK. So, pack a picnic, grab something to sit on and either your sun cream or your rain poncho and head to Jephson Gardens for a unique outdoor theatre experience. Tickets and further information can be found on the Heartbreak website www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk
by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 9, 2023 | News
Mothers’ Day is going to be ‘parfait’ this year, as Leamington Spa French restaurant creates a mouth-watering menu in celebration of the nation’s mother figures.
Bistrot Pierre, in the heart of Leamington Spa, is inviting families to say “Merci Maman” on Sunday 19th March, with a specially-designed three course menu, for the whole family enjoy.
Available to relish all day, guests can choose from a range of Bistrot classics, including a fricassee de champignons and chicken liver parfait, as well as a range of new dishes, introduced especially for the occasion.
Pan fried salmon with a citrus hollandaise and a delightful risotto vert will join Bistrot Pierre favourites, including the signature boeuf bourguignon and Sunday staple – the roast, with unlimited Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and gravy.
To finish, diners will be spoilt for choice from a delectable selection of desserts, including the French classics, the Paris-Brest and a tarte au chocolat, both new especially for Mothers’ Day.
And for those lucky Club Bistrot Pierre members, each booking’s celebratory guest of choice will be gifted a delicious complimentary Elderflower and Raspberry G&T. With everything prepared by the talented Bistrot Pierre chefs and mixologists, the whole family can relax and enjoy quality time together on this special occasion.
“We are delighted to be welcoming families to celebrate with us this Mothers’ Day”, says Nick White, CEO of Bistrot Pierre, “We have carefully prepared our menu, with delicious and varied ingredients, and combining our hero dishes with wonderful new additions, which we can’t wait for our guests to enjoy.
“We hope that Bistrot Pierre will provide the perfect location for our guests to say thank you to their loved one this Mothers’ Day and enjoy an extra special treat together.”
The Mother’s Day menu is £24.95 for three courses and is available all day on Sunday 19th March only.
For further information about Bistrot Pierre and to book a table, visit: www.bistrotpierre.co.uk
Find them at 28 Park St, Leamington Spa, CV32 4QN
Phone 01926 426261
by Stephanie Kerr | Dec 8, 2022 | News
You can’t beat a festive tipple and when it comes to Christmas cocktails in Leamington town centre there are plenty of options.
From quirky cocktails to classic drinks, there’s a whole range of bars in Leamington offering the perfect place for a festive cocktail. Book in for after-work drinks, a few cocktails after your festive dinner or celebration, or take advantage of cocktail offers and bottomless brunches.
Here are a few suggestions for Christmas cocktail options in Leamington town centre, but don’t forget to check our full directory for every drinks option you’ll need this festive season.
Hart + Co.
Boasting the quirkiest cocktails in what they confess are the ‘pinkest surroundings’, Hart + Co. is one of the jewels in Leamington’s cocktail crown. They’re doing a festive version of their popular brunches, which includes cocktails galore, as well as plenty of photo opportunities.
Check out their Christmas cocktail options and other festive celebrations here.
Bedford Street
Bar and jazz eaterie Bedford Street is a great spot for any celebration, including Christmas.
The music venue doesn’t just boast a late bar and a garden terrace, but also offers Igloo Hire, which are a great option for festive drinks and fun. Visit their website here.
Fizzy Moon Brewhouse
Fizzy Moon Brewhouse & Grill is well known for its microbrewery and huge gin selection, but it’s also a great option for Christmas cocktails or a bite to eat.
As well as festive buffet options and three-course meals, they’re offering drinks packages and their impressive ‘Fizzy’s welcome festive trees’ that are guaranteed to go down a storm for your Christmas celebration. Check them out here.
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay’s 2-4-1 happy hour is a popular choice for cocktail-lovers all year round, and the festive season is no different.
For a Christmas celebration with a Caribbean vibe, head to the Regent Court venue for 2-4-1 cocktails, and maybe a bite to eat too. Visit their website here for menus and details.
Villa Capri
Villa Capri is best known as an Italian restaurant but is also home to a luxurious Lounge perfect for enjoying some festive cocktails in Leamington.
Offering everything from cocktails to wines and aperitivo, it’s just the place for any occasion all year round, including Christmas drinks with colleagues or festive fun with the family. Find out more about their cocktails and mocktails here.
Las Iguanas
When it comes to Christmas drinks, Las Iguanas has you covered. The Latin American bar and restaurant is helping you celebrate Christmas with an extra hit of festive fizz thanks to its ‘Navidad Nights’ offering late-night Bottomless Brunch on selected dates in December.
If it’s just the drinks you’re after, enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails all day every day – perfect for those Christmas cocktails. Check out more information here.
House
House Leamington, offer a selection of Christmas cocktails for your enjoyment this festive season.
They offer everything from House and Premium cocktails to Virgin options for those who don’t fancy an alcoholic drink and ‘Party Starters’ for those who can’t wait to get on the dancefloor. Find out about how to get in those last few drinks at House on their website.
Don’t forget to book in with your favourite local venue for Christmas cocktails or a Christmas meal to remember. Check out all of Leamington’s food and drink venues on our Taste Leamington directory here.
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 22, 2022 | Blogs
It’s never too early to start planning your festive celebrations, and Leamington town centre is the perfect place for a Christmas meal, whether with colleagues, friends or family.
Book now for a festive meal to suit everyone’s tastes, whether you go for a traditional Christmas meal, or a world food option from one of Leamington’s many restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.
The list is long but we’ve picked out 10 places to look at for your festive meal in Leamington, but head over to our full website for all the places you could choose. Just make sure you book early – it’s going to be a busy time in the town.
The Drawing Board
Always a popular choice for great food and fun, The Drawing Board has a special Christmas Party menu. Don’t forget to check out their trademark tapas too. Visit their website here.
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay is bringing a Caribbean Christmas to Leamington with two and three-course festive menus in what they call a ‘laid back festive feasting experience’. There’s also a bottomless brunch experience and their normal late-night happy hour. For more information, visit turtlebay.co.uk/christmas
The Royal Pug
Popular neighbourhood pub The Royal Pug serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, real ales, fine wines, cocktails, and Sunday roasts all year round and this festive season they’re adding Christmas menus as well as sharing planks to the offering. Check them out here.
Cote
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or need space for a bigger group, Cote is offering a three-course festive menu available from 30th November to Christmas Eve. Visit their website here.
Casa Valle
For a Mediterranean feel to your Christmas meal, get booked in at Casa Valle for a two or three course meal with the option to add some fizz on arrival. You’ll find more information on their website.
Bistrot Pierre
For a French-inspired festive feast, head to Bistrot Pierre. They’ve got special festive menus plus drinks packages to accompany your special Christmas meal. Check out their website for all their offerings here.
Las Iguanas
Plan a festive fiesta at Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas. They’ve got something on the menu for everyone, from a two or three-course feast to the return of their late-night Bottomless Brunches. Find out more here.
Bedford Street
Boasting live music and a late bar, Bedford Street isn’t just a place for Christmas drinks, offering festive lunches and dinners as well as buffet options. You can even hire an igloo for your festive Christmas meal. Check out their website here.
The White Horse
The White Horse has put together a selection of great dishes to enjoy this festive season. They’ve got festive food menus as well as kids’ options and buffet choices too. Visit their website and start planning your Christmas meal in Leamington today.
Middletons Steakhouse
Middletons Steakhouse is offering Christmas party set menus, or you can order from their a la carte menu. There’s the option to add drinks packages and it just might be the perfect place for your festive feast. Check out all the options here.
Don’t forget to book in early for your festive meal in Leamington town centre. Check out all of Leamington’s food and drink venues on our Taste Leamington directory here.
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 3, 2022 | News
The Open 2022, an exciting exhibition providing a showcase for artists living and working in the West Midlands, is now officially open and Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum has been inundated with fabulous reviews from visitors so far. Here are just a few:
“What a wonderful, diverse selection of exhibits, something of everything, large and small. What talent and imagination”
“My second visit and I’ve seen even more beauty!”
“Love it! A vibrant show”
“Excellent standard of work”
Last seen in 2019, the Open has been a regular and popular feature of Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s (LSAG&M) programme since the 1930s. Open 2022 is an eclectic mix of artistic forms, with previous ‘Opens’ featuring, amongst others, sculpture, photography, installation pieces, computer generated imagery and textiles.
An independent panel of judges have selected artworks for the exhibition and the winner of the Open 2022 Award was awarded on launch night. Mark Elsmore has won £1,000 for his stunning watercolour Gouache entitled ‘Playlist’. You can see his work on display now.
The exhibition provides an opportunity to vote for your favourite artwork, which will receive the People’s Choice Award of £500. Visitors can vote for their favourite piece of art by filling in a voting slip. Voting closes on Sunday 11th December.
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum Open 2022 – Friday 7th October – Sunday 8th January | Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum website: www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms/site/index.php
Open 2022 webpage:
leamingtonopen2022.artopps.co.uk/
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 25, 2022 | News
Over the last month, Belvoir! has supported Myton Hospice by taking part in a sponsored skydive and their recent Charity Golf Day!
John and Conors skydive was from 13,000ft, once you exit the airplane you accelerate to 120 mph, covering each thousand feet in approximately five seconds. At 5,000ft the instructor deploys the parachute and guides you to a safe landing. “John and Conor said it was the most amazing feeling when you initially free fall, completely exhilarating! They managed to raise £1000 in aid of Myton Hospice for the skydive in a short amount of time due to signing up for the skydive on 2 days notice.
Also… Belvoir! had an amazing day at Myton Hospice Charity Golf Day. Hosted by Myton Hospice, Belvoir! entered 3 teams into the day and sponsored a hole. It was held at Finham Golf Club in Coventry where over 20 local business entered a team in to play. They had an amazing day and they will be attending this amazing event for years to come in aid of such a brilliant cause.
A big thank you to our family, team, friends, contractors and landlords for their kind donations.
Take a look here to find out more about Belvoir! and Myton Hospice!
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 14, 2022 | News
A popular music shop in Leamington is marking 36 years of trading with a move to bigger premises.
Presto Music, one of the UK’s premier sources of sheet music, classical and jazz recordings, musical instruments, accessories and music gifts, is relocating to new premises.
Presto Music opened in 1986 as a specialist classical recording retailer, loved by many and visited by thousands of customers. The store has seen a number of locations: its most recent, 7 Park Street, is where the business has grown into what it is today.
The current shop will close at 1pm on 20 October and, after the move, customers will be able to find the new store at 23 Regent Grove, CV32 4NN, from 24 October.
The new site is a 7,000 sq. ft purpose-built location and will continue to stock the wide range of instruments and accessories, recordings, printed music and gifts that music lovers have enjoyed throughout the years, with an expanded range of next-step instruments, specifically curated for the advancing beginner and beyond.
Phyllida Martignetti, Shop Manager of Presto Music, said: “We are so thrilled to be able to offer our very loyal customer base a new, vibrant store in the form of our Regent Grove location. The new store will bring with it expanded instrument ranges, such as Pearl flutes, Yanagisawa saxophones, Blackstar acoustic amplifiers, Faith guitars and several instruments from Conn Selmer, catering for all students and players up to a semi-professional standard, which is incredibly exciting, along with the reintroduction of our events, concerts and album launch series.”
The store will also house a multipurpose space for community focussed events and experiences such as: masterclasses, product launches, demonstrations, workshops, group music lessons and a performance area for album launch events and local concerts. The offices, where the editorial, content and customer experience teams operate, will also be located on the new premises.
The current rental scheme will also be available on a selection of string, woodwind and brass instruments: the perfect solution for those who want to make sure a new instrument is the right one before committing to a purchase.
The store will continue to offer a repair service, carried out by our two experienced instrument technicians working in store, particularly focused on the areas of brass and woodwind.
Jonny Brading, Commercial Director of Presto Music, said: “Our vision is to offer an inclusive, enhanced musical environment for our customers, where they can visit and benefit from our newly created in-house team of instrument specialists. It’s an exciting time to bring something new to the music retail industry”.
Chris O’Reilly, CEO of Presto Music, said: “We believe passionately in the power of music to enrich lives, and are very excited by the opportunities our new expanded store will bring to the people of Warwickshire and indeed the whole Midlands area. We’ll be bringing world class musicians to Leamington Spa to launch their new albums and inspire the next generation”.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday: 9am to 5.30pm.
About Presto Music
Based in Royal Leamington Spa in the UK, Presto Music is the UK’s leading ecommerce site for classical and jazz recordings (CDs, DVDs, high quality downloads and vinyl), printed music, music books and musical instruments. Founded in 1986 as a small high street shop, the Presto Music website was started in 2001 and has grown into one of the most significant online sites for music products in the world.
With over 160,000 classical recordings, over 70,000 jazz recordings, over 800,000 sheet music titles, more than 35,000 music books and over 30,000 musical instruments to browse and purchase online (of which tens of thousands are in stock and available for immediate dispatch), Presto offers an extensive catalogue to suit musicians and music-lovers, accepting payment in 15 different currencies and shipping to over 200 countries worldwide.
Alongside its wide-ranging catalogue, decades of experience, excellent customer service and staff with expert classical music knowledge, Presto prides itself on outstanding data and unique editorial content, ranging from reviews of new products to exclusive interviews with artists and composers, researched and written by the in-house editorial team.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 13, 2022 | News
Leamington’s Pumpkin Path returns this month for a ghostly glowing programme of events.
This interactive event for all the family, which is organised by BID Leamington, has two trails where families can search for clues that appear on little orange pumpkins in 66 of Leamington town centre’s shops windows from Saturday, October 22 to Monday, October 31.
The clues will reveal the place to find the ‘Scary Post Box’ where pumpkin hunters should post their entry form for a chance to win some fabulous prizes in the prize draw.
In the Prize Draw, visitors have an opportunity to win over £1,000 worth of prizes, which have been kindly donated by Leamington’s businesses.
These include an afternoon tea experience at Enchanted, fitness treatments from Therapy and Fitness, and gift vouchers and prizes courtesy of Middletons, Hotel Chocolat, Bistrot Pierre, Esquires Coffee, Ember Home, Cotswold Trading, and Hart Restaurant as well as a £200 gift voucher for Lee Longlands and a £200 Gift Experience at Venture Photography plus many more.
Everyone who collects ALL the clues will be entered into the Grand Prize Draw to win £200 of treats for the family.
The ‘Scary Post Box’ closes at 5pm on Monday, October 31, with people still able to post their entry forms to BID Leamington in Park Street before Wednesday, November 2.
As well as the Pumpkin Path, there are plenty more spooktacular thrills around town including the Spookysaurus Dinosaur Show.
It features two 30-minute shows on the Upper Mall in Royal Priors on Sunday, October 23 plus an opportunity to experience roaring dinosaurs up close and personal during their walkabouts around town (check website for times).
Or if you want to strike a pose, the Royal Priors Shopping Centre has set up a Spooky Selfie Station in their Lower Mall from 22 until 30 October, for all your showstopping spooky needs.
There will be a giant spider, inflatable pumpkins and spooky stilt walkers in Regent Court on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 and a face painter and scary stilt walker at the Sunday Market on Parade between 11am and 3pm at on October 30.
BID Leamington also has lantern packs in readiness for the Lantern Parade on Sunday, December 4 which can be collected from their office at 35c Park Court, Park Street, between 10am and 3pm from Monday, October 23 (Monday to Friday only) as a half-term activity for £5 each.
Alison Shaw, Project Manager at BID Leamington, said: “It’s lovely to mark the spooky season in Leamington with so many different events and activities.
“With a range of amazing prizes to be won in the Prize Draw, the Pumpkin Path over the two routes is fun for all the family.
“We are looking forward to families exploring Leamington’s town centre for spooky clues to uncover the mysterious post box.
“We hope that these events will attract families into the town centre and bring plenty of fun and laughter this month.”
Download the form HERE or you can pick up a copy from the Royal Priors Shopping Centre or Visitor Information Centre between 22nd to 31st October.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 13, 2022 | News
The OPEN 2022 exhibition is now open at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. A Private View took place on Thursday 6th October and the overall Winner selected from a total of 350 pieces, was revealed as Mark Elsmore, with his stunning painting entitled ‘Playlist’ – Watercolour Gouache. Warwick District Council’s Chairman, Mini Mangat was in attendance to present the lucky winner with his £1000 prize.
Mark said, “Listening to music, deep in thought. The Playlist she is hearing is the soundtrack of her life.” I was in Vienna with an aim to paint architecture, but it was impossible not to notice the young woman looking so interesting and painterly. I spotted her from a distance, she was sitting outside a church. She seemed lost in her thoughts, but getting closer I noticed her red boots tapping to the rhythm of the beat from her earphones… Lost in music?
She was a tourist like me, enjoying the sunshine. I tentatively asked if she would mind me taking a couple of photos for a possible painting. Bemused she shrugged her approval. The spell was broken as soon as she looked up but eventually I managed to get her to resume the original pose.
I worked on the painting back at home.
Her likeness is good. I’ve altered a few things to help the narrative. The image is quiet, a good contrast to the lively sounds and thoughts within her head. I’ve changed her hair a bit to suggest a breeze and give an almost ethereal feeling. I’m trying to capture more than a still image.
I have a theory that the music you imagine she is listening to will colour your own thoughts about her story.
The independent judging panel (Stacey Barnfield, Victoria Smith and Otto Saumarez-Smith) awarded some ‘Highly Commended’ pieces and these along with all of the chosen entries are now on display in the temporary gallery at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum. Visitors to the gallery can also vote for their favourite artwork, which will receive the coveted People’s Choice Award of £500 and will be announced towards the end of the exhibition, in December.
Last seen in 2019, the Open has been a regular popular feature of Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s programme since the 1930s. OPEN 2022 is an eclectic mix of artistic forms, with previous Opens featuring, amongst others, sculpture, photography, installation pieces, computer generated imagery and textiles
Both prizes are kindly donated by Friends of Leamington Art Gallery (FLAG).
Admission to the Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum is free. Opening hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
(Photo: Open Winner Mark Elsmore with Warwick District Chairman, Mini Mangat)
