by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 9, 2025 | Latest 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 and provided the festival soundtrack, featuring a wide mix of live music from the ever-popular Room 17, Abi Rowberry and Sam Lawrence, to 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.
Photo credit: Steph Kerr
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 | Mar 17, 2025 | Latest News
The Lights of Leamington team is delighted to celebrate the success of the Lights of Leamington Festival 2025 and wishes to thank everyone who attended, supported, and helped bring this extraordinary event to life.
Launching on the 8th of February, 6,000 people visited the ‘Switched on Stories’ exhibition at All Saints Church which explored the festival’s rich history. Then from February 19th to 23rd, an astounding 39,000 people visited Jephson Gardens for Spotlight Festival, which featured a beautiful light show produced by SLX. Other festival highlights were two sold-out Candlelight Concerts and two nights of dancing in the gardens at a Silent Disco.
To celebrate, the Lights of Leamington team have launched a Photography Showcase, inviting attendees to submit their best festival images and videos. Details on how to take part are available on the festival website, with submissions open until Monday 7th April, 2025.
Stephanie Kerr, BID Leamington said “We saw so many phones and cameras capturing the magic and we loved seeing what was posted online, including the creative films that were made.”
“With the help of Nat from Gallery Photiq, we would now love to view the festival through your eyes, and showcase some of your favourite images and films that capture your moments of wow, joy and creativity.”
The event brought the community together in many creative ways, with over 650 children taking part in free half-term workshops, crafting Dyah Lamps and contributing to a glowing mural of angel wings.
Visitors also enjoyed ‘The Power of Love’ heart trail around the town centre, and the unveiling of a new permanent mural commissioned by BID Leamington at the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, and created by BRINK Contemporary Arts in collaboration with @mig29_murals.
Led by a voluntary steering group formed in 2020, Spotlight Festival was directed by Stephanie Kerr of BID Leamington and produced by Kate Livingston of Slate Events. Many volunteers, local businesses, and partners also helped bring the festival to life. Special thanks go to our volunteers, Charlie Sabin, Jo Derviller from Imaginate Creative, and Pete Smith from PSL Distribution for their support.
Warwick District Council UKSPF grant funding and sponsorship from the Royal Leamington Spa Town Council played a crucial role in ensuring that the majority of the festival was free to attend, as the team was committed to making it accessible and supporting local businesses.
As we look to the future, we are eager to gather feedback to shape upcoming projects. We encourage attendees and community members to share their thoughts through the survey available on our festival website.
For more information about the photography showcase, to submit images, or to provide feedback, please visit https://lightsofleamington.co.uk/gallery/
Our sincere thanks to everyone who made Lights of Leamington ‘Spotlight Festival 2025’ and ‘Switched on Stories’ such a success!
Notes:
Our official website: lightsofleamington.co.uk.
To view details of the photography showcase, including how to submit and the gallery, see: https://lightsofleamington.co.uk/gallery/
To compete our survey, see: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9RQQQJ
To learn more about the Lights of Leamington story, see: https://lightsofleamington.co.uk/news-info/background/
Contact:
Email: info@lightsofleamington.co.uk
Follow us on social media:
By the Lake – Light Show details:
The light show named ‘By the Lake’ was produced by SLX. Alex Keighley was the Creative Producer and Tom Trick the Lighting and Programming Designer. The music was also ‘light inspired’, using the tracks Lumen and Chroma by Mark Petrie.
Photo credit: James Callaghan.
by Stephanie Kerr | Feb 20, 2025 | Latest News
The Lights of Leamington Spotlight Festival 2025 opened in spectacular fashion last night, with over 3,000 attendees gathering to witness the breathtaking ‘By the Lake’ light show. Set against a stunning backdrop, this stunning display of light and colour captivated audiences and was even featured LIVE on ITV Central News.
Over 200 attendees were enchanted by the sold-out Candlelight Concert in All Saints Church Leamington, where the Signature String Quartet delivered a magical performance, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and music.
In the Pump Room Gardens, crowds were left enchanted by the bandstand illuminated by LAMP Leamington, which showed the park in the new light. Meanwhile, in Jephson Gardens, the dazzling spinning disco ball heart by Jephson’s Clock Tower was a highlight. This sparkling feature will take centre stage once again during the Silent Disco events on Friday and Saturday nights, promising even more unforgettable moments.
The festival continues for four more nights until Sunday, 23rd February, running from 5pm to 9pm each evening. Food and drink is also available at The Aviary Cafe and Riverside Glasshouse, which has been renamed Jephson Tavern to reflect past times.
In addition to the awe-inspiring light displays, visitors can enjoy a range of free activities, including free workshops, trails and competitions throughout Leamington town centre, making it a perfect outing for all ages.
For full details on events and attractions please explore this website (or visit us www.lightsofleamington.co.uk).
The cover photo and beautiful images below are credited to: James Callaghan (details – click here).
by Stephanie Kerr | Feb 13, 2025 | Latest News
The Power of Love!
Royal Leamington Spa is set to be filled with love this February 14 with the launch of ‘The Power of Love’ trail. A trail of five spectacular giant, artist-decorated hearts can be found in key locations across the town centre. Each heart celebrates a unique aspect of Leamington’s vibrant culture and community while carrying inspiring messages of love and connection.
Running from 14 February – 02 March, The Power of Love trail offers residents and visitors alike a creative and interactive experience, making it the perfect way to celebrate the season of love while exploring everything the town has to offer. The trail forms part of the wider Spotlight Festival, an exciting celebration featuring dazzling light installations and a packed programme of events throughout the February half-term school holiday.
Each heart is beautifully designed by artists and inspired by different themes that showcase the heart and soul of life in the town centre. The ‘Love Nights Out’ disco heart also offers a special surprise, as this will be a feature of the Silent Disco in Jephson Gardens on the 21 and 22 of February as part of Spotlight 2025.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “We are thrilled to bring The Power of Love Trail to Leamington as part of the Spotlight Festival and our Love Leam month. These beautiful hearts celebrate everything that makes our town so special—our community, our businesses, and our vibrant culture. We hope everyone can take some time to explore the trail, enjoy the festivities, and share the love this February”.
The trail, organised by BID Leamington, is the creation of Tilley Bancroft from Making Trails and also benefits from the support of various local organisations. We wish to extend thanks to Royal Leamington Spa Town Council for their support, and to local venues who have offered locations, including Regent Court Shopping Centre, Royal Priors Shopping Centre, All Saints Church Leamington and Warwick District Council.
Nicola Cormell, Royal Priors Centre Manager said: “We’re very pleased to have Royal Priors included on the Power of Love Trail. These amazing hearts are a wonderful way to reflect the town centre’s culture while connecting the community. The artists have done a wonderful job. The Love Local, Shop Local theme of the heart here at Royal Priors celebrates the unique charm of Leamington town centre, and with each of the five hearts carrying a unique design we’re sure they will prove very popular with visitors as they explore the trail.”
Visitors can follow the trail using the Love Leam App, or maps which are available online and in visitor locations around town. Adding to the fun, visitors can also take part in a competition to win £100 to spend in the town centre! To enter, simply share a photo of your favourite hearts on social media using #LoveLeamHeartTrail and tag @LightsofLeamington (or an account listed below).
Whether you’re adding some fun to Valentine’s Day, or simply looking to enjoy a creative and uplifting experience ‘The Power of Love’ trail is not to be missed!
Download the trail map (PDF – Click here) (JPG – Click here).
Details of the trail locations, and the competition are below. Tickets for the Silent Disco are available on Eventbrite or via links on our whats on page.
Find us:
- Instagram @Love Leamington and @LightsofLeamington
- Facebook @RoyalLeamingtonSpaTownCentre and @LightsofLeamington
- TikTok @Love Leamington
#LoveLeamHeartTrail #PowerofLoveLeamington
NOTES:
Creation and Design
Brought to you by BID Leamington, the trail is the creation of Tilley Bancroft from Making Trails, who also designed the ‘Love Community’ and ‘Love Nature’ hearts. ‘Love Local’ and ‘Love Yourself’ was designed by Lynne Hollingsworth and Fran Vid created ‘Love Nights Out’.
Locations, themes and supporters:
Love Nights Out – Let Your Hair Down
Celebrate your unique sparkle and enjoy fun-filled nights out!
Proudly supported by BID Leamington, Slate Events, & WDC Events
Location: Clock Tower, Jephson Gardens
/// pays.radio.cracks (https://w3w.co/pays.radio.cracks)
Google – Clock Tower – Click Here
___
Love Yourself – Take Some ‘Me Time’
Indulge in relaxation, take time for self-care or enjoy a treat!
Proudly supported by BID Leamington
Location: Regent Court Shopping Centre
/// spoke.fever.given (https://w3w.co/spoke.fever.given)
Google – Click here
___
Love Community – Share the Love, Volunteer, Offer Thanks
Reflect on the power of community and the joy of giving back.
Proudly supported by All Saints Parish Church
Location: All Saints Church
/// model.pounds.rival (https://w3w.co/model.pounds.rival)
Google – Click Here
___
Love Local – Shop Local: Visit Your Favourite Places!
Support local businesses and celebrate the unique charm of Leamington town centre.
Proudly supported by Royal Leamington Spa Town Council
Location: Royal Priors, Waterstones
/// pitch.apple.closed (https://w3w.co/pitch.apple.closed)
Google – click here.
___
Love Nature – Breathe In Our Beautiful Green Spaces
Celebrate the tranquillity and beauty of Leamington’s gorgeous green spaces.
Proudly supported by Warwick District Council Green Spaces
Location: Christchurch Gardens
/// pepper.bottom.lime (https://w3w.co/pepper.bottom.lime)
Google – Click here.
___
Power of Love Snap & Win Competition Details:
- To enter, simply share a photo of your favourite hearts on social media using #LoveLeamHeartTrail and tag one of the accounts below:
- Instagram @Love Leamington and @LightsofLeamington
- Facebook @RoyalLeamingtonSpaTownCentre and @LightsofLeamington
- TikTok @Love Leamington
- The prize, is to a maximum value of £100.00
- The competition will run from 14th February 2025 until 5pm on Sunday 2nd March 2025.
- The Entries will be comprised of people who have taken a photo of one of the five ‘Power of Love Trail’ giant hearts and posted this image publicly, including #LoveLeamHeartTrail with relevant tags, on their own social media account in the timeframe of the promotion.
- Up to five entries per social media account featuring each of the five different hearts in each location, will qualify to enter the completion.
- The account holder must also tag one of the accounts below and use hashtag #LoveLeamPowerofLove.
- The Winner will be randomly selected from identified qualifying posts on Tuesday 4th March 2025 and notified via their social media account shortly after.
- The Promoter will offer The Winner the choice of redeeming vouchers totalling the maximum value of the Prize Draw from businesses who have the ability to offer vouchers in the period of the competition and are listed on the https://royal-leamington-spa.co.uk/ website in the business directory.
For full Terms and Conditions please click here (PDF download).
by Stephanie Kerr | Feb 4, 2025 | Latest News
This February, Leamington Spa’s town centre will be aglow as it welcomes the inaugural Spotlight Festival 2025. Inspired by the historic Lights of Leamington, this reimagined celebration will run from February 8th to March 2nd, featuring mesmerising light displays, interactive installations, and community-driven events designed to captivate residents and visitors alike.
The festival seeks to honour the legacy of the original Lights of Leamington, a beloved event held in Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961, which drew thousands with its spectacular illuminations. Spotlight Festival 2025 will blend nostalgic elements with modern artistic expressions, rekindling community spirit while introducing fresh and immersive experiences.
With a mix of free and ticketed events, the festival offers something for all ages, celebrating light, creativity, and community engagement.
Festival Highlights
Free Events:
- Switched On Stories Exhibition – Feb 8–23, All Saints Church, daily till 5pm
A captivating display of memorabilia and memories from the original Lights of Leamington festival, offering a nostalgic journey through time.
- By The Lake – Feb 19–23, Jephson Gardens, 5pm – 9pm
Experience an enchanting light display around the lake, transforming the gardens into a magical wonderland. Find lights, music, performances, refreshments & more.
- Live Music at Jephson Tavern aka Riverside House (7pm – 9pm)
- Thursday, Feb 20 – Freya & Banoffee
- Friday, Feb 21 – Hannah Woof
- Saturday, Feb 22 – Jack Hopkinson
- The Power of Love & Magic Windows trails – Feb 14–Mar 2, Town Centre
A heartwarming interactive trail celebrating love in all its forms, inviting visitors to explore the town centre through a series of inspiring installations.
- Light Dance – Feb 19 & 20, Pump Room Gardens, 5pm – 9pm
View the incredible light spectacle created by local students from LAMP.
Free Workshops – February Half Term
- Diya Lamp Workshop – Feb 19, All Saints Church, 11 – 1pm
A captivating display of memorabilia and memories from the original Lights of Leamington festival.
- Light Art Workshop – Feb 20 & 21, Pump Room Gallery & Museum, 1:30 – 3:00pm
Create a unique lantern (20th) or a microphone and glasses (21st) perfect for joining in the silent disco.
- Taking Flight Angel Wings Workshop 1 – Feb 20, Jephson Gardens Glass House, 6pm – 8pm
Let your inner glow take flight and contribute to a glowing community mural.
- Taking Flight Angel Wings Workshop 2 – Feb 22, Royal Priors Shopping Centre, 11am – 4pm
Let your inner glow take flight and contribute to a glowing community mural.
Ticketed Experiences:
- Concert by Candlelight (Feb 19, All Saints Church)
An intimate candlelit concert featuring the renowned Leamington-based Signature String Quartet.
- Silent Disco (Feb 21–22, Jephson Gardens)
Dance under the stars at a vibrant silent disco in the heart of the festival’s illuminated landscapes.
- Moonlight Film Screenings (Feb 15–19, Spa Centre)
A special series of light-inspired films, bringing cinematic magic to the festival’s lineup.
Festival Director Kate Livingston expressed excitement about the event, stating:
“Spotlight Festival 2025 is about bringing our community together to celebrate creativity and shared history. As this is our inaugural year, we’ve curated a program that honours the past while looking to the future. We hope to inspire joy and participation from all corners of our community.”
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, emphasised the festival’s broader impact:
“Our aim is to infuse the town centre with colour and life this February, cultivating an atmosphere of discovery and warmth. This festival is a labour of love, supported by many local individuals and organisations, for which we are deeply grateful. With the community’s support, we envision this event growing in the coming years.”
Spotlight Festival 2025 offers a unique opportunity to explore Leamington Spa in a new light—whether revisiting cherished memories or creating new ones.
For more details, ticket information, and ways to get involved please explore this website!
Let’s illuminate Leamington together this February!
Images from the Swiitech on Stories Exhibition.
by Stephanie Kerr | Dec 4, 2024 | Latest News
Hundreds of families welcomed in the festive season at an annual event which saw a dazzling display of lanterns light up Leamington town centre.
Leamington’s 14th annual Lantern Parade saw residents and visitors parade homemade paper lanterns through the town for this year’s sparkling spectacular.
Participants created hundreds of lanterns for this much-loved event based on dragons, mythical creatures, unicorns, fish and Peppa Pig, as well as traditional snowmen and Christmas trees, and lanterns inspired by their favourite animals.
The evening featured a host of entertainment including stilt walkers who led the parade, and music from David Harrop, the Methodist Choir, and Royal Spa Brass and culminated at the Town Hall with an appearance from Santa and carol singing.
The Lantern Parade, organised by BID Leamington, is inspired by ‘The Lights of Leamington’ event, which lit up Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961.
Alison Shaw, BID Leamington project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who joined us for this year’s Lantern Parade to welcome in the festive season.
“It’s always an incredibly popular event which forms part of people’s Christmas traditions which is wonderful.
“We had some spectacular lanterns made for the occasion, with some truly creative designs which delighted participants and spectators.
“Also, we would like to thank our local businesses who support this event and all our wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly year-on-year to make the event such a success.
“It was also a fantastic opportunity to get people into the town centre, and we would encourage everyone to continue to shop local this Christmas.”
BID Leamington still has a number of other festive events coming up including Festive Fun trails around town running from 01 – 22 December and Santa visits on 03 and 12 December Christmas Angels will add some sparkle to the town centre on Small Business Saturday 07 December.
For more information, visit www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 20, 2024 | Latest News
A spooktacular Halloween treasure hunt is set to return to Leamington town centre – with £1,000 worth of prizes 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 26 and Sunday, November 3 for the opportunity to win a host of prizes donated by Leamington businesses.
This year’s frightfully fun family event will feature three trails and participants will be tasked with finding an orange pumpkin in each of the shop windows which contains a letter.
Once the trail is completed, the letters will reveal the location of the ‘Halloween Book posting box’ where entry forms can be posted.
Families who gather at least 10 clues will be entered into the prize draw, while those who gather all of the clues will be entered into the grand prize draw to be in with a chance of winning £200 worth of treats.
Entry forms are available to download at www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk 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 a fantastic annual event that is enjoyed by hundreds of families every year.
“It is an opportunity to get into the Halloween spirit while rediscovering some of the businesses across the town centre, or even finding some new favourites.
“The event is always very well supported by businesses, and we have some excellent prizes that have been donated.
“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 3 at 10.00pm. 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 5.
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 9, 2024 | Latest News
This past weekend, thousands flocked to the Pump Rooms Gardens for the Leamington Food and Drink Festival, a two-day culinary extravaganza that showcased the region’s finest food and beverages.
Organised by BID Leamington, the festival marked its 17th year and delighted visitors and traders, who were also buoyed by the welcome sunshine on Sunday.
With over 100 exhibitors in attendance, the festival catered to all tastes and included everything from gourmet burgers and authentic jerk chicken to freshly made pizzas, gyros, loaded hotdogs, prize winning wings, burgers and international curries.
The diverse menu was complemented by wide array of drinks including locally brewed beverages, cocktails and smoothies alongside an assortment of dessert treats, cakes, gelato, doughnuts, churros, cannoli, and more.
Local produce and businesses were also on show, and featured everything from jams, chutneys, cheeses, pies to eco products and food purchasing options from businesses like Zero Leamington, making the event a foodie paradise.
A diverse programme of entertainment made for a fun, family atmosphere and kept people entertained throughout the weekend.
The Live Cookery Theatre was a major draw, compared by Kirsty Leahy, with demonstrations by renowned chefs including George, Russell and Simon from Aubrey Allen, Sophie Hyam from Culinary Bites, and Prashant and Sergio from Giggling Squid.
Festival-goers were also treated to international flavours with demonstrations by Nedal Calouha and Karol Klecz from The Polish Centre, Bia Rodrigues-Perry of Bia’s Kitchen Show and Caribbean expert chef Collin Brown from Turtle Bay.
For younger visitors, the Kid’s Cookery School, hosted by Anne Marie Lambert of Get Cooking, provided an engaging hands-on experience to around 400 children.
The bandstand also came alive with music as a variety of acts took to the stage adding to the vibrant atmosphere and creating the perfect backdrop for the festival.
Local businesses were once again at the heart of the festival reinventing their classics, showcasing award winning flavours, and introducing themselves to new customers.
Sam Cornwall-Jones, owner of The Drawing Board and co-owner of The Magic Wingdom, praised the festival, stating, “As ever the Leamington Food Festival is hands down the greatest event in the Warwickshire calendar. It is slick, fun, well attended and valuable to our business.”
Matt Crowther, owner of the Royal Pug, Taverna Meraki, Katoi and the Micro Pug, in the town centre, said “We are thrilled with the festival’s success and look forward to making our offer even bigger and better next year. Thank you to BID Leamington, volunteers, and attendees who made this festival possible.”
Alison Shaw, BID Leamington Project Manager and festival organizer, expressed her gratitude to all involved in making the event a success.
“The Leamington Food and Drink Festival continues to deliver a fabulous free weekend of food, drink, and entertainment to enjoy, and we were all relieved that the weather was largely dry.
The community spirit was also palpable, and it was wonderful to see people of all ages have fun as we celebrate the best of our local food scene.
I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our exhibitors, volunteers, and team members who helped make our 17th annual festival so enjoyable.”
As the sun sets on another successful town centre event, it is clear that the Leamington Food and Drink Festival has cemented itself as one of the region’s most beloved annual events, so plans are underway for it to return on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2025.
For information please see: www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 17, 2023 | Latest News
A new Love Leam app launched by BID Leamington to showcase town centre businesses is now available to download for free.
Packed with captivating features, the app offers immersive trails and helpful guides, digital loyalty cards, money saving offers, local events, competitions and informative local guides.
It aims to build a community of support for the town centre, encouraging users to uncover Leamington’s hidden treasures, have fun exploring new things and actively support businesses.
Over 60 businesses are already featured – with Head, Hart & Co, Turtle Bay, Plan Burito and Café Waf Waf among those with tempting deals and loyalty offers to take advantage of right now.
The app also offers a variety of fun and useful trails including a gallery guide and cocktail trail, alongside dog friendly shops and eateries, and shoe shopping guides in the town centre, as well as information on everything from parking to accommodation and attractions.
The Love Leam app has been developed by Leamington-based software development company Vicinity which runs the successful LoyalFree platform that is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK.
BID Leamington is the organisation behind the town’s popular royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website, the popular Love Leam promotions and annual events including the Lantern Parade and Leamington Food and Drink Festival.
To celebrate the launch, BID Leamington is running a competition in which those who download the app before December 31 can enter into a draw to win a £200 shopping spree via the ‘competitions’ section.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “We are delighted to have launched the Love Leam app which is designed to support local businesses and enhance the experience for residents and visitors.
“It is great to be working with Henry Jinman and his team at Vicinity. Being locally-based means they have great knowledge and passion for Leamington so were perfectly positioned to develop an app which enhances the experience of visiting our town centre.
“We will continue to develop the app over time, adding even more features, and we hope residents and visitors alike will rally behind it.”
Henry Jinman, Chief Executive Officer of Vicinity, added: “I feel honoured to provide this app for the town. I love Leam and want to help everyone to explore, eat out, make connections, shop local and make the most of our beautiful town centre. That is what this app is designed to do, for residents and visitors alike.”
To download the app for free, visit www.loveleamington.com or search ‘Love Leam’ on the iOS and Google play store.
Businesses operating in Leamington town centre who would like to learn more about featuring on the Love Leam app are asked to email info@bidleamington.com.
Caption: Henry Jinman, Vicinity and Stephanie Kerr, BID Leamington with the new Love Leam app.
Features of the Love Leam app:
- Captivating Trails & Helpful Guides: Embark on trails that reveal the city’s history, hidden gems, and thriving local businesses.
- Digital Loyalty Cards: Enjoy seamless loyalty programmes with participating businesses, collecting stamps to earn well-deserved rewards.
- Exclusive Deals: Save money when you shop local with enticing promotions and discounts to make the most of your experience in Leamington. Unlock personalised deals as you engage with businesses.
- Event Calendar: Stay informed about upcoming local events, ensuring you never miss out on thrilling happenings.
- Competitions & Giveaways: Get a chance to win incredible local prizes through interactive trails and click-to-enter competitions.
- Local Guide: Access helpful information about Leamington, its notable attractions, parking options, accommodation, and more.
by Stephanie Kerr | Jul 7, 2023 | Latest News
Leamington crime initiative receives national accreditation – demonstrating it can lawfully and effectively deter and reduce crime, and adheres to industry standards.
The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative (WRCI) is pleased to announce that it has been granted accreditation by Secured by Design to the national standard to ensure the partnership is operating lawfully, effectively and to the standards set out in the National Association of Business Crime Partnership Codes of Practice and supported by National Police Chiefs Council.
The WRCI, which has members across Leamington, is a partnership which aims to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in retail and licensed business premises in Warwickshire.
Secured by Design is the official police security initiative, and the accreditation is a recognised standard that is awarded to products which are proven to reach a high level of security.
The WRCI is made up of several town centre partnerships and has members across Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick, Stratford, Alcester, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone.
The current membership in Leamington is 48 retail premises and 37 licensed premises.
Members share data via an encrypted app on which they can also report incidents and view images of individuals who have been reported for committing crime, or have been excluded from entering a member premises because of their actions.
In the last 12 months, a total of 1068 incidents have been reported by retail members and 86 by licensing members across the Warwick District, which includes Leamington, and a total of 193 individuals have been excluded by these members.
The accreditation comes after the WRCI was awarded a £10,000 grant from Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe to specifically target and prevent prolific offending in shops and licensed premises across the county.
WRCI is a member-funded organisation, and also receives financial support from BID Leamington, the Rugby and Stratford BIDs, Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire District Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative is an essential town centre partnership in Leamington, and is something that we are very pleased to support.
“It is fantastic that the initiative has received accreditation and demonstrates just how effective it is at reducing and preventing crime and antisocial behaviour in Leamington and the wider county.
“Managing crime and antisocial behaviour requires a team effort, so it is very pleasing to see that the initiative has so many members and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to show our support going forward.”
Peter Guillaume, of the WRCI, added: “This has been a long and challenging process but with guidance and help from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships and Warwickshire Police we are pleased that our operating standards have now met the required standards.
“This comes at a very opportune time when the scheme has been awarded a grant for targeting and preventing prolific offending in shops and licensed premises in Warwickshire, for which WRCI and its members are very grateful.”
ENDS
Caption: Peter Guillaume, of WRCI; Luke Phillips, of Rugby First, Stephanie Kerr, of BID Leamington; Derek Bradley, of WRCI; Chris Lewis, of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner office; Jared Seal, of WRCI; Chief Inspector Faz Chishty, of Warwickshire Police and Ricky Lewis, of the Boots Leamington security team, next to Leamington’s help point button – one of the security measures in the town.
