Life in Leam

Anytime Fitness popped up on the Parade in May 2025.  A new sight in town, we went to investigate and caught up with Rob Kelly the Club Manager to understand what it’s all about - and why a man with large hammers was stood outside during its first weeks of opening.  Website  

Closing its doors for the final time,  the end of Stone the Crows is also the end of an era in Leamington.  We managed to track down founder and owner John Allan to understand why the crows are finally flying the nest and to reflect on his many years of trading in eclectic homewares, mixed with the very best in party toys.  (Photo: John between husband-and-wife shop management duo Denis and Millie...

Hidden under a railway arch just off the High Street is a story of transformation.  Early in 2024 during a night out, Carl Harris decided it would be a nice idea to take his engineering workshop and turn it into a wine bar and music venue.  As you do!   The result is the Southbound Café Bar. A hidden gem which has already garnered an enthusiastic and loyal following.  Carl tells us about the journ...

The smell of freshly baked bread and croissants and other tasties has been wafting across Park Street for a few months now.  We track down the source of those aromas at Corner Cottage Bakery and get a glimpse of founder Sarah Thornber’s recipe for success. Website

Sunday evenings, 8pm until midnight a strange thing happens at the St Patricks Irish Club down on the riverside.  The music turns distinctly Latin and Club Cubana Salsa becomes a thing.   DJ Mani Muchasalsa, who has been hosting these sessions since 2012 tells us about the Salsa classes and dance parties which have become a Leamington Sunday night staple.  Website

The Summer Arts Weeks, now in their 25th year run from 21 June – 6 July 2025.  During this time, anyone is welcome to visit artists in their studios at 115 venues across Warwickshire and Coventry to see their creations, talk to the artists themselves and immerse themselves in the process of creating art.  We talk to Janette George of Warwickshire Open Studios to get the inside track on how to take...

Nestled on a corner in Bath Street is Temperance.  To the casual observer, a quirky cafe bar, but in reality rather more than just that.  Temperance is fast becoming one of the most respected boutique performance venues in the UK, attracting national and international musicians as well as showcasing local talent. Adrian Gaines tells us how he unintentionally became the venue's owner and what he's...

A little about what I'm setting out to do with Life in Leam.  There are so many great things going on in this little town of Royal Leamington Spa that are on people's radar but they don't really know much about.  Also there are, I'm discovering, a lot of passionate people behind the good things that are happening.  The things are interesting, but wow, so are the people and their stories.  This isn...