An intriguing arrival in Leamington town centre is The Spicy Librarian, a bookstore specialising in all flavours of romantic fiction, where in addition to buying and browsing, you can also get a coffee, cake, cocktails, wine or beer to complement your reading experience. I met D, the Spicy Librarian herself and best-selling dark romance fiction author J Rose to understand the inspiration behind this elegant and welcoming space, and why the adult-only hybrid cafe/bookshop concept works so well for both romance readers and writers.

https://thespicylibrarian.co.uk/

I recently recorded an inspiring conversation with Maddie Webb and Cassie Leedham of Lighthaus Arts soon after they had moved into their brand-new Stoneleigh Arms arts hub on Clemens Street. Their mission is to break down the barriers to being an artist, and engaging with art.

Last weekend on 7th February they held their official launch event and of course I was there with a microphone to capture the response from the many artists, arts lovers and other supporters who attended. Here is a super-distilled 4-minute glimpse into what they had to say. Having listened, how could you possibly resist paying a visit!

https://stoneleigharms.com/

Recently opened on Park Street in Leamington. Bricks’n’Pieces is known mostly as a LEGO shop. But as Keith Hanna explains it’s so much more. In addition to buying LEGO and other STEM* games and puzzles, you can pull up a chair, borrow one of over 50 LEGO sets and build it right there and then - from skyscrapers to spacecraft and even flowers. And you can also grab a hot drink or juice and a slab of cake to keep you fuelled.

With a capacity of 50 people, Bricks’n’Pieces has become a happy hangout for any one of any age who loves the challenge of a puzzle, or enjoys the thrill of constructing something fabulous. Families, kids, singles, couples, groups - Keith and his team welcome all. *STEM - Science Technology Engineering Maths

https://bricksnpieces.co.uk/

African drumming on djembe and other instruments is a very accessible and powerful way of learning a musical skill, while also relieving stress, boosting mood and connecting with other people.

Leamington is fortunate to have an African drumming expert in residence in the person of Vieux Bakayoko who is restarting his open drumming workshops every Tuesday evening at the Band Factory in Leamington. Here he explains a little about them, and how you can join in and share in the many benefits.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Bakayoko-Music-Company-100063973623443/

bakayokomusic@gmail.com

The Leamington History Group is known for its extensive archives, the historic walks around town and various talks about its history. It also commissions films which graphically bring to life particular periods or events in Leamington’s development.

The latest in this series is Leamington at War, a 30min documentary about World War Two and how the town was both impacted by the war and contributed to the war effort. Crammed with facts, recollections, reconstructions and expert interviews, the film helps us to relate modern-day Leamington Spa with the dramatic events of over 80 years ago.

Producer Janet Ainley and Filmmaker Mark Ellis talk us through the process of creating this intense and thought-provoking piece of cinematography, and how schools colleges and individuals can view it for free.

https://leamingtonhistory.co.uk/leamington-at-war-video/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bHUrSu8eio

Maddie Webb and Cassie Leedham formed Lighthaus Arts CIC with a dream of improving the accessibility of arts in Leamington, and when the Stoneleigh Arms became available as part of the Leamington Creative Quarter development, they jumped at the opportunity to establish a permanent accessible centre for art and artists.

Finally, at the turn of the year they got the keys and have since transformed the space into an award-winning gallery and event venue combined with upper floors of artist studios and workshop facilities.

I went to talk to them about this extraordinary venture, their plans for 2026 and how you can get involved either as artist, art-lover or volunteer.

https://stoneleigharms.com/

A smart new travel agency has just made its Leamington debut on Regent Street. It seems that many of us are getting fed-up with endless scrolling and would prefer to talk to a person face-to-face about our travel ideas. Rachel and Emma-Louise are the face-to-faces in question and they talk me through the range of travel they provide, from day trips to major tailor-made itineraries and share a few of their own favourite destinations.

https://www.clubvoyages.uk/

Recently arrived on Park Street is the Mazon Interiors showroom and studio. Visualised as a townhouse, this beautifully honed two-storey space showcases both modern design and luxurious materials. In this episode, Joanne Layzell talks us through the elements of the showroom, the types of project that Mazon relishes and how the space is already becoming a hub for the best creatives and artisans from the Leamington property marketplace.

https://www.mazoninteriors.co.uk/