RESIDENTS and visitors are being urged to support new businesses which opened in Leamington during the pandemic.
BID Leamington, which has been supporting businesses throughout lockdown, says 22 new businesses opened in the town centre in the last 12 months and four expanded into new premises.
The organisation is now calling on people to welcome these new businesses into the town while rediscovering old favourites.
BID executive director Stephanie Kerr said: “This has been an incredibly tough year for our business community. Inevitably, it has resulted in changes in the town centre, and will continue to do so.
“While it is easy to focus on what we have lost, we also need to celebrate and support those that have survived and those that have chosen our beautiful town to open a new business or expand in.”
Stephanie says Leamington’s strength is having businesses with unique and high-quality products and services offered in creative and innovative ways.
She added: “Walking around the town centre I am delighted by new discoveries and creative offerings and it is wonderful to see businesses combine enhanced experiences or convenience alongside their core high quality offer.
“Some examples of this are a cafe with children’s play area in ‘Little Cup’ and the performance-based café ‘Enchanted’. There is an amazing new courtyard to discover at the rear of ‘Red Hot Mamma Pizzeria’ and we are looking forward to ‘Hatch’ opening soon, which will be a cross between a barber and a coffee-shop manned by trained baristas.
“We’re also seeing more environmentally-focused business such as ‘Core’ expand and new businesses such as ‘Lola Provisions’ open. Leamington’s independent and niche retail sector has been strong in this area for some time, and is becoming increasingly important to customers.”
BID has launched initiatives to welcome visitors back to the town including the ‘Leamington Young Talent’ exhibition in shop windows.
Steph said: “Taken together, alongside the planned programme of investment to Leamington that next year’s Commonwealth Games and other initiatives will bring, it means that despite the immediate challenges we have good reason to be optimistic about the future.”
Visit www.loveleamington.com for a list of local businesses.
