by Joanne Truslove | Jan 7, 2026 | Press Release
Stoneleigh Arts and Old School Leamington Spa recognised in the 2026 Civic Trust Awards
We’re proud to announce that Stoneleigh Arts and Old School Leamington Spa have been selected as one of only 46 successful projects in the prestigious 2026 Civic Trust Awards, chosen from over 300 entries.
The awards celebrate outstanding architecture, planning, and design that make a positive contribution to local communities. This project represents a multitude of input, from the surrounding communities to firstly shape the reuse, renovation, rebuild and extension of the existing site cluster of an Old School and the Stoneleigh Arms pub with Future High St Funding into a community and arts site, for creative workspace and pocket park.
We worked with an amazing team of partners, including Intervention Architecture, Warwick District Council, Way PM, Kavannagh Construction and Edge Structural Engineering.
The level of our success will be revealed at the 67th Annual Civic Trust Awards Ceremony on Friday 27th March 2026.
Find out more about the Civic Trust Awards at www.civictrustawards.org.uk.
by Joanne Truslove | Jun 12, 2025 | Press Release
The redevelopment of the former Stoneleigh Arms pub on Clemens Street and the Old School on Court Street has now been completed, with the buildings handed over to Warwick District Council for operation.
Back in December 2017, Warwick District Council appointed Complex Development Projects (CPD) to bring to life an exciting masterplan to completely transform the Old Town area of Leamington Spa. Part of this development included the redevelopment of the derelict pub and the Old School.
The Stoneleigh Arms pub closed down back in the 1990s, derelict and inaccessible, with much of the ground floor having collapsed into the basement. In a prominent position on Clemens Street, it was a blight on the streetscape for several years. In addition, an old schoolhouse and an underutilised car park, off Court Street in Leamington Old Town, needed renovation and reinstating.
Councillor Ella Billiald, Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Economy, said:
“I’m delighted to see that this phase of development is now complete and we can start to bring the vision to life. This exciting new space is available to let and will be available to local creatives and businesses to deliver a vibrant programme of events and initiatives for the local community.”
Councillor Jim Sinnott, Portfolio Holder for Safer, Healthier and Active Communities, said:
“The Council’s visionary and ambitious masterplan was designed to reshape this part of Leamington Spa into the District’s cultural destination. With the addition of the Stoneleigh Arms development, the Old School, and the Depot, it truly achieves that ambition, with the Creative Quarter now regarded as the centre for the arts and cultural sector. I will be closely following progress to see how this develops over the next few months.”
Emma Harrabin, Snr Development Executive CDP, said:
“We are thrilled to officially hand over these completed buildings to Warwick District Council. This has been an incredible project, breathing new life into heritage buildings that had long stood vacant and in disrepair. This transformation preserves the rich history of the area while creating high-quality, inspiring spaces for local artists and the wider community.”
Further information about the development can be found here: https://leamingtoncreativequarter.co.uk/project/stoneleigh-arms-and-the-old-school- house/
Picture 1: James Brookes, Senior Development Executive at CDP, hands the keys to the Stoneleigh Arms to Councillor Ella Billiald, with Councillor Jim Sinnott.
Notes to editors:
The projects are enabled by the Government’s Future High Street Fund and co-funded by Warwick District Council and Complex Development Projects.
Planning Permission for this project was approved in December 2023 and building works are now complete and handed over to Warwick District Council for operation.
Press Release issued by Warwick District Council 11/6/25
by Joanne Truslove | Nov 28, 2024 | Press Release
The transformation of the former WW2 camouflage workshop in Leamington’s Spencer Yard has been completed with all the units now fully let to four tenants as part of the continued progress of the Creative Quarter.
The building, now known as 1 Spencer Yard, has been restored to provide modern creative offices by Complex Development Projects (CDP) in partnership with Warwick District Council. A new glazed extension on the roof has added a second floor to the building.
1 Spencer Yard is the new home of EDAG Engineering, LoudLocal, PO’Sh Creative and Lily Head Dental Practice Sales and Finance with around 50 people now working within the building.
The project is the final part of the £6m Spencer Yard regeneration project that was supported by grant from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. Finance was provided by Frontier Development Capital.
CDP is working in partnership with Warwick District Council to revitalise Leamington’s Old Town to create inspirational spaces for the thriving creative industries to continue to expand and drive the area’s economy.
James Brookes, Senior Development Executive at CDP, said there had been high demand for this new office space for creative and digital businesses.
He said: “We could have let 1 Spencer Yard three times over because of the level of interest, which highlights the demand for office space from the creative and digital sector.
“We decided to keep the existing Old Dole Office building as structurally it was very sound, but extend the office space by adding a further floor. Our contractor Croft Building & Conservation has completed the work beautifully to create much-needed quality office space for local businesses.
“The Spencer Yard project is the first to be completed as part of the 10-year Creative Quarter initiative with Warwick District Council and we are really pleased with the outcome.
“It has brought three derelict buildings back to life to transform the area and boost the creative and digital sector to build on the town’s Silicon Spa reputation.”
Daniel Radigk, of EDAG Engineering Limited, said: “We are thrilled to take our Automotive Consultancy business into the Creative Quarter of Leamington Spa.
“Automotive Engineers at Spencer Yard are all about creativity, so this fits very well with our business. The EDAG Group is very much about environment, re-using, so the reusing of an old disused building like Spencer Yard sits very well with our company values and beliefs.”
Leon Hidderley of digital marketing agency LoudLocal added: “As we outgrew our cosy office in Kenilworth, we recognised the need for a location with excellent transport links, modern facilities, and room to grow. Spencer Yard fits the bill perfectly, ticking all our boxes. The opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded creative businesses made the decision an easy one.”
Nicola O’Shaughnessy, Marketing Director at PO’Sh Creative, said: “After nearly ten years of providing creative design and marketing in Leamington Spa, PO’Sh Creative is thrilled to make Spencer Yard our new home.
“This move is a natural next step for us, placing our team at the heart of our town’s Creative Quarter and offering the ideal environment for us to grow, collaborate, and continue producing fresh, innovative work. We’re very proud to be contributing to the growth of Leamington’s evolving creative sector.’’
Abi Greenhough, Managing Director of Lily Head Dental Practice Sales and Finance, added: “Spencer Yard was the ideal office solution for our expanding team since it provided the modern workspace we needed for our flexible working needs, and being in the heart of the Creative Quarter has lifted everyone’s spirits.
“The fact we are just a two-minute from the station means our staff are using public transport and it is easy to host our guests.”
The other two buildings that formed part of the Spencer Yard project are already occupied.
The Grade II-listed United Reformed Church has been converted into stylish co-working areas and office space for award-winning independent marketing group Cogent called The Fold – which received an award at The Leamington Society Awards 2024 – while the SAE Institute has moved into the Old Nursery.
CDP, as part of their Creative Quarter partnership, is currently delivering the Stoneleigh Arms and Old School regeneration on Clemence Street/Court Street early next year and is hoping soon to announce further projects being delivered under the partnership.
Caption:
Notes to editors
Towns Fund – Future High Streets Fund
The Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.
In total, 72 places will share up to £831 million from the Future High Streets Fund to help them recover from the pandemic by improving transport links, building new homes and transforming underused spaces.
Midlands Engine
Some Midlands Engine key facts:
- The Midlands Engine is home to over 10.3m people and has a £238bn economy, generating over 12% of the UK’s Gross Value Added.[1] The Midland Engine Partnership aims to close the productivity gap to match or exceed the national average by 2030.
- The Midlands is home to 835,000 businesses, and in 2019, the Midlands accounted for a 22% share of all of England’s goods exports.
by Joanne Truslove | Oct 23, 2024 | Press Release
Coventry’s vibrant Creative Quarter recorded its highest ever footfall for a single day during its tenth birthday celebrations and raised a significant sum for a local charity.
FarGo Village’s Big Birthday Weekender proved to be a tremendous success with 12,235 visitors joining in the fun on September 28 to mark a decade since the industrial site was converted into a haven for creative independent businesses and events by regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP).
Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan’s busking gig kicked off the momentous occasion on September 27 which attracted hundreds of fans despite the rain before a wide programme of family-friendly activities and music across different genres took place over the following three days.
A total of £1,389 was collected for FarGo Village’s birthday charity partner Coventry and Warwickshire Mind from ticket sales to all the music shows in The Box on September 28 and 29.
The anniversary celebrations included music from Special Brew, The Primitives, Drft RAVE, Batsch, Project Overload, Duck Thieves, The Bellows, Bobbie Dazzle, Coventry Poet Laureate John Bernard & Band, Dirt Road Band, Amit Dattani, Willow Taiwo, and The Swaps.
There were also a variety of activities for all the family including Highly Sprung – Professor Egg Street Performance, Stilt Man, Pop Bang Colour, Do Touch Monsters, The Bin Rats, Artventurers, and drumming workshops from Bakayoko Music.
Holly Hewitt, Manager at FarGo Village, said over 16,000 people had visited the site during the weekend alone to enjoy the Big Birthday Weekender.” There were so many highlights from our fabulous Big Birthday Weekender,” she said. “It was fantastic to see so many people. There were lots of regular FarGo visitors who have supported us for many years and new visitors who haven’t been before – and we hope they will come back soon. “Ascension Dance’s flash performances really grabbed the attention and it was great to watch children of all ages and abilities enjoying themselves and their confidence really grew as they performed.
“The children’s art room with Pop Bang Colour and Artventurers was busy throughout the weekend with parents spending quality time with their youngsters.
“The music programme was really popular particularly the headline acts The Primitives and Special Brew who got The Box jumping as well as raising such an incredible amount for our birthday charity partner Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.
“The whole occasion was unforgettable because it gave us an opportunity to celebrate everything that has been achieved over the last ten years – and look forward to the next decade at FarGo Village!”
Tania Miller, Head of Children and Young People’s Services for Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, said: “Well done to the team at FarGo Village for putting on such a fantastic and varied programme of events. We really welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the celebrations – this is such a great community and we’re really keen to promote and support good mental health for all.
“Thank you so much for raising money on our behalf – as a locally registered charity, fundraising is really important to Coventry and Warwickshire Mind as it helps to further our work with local people.”
Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants scheme gave FarGo Village funding towards the community programme while Towergate Insurance and Zenith Contract Services Ltd, which looks after its insurance and cleaning services, provided sponsorship.
Notes to editors
About Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 we will invest over £467 million of public money from Government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
(www.artscouncil.org.uk)
by Joanne Truslove | Aug 28, 2024 | Press Release
A big birthday bonanza will be hitting the right notes with fun for all communities when Coventry’s Creative Quarter celebrates its special anniversary next month.
FarGo Village is finalising its Big Birthday Weekender programme in the countdown to its tenth birthday celebrations which will take place from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.
Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants scheme has given FarGo Village in Far Gosford Street funding for the community programme while Towergate Insurance and Zenith Contract Services Ltd, which provide its insurance and cleaning services, have provided sponsorship.
There will be a mix of performances from musicians as well as family shows and activities at FarGo Village which is renowned for its creative, independent businesses.
The weekend will get underway with a House & House tech event on Friday, September 27 – the date that FarGo Village officially opened in 2014 – at 10pm, with tickets costing £3.
There will be music from Batsch, Project Overload, Duck Thieves, Special Brew, The Bellows, Bobbie Dazzle and The Primitives who will be heard from 2pm in The Box, a 500-capacity music, conference and events venue, on September 28.
There will also be performances from Highly Sprung, a Do Touch Sensory installation and multi-skilled performer Stilt Man, who will be mingling with visitors throughout the site.
Among the highlights of the Big Birthday Weekender will be a Q&A conversation at the Just Dropped In record store led by Graham Duff when he will be joined by musical legends The Dirt Road Bands’ Horace Panter from The Specials, Steve Walwyn (best known for playing with Dr Feelgood) and Ted Duggan, drummer for Badinger and Banco De Gaia.
The trio will discuss some of the high, low and hilarious points of their decades in the music business at 6pm on September 29 at Just Dropped In at The Box, which will be followed by Coventry Poet Laureate, John Bernard, and The Dirt Road Band will then be taking to the stage in The Box to perform.
Earlier on September 29, there will be music performed by Amit Dattani, Willow Taiwo, Clemency, and The Swaps along with performances from The Last Baguette theatre company, a Do Touch Sensory installation and drumming workshops with Bakayoko music.
There will also be a wide range of food and drink available throughout the site including Esmie’s and Morgan’s ice cream.
Holly Hewitt, Manager at FarGo Village, which was created by regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP), said the Big Birthday Weekender was a perfect opportunity to showcase the best of local music and creativity with a combination of family-friendly events.
“Our birthday celebrations will be a great chance to listen to live music, featuring classic tunes across a variety of genres, along with watching entertaining performances and installations,” she said.
“FarGo Village has always prided itself on its inclusive, creative, independent nature and the programme of events reflects this.
“We are now counting down to a special time in our history and the events are all free or at a low cost so that all members of our community can come along and join in the fun.”
Visitors are asked to make donations to FarGo Village’s charity partner Coventry and Warwickshire Mind for the free music events, and tickets to attend the evening events can be booked at https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/whats-on
by Joanne Truslove | May 8, 2024 | Press Release
Special birthday events to mark a decade of Coventry’s inspirational Creative Quarter will kick off with creative, tail-wagging and hair-raising fun.
FarGo Village will be celebrating its tenth birthday this September and has arranged a series of events to mark the occasion.
Out of The Box Arts Fair X PopBangColour Car Fest will get the festivities underway throughout FarGo Village in Far Gosford Street between 11am and 5pm on Saturday, June 1, and from 11am until 4pm on Sunday, June 2.
There will be a diverse range of visual and sensory local artists alongside unique cars on display in collaboration with PopBangColour and Rustival as part of MotoFest 2024 which is also marking its tenth anniversary.
This will be followed the next weekend by FarGo’s Dog Festival in collaboration with Broken Souls Rescue Charity from 10.30am until 5pm on Saturday, June 8.
The Coventry-based charity will be hosting a fundraising stall where all proceeds will go towards essential veterinary, boarding and care costs for dogs in need.
There will be an opportunity for visitors to treat their four-legged friends to puppacinos, take part in paw art activities and a have-a-go agility arena as well as cool off in a refreshing paddling pool made just for dogs.
The packed summer calendar continues with the Summer Makers Market in the Market Hall from 11am until 5pm on Saturday, July 20 and between 11am until 4pm on Sunday, July 21.
This is an opportunity to indulge in a summer showcase featuring the finest local and regional makers, artists, and designers, offering a weekend brimming with independent shopping delights.
The month is rounded off with the Oxford Beard Festival throughout FarGo Village which is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all aspects of facial hair! The event between noon and 6pm on Saturday, July 27, will involve categories for handmade beards and imaginative bearded characters, and it is all in support of FarGo Village’s birthday charity partner Coventry and Warwickshire Mind and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Coventry.
Holly Hewitt, Manager at FarGo Village which was developed by regeneration experts Complex Development Projects, said this was a special time in its history.
“FarGo Village is renowned for its eclectic mix of traders and this is reflected in our events programme,” she said.
“We always want to appeal to all members of the community and the early events in the countdown to our birthday in September reflect this with the arts fair, activities for our furry friends, creative designs and a day for lovers of beards and moustaches!
“Best of all these are all free and many of the events are supporting worthwhile charities based in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“This is just the start of our birthday celebrations and there will be more announcements soon including details of our big birthday weekend in September!”
Tania Miller, Head of Children and Young People’s Services for Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire Mind’s children and young people’s team have been based at The Junction on Far Gosford Street for over ten years. In all that time we have seen first-hand the fantastic transformation of the local neighbourhood – flourishing as a lively, multi-cultural part of the city.
“Adjacent to so much student accommodation, our commitment to supporting young people’s mental health is as strong as ever. We’re really looking forward to seeing the local FarGo community over this celebration summer.”
by Joanne Truslove | Mar 21, 2024 | Press Release
Coventry’s dynamic Creative Quarter is celebrating its tenth birthday this year with a spectacular variety of events to mark the occasion in style.
There have been 3.5 million visits to FarGo Village since it threw open its doors in Far Gosford Street on September 27, 2014.
The eclectic mix of creative independent businesses and exciting events continues to prove popular with tenants based in the repurposed shipping containers and market place over the last decade at the site which also features The Box, a 500-capacity music, conference and events venue.
The affordable, low commitment model has allowed 140 individuals to set-up, expand or trial their independent business.
Three current tenants are also celebrating their 10th birthday this year – Dashing Blades Barbershop, Tag!Artwork and Beadlebop Design – with a further nine businesses marking a decade at FarGo Village in the next 18 months.
To mark its landmark birthday, FarGo Village – which was created by regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP) – is planning a series of events to give taster sessions to local people in art, making, dance, theatre, and music either for free or at a very low cost wherever possible.
A fantastic programme of fringe-type events around various themes has been organised.
Art for All will be held during half-term week from May 27-31, an Art Fair will be staged on June 1 and 2 while Warwickshire Open Studios Artists in Residence will take place from June 25 to July 7.
That will be followed by Health & Wellbeing in August when community organisations and instructors will hold a wide variety of taster sessions from a number of sports, yoga and wellness activities.
There will also be a birthday Roller Disco party on August 10 in The Box and then the main anniversary celebrations will take place at a festival on September 28 and 29 featuring live performances from local up-and-coming artists throughout the day, street food and street theatre.
FarGo Village will be working in partnership with charity partner Coventry and Warwickshire Mind throughout their anniversary programme and will be involved in several fundraising activities.
They will also be hosting Coventry Pride on August 3, and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust River Festival on September 7 and 8 as part of its birthday celebrations.
Gemma Musgraves from Coventry Pride said: “We are super excited to bring back Coventry Pride, as it hasn’t happened for a few years and has been sorely missed by the local LGBTQ+ community.
“We cannot thank FarGo enough for sharing their venue with us. As a creative, colourful, and inclusive space, it really is perfect for Cov Pride 2024. We look forward to coming together in solidarity for the equalities that are not yet won and to celebrating those which have been!”
Jordan Davies, Communication & Interpretation Officer at The Sherbourne Valley Project,
added: “FarGo Village has been incredibly supportive when organising several biological recording events in Spring, and our annual River Festival in September, celebrating The River Sherbourne through local arts and culture.
“FarGo is a fantastic space with a unique and wonderful atmosphere, and we are excited to continue our working partnership into the future.”
Holly Hewitt, FarGo Village Manager, said this was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the last ten years and look forward to the next decade at Coventry’s Creative Quarter.
“FarGo Village has really cemented itself in Coventry and the wider region as the creative hub for independent retailers, creatives and artists and we are really proud of everything that has been achieved,” she said.
“Our tenth birthday is a wonderful chance to reflect on our achievements because we are home to such a wide variety of talented creatives as well as original events and we are looking forward to the next ten years!
“We are going to be celebrating in style with a packed variety of events over the coming months to appeal to everyone in the community.
“We will be working with businesses at FarGo Village as well as community organisations and groups to encourage as many people as possible to come along and try a new activity either for free or at a low cost, and we will announce more details as the events are confirmed so please keep checking our website and social media.”
Caption: Left to Right Rob Walton, (Dashing Blades) Maggie Davison, (Tag Artwork), Jo Truslove, Katlin Magi, Holly Hewitt, Emma Harrabin, (all FarGo Village), Sarah Friedlos, (Beadlebop Design)
Front Al Davison (Tag Artwork), Charly Fu (FarGo Village)
Notes to editors
The Sherbourne Valley Project is an endeavour that is led by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, the project is working with partner organisations and local communities to re-write the future of Coventry’s River Sherbourne by establishing an urban living landscape in which people, nature and culture can thrive.
The River Sherbourne runs through the heart of Coventry, which owes its location, its wea
by Joanne Truslove | Feb 7, 2024 | Press Release
Innovative state-of-the-art sculptures which reflect the history of the Camoufleurs and today’s digital technology have been unveiled in Leamington’s stunning Spencer Yard development.
The Nanite Garden features two cacti and a mountain in the old flower bed in Spencer Yard which has been transformed by Complex Development Projects (CDP) in partnership with Warwick District Council.
The Grade II listed United Reformed Church has been refurbished along with the old nursery and former Dole Office in Spencer Yard as part of Leamington’s ten-year Creative Quarter initiative.
The United Reformed Church is now the home of independent marketing group Cogent who are working in partnership with the SAE Institute to provide two-year degree courses in creative media.
The Spencer Yard project has received a grant from the Future High Streets Fund as part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit – along with a loan from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which was arranged by Frontier Development Capital.
Leamington-based Lucy Tomlins, who is an artist, creative producer and founding director of the Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre based in Coventry and London, was commissioned by CDP to create the colourful sculptures which were formed through five-axis machinery using digital technology and then painted by hand.
Lucy said the inspiration for the sculptures was taken from the Camoufleurs since a large number of distinguished artists and designers were based in Leamington during World War II after being enlisted by the government to use artistic techniques to protect sensitive sites and military vehicles through camouflage.
She said: “The sculptures signify the connection between the Camoufleurs who were based at the Old Dole Office within Spencer Yard and the new life which has been created there through the digital sector.
“The artists had a wonderful ability during the Second World War to distort everything from ships to cooling towers and by using state-of-the-art Nanite Triangle Visualisation the sculptures which have been created reflect their ‘razzle dazzle’ camouflage.
“The triangles in the sculptures flatten their appearance so when you walk up to them the experience is different from looking at them from a distance.
“I wanted it to be in tune with the Creative Quarter which CDP is developing as well as the creative community of ‘Silicon Spa’ in Leamington.
“If you don’t play computer games then it will still be as interesting as it is for digital and gaming professionals, and it would be great for The Nanite Garden to be appreciated by a wide audience.”
Ian Harrabin, Managing Director of regeneration specialists CDP, said the sculptures in The Nanite Garden were a wonderful addition to Leamington’s Creative Quarter.
He said: “The sculptures focus on the digital animation and visualisation of art and how they relate to the Camoufleurs, who moved to Leamington to begin their patterned work at the site in Spencer Yard to disguise structures along with military vehicles and airfields.
“These artworks are a fantastic symbol of the past and modern eras using different techniques, and the history of the site and its future use as a digital creative production hub have been replicated superbly.”
Councillor Ella Billiald, Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy, said: “Pangea has built a magnificent sculpture, showcasing cubist art whilst reflecting the ingenuity and creativity of the Camoufleurs. They have captured the movement of shape and colour and really enlivened the space, boosting the area’s reputation as a centre for digital and creative excellence.”
Caption: From the left, James Brookes (Complex Development Projects), Lucy Tomlins (Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre), Cllr Chris King (Warwick District Council), Cllr Sidney Syson (Warwick District Council) and Mayor of Leamington Spa Cllr Alan Boad
Notes to editors
Towns Fund – Future High Streets Fund
The Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.
In total, 72 places will share up to £831 million from the Future High Streets Fund to help them recover from the pandemic by improving transport links, building new homes and transforming underused spaces.
Midlands Engine
Some Midlands Engine key facts:
- The Midlands Engine is home to over 10.3m people and has a £238bn economy, generating over 12% of the UK’s Gross Value Added.[1] The Midland Engine Partnership aims to close the productivity gap to match or exceed the national average by 2030.
- The Midlands is home to 835,000 businesses, and in 2019, the Midlands accounted for a 22% share of all of England’s goods exports.
by Joanne Truslove | Jan 30, 2024 | Press Release
The stunning transformation of a Grade II listed building in Leamington to attract digital and creative businesses has been completed as part of the first stage of the town’s ten-year Creative Quarter initiative.
Regeneration specialist Complex Development Projects (CDP) is working in partnership with Warwick District Council to revitalise the Old Town to create inspirational spaces for the flourishing creative industry to continue to grow and boost the area’s economy.
The historic building is part of a wider development at Spencer Yard in Leamington Old Town which includes the SAE Institute moving into the Old Nursery while there remains available units in The Old Dole Office.
The Fold is the first space to have opened in Spencer Street following the completion of the work by historic building specialists Croft Building & Conservation.
The previously unused Grade II listed United Reformed Church has been transformed into over 19,000 sq ft of open plan co-working areas and office space for award-winning independent marketing group Cogent.
Tucked away in the church crypts are state-of-the-art sound and virtual production studios along with editing and innovation suites to record podcasts, music and voiceovers.
The hot desks, breakout spaces, ten meeting rooms and six hideaways, café & bar, and members’ club have been carefully designed with the creative industry in mind. The mezzanine level has been extended and the triple-glazed atrium features a central glazed staircase which links all three levels.
The renovation work at The Fold has received funding from the Future High Streets Fund as part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit. The financial package also includes a loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which was arranged by Frontier Development Capital.
Ian Gathard, CEO of the Cogent Group, said The Fold was already receiving excellent feedback from its members.
“Our members seem as excited about the space as we are, I feel very lucky to work here,” he said. CDP has made the most use of the space and the fit-out is to an extremely high standard while retaining the stunning original features.
“The Fold has lived up to our expectations and more. It is a beautiful spacious environment that lends itself to creative meeting of minds for freelancers, small business owners or members of the community who have booked a meeting.
“Another dimension which sets The Fold apart is the professional standard green screen and recording studios, which is something Leamington’s creative community sorely needs.”
Ian Harrabin, Managing Director of CDP, said The Fold would act as a catalyst for future creative projects as part of the decade-long Creative Quarter masterplan.
“The completion of the fit-out at The Fold signifies the start of the creation of the Cultural Quarter in Leamington since this is a tangible difference for everyone to see and make the most of,” he said.
“We have spent around £5.5 million bringing the Grade II listed United Reformed Church and the other buildings back into use and the transformation is incredible.
“This inspirational place to work at the Fold is only the start. We are continuing to work hard to revitalise other neglected buildings to bring them back to life to provide spaces for gaming and digital businesses as well as an exciting art, cultural and community events programme.”
Cllr Chris King, Deputy Leader, and Portfolio Holder for Place at Warwick District Council, said: “It’s really impressive to see a previously neglected and underutilised building transformed into an exciting new space, with multiple uses and great commercial potential.
“I would like to congratulate all the teams involved in bringing it well and truly back to life. I am confident that our creative community will thrive in this inspiring venue.”
Notes to editors
Towns Fund – Future High Streets Fund
The Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that improves experience, drives growth and ensures future sustainability.
In total, 72 places will share up to £831 million from the Future High Streets Fund to help them recover from the pandemic by improving transport links, building new homes and transforming underused spaces.
Midlands Engine
Some Midlands Engine key facts:
- The Midlands Engine is home to over 10.3m people and has a £238bn economy, generating over 12% of the UK’s Gross Value Added.[1] The Midland Engine Partnership aims to close the productivity gap to match or exceed the national average by 2030.
- The Midlands is home to 835,000 businesses, and in 2019, the Midlands accounted for a 22% share of all of England’s goods exports.
by Joanne Truslove | Dec 20, 2023 | Press Release
Issued by Warwick District Council 14th December 2023
A new lease of life for former public house and school
Plans for the redevelopment of the former Stoneleigh Arms public house on Clemens Street and The Old School on Court Street have been given the green light by Warwick District Council’s Planning Committee.
At their meeting held on Wednesday 13 December, Councillors agreed to a further set of regeneration proposals for the Old Town area of Leamington Spa. These include the demolition of the derelict former public house to be replaced with a new building of a similar scale and style to be utilised for mixed creative uses and the refurbishment and extension of the ex-school as a future community space. It is envisaged that a new ‘pocket park’ landscaped area will link the two buildings.
Enabled by the Government’s Future High Street Fund and co-funded by Complex Development Projects who are Warwick District Council’s Development Partner, this is the third major project to be progressed to support the town’s Creative Quarter ambitions. It follows the flagship Spencer Yard redevelopment which is now complete and the Town Hall Creative Hub which is due to start on-site early in 2024.
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy Councillor Ella Billiald commented:
“It’s really exciting to see the next phase of development starting to take shape, breathing new life into this site which has been abandoned and derelict for many years and raising the potential to bring it back into community, commercial and creative use.”
Emma Harrabin from Complex Development Projects added:
“We are very pleased to introduce new and much needed creative arts and community spaces to Leamington, particularly in this part of town. This brings the potential to provide exciting opportunities for the sector to continue to grow and for local communities to access artistic and educational facilities, cultural events and landscaped outdoor spaces.“
Discussions are underway with potential future tenants of the space and the buildings are aiming to complete by the end of 2024. This is a key part of the wider ‘Transforming Leamington’ programme of work.
For more information on this project, please visit The Stoneleigh Arms and Old School House – Leamington Creative Quarter
by Joanne Truslove | Oct 11, 2023 | Press Release
A vibrant inspirational new home for creative industries in Leamington is set to open this week (October 12) as part of a major transformation of the town centre.
The Fold is situated in the refurbished Grade II listed United Reformed Church on Spencer Street which contains a green screen studio, foley suite and sound suite with attached VO room, multiple meeting rooms, networking and co-working spaces, and a members’ club along with office space for leading independent marketing group Cogent.
The state-of-the-art sound and visual production facilities are nestled in the coves and tunnels of the church crypts while stunning open-plan workspaces, thoughtfully designed meeting rooms and relaxation areas encourage collaboration on the ground floor.
The Fold will also be the first Midlands base for the SAE Institute, who are working in partnership with Cogent to provide two-year degree courses in creative media.
The Fold is one of three formerly derelict buildings in Spencer Yard that have being restored and brought back to creative industry use by regeneration specialists Complex Development Projects (CDP).
CDP acquired the buildings from Warwick District Council as part of their 10-year Creative Quarter partnership which plans to transform the Old Town into a destination for creative businesses.
The scheme has received a grant from the Future High Streets Fund as part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit. The financial package also includes a loan from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) arranged by Frontier Development Capital.
Ian Gathard, CEO of the Cogent Group, said The Fold would be accessible to everyone that wants to work in a creative, collaborative environment, whatever their background.
He said: “We wanted to create a properly accessible creative community for people regardless of their background or education who might have struggled to get a foothold in the industry in the past.
“I love the fact that CDP’s development team has been able to retain the wonderful interiors of this historical building maintaining its history and making it applicable to the modern world.”
Steffan Davies, Managing Director at SAE Europe, said this would be its fourth campus in the UK following on from London, Liverpool and Glasgow.
“The USP of SAE has always been to provide students with practical experience and we were attracted to Leamington because of its reputation for being the home of so many leading gaming businesses,” he said.
“We also provide our students with an education that is aligned with the industry, so being co-located with Cogent at The Fold is perfect for our students to engage with this.
“We have our first cohort of students already enrolled in Leamington and this will be a fantastic opportunity to make the most of this wonderful new hub to gain first-hand experience in this incredibly diverse sector.”
Ian Harrabin, of CDP, said that the scheme was an exemplar of best practice in how a historic building can not only be brought back into use, but also by introducing modern additions, can be brought up to date as an inspiring place to work. “We are very pleased to be working with Cogent, whose innovative use will really bring the building back to life,” he said.
“The official opening of The Fold will be a wonderful chance to bring our talented design team and contractor together with the creative end users to celebrate what we have achieved together. None of this would have been possible without the close partnership with the Council, Future High Streets funding from the Government, and the loan from WMCA. This is partnership working at its best.
“This is only the first chapter of our major transformation of the Old Town and we hope it will be the catalyst for attracting even more creative businesses and freelancers to the Midlands.”
by Joanne Truslove | May 4, 2023 | Press Release
Coventry’s first podcast studio has been launched as FarGo Village welcomes two new businesses on site as well as the expansion of an existing favourite.
The city’s creative quarter just outside the city centre has a strong reputation for providing opportunities for small businesses to grow and this spring, it has celebrated three significant milestones.
Two new names are present on site with Twentytwo Productions podcast studio and 3D Printing Forge being welcomed to FarGo Village – while Just Dropped In has significantly increased the size of its record shop.
Twentytwo Productions is a new venture from Twentytwo Digital, a full-service creative design and digital agency that is based in the Coventry Canal Warehouse.
The new venue will become Coventry’s first purpose-built podcast that will be accessible for those just looking to record all the way through to a fully-managed podcast production.
Twentytwo Productions’ Podcasting Lead is Coventry resident Taylor Pattinson, creator and host of the Waffle Shop podcast which has achieved in excess of 500,000 downloads.
“It is going to be one of the most creative spaces in Coventry,” Taylor said. “I’ve only ever recorded from my bedroom because when I’ve looked at going elsewhere for a studio, you’ve either got Leamington or Birmingham.
“This is a purpose-built podcast studio, Coventry’s first, and it’s really exciting to have that title.”
Twentytwo Digital’s head of marketing Emily Williams explained why they chose FarGo Village to launch the Twentytwo Productions podcast studio which will be officially launched with a special event on May 12.
Emily said: “FarGo has always been a space within Coventry that has always interested us. We’re a bunch of creatives, FarGo is a very creative space. We wanted the studio to be within a space where there’s other creative things going on so our clients can benefit from the other businesses at FarGo and vice versa.”
Just Dropped In started life as an independent record shop selling new and used vinyl out of a shipping container at FarGo Village in October 2018.
As its reputation for selling Indie, Psych, Rock, Dub and Electronic music grew, so did its premises and nine months later, business owner Alun Roberts upgraded to a bigger unit increasing the range and depth of Vinyl sold.
Now, Just Dropped In has taken its biggest step to the vacated space next door to double the record shop’s square footage.
The increased space will also allow Just Dropped In to build upon its already strong reputation as a live music venue that supports new music and artists as well as an even wider choice of new and second hand vinyl and cassettes.
Alun added: “A bigger unit means we can host more people for gigs, whether we keep stock out or strip it back and fill it up with people, it just increases the potential for what we can do and the kind of thing we can host.
“Coventry is a music city, there’s no doubt about it and the way people have supported the shop, especially since the pandemic, has really blown me away.
“We’ve actually come out of Covid stronger as a business and there’s a real sense of community about what we do and that is really important to me.”
3D Printing Forge is a new business launched by Estonian Argo Hobenael, who first moved to England in 2006 before settling in Coventry two years ago.
What started as a hobby designing and printing 3D objects alongside his full-time job has grown into a passion-project business, with the aim of creating an on-demand service to make 3D printing more accessible.
Argo said: “We create completely customised items. For me it is a hobby but not everyone wants to go through the hassle of getting their printer, there’s a lot that goes into it.
“People can send me CAD files of models, parts, decorative or functional parts, I’ll print it and post it back to them.
“I want to make the process more accessible. If someone wants a part, I can make that happen. I also offer a design service, if someone has an idea but doesn’t necessarily have the CAD skills or design experience, I can help with that and make it happen.”
While 3D Printing Forge’s FarGo site isn’t a walk-in shop, with orders and enquiries coming through its website, Argo hopes one day to open the doors to customers if he goes full-time with the business.
He said: “It’s a cool community at FarGo Village. It’s a very nice mixture of very different businesses. It’s a perfect place to start a new business. They’ve got a small office available which is exactly what you need at the beginning.”
Holly Hewitt, FarGo Village General and Venue Manager, said: “We are excited to welcome new creative projects to our community here at FarGo Village. There are already connections being made.
“It’s incredibly encouraging that some of our existing businesses are expanding into larger spaces on site and shows that hard-working creative, independent businesses are valued, used and have the support locally to grow.”
Photo caption (6): Argo Hobenael (3D Printing Forge), Taylor Pattinson (Twentytwo Digital) and Alun Roberts (Just Dropped In) at FarGo Village.
Photo caption (11): Argo Hobenael at 3D Printing Forge’s new location in FarGo Village.
Photo caption (16): Taylor Pattinson inside Twentytwo Productions’ new podcast studio in FarGo Village.
Photo caption (18): Alun Roberts inside the new bigger Just Dropped In shop in FarGo Village.
