A DERELICT pub and an abandoned school in Leamington are ready for a new chapter.
The redevelopment of the former Stoneleigh Arms pub on Clemens Street and the Old School on Court Street has been completed and the buildings handed over to Warwick District Council for operation.
Back in December 2017, WDC appointed Complex Development Projects (CPD) to bring to life an exciting masterplan to completely transform the Old Town area of Leamington. 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.
WDC’s culture spokesperson Coun Ella Billiald 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.”
WDC’s communities spokesperson Coun Jim Sinnott added: “The council’s visionary and ambitious masterplan was designed to reshape this part of Leamington into the district’s cultural destination. With the addition of the Stoneleigh Arms development, the Old School and the Depot, it really does achieve that ambition, with the Creative Quarter now viewed 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.”
