A popular local event organised by four artisan businesses is to take place every month through the spring and summer, to celebrate the historic part of Leamington they call home. People are being invited to make tracks to The Old Town Railway Arches next month, for the first in this year’s series of the special days, hosted by the business owners.
Arches Day is a free event which includes a line-up of live musicians and DJ sets as well as street food supplied by Nico’s Pizza and Warwick Street Kitchen.
The next event, on April 6th, has been organised by four of the businesses which operate out of The Arches on Victoria Business Park - Windmill Hill Brewing Company, BRUBL Beer, Warwickshire Gin Company, Southbound Café - Bar and sister company Vice Motorcycles.
Windmill Hill Brewing Company was established six years ago by friends Gavin Leach and Rob Singleton and now brews and sells award-winning seasonal and limited-edition craft ales. Gavin said:
"We had a blast running two "Off The Rails" events last year and we're excited this year to be hosting one a month from April - September! We have a brilliant new taproom space in the brewery and can’t wait to share it with everyone who comes down to enjoy this "mini festival" vibe right on your doorstep. Two breweries, a distillery, street food vendors, custom motorbikes and live music - need I say more?"
Visitors on the day will also have the opportunity to see motorcycles on display courtesy of Vice Motorcycles. Vice build custom bikes and manufacture parts for Triumph motorbikes. Founder and manager Carl Harris has been based at The Arches for the past seven years and has spent his working life in product design-related industries.
He’ll also be bringing his new venture Southbound Café - Bar to the event, selling a choice of French, Spanish and Italian wines and serving cheese and charcuterie, coffee, hot chocolate and pastries.
He said: “It all adds up to a great destination for memorable days and nights out with friends or family and lots of choice in food and drink in the alternative railway arches yard.”
The Arches has been home to Warwickshire Gin Company, run by Dave Blick, for six years. The award-winning hand-crafted drinks range of five gins and a rum and vodka recipe, are all inspired by historical events, with two more rums soon to launch. They also offer gin tasting experiences. Dave said:
“It’s great to see that word is getting around about this event and that it’s becoming a more regular fixture in the calendar. It really is a fun family day that also supports some great small businesses in this part of town, which many people still don’t know about.”
The newest Arches tenant is BRUBL Beer, run by Nathan Barnes who moved in after building the business which started life as a home-built garden beer shed in lockdown.