Here is a roundup of the biggest stories from the news in Leamington this December.

Alongside a host of planning applications, and a number of high profile council decisions, the last four weeks have seen Nub News cover everything from business news to acts of kindness in the local community.

We Love Pizza closes its doors

After serving over five years in Leamington and the wider community, a popular pizza shop closed its doors.

We Love Pizza, located on Regent Street in the town opened its doors for the last time on 13 December.

The independent restaurant is family run, and like many other businesses, was hit by the pandemic and flipped to doing deliveries only in September 2020 - just two months after opening.

View the full story here. 

We Love Pizza, located on Regent Street in the town had its last day in business on 13 December (image via Nub News)

Teenagers jailed for raping girl in Leamington park

Two 17-year-old boys have been jailed after admitting raping a teenager in a Leamington park.

A 15-year-old girl and a group of friends were in the town on 10 May when they met and started chatting with two boys - both Afghan asylum seekers.

The two boys - Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal – later asked the girl to join them on a walk and went on to rape her at Newbold Comyn.  

Afterwards, the girl managed to flag down a member of the public who called the police.  

Thanks to a combination of CCTV footage work and using photos the girl had taken on her phone during the day, police were able to identify and arrest Jahanzeb and Niazal quickly. 

Warwickshire Police charged the two boys with rape and they went before youth court in Coventry where they admitted the offence. 

Appearing at Warwick Crown Court for sentencing today (Monday 8 November), the judge lifted reporting restrictions that had previously prevented Jahanzeb and Niazal from being identified owing to their age. 

It was also confirmed at court that they were Afghan asylum seekers. 

Jahanzeb was sentenced to ten years and eight months while the judge gave Niazal nine years and ten months.

Both will start their sentences in a Young Offenders' Institution and move to prison at a later date. The pair were also made to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life and given an indefinite restraining order. 

Read the full story here.

Izrar Niazal (left) and Jan Jahanzeb have admitted raping a teenage girl (image by Warwickshire Police)

Lighthaus Art prepared to make The Stoneleigh Arms its new home

A local artist-led organisation dedicated to making the arts accessible in Warwickshire has been awarded a £23,500 Project Grant from the Arts Council.

Alongside its charitable partners, Lighthaus Art will bring free workshops to South Leamington, while also supporting emerging artists and collaborating with professional artists throughout the programme.

This will culminate in a vibrant public exhibition later in the year, showcasing work from across the community and creative sector.

The Lighthaus Art team shared: "Thank you to everyone who has believed in this project and supported us along the way…"

Read more here. 

Maddie Webb, Cassie Leedham and Cllr Ella Billiald (image supplied)

Leamington-based charity raises over £30k in its Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025

A Leamington-based charity has raised over £30,000 in its Big Give Christmas Challenge this year (2025).

Helping Hands Charity, which is dedicated to supporting those facing homelessness, poverty, and hardship, raised a total of £30,745 through the campaign, which closed on 9 December.

The funds raised will help the charity to fund its core costs, Breakfast & Soup Kitchen, support groups, and counselling services (11,736 meals served last year), with donations doubled, helping people off the streets with warm meals, conversation and support.

and Kenilworth - your kindness is changing lives and giving people in your community a warmer way forward this Christmas."

Find out more here.

Helping Hands Charity in Leamington raised £30,745 in the 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge (image supplied)