Focus on Shopping locally in Leighton Buzzard & Linslade
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focus
on
Shopping locally
in Leighton Buzzard
& Linslade
LEIGHTON
BUZZARD
KEEPING IT LOCAL
www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
An "Out of Town, In Town"
focus
on
Shopping Experience
up here. There are two friends who often use
R IAL
the Latte Dah A Coffeehouse & Café as their ideal
The first of our “halfway house” meet-up point when travelling
Town Centre from their AL
Irespective homes in Hampshire and
Shopping Spotlight series focuses on Peacock AR
Suffolk. Here they catch up with each other and
Mews and its hidden treasures of independent also reacquaint themselves with the fascinating
shops. and diverse independent
Peacock Mews is a gorgeous slice of Leighton stores and boutiques of
Buzzard life tucked but a stone’s throw away this marvellous historic
from the Market Cross at the top end of Leighton thoroughfare.
Buzzard High Street. However, Peacock Mews is
Nestling between Lake Street to the South via not only a unique shopping
the renowned Peacock Alley, and Hockliffe Street experience with fascinating
to the North, alluring passageways and cobbled diversity, it is Peacock
stones step back in time to provide a true haven Mews, the experience, a
to hideaway-a-while from the hustle and bustle bubbling tagine of charm
of a busy town centre. and personality, spiced
with generous helpings
Indeed, the Mews has been described as the of friendship, heritage and Step back in time to a true haven
perfect “Out of Town, In Town” experience and traditional community focused retreat, away from the hustle and
visitors travel from around the country to meet hospitality. bustle of a busy Town Centre
Just ask
those who
have enjoyed
The Children’s
Trail. It really
is well worth
a visit!
Author: Clive
Jacques of
Latte Dah.
Somewhere quiet to sit
Historic archway entrance
Pretty Peacock Mews
Variety of Independent shops
focus Ryland Mews and Bell Alley,
on more than meets the eye!
A visit to Leighton Buzzard Town Centre isn’t so much a journey but an adventure and a discovery of hidden treasures amidst
the nooks and crannies of our historic market town. And two such nooks and crannies are Bell Alley and Ryland Mews, both
offer warm hands to greet you with and a host of treats to spoil you with.
Take a trip within a trip and walk these historic passageways running in and out of the Market Square and Lake Street in the
Town Centre, to the easy accessed Duncombe Drive Car Park, Parson’s Close Recreation Ground and beyond.
Ryland Mews Bell Alley
Are you missing the sunshine? The
Do you need a new wardrobe
warmth on your skin? Then take a
built? Decking? A loft ladder,
wander up Bell Alley where you can
perhaps. Are you hungry?
top up your tan. Refine those nails.
Then what about something
Relax and unwind. Be pampered
to nibble on. A Kebab? Or
in salon and studio. And if the old
what about… Pizza? Collect
barnet’s getting a bit raggedy, get it
or to your door. Learn new
Hi sorted at a traditional Barbers you can Un s
st o ys arts and crafts. Or relax and are
r ic p a s s a g e w a trust. You can even get tip top teeth here. iqu
e th o ro u ghf
rebalance with Reiki. Pop into
State of the art dentistry on the doorstep.
the Craft centre and create your own
While there, dance to the music recorded on old fashioned,
cards. Or art projects. For School, for Family. For
in fashion, LP vinyl. Pop along for some pampering at the salons
celebration days. Get reinvigorated with Indian Head
and studios of Bell Alley. And should you need another lift? Taxi!
massage. Or restyled with the unisex hair specialist. And
with alternative and holistic health at hand, all this and Come experience the wonders and delights of the boutiques and
more awaits you in Ryland Mews. studios lining each of these unique thoroughfares where there is
so much more on offer than first meets the eye.
And the rumours about the ghost? Not true, of course. Just ask
Stanley. Woooooh!
Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
Charming entrance
Come experience the
wonders and delights of
You'll never know
the boutiques and studios
lining each of these what you'll find!
unique thoroughfares.
focus
on Where can really do travel from
you visit the far and countrywide to
White House, take sample the delights of
a train, go to the pictures and recharge this Aladdin’s Cave of
your batteries, in just one afternoon? trainery.
And all without increasing your carbon
And from trainery... to
footprint by keeping it local?
training. Just across the
A. Milton Keynes way, Sportswear for all
B. Leighton Buzzard Retail Park the family in 2nd Sport
caters for all. As does
C. High Street Mews, Leighton Buzzard
Lauren’s Café. Whether
Town Centre
it’s a quick bite or a big
The answer is, of course, High Street bite, kick back and relax,
Mews, another nook among the many plan your day or phone
crannies that make up the wonderful a friend.
Town Centre of Leighton Buzzard.
Better still… befriend And there’s even advice available on
your phone. Yes, even your phone can looking after those pennies with those
At your fingertips in High Street get a makeover at The Phone Club. friendly people at Fouracres.
Mews. And all low carbon shopping And if it’s good enough for your phone, Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
if you keep it local and just use your get into Phoenix Rejuvenation and treat
shoe leather. Just a great big warm yourself too. Or maybe the pictures will
Leighton Buzzard welcome. take your fancy at the Rising Phoenix for
a mean tattoo.
But if ink isn’t your thing, how
Where you can redesign your home at
about attending to your chakras,
The White House... Prestige that even
empowerment, confidence or go release
the Jones’ will struggle to keep up with.
that stress. Rejuvenate and centre
Or get that train at the AGR Model with Crystals and Reiki in the Cabin.
Railway Store. Trains and all things (Previously The Retro Shop which
trains - from all ages; for all ages. People continues to trade on-line).
focus
on
Friday Street business for the ukuleles and even
and Ropa Court dedicated family
business. Cleaning
the odd banjo.
Amazingly, these
Historical Friday Street and its good friend services for
fantastic places
Ropa Court nestle just a hop and a jump windows, carpets,
are all within a
from the High Street in our gorgeous whether industrial
few yards of each
Town Centre, where you can get, among or commercial.
other so next time
other things, everything for your new
Then brighten up you’re on your way
home including your new home!
your world with up to Waitrose,
Whether buying or renting, where better flowers as the take a gander
to start with two estate agents in the resident Ropa Court florist can fill two over Ropa Court, and a wander down
location to guide you from brochure to needs with one deed by ordering flowers Friday Street and immerse yourself in
completion and alongside these, finance for the workplace and for your home. the treasures that wait for you in another
solutions. Whether you are new to the Blooming marvellous! fascinating corner of Leighton Buzzard
area or relocating within, they have all you and Linslade’s wonderful Town Centre.
Now, we’ve had ‘Me’, it’s time for
need.
‘You’. Starting with your beautification Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
And once you’ve got your home, get over at Jo’, with massage and waxing, bio
to the carpet shop sculpture gel nails,
for quality flooring and crystal-clear
from luxury carpets microdermabrasion,
and rugs to vinyl anti-ageing that puts
solutions. even Dorian Gray in
Got your floor sorted? the shade. You really
Why not pop next can get everything
door for your kitchen made over here.
for their fine range Except perhaps
of kitchens and your hair, so to the
bedroom designs. resident Hair Studio,
A Kitchen Shop that for original styling
makes bedrooms... and techniques, not
What will they think of least their notorious
next? Brazilian Blow-Dry
Well, they could think of ‘Me’, brimming Treatment, with its famous keratin base
with its ideas for beautiful home for that wonderful protein brimming finish
furnishings, wedding gifts and Annie – no less...
Sloan’s original range of Chalk Paints and And for that final touch, Ladies Fashions,
classes. Revamp those cabinets, touch clothes and accessories. Thirty-two years
up those cupboards, and re-age your of experience packed in to one boutique
units. You can even paint the radiators! for that special date, night out, night in,
But wait. It’s all very celebrating your new home, perhaps?
well looking after Oh, and for any budding musicians out
the home but what there, the Galleria Guitars is a must! Yes.
about the office? Leighton’s very own music shop is located
Tucked away in on the 1st floor of the carpet shop where
Ropa Court is a Micky and Larry will guide you round
dedicated family their galaxy of guitars, amps, combos,
focus
on
Advice, counselling, personal support, and onto the original town centre.
Pavements, lined with gold - nursery care. It’s all here… Ecclesiastical And if you’re trying to kick the ciggies;
Leighton Buzzard Gold! for the theologians, TACTICs for the Vape, or become a real Ale connoisseur,
youngsters, Crombie House Counselling there’s the draught of Leighton
A delectation of everything one could
Buzzard’s very own brewed beer.
want of a metropolitan thoroughfare but
That’s the way to get your breath
without the stress, the inconvenience, or
back. Top up the tan, nail those
the time constraints of actually visiting
nails. Get that barnet coiffed!
one.
Ooh, and don’t forget to treat
No exorbitant station parking fees, no rail
yourself to some bombs for the
tickets. No crowded stations. Or railway
bath, for a luxuriously hot soaking
carriages. Or jammed up roads and
when you get home after a long
angry drivers.
Open the door to the Great North East Add to your vinyl collection hard day travelling all the way from
Passage and step out into Hockliffe in the record store. one end of Hockliffe Street to the other.
Street. Let the journey begin at the and group support. And for all things But then? You have one of those striking
Leighton-Linslade, there’s our very own thoughts, “Where on earth would I go if
Town Council at The White House, ready, I got toothache, right now?” Or “Crikey!
willing and able to guide on all things Where am I going to find a Surveyor or
local. It’s a lot to digest, I think you’ll Accountant at this time of the day?” Then
agree. perhaps, “Aaargh! I’ve nothing in for our
Anniversary dinner tonight... What I’d do
So take a break and unwind. Grab a
for an outside caterer now!” Even, “I’ll bet
bite to eat at one of Hockliffe Street’s
there’s nowhere to park near Hockliffe
culinary havens. Feast on delights from
Street, not this close to the Town Centre!”
the Orient, of Turkey, Thailand, India.
Or the Mediterranean, perhaps Italy, Well, look no further, because you’re in
legendary White House Roundabout, Hockliffe Street. Where a five-minute trot
with its lashings of sunshine. Or good
grab an LBO from your friendly White to town turns to an afternoon of wonder
old homegrown English Fayre. It’s all
House general store and you’re on your and discovery. Where everything is and
way. waits just for you.
For the Amazonians among you, what Promoting our town’s offer to Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
better start than the home of reptiles, residents and visitors alike will
snakes and lizards, aquatic exotics be a key activity for our retailers
hosted at the appropriately named and the Council over the coming
Wrigglies, before moving along the months. We recommend our
galaxy of delights that make Hockliffe town to you and simply request
Street so pleasantly revealing. that you show you value the
Town Centre and shop local as
For houses and homes, fridges or
much as you can.
freezers, floors, carpets, sumptuous beds
and comfy chairs ... Ooh and a Vets for
our pets. So much choice! Or nip into there. Even coffee of Iceland. Now how
Peacock Mews and then onto Peacock cosmopolitan is that! Furnish your home in style.
Alley, with its Ladies boutique and Coffee Or nip into Peacock Mews and then onto
offering a kaleidoscope of locally roasted Peacock Alley, with its ladies boutique
and ground coffees and coffee offering a kaleidoscope of
just for you, and locally roasted and ground coffees just
onto the original for you,
Town
Centre.
focus
NORTH STREET
We’re You’ve got your
on living in wedding and formal
strange dress outfitters.
times. And for You’ve your florists.
strange times we need familiar Beauticians and Physio. Bathing
places. And faces. And as we know, consultants. Hairdressers. Vape studio
Leighton Buzzard and Linslade are for the vapers... Oh, and there’s the Print
good for that. And one place that is good and Copy shop for the invitations.
for that and a bit more is North Street, Estate agents for those in need of a
which if you didn’t know, has also been new start. For a new home. For their
referred to as new life. For the planning and the
the ‘Wedding to invest in a bike. I beg your pardon?
celebrations there are fine Restaurants
March’... Or Yes, a bike. And yes, of course you can
and wholesome Eateries, with both
‘Little Vegas’. get a bike in North Street. To make you
Traditional and Wedding breakfasts
Because healthier, wealthier, lean, and mean,
available!
anything and which, BTW (by the way), you can
What about the party? Pop in to one
you can complement with a visit to the Nature’s
of the well-stocked Offices for your
do in North Harvest.
Street, you For all else there are Gift shops
can do in Las and traditional General Stores
Vegas... the and Newsagents for the things
only differences being the cost and we nearly forget. Ooh. Nearly
the occasional inclement turn in the forgot, Locksmiths and Key
weather. cutters, who also take mean
Yes, in North Street, as in Vegas, many passport quality photos. What
a happy couple have first clashed great service!
eyes over a foaming pint of ale, or a And finally, in true Las Vegas
particularly fruity little mixture in one of style, there’s the
North Street’s most famous hostelries. Bookmakers for those
Steeped in traditions of live music, and who like a flutter. Like a
fine ales, they have long been witness refreshments. Fancy a Casino, just not quite as
to the coming together of many, many, barbecue, maybe? Get on down to one of dangerous, though do keep an eye on
fine matches. And some, sadly, coming the few remaining Independent Butchers your pennies, just the same, and there is
apart, as does happen in life. But many of Leighton Buzzard. Traditional And an optician and an accountant available
have stayed the course and all thanks Local. What about that! For afters? Why to help you do just that.
to the unofficial North Street Marriage not pick up some cakes or Artisan fancies All here, and more. Along North Street’s
and Registry Bureau looking quietly over from the Bakeries. Wedding March.
them from the side-lines. And when the knot is tied, life goes And to wholly encapsulate that true
And for a on and must adapt with the changing Leighton Buzzard and Linslade caring
marriage, a times, so if it’s your time to switch to sharing hospitality, there is The Friends
partnership, home working, why not go Crackers Meeting House. Which says it all.
we need and get your Tech in order. Plumbing Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
some plans, and Electricals, too. There’s even North
so where Street’s very own School Uniform shop
better to should the patter of tiny feet arise and
begin than grow into the pit-pat pat-pit of not
so tiny schoolchildren.
What of the favoured mode of
booking the transport for our future? Is it
Church, and with green? More pointers are telling
which, the rest us so and as such we have the
kind of falls into great Green Wheel Plan spinning
place... into action, so maybe it’s time
focus
on
Going to Town: drinks for all and some lovely clothes
boutiques for nipping in and out of and
achievements and notable references,
from The Domesday Book and Sand and
The East & West Approaches freshening up the wardrobe. Bras and Parachutes, to the Dangling
Lake Street for MOTs and fuel stops, Choirboy and University of the Third Age.
Many Towns and their Centres wait to be
Computer repairs and health checks, It was here in our very own Leighton
adapted in these changing times. Often
right up into the top of the Town Centre Buzzard and Linslade that The Vickers
in trepidation, they wait for someone,
itself where we find the local roasted Vimy Biplane Bomber was manufactured
or something, somewhere, to make a
Coffee Emporium in the truly Historic in the nearby factory alongside the River
decision. Not Leighton Buzzard.
Peacock Alley where the legendary Ouzel.
Leighton Buzzard evolves due to a
Peacock still stands from the 1500s. An extraordinary feat of Leighton
unique and eclectic mix of Independent
And Bridge Buzzard engineering, the Vickers Vimy
and National Outlets. Citizens with a
Street! Oh, Our local traders are was originally intended as a war machine
fierce pride and resolve to keep their
where to made of good, strong, but is perhaps more remarkable for its
town alive. Leighton Buzzard gets on
start? stuff and are still here achievement in peace time as the first
with it. How many equivalent Town
opening up and servicing plane to cross the Atlantic, non-stop as
Centres can boast so many thriving and Well, we
you. That spirit to serve well. How fantastic is that? I’d bet there’s
Independently owned Traditional Local could start has not left them, come a few airlines which would be proud of
Stores? How many have Adult Learning, at bespoke in and see what we all that boast today, never mind back in
Schooling, Medical, Fire and Police furnishings. have to offer you, our
1919. And where would Mr Alcock and
services? Maybe the service is your delight.
Mr Brown be now, one wonders, without
A Library, beauticians.
Leighton Buzzard and its Vickers Vimy?
Cinema and There’s even State of the Art Media
Live Stage Services. Or how about Organic Hair So next time you pass the Flypast,
Shows Mechanics? How great is that for don’t just fly past, but take a moment to
all on the keeping ahead with the times. Or… consume what our town is built on. More
doorstep. All than stone, more than clay. More than
We could start with a Fly Past, because
accessible concrete and with lots of sand thrown
we all love a good one of these. And
within a in. Because sometimes it is easy to take
not every Town has one. Not every day,
short walk, our history, our foundations and our
anyway and unless you’re in Leighton
whether you enter from Lake Street to achievements for granted. There is a lot
Buzzard, of course. You know the
the East, or Bridge Street in the West. more to Leighton Buzzard than meets
Flypast? Of course you do.
the eye. Just ask Mr Alcock and Mr
Lake Street, so named because though It’s the big metal ring with the propeller
Brown!
there is now no lake, we are a signpost sitting quiet and proud at the foot of
to our history as well as our future. And Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
Bridge Street. Next to the school and
besides, if we still had a lake, we’d never opposite the Bike Shop. It also has
be able to pack so much good into our a nice bench by it where you can
busy town. There are sit and breathe in the flowers.
smashing Cards Historically prolific and long
for all occasions. overdue at its inception back in
Parking, Fine 2005, the Flypast Memorial is a
Dining, Pubs and nod to the past. A reminder of
Gastros with big what we have been. A reminder of
TVs and eats and some very fine associations and
focus
on
big names, small names Street.
and medium sized names. Heck. We even hold our own Fairs,
Good established businesses Remembrance Parades, Carol services,
with ethical foundations and Gift Craft Shows and European Market
family values. Brands that Days here.
have had to re-configure
Our High Street. An eclectic mix of
to survive, bringing with
popular High Street chains and a
them their knowledge and
kaleidoscope of independent store
experience to share and embolden the
owners which continues to adapt and
community.
thrive. It is local, it is determined, it is
We have coffee houses, clothes community. It has original spirit.
emporiums, family grocers and economy
The answer is of course stores known nationwide for their
It is the Street where all roads meet.
the High Street in prowess, all gathering in our High Street Author: Clive Jacques of Latte Dah.
Leighton Buzzard. That’s and sited nicely alongside Leighton
Buzzard’s big names which are also And we’ve got a Fire Station that
right, the High Street, founded on good family values. Local serves Pizza - even Milton Keynes
Leighton Buzzard. Not jewellers putting that extra sparkle into hasn’t got one of those! Now how many
Rome, not anymore. our unique Town Centre. town centres can boast of that?
The High Street in Leighton Buzzard There’s hardware and haberdashery,
is doing its best to survive and it has eateries, real pubs, and restaurants...
thrived for over one thousand years step right on in. Receive a welcome with
in times of prosperity and times of a smile.
adversity. Built up by the Saxons and Bespoke carpenters. furniture, furniture
almost destroyed by Oliver Cromwell makers and flooring shops for something
and his Roundheads in 1644, it has to put your furniture on! Everything here
been rebuilt and reinstated many for everyone... shake bars, takeaways,
times. Leighton Buzzard and its High ‘not takeaways’, chocolate emporia...
Street have fought on. It is of the past. Tasty!
Electronics. Fashion. Click and Collect.
Some organisations put a roof on Click and Collect?! Yes! You did hear
top of a place like this and call it a right. Even old fashioned, fuddy-duddy
store. Leighton Buzzard just puts Leighton Buzzard has click and collect!
up a sign that says High Street, Wow... and free Town Wi-Fi to boot. I bet
which says it all. even Oliver Cromwell never saw that one
coming.
It is for the future. It is of the present.
There’s the Charter Market still twice
The High Street is the hub. It is of the a week, as it has been for fourteen
community. People invest in it. People hundred years, and a Market Cross
who care. Normal people who love their dated back to 1350... Unique sculpture,
town and its unique personality. People stonework and craftsmanship, where you
who love where they live and can sit and collect your thoughts. Watch
get involved. the world go by as indeed the Cross itself
Where else can has over many centuries.
you find one So it is little surprise that there are so
huge superstore many visitors from all over Bedfordshire
with such an and beyond who make the trek to relax
eclectic mix... in the intimacy and ambience of our High
focus
on ,.
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