Southam's enterprise encapsulated by growth of Galanos House

People who visit Southam tend to like it – and not just for asset that applied to Dr Hall’s cart in 1634 and still applies 389 years later: free parking! In our latest Talk Up Your Town feature, we explore one of Warwickshire's hidden jewels...

Like every market town, Southam has faced its share of economic challenges in recent years.

It has faced and overcome them with attributes that are trademarks of the town - quiet resilience, enterprise and warmth.

Those virtues are embodied by one enterprise, Galanos House, which in less than a year has expanded from residential care home to vibrant Community Hub.

Galanos House, in Banbury Road, is one of six Royal British Legion care homes in the UK. It remains a flagship for the quality of care provided to its more than 100 residents with a connection to the armed forces and has long been an important component of the town’s economy, employing around 250 full time staff (the vast majority local). But since last May, it has become even more integral to the town’s wellbeing following the opening of the Community Hub which now employs a further 12 people.

The Hub is used by residents young and old in myriad ways - from Sports Massage to Southam Stitch and from the Armed Forces Veteran Breakfast Club to Menopause Advice Evenings. It is there for everybody from mums with toddlers to homeworkers and businesses taking advantage of the space and facilities.

“The Royal British Legion built the hub to become more integrated within the local community,” said Shelley Fardon, Events and Bookings Co-ordinator at Galanos House. “We wanted to reach and support more beneficiaries, so we are very happy that it has so quickly become such a central part of town life.

“The Hub provides space for numerous events and services so an incredibly diverse range organisations is accommodated here; leisure and health services, support and learning advice, business events, meetings and private functions.

“The café, open every day, also provides space for people to just meet for a chat. We have lovely regulars and the free Wi-Fi access is great for home workers who want to get out of their offices for an hour or two.”

The Community Hub is a real success story which encapsulates the appeal which has attracted many businesses of Southam. The town is off Warwickshire’s beaten track but, of those businesses that come across it, many choose to move in and stay.

“We haven’t got a castle or a big claim to fame like Rugby or William Shakespeare, but Southam really is a hidden jewel,” said town mayor Cllr Angela John. “We have a strong business community and thriving visitor economy with a new visitor website.

“We look after Warwickshire’s hinterlands. A lot of people from surrounding villages come to us because they can get everything they need here. That’s why traders in the town centre tend to stay. It’s a lovely town centre with green spaces, stylish frontages and cafes which gives visitors a great opportunity to get what they need while also spending time together.”

There is a Shakespearean connection, actually. The writer’s son-in-law, Dr John Hall tended many patients in Southam and liked it enough to practise there for many years despite the long commute by cart from Stratford. That’s what tends to happen. People who visit Southam like it – and not just for one asset that applied to Dr Hall’s cart in 1634 and still applies 389 years later: free parking.

If there is one thing that Southam perhaps does not do well enough, it’s shouting about itself. Economically vibrant, its three industrial estates well-occupied and town centre robust, it is full of good things but not full of itself.

To change that, a partnership of local businesses and community organisations is now working together to promote the area. Using a template produced by Warwickshire County Council (WCC), the group has created an informative and attractive new destination website which will showcase Southam and nearby villages for residents and visitors alike.

The website has been developed by volunteer members of Southam First, a group dedicated to promoting events that bring people to the town centre, and the Civic Ideas Forum, who aim to enhance the town. Other civic groups in Southam and surrounding villages, including Southam Heritage, Southam Rotary 2000 and Southam Rights of Way Volunteers, also contributed to the project which was supported by Warwickshire County Council and Southam Town Council.

The website is an example of WCC’s ‘Visit Local’ project which aims to help the county’s smaller towns realise their untapped visitor potential. Through this initiative, Southam is the latest to received technical expertise, training and a new online toolkit designed to help those that know their places best put their rural towns on the tourism map.

"Warwickshire has so much to offer beyond its more famous attractions," said Alex Holmes, Visitor Economy Manager for WCC. "Every town has its unique selling point, and we are keen to help these under-explored places in Warwickshire to promote their strengths.”

To see what Southam has to offer, please visit https://southam.co.uk/