The UK have been showing their support for Northants Sings Out (NSO) following their showstopping audition on last weekend’s Britain’s Got Talent where judge Amanda Holden referred to them as the ‘best choir ever’.Northamptonshire residents took to social media to share just how wowed they were by the choir’s performance.66 members of the 200 strong choir performed a rendition of It Is Well with My Soul followed by 1990’s pop classic Show Me Love, led by Choir Director Gareth Fuller on Saturday night’s show. The Denim clad choir, dubbed a ‘gap advert’ by a member of the crowd, wowed all...

01 May, 2024

The market town of Towcester boasts a long and fascinating history and features a variety of distinctive businesses, boutiques, eateries, and expansive green spaces.West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is keen to establish a clear vision for building on Towcester’s strengths to ultimately enhance the community and sustainably grow the economy.Residents and visitors are being asked to share their ideas about enhancing Towcester Town Centre and any improvements they would like to see made.Nationally, high streets across the UK are facing a variety of challenges and many people are using them differently to how they have done in the past. Now is...

01 May, 2024

New proposals aimed at shaping a vibrant future for Northampton’s markets are set to be considered by councillors next month.Alongside the extensive renovation of the town’s historic Market Square opening this summer, a Markets Development Plan has been created to drive forward future improvements, boost trade and support existing traders at the new-look site.West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet will meet to consider the proposals at their meeting on Tuesday, 7 May, which range from attracting new and specialist markets into the town alongside an existing offer of quality stalls to establishing a fresh programme of events for shoppers. Key to the...

01 May, 2024

Northampton town centre could soon have a more pleasant environment thanks to a new policy which would deal with unsightly bin storage.The town is undergoing extensive regeneration with multi-million-pound projects taking shape including Market Square, and Abington and Fish Street, with further schemes set to start in the coming months.Businesses would need to make sure their bins are appropriately stored and put out only when they’re due to be collected, or face enforcement.The area covered would extend to the inner ring road, bounded by Mounts, Campbell Square, Broad Street, Horse Market, St Peter’s Way, Victoria Promenade, Cheyne Walk and York...

01 May, 2024

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a new grant scheme which aims to support local people to develop their learning and skills and help them get into work.The Skills for Communities grant scheme is open to community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations that operate, or are prepared to operate, within the geographical area of West Northamptonshire and must be used to provide support to residents aged 16+ who are no longer in full-time education and who would like to develop existing or learn new skills.Local voluntary and community organisations including registered charities, community interest companies and social enterprises are invited...

01 May, 2024

An established Northamptonshire accountancy firm is on a mission to smash the stereotypes associated with its profession and inspire the next generation to join its ranks.Rushden-based Elsby & Co has been taking part in a series of events during the past month to show teenagers that accountancy does not deserve the ‘dull’ reputation it has suffered from in the past.The firm’s expert team has been spreading the news about its exciting approach to accountancy and apprenticeships at the latest careers fairs at Rushden Academy and Northampton College and held its own Student Open Evening this month.Managing partner Claire Emery, who...

30 April, 2024

NORTHAMPTON-based health and safety consultancy Acorn Safety Services has strengthened its growing team with the appointment of Health and Safety Manager, Kevin Burt.In a career spanning almost 30 years, Kevin has worked in key health and safety roles in the logistics industry and most recently for the world’s largest beverage company, Refresco, based in Milton Keynes.Kevin said he was delighted to be joining the team at Acorn Safety Services and looking forward to supporting their clients with all of their health and safety needs.He said: “There is a great team already in place and I’m really looking forward to bringing...

29 April, 2024

Shire Sounds Radio, a local radio staple in North Northamptonshire, proudly announces "Northants 1" arriving May 27th.  With this transformation comes a fresh identity and an unwavering commitment to being Northamptonshire’s own local hit music radio station.The rebrand signifies a key commitment to local broadcasting, and its dedication to delivering top-tier local entertainment, community representation and engagement. With an emphasis on playing Hit Music for Northamptonshire, Northants 1 promises to continue providing quality programming made for its growing local audience.Our key commitments remain in line with what we have always believed in. Northants 1 is set to continue the pioneering...

29 April, 2024

Teams across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes have been putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test to raise money for eight local charities as part of the Franklins £50 Challenge. With almost a month still to go before the challenge ends, more than £10,000 has already been raised and the organiser of the Apprentice-style challenge, prominent legal firm Franklins Solicitors, is hoping that last year’s total of £20,000 will be broken and a new record set. The 2024 challenge, which started in February, has seen 41 teams turn their £50 seed funding from Franklins into more money for their chosen charity. With less...

29 April, 2024

Yusen Logistics (UK) is partnering with the Kaleidoscope Group UK, which supports people with disabilities to gain employment via an incubator programme.Yusen Logistics UK partnered with Kaleidoscope to make recruitment across its UK sites more accessible to people with all types of disabilities. Kaleidoscope is also supporting Yusen Logistics with accessibility assessments and improving disability awareness training.Candidates on the first Kaleidoscope incubator programme for Yusen Logistics are provided with training that helps to maximise their chances of employment and to find the right role for them.Gary Jackson, Head of HR Business Support at Yusen Logistics, said: “Yusen Logistics is very...

25 April, 2024

The sixteenth year of the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards are picking up pace, with more people nominating more food businesses, and entries closing soon for college student and artisan product categories.Recognising and celebrating excellence in the sector’s brilliant local people, products and places, the competition relies on the support of the sector, which is going strong. And as the awards grow bigger and better each year, the awards organisers need more mystery shoppers to review nominees and see if the proof is in the pudding.Rachel Mallows MBE, Awards Director said “It’s been a brilliant start to the Weetabix Northamptonshire...

25 April, 2024