North Northamptonshire Council will once again provide free parking in council-owned pay and display car parks this festive season.As part of the Christmas festivities, and to support local businesses, NNC will be offering free parking in Kettering and Corby town centres on the following Saturdays:6 December 13 December 20 DecemberThis applies to all council pay and display car parks in Kettering and Corby town centres, excluding Corby railway station car park.Also in Wellingborough, the Commercial Way multi-storey car park will remain open until 10pm from 1 December through to the end of the pantomime season at The Castle Theatre.Cllr...

14 November, 2025

Northamptonshire’s Vulcan Creatives business incubation programme has welcomed 11 new aspiring entrepreneurs as part of its third cohort.First launched in 2023 by the award-winning team at Northampton’s serviced workspace, Vulcan Works, the free six-month innovative programme offers successful applicants the opportunity to kick start a new business or grow an existing idea with specialist support.The programme is led by Vulcan Works’ on-site business growth manager Darren Smith and applications opened in the summer, with 11 businesses chosen from almost 50 entries. Those who were successful are:• Anna Hamilton, a website developer • Danny Langford, a former primary school teacher who has...

14 November, 2025

Residents across West Northamptonshire are invited to attend a series of money and wellbeing roadshows this winter, offering free advice and support to help people stay well and manage their finances during the colder months.Organised by West Northamptonshire Council in partnership with local libraries, community centres, and charities, the events bring together a range of organisations under one roof to provide practical help on everything from home energy efficiency and debt advice to mental health support and family wellbeing.The roadshows are part of the council’s wider money and wellbeing support programme and are designed to be welcoming, inclusive spaces where...

14 November, 2025

Residents and developers are being asked to help shape West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) new Infrastructure and Developer Contributions document, aimed at providing clearer, more consistent guidance to inform planning decisions across the area.The proposed Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will replace the three existing versions inherited from the former district and borough councils and will provide one document for West Northamptonshire.A new SPD will provide up to date guidance in a single document, offering clarity on how contributions are calculated, delivered, and monitored. It will also explain the rules and policies that guide how developers are asked to contribute to things like...

14 November, 2025

Communities across West Northamptonshire are set to benefit from new projects that will enhance open spaces, thanks to £10,000 funding from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).The Biodiversity Grant Scheme, delivered by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in partnership NCALC (Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils), provides small parish councils with resources to create wildlife-friendly spaces that improve health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.With a total budget of £10,000, the scheme invited parish councils with a Council Tax precept of £25,000 or less to submit proposals for projects that would create or enhance habitats such as woodlands, orchards, ponds, and streams....

14 November, 2025

Companies House has announced the introduction of mandatory identity verification for all individuals involved in the management of companies registered in the United Kingdom. Starting on 18th November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). More than one million individuals have already completed the process, and the official launch marks the beginning of a twelve-month transition period during which each person must verify their identity by their assigned due date. The identity verification process involves two key steps. First, each individual must complete the verification process and obtain their Companies...

14 November, 2025

NLive Radio, Northampton’s local radio station, is again excited to be running its Christmas present appeal. Now in its fourth year, they are again calling on the generosity of the Northampton public to donate gifts to ensure that those in need this Christmas have a present to open on Christmas Day. Last year, over 1,300 presents were donated by the people of Northampton, and they would love to beat that figure this year.The station is partnering with five fantastic local charities, Baby Basics Northampton, The Doddridge Centre, The Spring Charity, The Hope Centre and Growing Together Northampton to provide presents...

12 November, 2025

A brand-new state-of-the-art podcast studio opens today at Northampton’s Vulcan Works.The podcast studio, in the creative workspace’s main building on Guildhall Road, has been meticulously designed by the centre’s management team, who wanted to provide a useful bolt on service for customers, both internal and external, alongside the hub’s invaluable business support, networking opportunities, seminars and meeting rooms.It will be available to hire through the centre’s website from just £22.50 + VAT per hour, or £120 + VAT for the day.The Vulcan Studio podcast space offers two distinct setups to suit different styles – a polished desk arrangement with four...

10 November, 2025

A pioneering project to regenerate a historic cottage involving hundreds of Northampton College students has begun at Delapré Abbey.The historic Northampton site is undergoing a multi-million pound project supported by the Lottery Heritage Fund to transform its stables into a dynamic, mixed-use development featuring dedicated spaces for retail, events and wellbeing activities.Students from Northampton College started work on regenerating an abandoned 19th century cottage on the site known as Gardener’s Cottage Number 2.Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust Deputy Chief Executive Amanda Nicols-Polinska said: “This partnership will create a legacy for our community and provide the students with skills they can take forward into...

06 November, 2025

Renowned Northants home lifestyle store Bell of Northampton has implemented a range of new initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience.Well-known within the county as the destination store for all things home, the Kingsthorpe Road store embarked on implementing a range of customer improvements following the creation of its new three-year strategy, launched at the end of 2024.With a strong focus on the customer experience, Bell of Northampton has introduced new initiatives to further strengthen the quality of its customer service, improve store navigation and establish partnerships with like-minded local businesses.To ensure consistently high standards and guide staff development and...

06 November, 2025

As Talk Money Week gets underway, local charity Community Law Service is urging people not to hide from the increasing problem of council tax arrears.The advice charity, which launched its 'Sort It Sooner' campaign in September, is reinforcing its message that early advice can prevent a manageable problem from spiralling into a crisis that could see enforcement agents at the door.The message aligns perfectly with this year's Talk Money Week theme: 'Start the conversation'. The national campaign, run by the Money and Pensions Service, emphasises that talking about money openly and with confidence is the first step towards a better...

06 November, 2025