Rural businesses in North Northamptonshire are being invited to apply for capital grants of up to £50,000, aimed at supporting resilience and growth within the local economy. These grants can be utilised for essential investments in equipment or for undertaking necessary extensions and alterations.The current round of grant applications is particularly focused on promoting rural diversification and supporting the visitor economy. Projects that aim to diversify business operations or enhance tourism will be prioritised. Eligible projects should be ready to commence quickly, with all spending required to be completed by 28 February 2025.Businesses in North Northamptonshire looking to innovate and...

13 November, 2024

High Street Rental Auctions will give businesses and community groups a ‘right to rent’ long-neglected town-centre commercial properties.Councils will be handed new powers next month to breathe new life back into high streets and transform long-term empty shops, the government has announced.High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) will allow local leaders to tackle persistently vacant properties in city, town and village centres by putting the leases up for auction. This will boost the high street through a ‘right to rent’ commercial lots for businesses and community groups, after the powers come into force on 2 December through legislation laid on Monday.The...

12 November, 2024

It’s happening… Northamptonshire’s business event of the year: Your Business Expo 2025.The date: February 6.The venue: The Creative Hub, University of Northampton.The occasion: Your Business Expo Northamptonshire, hosted by Pulse Group Media - publisher of NN Pulse and the county’s leading business publication Business Times - with full-service marketing agency qoob as headline sponsor.Your Business Expo aims to create opportunities for businesses to reach, engage and connect; for quality sales leads, to meet key decision-makers and to increase awareness of your business brand. Around 100 exhibitors, including Northamptonshire’s leading, brightest and fastest-growing organisations, have confirmed their place and hundreds of...

12 November, 2024

The Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce is calling on local businesses to take part in the latest British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which has been launched today.This important survey is the largest and most representative independent business survey in the UK, providing invaluable insights into the current economic climate.Newly appointed Head of Policy, Simon Cox, is leading this initiative as part of his ongoing efforts to enhance the local business environment.In his role, Simon is committed to leading policy initiatives that align with the needs of the local business community. He will work closely with local businesses...

11 November, 2024

HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.75%.The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 7 November 2024 to reduce the Bank of England base rate to 4.75% from 5.0%.HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate.As a consequence of the change in the base rate, HMRC interest rates for late payment and repayment will reduce.These changes will come into effect on:18 November 2024 for quarterly instalment payments 26 November 2024 for non-quarterly instalments paymentsInformation on the interest rates for payments will be updated shortly. How HMRC interest rates are...

09 November, 2024

Northamptonshire primary schools have just 10 days left to enter an exciting competition for pupils to win a free interactive dinosaur experience.Giant Journeys, which provides educational immersive workshops for children, has opened a public vote on social media in which local primary schools can put themselves forward to meet Reggie – a five-metre-long animatronic T-Rex – in a special session.The prize has already generated a lot of interest with more than 1000 votes for more than 80 different schools.Giant Journeys was established in September 2024 by founder Darren Smith, who has a passion for creative education and a more than...

09 November, 2024

We at the Chester House Estate are urging visitors to ‘get their skates on’ this festive period as we introduce our first ever ice rink, part of our Winter Wonderland experience starting on Saturday 23 November and running through until Tuesday 24 December (Christmas Eve).The ice rink will be located at the front of the 17th century historic farmhouse, with festive huts serving hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts lining the edges of the rink. Skate collection and penguin-shaped ice-skating aids for children and inexperienced skaters can be collected at the event marquee.Alongside ice skating, the Estate’s popular Father Christmas experience is returning. Designed as a...

09 November, 2024

Northampton College has been shortlisted for a highly sought after award thanks to its dynamic efforts to go green.The organisation has made it through to the Commended Colleges shortlist in the national Association of Colleges Beacon Awards 2024/25 for The Sustainable Energy First Award for Education for Sustainable Development.The College was shortlisted by judges this week in recognition of its Go Green initiative which features a wide range of projects that are promoting education about sustainability and are also helping the organisation to radically reduce its carbon footprint.Northampton College Principal Jason Lancaster said: “We introduced our Go Green initiative because...

09 November, 2024

Shoppers are being urged to ‘Win Your Christmas’ by taking part in a Northampton town centre Golden Ticket giveaway.Four lucky winners will each win £500 of vouchers as part of the £2,000 prize fund, simply by hand-posting an entry ticket into one of 10 special post boxes found in shops and businesses in the town centre in the build-up to Christmas.Tickets can be posted at the following locations:78 Derngate (Derngate)Abington FX (Abington Street)Esquires Coffee (Dychurch Lane)Grosvenor Shopping NorthamptonMarket Square News (Mercers Row)Northamptonshire Central Library (Abington Street)O’Neill’s Northampton (Drapery)Singh & Smile (St Peter’s Walk)The Ladz (Bridge Street)Vintage Guru (St Giles Street)All...

09 November, 2024

Northamptonshire Health Charity is excited to launch its "Elf Service" appeal to bring joy to patients spending Christmas in hospitals across Northamptonshire. Funds raised will provide meaningful gifts to all in-patients at Kettering General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital, and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust facilities, including mental health and community hospitals.There are three festive ways to support the Elf Service!Enter the Christmas Raffle – Win fantastic prizes, including a £2,000 cash top prize (courtesy of Barratt Homes), a seven-night luxury holiday with £250 spending money (donated by RCI), a £500 M&S voucher, and ten runner-up £50 Next vouchers. Tickets...

09 November, 2024

An estate agent in Corby is collecting much needed goods for Corby Homeless Project throughout November to mark National Homelessness Awareness month.It’s estimated that over 300,000 people in the UK – almost half of which are children – are sleeping on the streets, living in their cars or are using other forms of temporary accommodation. In Northamptonshire, at least 1,327 people were homeless in 2023.In order to help support those who are most vulnerable, estate agent Belvoir Corby has created a collection point for food and household items at their George Street office.All items collected during November will be donated...

09 November, 2024