Franklins Solicitors, a leading legal firm with offices in Milton Keynes and Northampton, is inviting local charities to nominate themselves as beneficiaries of their annual fundraising campaign – the Franklins £50 Challenge. This year, Franklins has pledged to support a minimum of eight local charities through the initiative, with nominations open until 27th September 2024.The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 will run from 24th February to 23rd May 2025. Now in its sixth year, the campaign has become a significant platform for local charities to partner with businesses in raising essential funds for their services. The 2025 campaign theme, Local Help...

11 September, 2024

The Creative Place - a new space for aspiring and established creatives, or anyone wanting to learn more about the arts in Northants - will open on Northampton’s newly refurbished Market Square, on Friday 20th September, with everyone invited to visit between 10am and 7pm  for a mini tour, drinks and cake.Perhaps the smallest art centre in the world, this new creative industries hub for Northamptonshire is the initiative of the non-profit oroganisation Northampton Film Festival (NFF), supported by CLICK Arts Foundation and West Northamptonshire Council. Easily accessible, in the heart of Northampton, it will provide a space for local...

10 September, 2024

The festival, now in its fifth year, is part of the venue’s Generate Artist Development programme, and takes place from Mon 7 to Sun 13 October, and Mon 18 November. GenFest features showcases, new writing, workshops and networking opportunities, all hosted at Royal & Derngate.The festival is a platform that enables local artists to see their work developed, supported by Royal & Derngate’s Creative Engagement team – and gives theatre makers a place to test ideas or present a first tour of new work. It is a pillar of the Generate programme, which has been running for 12 years, and...

10 September, 2024

A daredevil Northamptonshire greengrocer who has trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, completed Wolf Runs and run marathons, raising almost £25,000 for charity in seven years, has hosted a curry night as part of his latest fundraising mission.Sean Connolly organised a charity dinner in aid of Brain Tumour Research at the award-winning Saffron restaurant in Castilian Street, Northampton on Sunday, September 8.Guests enjoyed a three-course meal while a fundraising raffle was also held with dozens of prizes up for grabs.Sean said: “I have been working with Saffron for 13 years, supplying their fresh fruit and veg, and they have been...

10 September, 2024

New bus services are being introduced across the North Northamptonshire Council area – helping people travel to work and school as well as for leisure.The new services have been subsidised by the council from its own budgets and through funding targeted from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Programme, as well as from developer contributions.The funding has been used to provide bus services to a number of communities that have not had one, create new journey opportunities in terms of travel to work, school, shopping and leisure and also to enhance some existing bus services on the network.The move supports the...

10 September, 2024

Northampton College will tackle the UK’s acute shortage of construction workers with up-to-date ‘green skills’ head on with the opening of a £500,000 renewable energies education and training facility.The new Green Skills Centre at Booth Lane will provide up to 250 students with daily access to the latest green technologies each year, reskill adults who want to move into the construction industry and upskill existing professionals in the sector.It will also support a variety of green initiatives run by Northampton College, such as the Big Rig Low Carbon Challenge, which promotes sustainable construction careers to secondary school students across the...

10 September, 2024

The Corn Exchange has stood empty in the heart of Northampton Town Centre for more than a decade. Many people enjoyed spending time at the former Cinema then Chicago Rock Cafe before closing its doors.West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has bold ambitions to transform the town centre and has taken an exciting step forward in delivering its ambition for the future of Greyfriars as it seeks to purchase the Corn Exchange.WNC has worked with local residents and businesses through a two-stage public consultation to deliver the ambitious vision for Greyfriars. The 14-acre area is set to amplify a forgotten piece of...

09 September, 2024

A woman living with terminal lung and bone cancer has decided to speak out about her experience of hospice care, urging those who are faced with the prospect of going to a hospice ‘not to be scared’.Fibi Bibi, aged 62, said she was terrified when told by her consultant, Dr Bhavyang Acharya, that it was time for her to go to a hospice for pain management.She requested that she go to Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton, as her father had passed away there 31 years prior, and Dr Bhav, as Fibi affectionately calls him, also works at the hospice.She said:...

09 September, 2024

Described as “extremely chic surroundings for thoughtful modern dishes” by an AA Inspector, this Northampton award-winning fine-dining restaurant has become one of only two establishments in the town to receive two rosettes.Hibiscus, the acclaimed fine dining restaurant located in Delapré Abbey’s historic Billiard Room, is proud to announce the award of its second AA Rosette. This recognition celebrates Hibiscus' commitment to culinary excellence and exceptional service.Under the leadership of Executive Head Chef Bart Polinski, named Chef of the Year at the 2022/23 Weetabix Food and Drink Awards, Hibiscus offers a meticulously crafted 7-course tasting menu. Using seasonal and locally sourced...

09 September, 2024

Small businesses in West Northamptonshire will be put on the map by the Small Business Saturday campaign later this year, after it has announced plans to bring its next national roadshow to the area this autumn.The Tour will visit local businesses in Northampton on Monday, 18 November 2024 as part of a month-long journey across the UK, telling the inspirational stories of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and spotlighting the real people and communities behind them.Supported by BT, the Tour will visit small businesses in over twenty UK towns and cities, undertaking ‘behind-the-scenes’ style scenes, interviewing local business owners...

09 September, 2024

As business owners, you’re aware that the Equality Act 2010 protects your employees from discrimination at work.But did you know that this protection starts before they even step through the door?Nicky Buckley MCIPD, an HR expert and owner of East Midlands HR in Northamptonshire, explains further.“Discrimination can happen from the very first interaction with a candidate. Business owners must be aware that discrimination claims can be brought by individuals even before their first day on the job.“Recruitment can be a creative process—think open house events, video introductions or other fun and innovative ways to attract great candidates. There are no set processes...

09 September, 2024