As the UK tour of Madagascar The Musical arrives in Northampton, for performances at Royal & Derngate, some of the cast took time out to visit popular family visitor attraction Wicksteed Park, in nearby Kettering.Madagascar The Musical can be seen from tonight (Thursday 18 July) until Sunday 21 July at Royal & Derngate, as part of a UK tour of the smash-hit family favourite.While preparations for the first Northampton performance were underway at the theatre, some of the animal characters escaped for an hour or so for a mini-adventure. Mort the Lemur and the the penguins (along with their puppeteers)...

18 July, 2024

You’re invited to Network & Learn: Business Support ShowcaseThis month the Growth Hub is turning the spotlight on the huge variety of business support available to you.You'll be able to hear directly from business support providers as they showcase the available programmes and funding opportunities you can utilise, to support your journey to business success.Join us for Network & Learn to:Hear about the latest business support programmes from the Growth Hub Take a deep dive into the Resource Library Discover the business support specific to your areaCTA: Book your free ticket today > Network & Learn - Business...

17 July, 2024

A team of 23 from Corby-based SEE Limited, a group holding company responsible for three businesses involved in the supply, distribution and fabrication of wood veneer and decorative laminate panels, has raised more than £5,000 for Cancer Research UK by battling their way through more than 10 gruelling miles and 23 challenging obstacles in the Tough Mudder challenge, which took place at Belvoir Castle in Grantham.Crossing the finish line in around three hours, the team joined forces to help bolster the crucial efforts and vital research that goes into saving lives and finding cures and treatment for cancer, raising £5,355.Robert...

17 July, 2024

Northamptonshire Business Crime Partnership, working together with Wellingborough Town Council are launching the WARS against Anti-Social Behaviour in Wellingborough.WARS is Wellingborough Anti-Social Behaviour Reporting Scheme.  The NBCP together with the Police, local ASB officers and businesses on Wellingborough Town Centre can work together to prevent and deter criminal activities but also disrupt the root causes of anti-social behaviour enhancing community safety, for shoppers, workers, and all visitors.This collaboration, officially launched on Monday 1st July, marks a significant step forward in proactively addressing issues related to crime and anti-social behaviour.WARS uses easily accessible technology, known as DISC, to enable member businesses...

17 July, 2024

Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) held its annual showcase event in West Northamptonshire this week with an Innovation & Growth Roundtable.The sold-out conference event, which relocated from Milton Keynes to Northampton this year, provides attendees with an opportunity to listen to insightful presentations, debate with peers, share knowledge, and network with business leaders across the cluster.This year, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) joined forces with the South Midlands Growth Hub and Bucks Business First to sponsor the event and showcase its support for all businesses as well as its dedication to STC and the industries it represents.The Council, a founding member of...

17 July, 2024

A new electric powered lorry will be used to collect waste in the local area as North Northamptonshire Council continues its work to become carbon neutral.The all-electric vehicle has been tried and tested on routes and will carry out the same role as the previous diesel vehicle and residents shouldn’t see much difference, apart from a quieter vehicle doing the rounds.Over the vehicle’s lifetime, it will save 60,000 litres of diesel and £75,000 in fuel costs.Cllr Matt Binley, the council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said:“The arrival of this new electric vehicle is a step towards a cleaner...

17 July, 2024

For more than 15 years, Corby Radio - “The Voice of Corby” - has been at the centre of a unique community in North Northamptonshire. From its launch on 96.3FM it has embraced new digital technologies through online streaming (at https://corby.radio/player/ ) and recently through “smart speakers” (“Alexa, play Corby Radio”). It was also an early-adopter of remote live presentation, enabling it to maintain a full service including vital local news even during lockdowns. However, until recently Digital Audio Broadcasting “DAB” was the preserve of national and regional stations, but OFCOM’s new small-scale DAB licences enable local stations to be on DAB...

16 July, 2024

An award-winning recruitment consultancy which prides itself on supporting the UK military was part of an exclusive list of handpicked forces-friendly employers to join the inaugural Regional Engagement with Defence (RED) conference.Wills Consultants, who recently publicly pledged its support of UK defence by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, was chosen to participate in the first-of-its-kind event last month in the East Midlands.The event was aimed specifically at business leaders who are already engaged in championing people in the Defence community.In the opening keynote, General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE set the pace for the day, illustrating the increasingly dangerous world...

16 July, 2024

Business support hub Vulcan Works has a new charity initiative for the summer to support two Northamptonshire charities.Charity Tuesdays sees the serviced workspace offer free hotdesking in the coworking space every Tuesday, in exchange for a nominal charity donation.In July, the charity of choice is Cynthia Spencer Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care services, and during August, all donations will be in aid of the Northamptonshire Community Foundations’ Family Food Aid Appeal which tackles food poverty in the county.There is no minimum suggested contribution, it can be any amount in cash.Vulcan Works, which can be found in the Cultural Quarter...

15 July, 2024

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire are launching a programme of business support in Northamptonshire.​Build Your Business is a new programme aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs and anyone thinking of starting their own business.The programme consists of:1:1s webinars workshops access to specialist business databases mentoring networking start-up grants of up to £2,000​Start-up business grantsPart of the Build Your Business programme is the opportunity to apply for a grant. Successful applicants will receive a £2,000 grant for business expenses and ongoing support from the BIPC Northamptonshire team.The eligibility criteria and terms and conditions include:The business must be registered in...

12 July, 2024

A kindhearted volunteer at Corby Foodbank has marked a decade of service helping people in crisis.Donna Sumpter is the first person that local people meet when visiting the foodbank, sitting on the welcome desk just inside the door at St Peter and St Andrew’s Church in Beanfield Avenue.She has dedicated two days a week to the charity for the past 10 years.“This is like a job for me,” said Donna. “I volunteer on Monday and Friday every week and I love talking and welcoming people.”Donna began volunteering after going through hard times herself. She experienced a difficult relationship, poor mental...

10 July, 2024