The much-anticipated grand opening event to celebrate Northampton’s revitalised Market Square will take place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, offering a weekend packed with family-friendly activities and live entertainment as well as opportunities to sample local food and drink, discover Northamptonshire’s rich heritage and history, and explore local businesses and traders.Hosted by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in partnership with Northampton Forward, Northampton BID, and Northampton Town Council (NTC), this exciting event marks the transformation of the historic Market Square into a vibrant, inclusive space for the entire community to enjoy.Attendees can look forward to a range of zones,...

BUSINESS owner Nicky Buckley is taking the lead in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND) alongside her beloved cocker spaniel, Bonnie.Nicky, owner and director of Northamptonshire-based East Midlands HR has pledged to help raise money for the MND Association after a close family friend was diagnosed with MND earlier this year.Throughout October, Nicky will be joining fundraisers from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who will be taking part in the Association’s 75 Mile Dog Walk in October with their furry friends firmly by their sides. Every penny raised through the challenge will be spent on furthering research into...

A human resources company based in Northamptonshire has been shortlisted for a prestigious national industry award, after just two years in business.Ena HR and Training is a finalist in the HR Consultancy of the Year category of the Personnel Today Awards 2024.The Personnel Today Awards 2024, which are now in their 26th year, celebrate the best achievements in HR and learning and development in the UK. The awards are organised by leading UK HR trade magazine Personnel Today, and the winners will be announced on Friday 19th November 2024 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane.The recognition is well-deserved...

Northampton can act as a national blueprint for reimagining urban spaces with successful regeneration programmes, according to three retail experts appointed to the board of the town centre’s Business Improvement District.Metro Bank’s director of retail and business banking Kerry Reynolds, Grosvenor Shopping Northampton centre director Greg Norman and restaurateur Naz Islam will now work alongside other business leaders to oversee Northampton BID’s work as it looks to make the town centre a better place to work, live and visit.Kerry, who returns to the BID board having previously served as co-chair, said: “I’m delighted to be back working with the BID...

Ethan Malvern, services operations manager at independent IT consultancy, 3RS IT Solutions, has been announced as a finalist in the Special Recognition category of the NNBN Business Awards.The Awards recognise and celebrate the innovative and enterprising businesses, charities and organisations within Northamptonshire and the announcement marks another positive step in Ethan’s career with 3RS.Having joined the company as a 16-year-old infrastructure technician apprentice with Baltic Apprenticeships, he has swiftly risen through the ranks as a trusted and well-respected member of the team, serving as service team leader and most recently, as services operations manager. Earlier this year, he was made...

Experienced sales and lettings consultant, Tracey Joyce, has joined the team at Belvoir to help support in the expansion of its sales and lettings departments.With a wealth of experience in both sales and lettings, Tracey’s appointment adds to an already strong team at Belvoir’s George Street office in Corby, which is renowned for its exceptional customer service and friendly staff.From a young age, Tracey aspired to work in the property industry. In 2014 she achieved her dream by starting as a lettings negotiator and has advanced in both lettings and sales during her ten years in the industry.“As a child...

A circus workshop, balloon makers, illusionists and face painters will be entertaining families as part of the Market Square’s big opening weekend.Funded by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the acts will form part of the Family Zone at the event on the weekend of 19 and 20 October.Little ones will also be able to enjoy a chill-out zone and quiet space with reading books and a fun trail to complete.Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton BID, said: “We can’t wait to welcome families back to the new look Market Square and we are thrilled to be supporting the...

A day of litter picking took place on Northampton’s Brackmills Industrial Estate this month – all part of the globally recognised World Clean Up Day.The Brackmills event, organised in partnership with Wickes and Northants Litter Wombles – saw more than 100 employees from across the estate join forces to find, collect and bag litter.Using the BID’s litter picking equipment and supported by the BID team, a host of businesses took part, including Baxter Healthcare, CEVA Logistics, ACS Staffing Solutions, DSV, Barclays, igus UK, Bechtle, Wickes and Stanley Black & Decker.Vice Chair of Brackmills Business Improvement District (BID) Charlotte Patrick helped...

Businesses on Brackmills Industrial Estate gathered this month to celebrate a year of investment and success.Brackmills BID CEO Sara Homer, along with Chair Jon Morgan and Vice Chair Charlotte Patrick, invited businesses to look back at a project-packed 12 months as well as have their say about the future.Speaking at the BID’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), Sara summarised the past year – talking about road projects, security drives, environmental initiatives and more.Danielle Stone, the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, also attended and spoke at the event – congratulating Brackmills on all its work.With Brackmills continuing as a Business Improvement...

3RS IT Solutions, which offers IT support to businesses, is helping to improve the financial wellbeing of their staff by joining the Partners scheme at Commsave, a not-for-profit financial co-operative based in Northampton.The scheme is a financial wellbeing staff benefits package that’s free for Northamptonshire employers and is designed to help organisations stand out from the crowd so they can recruit and retain the very best employees.Keen to create a positive business culture for its staff, 3RS IT Solutions – led by husband-and-wife team, Steve and Leila Souch – believes that this new partnership is another progressive step for the...

West Northamptonshire is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend as the newly revitalised and reimagined Northampton Market Square prepares to reopen with a spectacular celebration on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.The two-day event promises to be a vibrant display of community spirit, culture, and live entertainment that residents and visitors won’t want to miss, with ABBA tribute the Magic of ABBA and Britain’s Got Talent 2024 finalists Northants Sings Out announced as the headline acts. BBC Introducing and Northampton Music Festival will also provide music and entertainment throughout both days, bringing some of the best emerging talent from across...