Road users in Kettering will soon benefit from improved road surface as maintenance works start from this weekend.Given the proximity to Kettering General Hospital, works will only take place on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Works will begin on Rothwell Road on Sunday 26 February until Sunday 23 April (excluding 9 April and 16 April) and between 12pm - 9pm to improve the structural stability of the road and increase skid resistance. Works will include resurfacing the road, new road markings and high friction surfacing. Gullies will also be cleaned to make best use of the road closure and minimise future...

23 February, 2023

One year after its official launch a thriving business membership organisation is expanding into the west of Northamptonshire – with a launch event planned for Delapré Abbey in March.NNBN, which already has more than 120 members in the north of Northamptonshire, is now expanding county-wide and to mark the occasion is inviting businesses, charities and local organisations to a launch event on Thursday, 16th March 2023.NNBN Director Simon Cox said: “Having launched NNBN as an exciting new membership organisation last March at Chester House Estate in Irchester, we're delighted to be holding our first meeting in Northampton at the 900-year-old Abbey. To celebrate our...

23 February, 2023

Would you like to help the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) improve its business rates services?The Valuation Office Agency are looking for business owners who receive a business rates bill to take part in research about business rates services.The VOA sets the rateable values of all business, and other non-domestic, properties in England and Wales. Local councils use the rateable value to calculate a property’s business rates bill.If you would like to help the research, you can sign-up for the GOV.UK user panel :You’ll need to answer a few simple questions about yourself, which should take around 5 minutes. You do...

23 February, 2023

300 businesses across the UK will benefit from the British Industry Supercharger: targeted measures to ensure the energy costs for key UK industries are in line with other major economies around the world.The support will be made available to sectors particularly exposed to the cost of electricity, such as steel, metals, chemicals and paper. These industries employ around 400,000 skilled workers right across the UK, and support many more in their supply chains. In 2019 their exports made up around 28% of total UK exports.Proposed changes under the Supercharger – set to be consulted on in the Spring – will...

23 February, 2023

The Inspirational Women’s Award judges have shortlisted six women for the two categories, Community and Business, out of a record-breaking 70+ nominations.The Inspirational Women’s Award judges have shortlisted seven women for the two categories, Community and Business, out of a record-breaking 70+ nominations.This year there will also be a Special Recognition Award which is sponsored by our new Highways partner Kier.The winners will be announced at the International Women’s Day event, taking place at the Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton on Saturday, 4 March from 11am to 3pm.This year’s event is set to be West Northants’ biggest yet with over...

20 February, 2023

A Northampton school teacher has been unveiled as the first winner in a competition run by town centre hair salon Daniel Granger Hairdressing.Cassie Whelan, 32, a health and social care teacher from Malcolm Arnold Academy, has won one of 10 free haircuts, blowdrys and box of hair products that the salon are giving to NHS workers and school teachers.The competition is part of the salon’s #MoreGoodHairDays campaign, which is designed to give back and support local.Cassie said: “I lost my mum to cancer over Christmas, so it’s been a really tough time. I don’t have much time for self-care, so...

17 February, 2023

Expert advice on coping with the mental health impact of the rising cost of living is once again being offered.The free Talking Therapies webinars, run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), will offer useful advice, practical ideas, and general coping strategies to help people who are worried about budgets.Whether it’s managing worry, problem solving, tips on self-care, or practical support available locally, the online sessions aim to help.The Financial Stress Webinars take place on:Tuesday 28 February – 6pm-8pm Tuesday 28 March – 6pm-8pmSign up to view the webinar by completing the online registration form at www.nhft.nhs.uk/talkingtherapiesOr you can register...

17 February, 2023

North Northamptonshire Council's Executive yesterday approved resources to help deliver an important affordable housing scheme in Kettering.If the scheme receives planning consent, it will deliver a number of benefits to the area including:The construction of eight affordable homes An increase the supply of affordable rented housing available in North Northamptonshire Increased provision of housing suitable for disabled people Development of a currently redundant brownfield site in a residential area A reduction in the likelihood of future vandalism and anti-social behaviour often associated with disused buildings.Importantly, the project will be good for the Avondale Grange ward within which the proposed...

17 February, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has been successful in its bid to secure funds as part of the Government’s £10.1 million project towards air quality improvement.Air quality has an impact on the health of our populations, and it is important that initiatives are put in place to help improve air quality for residents today and future generations.WNC has received £292,378 funding from Government to roll-out new initiatives to improve air-quality in Northampton. This complements a further grant awarded in 2021/22 for £148,297 which is focused on active traffic management to improve congestion and poor air quality in existing air quality management...

16 February, 2023

Voluntary and community groups from across North Northamptonshire are being encouraged to apply for grants to help improve the lives of local residents.North Northamptonshire Council’s Community Grants Programme has been allocated £100,000 of Shared Prosperity Funding and applications for suitable projects are now open until 11:59pm on 7 March 2023 for:Grants up to £2,500 Grants of between £2,500 and £5,000The scheme is open to community and voluntary sector organisations, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that help to build community capacity, with priority given to projects that support the council’s key priorities and the strategic aims.The council’s six...

15 February, 2023

People are being encouraged to step forward and play a key role in healthcare across Northamptonshire.Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is inviting people 16 years old and over, and with a range of backgrounds and life experiences, to become a Governor, with a number of seats on the Trust’s Council of Governors available including:One public Northampton seat Two public Kettering and Corby seats Two public Wellingborough and East Northants seats Six patient and carer seatsCandidates must either live in the geographical area or be a patient, or the carer of a patient using Trust services within the last...

15 February, 2023