West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will not currently be pursuing plans to introduce parking charges at Northampton’s Racecourse for the time being after listening to the concerns raised by local residents.And proposals to revise parking charges at Daventry and Brixworth country parks will also be reviewed so that further options and possible solutions can be explored.The Council will also be engaging with town centre businesses over plans to revise parking charges in Northampton town centre and working with the Business Improvement District (BID) to explore options around the future structure of parking charges.The proposals to review parking arrangements in Northampton town...

24 January, 2023

North Northamptonshire Council are warning bird keepers and members of the public to be aware after a case of Avian (or bird) flu was detected in dead mute swans in Kettering.The Swans were tested as part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Wild Surveillance programme, which has been set up to detect the spread of Avian Influenzas in the UK.All bird keepers (whether you have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) must always keep a close watch on them for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity.Anyone who suspects any type...

24 January, 2023

When you think of illegal activity, food crime might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is something that it is happening in West Northamptonshire and across the country.Food crime is where food and drink is sold illegally, and is often unsafe or isn’t what is claims to be. It can range from isolated acts of dishonesty by an individual to organised illegal activities planned by criminal networks and is estimated to cost £1.17 billion a year in the UK.There are many types of food crime, which the most common being:theft - dishonestly obtaining food, drink...

24 January, 2023

Sainsbury’s has confirmed that its brand-new 11,000 sq. ft. store on Cockerel Rise, Desborough will open to customers for the first time on Tuesday 7th February 2023. Sainsbury’s Desborough will open at 9am, following a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the store’s launch.The new store is providing 40 jobs for local people and Sainsbury’s colleagues will be putting the finishing touches to the store in the next few weeks to ensure everything is ready for opening morning.Sainsbury’s Neighbourhood Hubs are a food-led interpretation of the retailer’s renowned supermarket offer, whose size is between that of Sainsbury’s convenience stores and supermarkets....

24 January, 2023

The A43 from A14 to Rockingham Road roundabout in Kettering will be closed overnight this week for carriageway repairs, repainting of road markings and repairs to the roundabout.There will be a full road closure in both directions in place from 8pm on Tuesday 24 January through to 6am on Wednesday 25 January on A43 from the A14 to the roundabout.Further closures will be in place overnight on Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 January with a full diversion in place, whilst the team repair the roundabout.The Highways team only close roads when it is absolutely necessary to keep workforce...

23 January, 2023

Northamptonshire’s ‘Singing Solicitor’ and friends are back with a third charity single and a “bigger and stronger team effort” which they hope will raise thousands for The Lewis Foundation.Kevin Rogers, chair of regional law firm Wilson Browne Solicitors, has enlisted the help of talented school pupils, NHS staff, local professionals and his daughter Bethany to film and record a moving rendition of Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars.Joined once again by broadcaster John Griff, along with ‘Madrigalis’  (the award winning choir from Northampton School for Girls), the Kettering General Hospital choir, and musicians Beccy Hurrell, Ian Taylor and Wayne Jenkins, Kevin and...

23 January, 2023

The Business and Energy Secretary is today calling on suppliers to do more to protect vulnerable energy usersBusiness and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has today (22 January 2023) pledged to crack down on the mistreatment of energy users by suppliers, following reports showing some are doing nowhere near enough to support vulnerable customers.He has written to energy suppliers calling on them to stop the harmful and anxiety inducing practice of forcibly moving consumers over to prepayment meters without taking every step to support consumers in difficulty.The Business Secretary is asking suppliers to voluntarily commit to stopping this practice and holding...

22 January, 2023

Millions of people across the country and the Commonwealth are invited to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a weekend of special events.The Coronation will take place on the morning of Saturday May 6 at Westminster Abbey, London. Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the capital city to experience this unique and historic occasion, with millions more watching from home, across the UK and around the globe.Coronation Big Lunches, thousands of street parties, and a day dedicated to good causes will bring communities together throughout the UK over...

22 January, 2023

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is to begin operating gatelines at Corby and Kettering station from Monday, 23 January.The staffed gatelines, which represent a £698,000 investment on the EMR Connect route, are designed to give customers a more secure and seamless experience when travelling through the station concourse.They also help reduce the number of customers travelling without a ticket, discourage anti-social behaviour and improve security.EMR staff will be on hand to advise customers who need help understanding how to use the barriers - including the benefits of using an EMR Smartcard.The EMR Smartcard makes travel quicker and easier by keeping train tickets securely...

20 January, 2023

A Towcester, Northants based company has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.Diamond Hard Surfaces Ltd is one of only 2 companies in Northamptonshire to be awarded a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise having been recognised for its excellence in International Trade. Today the team were presented with the award at a ceremony at its headquarters by the Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire James Saunders Watson Esq.Employing 6 people, Diamond Hard Surfaces Ltd was established in 2004 and produces high performance, high endurance diamond based engineering materials and coatings for Advanced Engineering Markets such as Aerospace and...

20 January, 2023

The British Independent Retailers Association has commented on the disappointing retail sales figures for December.The association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has said they are 'disappointed' with the figures for the festive period which have been released today (January 20) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).The report has shown:* Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 1.0% in December 2022, following a fall of 0.5% in November (revised from a fall of 0.4%).* Sales volumes were 1.7% below their pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) February levels.* Non-food stores sales volumes fell by 2.1% over...

20 January, 2023