The Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce has today announced that the latest Quarterly Economic Survey is open for local businesses to complete.Organised by the British Chambers of Commerce, the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) stands as the most extensive and representative independent business survey in the UK. The QES covers a broad spectrum of topics, including domestic and export sales, orders, hiring and investment intentions, recruitment challenges, cash flow, confidence levels, and price pressures. Its comprehensive nature makes it a vital tool for policymakers in the Treasury and the Bank of England, as well as a key resource for the media.The QES...

19 August, 2024

Northamptonshire Police is launching an eight-week push to drive down crime in Northampton town centre ahead of the re-opening of the historic Market Square.Operation Workforce has been set up as the regeneration project nears completion, in response to concerns from business owners and residents about police visibility and key crime types in the area.The surge activity will comprise of two four-week rounds of action, focusing in turn on anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, drugs and serious violence.Chief Inspector Kim Jackson said: “Northampton town centre has so much to offer, but we know there are certain issues around anti-social and criminal behaviour that...

19 August, 2024

A planning application to restore and repurpose the 19th-century stables and associated buildings at Grade II* listed Delapré Abbey in Northampton has been approved.Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust appointed Buttress in March last year as the lead designer and heritage consultant for the project, signalling a significant step forward in the ongoing preservation and enhancement of the 900-year-old Grade II* Delapré Abbey estate.The £4.8 million initiative will transform a cluster of stable buildings on the site into a mixed-use development, which will include wellbeing, retail and community uses.  This has been made possible through the generous support of the National Lottery...

19 August, 2024

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking comments from residents and stakeholders on a review of polling districts and polling places within the North Northamptonshire area.This follows on from a statutory review completed in 2023 and takes into account new ward boundaries that come into effect for the local council elections that will take place in May 2025.The council are looking for suggestions and representation on all polling districts, alongside taking the opportunity to gather feedback about all polling stations in order to ensure good accessibility for all electors.Adele Wylie, Chief Executive for North Northamptonshire Council, said:“As a council, we have a...

19 August, 2024

For Royal & Derngate’s recent co-production of Moby Dick, the theatre set itself ambitious targets for improving its sustainability, and the organisation is pleased to report that recycled materials made up 93% of what was used to create the set, props and costumes. In addition, 96% of the materials used will have a future life.Royal & Derngate’s production teams are committed to improving the theatre’s sustainability practices through re-use and recycling wherever possible.As part of its Made in Northampton seasons, the theatre creates numerous ambitious productions, captivating and delighting thousands of audiences each year who enjoy the imagination, the stories...

19 August, 2024

Xtra Express Logistics, a logistics firm with sites in Brackmills and Hannington, has announced a new Managing Director of its Brackmills business. Sophie Yorke will step up from her current role to Managing Director and Edward Grant-Salmon will become Group Managing Director. This latest announcement follows a year of change for the business which has included the acquisition of Action Express Northampton on Brackmills Industrial Estate and a major rebrand and name change from Crisis Logistics to Xtra Express Logistics. Sophie joined Action Express Northampton via an agency 20 years ago at the age of 17, taking on the role of Accounts Assistant....

15 August, 2024

World Champion BBQ Pitmaster and influencer, Danielle ‘Diva Q’ Bennett, travelled all the way from her home in Florida, to showcase her cooking skills in an exclusive, sold out, event held at Bell of Northampton.Held in in conjunction with US grill brand Traeger and Diva Q, the event took place in the store’s new BBQ shop outside pergola on Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton, and offered something for everyone, no matter their skill level, teaching the 22 attendees the philosophies, techniques, and tools needed to master cook a variety of wood-fired food.The menu – all cooked on Traeger wood-fired grills – included...

15 August, 2024

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) in collaboration with the Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire (BIPC), are proud to announce the thirteen winners of the second round of start-up grants through the Build Your Business programme.This initiative, supported by £600,000 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) over two years, aims to empower small businesses, local entrepreneurs, and aspiring business owners across the county.The Build Your Business programme consists of five comprehensive modules covering key areas of running a business. These modules, delivered by specialist partners, include marketing, business growth, financial planning and personal development for...

15 August, 2024

British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay.The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary convened a meeting with trade unions and business leaders in a first-of-its-kind meeting today [14th August 2024].They agreed to wipe the slate clean and begin a new relationship of respect and collaboration to help deliver the Government’s first mission – to kickstart economic growth.They discussed views on the Employment Rights Bill and wider Plan to Make Work Pay, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary carefully listening to the valuable insights...

14 August, 2024

North Northamptonshire Council has started work on a project that once complete will look to enhance and develop the cultural infrastructure in the local area.The masterplan, using funding from central government, will focus on theatres, art galleries, museums, public art and community cultural programmes. It will provide strategic direction for cultural growth, growing community engagement and promote economic development in the tourism industry.The culture masterplan will complement and enhance the already developed Northamptonshire Tourism strategy and the North Northamptonshire Council Culture, Tourism and the Heritage Service business plan by providing a focussed and strategic framework for cultural development.Cllr Helen Howell,...

14 August, 2024

West Northamptonshire Council will be extending its Employability Hub service in Weston Favell following a successful launch earlier this year.Teaming up with Weston Favell Library, the dedicated service aims to assist local people in finding jobs and volunteer opportunities as well as providing a range of other services.Attendees at the drop-in session will be able to access support with:Job searching - including vacancies within the shopping centre CV writing Building confidence Interview skills and techniques Getting started Money adviceOrganised by the Northampton East Local Area Partnership (LAP), sessions will run every 6 weeks with the first one taking place...

13 August, 2024