Northampton Market is set to return to the historic market square from 20 September, following the area undergoing extensive regeneration to provide a renewed space for residents, businesses, and traders.Northampton Town Centre is benefiting from ongoing large-scale investment in regeneration through £24 million worth of Government support through the Town's Fund grant. This providing a catalyst for further private sector investment and confidence in the town with more than £140 million being invested into the Four Waterside and Marefair Development and £8 million worth of private funding boosting the adjacent Market Walk scheme as well as significant opportunities and investment...

08 July, 2024

This week’s meeting of North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will receive a report on a decarbonisation project that will help contribute towards the council’s green targets.Three facilities - Corby Cube, Corby Swimming Pool and Desborough Leisure Centre - are all set to have works completed to help the sites reduce carbon levels and be more energy efficient.Following the completion of energy surveys of council buildings, the authority made a grant bid under the Public Services Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) for energy improvement works at the three properties.The council has been awarded a grant of £3,858,419 against a total project cost of £4,384,568.08...

08 July, 2024

Residents are invited to have their say on West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Draft Tenancy Strategy which sets out the approach that Councils and Registered Providers of Social Housing need to consider when developing their own tenancy policies.Every UK local authority is required by law to have a tenancy strategy outlining:The types of tenancies The circumstances that different types of tenancies will be granted The length of fixed-term tenancies The circumstances where a further tenancy can be granted following a fixed-term letAs well as aligning its objectives to support the Council’s Corporate plan and key housing-related strategies, the draft West...

08 July, 2024

A vision for a green, reliable, integrated bus network in the North Northamptonshire Council area will be discussed at the authority’s Executive this week.The Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024 sets out how services can be improved to keep communities connected and bring environmental benefits.The strategy proposes new service routes with an increase in frequency on some existing routes.It builds on an improvement plan which was developed in 2021 and recent funding allocations for bus services, which saw the council receive £2.045m of funding in 2024/25 (in addition to previous allocations of £569,412 for both 2023/24 and 2024/25).This money will be...

08 July, 2024

The man responsible for delivering the most important development project in Northampton in decades has outlined his vision for the town centre having been appointed to the board of the Business Improvement District (BID).Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, is leading on work to revitalise the Market Square, Abington Street, Fish Street and a host of other public realm projects.He will now work alongside a panel of business leaders to oversee the BID’s work as it looks to make the town centre a better place to work, live and visit.He said:...

08 July, 2024

Yesterday's General Election has brought significant changes to Northamptonshire’s political landscape, with six new MPs elected, five of which are representing Labour.This shift marks a notable change from the previous Conservative presence in the region with the constituencies of Northampton North, Northampton South, Corby & East Northants, Wellingborough & Rushden, and Kettering all transitioning from Conservative to Labour representation, while South Northants and Daventry remain under Conservative control. Election Night DevelopmentsThe election results were met with jubilation among Labour supporters, as victory after victory was announced across two election halls in Kettering and Northampton.The first result for Northamptonshire came in at...

05 July, 2024

Kettering's Premier Midwife-led Pregnancy and Wellness Centre Brings Together Local Suppliers for this first EventThe Midwives Circle & Wellness Centre, Northamptonshire's only midwife-led pregnancy and wellness centre, is excited to announce its first-ever Baby Fayre. The event will take place on Sunday, 7th July 2024, from 10 am to 1 pm at the centre's location at Kettering Venture Park.In its first year of operation, The Midwives Circle & Wellness Centre has quickly become a trusted resource for expecting and new parents in the region. The Baby Fayre aims to bring together a diverse group of local suppliers who work alongside...

04 July, 2024

Royal & Derngate is delighted to announce that it will be opening a new café-bar this autumn, adjacent to the theatre on Guildhall Road.The theatre will be working in partnership with a local company, behind other successful hospitality outlets in the area, to launch Lola’s Bar in September. Lola’s will be situated at the corner of Guildhall Road and Swan Street, taking over the location of John Franklin’s, which closes at the end of July.Lola’s will initially be offering cocktails and small plates in the evening, and coffee and brunch during the day, opening from Tuesday to Saturday every week,...

04 July, 2024

One of the UK’s leading experts in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion has been recruited as a new trustee of Northamptonshire charity Teamwork Trust. Meet Bianca Stringuini, Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Hays Plc …I truly believe in Teamwork Trust’s workTeamwork’s mission really spoke to me: ‘To help our service users thrive by giving choices, chances and opportunities to live full, purposeful and independent lives.’ I believe this comes from both CEO Helen’s vision and passion for employability and the Chair’s stewardship, with his great knowledge and commitment.  I am motivatedI love our new Vision: ‘To create a...

04 July, 2024

A unique boating experience is opening this weekend [Saturday 6th July] at The Chester House Estate delivered in partnership with Watermeadow Park and Discover Northamptonshire, providing intimate trips along the River Nene to enjoy the natural landscape.Hosting up to eight people at one time, visitors can experience a 40-minute round trip along the scenic river, seeing dragonflies, plants, swans and a beautiful weir as the boat reaches the halfway point.Clark Smith-Stanley, Director of Watermeadow Park River Experiences, said “I am delighted to be working with Discover Northamptonshire to provide boat experiences from The Chester House Estate this summer. It’s the...

03 July, 2024

More than 19,000 people have turned to local charity Community Law Service in the last 12 months – seeking specialist housing, benefits, debt, energy and immigration advice in the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis.The charity, whose mission is to ‘increase access to justice, particularly for those in our local community who are disadvantaged or facing hardship’, has this month published its Annual Achievements 2023-2024 Report – throwing a spotlight on soaring debt in Northamptonshire and an increased demand for their services.Sarah Hayle, CEO of Community Law Service, said: “There have been some worrying trends this year, clearly...

03 July, 2024