A Northamptonshire asbestos consultancy has appointed a new contracts manager.Joe Bell joined the ranks at Acorn Analytical Services as a trainee surveyor in 2016, aged just 21. He responded to a LinkedIn advert and was enticed by the promise of nationwide travel and a company car.In the eight years since then, he has trained to become a qualified surveyor and then an asbestos consultant, before his latest promotion to contracts manager.Joe believes his career progression highlights the award-winning company’s dedication to its staff.Joe said: “When I first started, I didn’t expect to be at this stage so soon, but Acorn...

26 November, 2024

The MP for Northampton South has visited the kitchens of an award-winning town centre curry house to meet the chef named the best in the region.Mike Reader saw at first-hand how Abdul Hye makes his ‘Vegetable Volcano’ dish – a staple on the menu at Saffron in Castilian Street.Abdul was named the winner of the East Midlands Chef of the Year at the Bangladesh Caterers Association awards at a lavish ceremony in London last month.During the visit, Abdul was presented with a letter from the Labour MP, which read:“I am writing to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your outstanding achievement...

26 November, 2024

A new grants scheme for community groups and charities in north Northamptonshire is now open for applications – all part of a project designed to improve physical and mental health and support people and community groups to grow their own food, as well as cook and eat more healthily.Groundwork Northamptonshire’s ‘Grow Cook Eat’ project – funded by Public Health North Northamptonshire – was first launched in 2022 and is set to run for a further two years.Along with a host of events and workshops, Grow Cook Eat includes a funding stream, with grants of up to £3,000 available for community...

26 November, 2024

Corby company, See Limited, has clinched yet another award win, bringing its total award haul to four in just two months.A holding company of businesses involved in the supply, distribution and fabrication of wood veneer and decorative laminate panels for the built environment sector, See Limited picked up the North Northamptonshire Sustainability award at the Northamptonshire Business Awards held on Friday 22nd November.The awards recognise and celebrate the very best in Northamptonshire business with the Sustainability award being presented to See Limited for their tireless work in integrating sustainability into their business practices for all companies in its group, including...

26 November, 2024

A Deputy Lieutenant for Northamptonshire has received a prestigious Honorary Fellowship from the University of Northampton – in recognition for her outstanding contribution to our communities and county.Neelam Aggarwal-Singh MBE DL JP, founder of the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, was presented with the Fellowship earlier this month and thanked for her commitment to supporting good causes and charities.Neelam Aggarwal-Singh, collecting her Fellowship, told the audience: “I feel very humbled to have this honour bestowed on me. My message to young people today, who are our future, our tomorrow, is similar to what my father said to me - ‘You can...

26 November, 2024

A new design and branding agency, Daedalus, has launched in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, is bringing innovative solutions to businesses and organisations, including those in the education sector.Founded by creative duo Natalie Snee and Jack Castro, the agency helps clients stand out with professional, impactful branding and design. They offer a complimentary brand audit via their website, designed to identify what’s working well and areas that could be improved, helping businesses unlock their full potential.Daedalus provides a broad range of services, including branding, graphic design, and the creation of engaging learning materials. With a strong focus on supporting SMEs and training...

26 November, 2024

Cynthia Spencer Hospice has launched its Christmas Tree Recycling Service for 2024, offering a convenient way to dispose of your real tree while supporting vital hospice care.This environmentally friendly initiative offers a hassle-free way for households to dispose of their real trees while contributing to a worthy cause.Residents in eligible postcodes - NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4, NN5, NN6, NN7, NN11, NN12 and NN13 - can embrace a greener Christmas by signing up for the service before 8th January 2025.Then, between Saturday 11th and Tuesday 14th January 2025, dedicated hospice volunteer teams will collect real Christmas trees from outside registered Northampton-based properties and...

23 November, 2024

People are being encouraged to help spread a little festive cheer and a spirit of good will to the local community this Christmas, by donating toys to Central Co-op’s Christmas Toy Appeal in aid of Corby Foodbank.Central Co-op, one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, campaigns for food justice and works to redistribute unsold store surpluses to communities as well as supporting local foodbanks through permanent instore donation collection points.Their ethos closely aligns with those of Corby Foodbank, who distribute three-day emergency, non-perishable food parcels to local people in food crisis.Donations for the Christmas Toy Appeal,...

22 November, 2024

Santa is set to take his seat in ‘the best value grotto for miles around’ tomorrow, with families flocking to visit a winter wonderland complete with animatronic penguins and polar bears.This year’s grotto in the Grosvenor Centre is being delivered by the team at Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), with support from Northampton Town Council, Northampton College, Royal & Derngate and Rockin’ Roadmender in association with charity #brightspaceNN.Launching on Saturday, November 23, the grotto – which can be found opposite Charlie Brown’s menswear on the Upper Mall - will then be open from 10.30am to 4pm every weekend...

22 November, 2024

One of the county’s leading female business owners has been awarded a prestigious ‘MP HERoes Award’ – in recognition for her achievements in business and her commitment to Northamptonshire’s charity and non-profit sector.Jessica Pilkington, founder and director of Northamptonshire based PR and marketing company Pilkington Communications, was nominated for the award by Mike Reader, MP for Northampton South and collected her award from Westminster Palace this month.Jessica, who in her new role as an MP HERo, will now attend year-round activities at Parliament and be called upon to champion female entrepreneurship in the UK, said: “This is a huge honour....

21 November, 2024

Northamptonshire-based membership organisation, NNBN, is proud to celebrate its second anniversary of signing the Prompt Payment Code (PPC), a pivotal initiative to improve payment practices and reduce late payments within the business community.Since signing the PPC in November 2022, NNBN has demonstrated its commitment to paying suppliers on time, strengthening better supplier relationships within the local business ecosystem, and encouraging other organisations to follow suit.The Prompt Payment Code sets out clear guidelines for businesses to adhere to best payment practices, with a specific emphasis on ensuring timely payments. Managed by the Small Business Commissioner, the Code covers the prompt payment...

21 November, 2024