A garage in Northampton is celebrating after winning an award for the work it does with its apprentices.Service MOT Repairs won the Silver Award in the Apprentice Employer of the Year category at the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards on Thursday, coming runner up to tax consultancy CBTax who walked away with the Gold Award.The garage, based on the Round Spinney Industrial Estate in Northampton, offers services, MOTs and repairs on vehicles of all makes and models. Set up by Alex Isherwood in 2012, the family run business is renowned for being a knowledgeable, open and transparent company with a heavy...

30 May, 2024

A new strategy has been launched by Northamptonshire charity Teamwork Trust – with a clear focus on education, volunteering and a renewed commitment to putting service users firmly at the heart of all decision-making.The charity,  which has day centres in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, supports autistic adults, people with learning disabilities and individuals with mental health needs.Its new three-year strategy has been co-produced by service users, staff and trustees, and has been designed to expand on the ways in which the charity sustains its services and meets the goals and objectives of the people they support.Chair of trustees Ceri Davies...

30 May, 2024

Northants Sing Out (NSO), the cross-genre community choir that caught the ear of The Queen of Pop Madonna, has been announced as a Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist.Fans and supporters from across music and entertainment have pledged their support for the vocal group hoping to drive NSO to become the first-ever choir in BGT history to take the top prize.Featuring members from all walks of life, including mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, senior local government workers, and primary school teachers, the choir has already wowed millions of viewers and all four judges on Britain’s Got Talent.Now NSO will take to...

30 May, 2024

A well-known Northampton businessman has been handed the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his charity work and commitment to the community in his home nation of Bangladesh.Naz Islam was presented with the title during a reception held at The Guildhall in London on Tuesday, 28 May.During a 27-year career, Naz has raised almost £100,000 for local charities and established a school and orphanage in one of the poorest areas of Bangladesh with the help of his family.He said: “Receiving this honour means the world to me and I am grateful beyond words for this recognition. It...

29 May, 2024

Voluntary and community organisations across North Northamptonshire are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to improve energy efficiency and upgrade facilities in community buildings.The grants are funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund which aims to increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, as well as people and skills.If an organisation can effectively demonstrate that the funding will be used to support any of the following priorities, they can apply for a grant of up to £25,000:Community facility building upgrades to improve energy efficiency (e.g.,...

24 May, 2024

FAMILY-run IT consultancy 3RS IT Solutions has announced exciting expansion plans just weeks after marking its first anniversary in February.Wellingborough-based 3RS, which was launched by husband-and-wife team, Steve and Leila Souch in 2023, has enjoyed tremendous success over the past year attracting new clients across Northamptonshire while strengthening its team with six highly-trained engineers.Now, the couple is looking to extend the company’s reach even further into the East Midlands with the opening of a second branch office at Business Box in Leicester, following the successful opening of offices in Wellingborough and Nottingham.Director, Steve Souch said: “North Northamptonshire will always be...

24 May, 2024

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week last week (13 – 19 May 2024), Northampton logistics company Xtra Express Logistics supported The Frank Bruno Foundation in its plans to create a new sensory room.The Frank Bruno Foundation centre in Northampton was officially launched by legendary boxer Frank Bruno in 2021 and works with young people and adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing through specialist programmes and non-contact boxing.Now the charity wants to turn one of the rooms at its site in the town into a sensory room to create a safe and quiet space for those who may feel...

23 May, 2024

A documentary film sharing real life stories of homelessness and recovery in Northampton has been created alongside a Virtual Reality experience enabling people to see rough sleeping through the eyes of people with a lived experience.Streets of Change aims to raise awareness of homelessness by following people’s journey from sleeping on the streets to recovery and signposting to the support available for those who find themselves in a housing crisis.Film makers One to One Development Trust have been working closely with West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Outreach Team to document their work supporting people who are homeless, sleeping rough or struggling...

23 May, 2024

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history that surrounds Holdenby House this bank holiday weekend.Holdenby House is still a very loved family home to the Lowther family, who open their doors to visitors to enjoy only a few times a year, This weekend and August Bank Holiday are the only days this year you will be able to explore the houses timeless charm and storied past from 1583 to today.Holdenby House, built in 1583 stands as a testament to our vibrant history and architectural beauty. Once the summer house to King James and subsequently the place...

23 May, 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association has said the inflation rate fall to 2.3% today is a good step to help bring people back to the high street - but stresses the Bank of England needs to now reduce interest rates too.Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has reacted to the news that the UK inflation rate has fallen to a figure just below the Bank of England's target of 2%. This marks the lowest level in almost three years.The fall, which is the lowest level in almost three years, means prices are still...

23 May, 2024

Personalised baby brand My 1st Years has scooped a top national award thanks to a trailblazing partnership with humanitarian charity Goods for Good.Northampton based My 1st Years - the world’s leading personalised baby brand - has been supporting Goods for Good since 2017, providing warehousing and logistics support and donating thousands of pounds of clothing and toys to children living in natural disasters, war and poverty.Thanks to this partnership the two organisations scooped ‘Best Emergency Response Project’ at this year’s Business Charity Awards, an annual event organised by the Third Sector, designed to prove and celebrate the fact that profit...

23 May, 2024