In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to adopt a legal commitment to achieve ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions by 2050. Closer to home, West Northamptonshire Council has set a net zero target for its own emissions by 2030 and those of residents and businesses by 2045. North Northamptonshire council has committed to becoming a carbon-neutral council by 2030 and aligns to the national net zero goal of 2050.Targets and pledges are well and good, but the majority of climate experts state that the UK, along with all developing nations are not nearly on track to achieve these goals...

10 April, 2024

The Northants B Corp Community, made up of 14 certified B Corporations, held a well-attended B Corp and Sustainable Business Event, in conjunction with the Centre for Sustainable Business Practices (CSBP) at the University of Northampton. Over 40 businesses and business support representatives took part in engaging round table discussions and enjoyed networking and learning from each other.What is a B Corp?Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by third party B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. B stands for Benefit for all. The B Corp movement is a global...

10 April, 2024

Candidates have been announced today for the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election due to take place in Northamptonshire next month.On Thursday, 2 May voters across Northamptonshire will go to the polls to elect their Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.The Council has today published a Statement of Persons Nominated listing all individuals who will be standing for the election.They are: Martyn Emberson – Conservative and Unionist Party Ana Gunn – Liberal Democrats Danielle Stone – Labour and Co-operative PartyThe Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) is elected to oversee local policing and fire and rescue services, manage the police & fire and...

09 April, 2024

People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to have their say on the draft Local Plan strategy which enables West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to plan for the future of the area positively and sustainably by guiding decisions on future development proposals and creating places where people wish to live, work and visit and will thrive.The draft Plan sets out a vision and objectives for the area, its ambitions for new development and commitment to dealing with climate change. The Plan allocates land for housing and employment and contains a series of planning policies for these and many other topics such...

09 April, 2024

Reducing traffic and congestion during busy school runs is the latest sustainable transport initiative unveiled by the team at Hanwood Park in Northamptonshire.Hanwood Park, a housing development on the eastern edge of Kettering in Barton Seagrave, has teamed up with school transport platform HomeRun to help parents at local schools reduce their car usage, plan ahead and share journeys.Southfield School and Hayfield Cross Primary School have signed up to pilot the app, with other nearby schools on track to soon do the same.Richard Albert, headteacher of Hayfield Cross Primary School, said: "We are really pleased to be able to support...

09 April, 2024

The Rotary club of Nene Valley have organised RoKart for 8 years. In that time, they have raised over £80,000 for local charities and have had some remarkable races but never one as close as this year.There was less than a 1 second gap between first and second places in the final of RoKart 2024 that took place at Teamworks indoor karting track on April 2ndThree teams in the final completed 295 laps in 2 hours. The winners David Smith Associates retained their title as overall winner and the trophy for” fastest company in Northamptonshire” but were less than one...

09 April, 2024

The inspirational leader of a construction consultancy in Northampton has been shortlisted for an illustrious national industry award.Parm Bhangal, who founded Bhangals Construction Consultants and sister firm My Build Estimate, has been named as a finalist in the Construction Leader of the Year category of the Construction News Awards 2024.The highly coveted, prestigious awards showcase and celebrate the very best in the construction industry and recognise the people, pride and passion in the sector.Parm is an outstanding and inspirational, self-made leader who takes pride in being able to help his fellow industry professionals.He started his business from his childhood bedroom...

09 April, 2024

Northampton Saints Foundation celebrated their annual Foundation Day on 29th March 2024. An event which saw over 100 volunteers, Northampton Saints squad and community unite, to raise £59,140 (to date), helping to provide life changing opportunities for people across the county and beyond.Taking place when Northampton Saints faced Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership, the fundraising event saw cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens come to life with various fundraising activities.Northampton Saints players showed their support wearing specially branded Foundation playing shirts, signing items and taking selfies for donations, while free flags were handed out to supporters.As the charity arm of Northampton...

09 April, 2024

A print designer based at Northampton’s Vulcan Works has said that the workspace has provided a peaceful, professional base for her business to flourish.Catherine Wise, who runs Catherine Wise Print Design, was one of the first tenants to move into the building in the town’s Cultural Quarter when it opened last year.The mother-of-two was looking for a dual-purpose space outside of home – a studio for her artwork and a digital desktop for her computer aided design.In Vulcan Works she found the perfect package and more, with the additional benefits of coworking spaces, meeting rooms and an outside courtyard.Catherine said:...

08 April, 2024

Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts (BHVA), a renowned leader in creative arts coaching and mentoring, today announced a significant rebrand and strategic expansion to include business-to-business (B2B) services. This evolution reflects the company's commitment to empowering voices, fostering creativity, and transforming lives through the arts, while reaching out to new markets and sectors.BHVA’s Academies has now become Amplify, as it is designed to be a spring board to amplify creative talents from beginners to professionals. Arts4All remains the same, but with a clear focus on Learning for schools and individuals, and Health. A new division, Academy, has arrived, offering comprehensive...

08 April, 2024

A chiropractic health centre, run by a husband-and-wife team, has opened in Northampton.Wellbeing Chiropractic Health Centre was established by Dave and Magda Ballentine in 2013 in Hemel Hempstead, before moving to Northampton in 2016 where they practiced from a purpose-built extension at their family home in East Hunsbury.The business experienced phenomenal growth during 2020/21 and relocated to a converted barn in Blisworth in 2021.Now, the business has grown further, adding new services including sports massage, deep tissue massage and medical Class 4 laser therapy, and needed larger premises. After consulting with their clients on a possible new location, Dave and...

04 April, 2024