Starting a business is a bold leap into the realm of entrepreneurship, a journey laden with excitement, challenges, and potential rewards. However, determining the ideal time to embark on this adventure can significantly impact its trajectory. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, several factors can influence the opportune moment to initiate a business venture.Firstly, timing within the economic cycle plays a pivotal role. Launching a business during a robust economic period can offer advantages such as increased consumer spending, greater access to funding, and a more conducive market environment. Conversely, during economic downturns, opportunities may arise due to lower costs, less...

19 December, 2023

Local people and organisations have been working together to help make it easier for people in Northampton to reconnect with nature.The Active Quarter partnership is made up of landowners, charities, businesses, community groups and organisations including West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), who have been working together to improve access to the vast greenspace between the south of the town centre, Brackmills Industrial Estate and Hardingstone.This outdoor space offers a range of attractions including the award-winning Northampton Bike Park, the Washlands Nature Reserve and miles of footpaths through nature.Since 2020, residents have played an active role in improving these spaces for the...

19 December, 2023

What an incredible year it’s been - new recruits, new offices, new partnerships and some fantastic award wins. Here, we talk to Commsave Credit Union, a Northamptonshire-based business that is celebrating a year of growth and success …Award winnersWe were thrilled to win Employer of the Year at the SME Awards 2023 – and the awards didn’t stop there. We then went on to win not one but two awards at the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards – taking home both the Customer Commitment Award and Employer of the Year 2023 Award. We then topped it off in splendid style, being...

19 December, 2023

On Wednesday, December 13, the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre held their inaugural Christmas networking event which brought together the EMCRC’s wider network of partners and stakeholders in one location to review the year and share their vision for the future.The event was hosted by Nelsons solicitors – who are Community Ambassadors of the Centre, and whose Partner Kevin Modiri advises the Board.In their spacious and modern Nottingham office, the event brought together the Centre’s Cyber Essentials Partners, ambassadors, advisors, their CyberPATH students and other EMCRC affiliates.With a festive feel creating a friendly and vibrant atmosphere, many people were meeting...

19 December, 2023

Inclusivity, equality and diversity are the focus of a brand-new family friendly policy launched by award-winning people experts HR Solutions.In light of the recent and forthcoming changes to family-friendly legislation, the HR Consultancy has created an all-encompassing document, presenting every option for family leave in one central place.The policy simplifies the complex areas of the new laws, including explaining shared parental leave, and also allows everyone to see which benefits might apply to them.It covers all statutory family friendly minimum entitlements, to enable individuals to be aware of all their potential rights at a glance but can also be customised...

19 December, 2023

Executive members will consider the proposal to accept more than £2 million in government funding towards the improvement of North Northamptonshire’s roads at this week’s Executive meeting.The Additional Highway Maintenance Funding, from the Department for Transport, is part of the Government’s eleven-year plan to invest in road maintenance and arises from the cancellation of the Northern HS2 line. It is also in accordance with the Network North plan, which allocated a total of £2,2 Billion for the Midlands.Members will be asked to approve the first two years funding of £1.069m per year in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to be used for...

19 December, 2023

Just over 1100 presents are on their way to families and individuals in need this Christmas thanks to the generosity and support of the Northampton public, and listeners of NLive Radio.The local radio station for Northampton has been running it’s Christmas present appeal for the second year and has nearly doubled last years total which was 600 presents donated.The appeal is to make sure that those in need do not go without on Christmas day and thanks to Commsave support, the station were able to get 30 donations bins across Northampton.The presents are being disrupted in partnership with community partners,...

19 December, 2023

YOUNG players from a Northampton rugby club have been given the gift of a new kit just in time for Christmas.Players from Northampton Old Scouts RFC’s under 12s and under 8s teams will play in smart, new matchday kits thanks to sponsorship from health and safety consultancy, Acorn Safety Services, based on Northampton’s Moulton Park.Ian Stone, Director of Acorn Safety Services said the company was delighted to show its support for the club as part of its ongoing commitment to the local community.He said: “We’re thrilled to be able to sponsor the new kits which we hope will bring both...

18 December, 2023

Generous workers at a Northamptonshire construction consultancy have collected thousands of essential and luxury items to build hampers for families who need support this Christmas.The kind-hearted team at Bhangals Construction Consultants stayed after hours at their new office in Grange Park on Tuesday night to put together more than 60 hampers which included essentials such as tea, coffee, pasta, tins, cereal, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste.Families receiving the parcels will also find treats such as chocolate, biscuits, sweets and luxury toiletries inside.The bumper bags were handed over to innovative community support hub SCCYC Waterside Connect, who work tirelessly to provide vital...

15 December, 2023

An award-winning local HR consultancy has launched a brand-new series of impactful, free, webinars to provide much-needed support to business owners.The online seminars, hosted by Kettering based HR Solutions and running between now and April, cover key business topics such as employment contracts, apprenticeships and long-term sickness.The first of the series will be held on 14th December and looks at the employment developments that we are likely to see in 2024. Hundreds of businesses have already signed up for The HR Year Ahead: The Key Trends to Watch.As well as new employment legislation, the session will also include staff planning,...

15 December, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a Rural Business Grants programme to support businesses in the most rural parts of West Northants to diversify and grow.Utilising £919,772 of UK Shared Prosperity (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF), this programme will provide up to 50% of equal match-funding of between £2,500 and £100,000 to businesses located in Defra’s designated rural areas within West Northamptonshire.Grants can be used to support the building and equipment of capital projects, for example converting a farm building for an alternative business use such as a business hub, wedding venue or for hospitality; growing rural tourism; the acquisition of...

15 December, 2023