Local radio station NLive Radio has been recognised at the 2023 Community Radio AwardsThe gold award for the Special Category: HM Queen Elizabeth II – Her life, Her reign, and her passing was presented to John Leivers, the culmination of an intensive judging process to recognise those producing great quality content and engaging with their communities.The awards ceremony was held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, alongside the UK Community Radio Network conference.John Leivers, said: “I am so happy to have been awarded gold by the judges. The story of the passing of the Queen was an international event, and our show told the...

07 November, 2023

A new incubation programme has launched to support would-be entrepreneurs in Northamptonshire.Funded by West Northamptonshire Council and utilising £40,000 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Vulcan Creatives is a free, six-month programme run by the team at the Vulcan Works flexible workspace in Northampton. It aims to support ambitious individuals with their business idea by developing the concept further, creating a business plan and teaching the skills needed to succeed in the world of entrepreneurship.The programme will be led by Vulcan Works’ on-site business growth manager, Darren Smith, an entrepreneur who has started and sold businesses and worked in...

07 November, 2023

Topical business challenges such as rising costs, employee retention and employment law changes are due to be discussed in the annual SME Business Survey.Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) trading in the UK are being urged to share the obstacles they expect to face over the next 12 months as part of the barometer, organised in partnership with other firms, by Kettering-based HR Solutions.This is the fourth consecutive year that the award-winning human resources experts have run the study, which they use to gain a deeper understanding of the economic landscape and discover how SMEs plan to navigate the changing business...

07 November, 2023

Organisations across North Northamptonshire are being encouraged to apply for capital and revenue grants of up to £25,000 to improve the lives of young people in three areas - Avondale Grange in Kettering, Kingswood and Hazel Leys in Corby and Queensway in Wellingborough.Each of the three areas, designated as 'left behind', has been allocated a total of £35,000 from central Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and North Northamptonshire Council is currently taking applications for projects that meet certain criteria. In particular, the council welcomes applications where organisations can collaborate to further enhance the potential of a project.Organisations and groups including parish...

07 November, 2023

Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s Annual Awards event celebrates the charities, community groups and unsung heroes who are dedicated to bettering the lives of residents across the county.This year’s event will take place on Wednesday 29th November at the Royal Theatre in Northampton, giving attendees the opportunity to come together in their recognition of those who work tirelessly to give back to their local community.More than 40 individuals and local groups are in the running for awards, with categories including Building Better Communities, Celebrating Culture and Heritage, Excellence in Education, Happy and Healthy Communities, and Tackling Inequalities. Winners will also be announced...

07 November, 2023

A Northamptonshire-based company that provides IT support to businesses has announced the establishment of a second branch in Nottingham.3RS IT Solutions, which has an office in Irchester, has moved into offices at Bridgford Business Centre in Nottingham and is recruiting for new roles to serve in the area.The company is headed up by Stephen Souch, who has worked in the IT industry for 16 years.Stephen founded his first business in the IT sector in 2013, building it up to a £1 million turnover company before establishing 3RS IT Solutions with his wife, marketing manager Leila.3RS IT Solutions was officially incorporated...

07 November, 2023

Plans to transform one of Northampton’s largest derelict sites and provide much-needed high-quality housing are set to move forward as West Northamptonshire Council has now completed on the purchase the former St James’ Depot.West Northamptonshire Council is pleased to announce that the Council has completed on the purchase of the site totalling 4.5 acres and will now carry out the necessary steps to ensure the area benefits from regeneration to meet the needs of our local community.The site to the west of Northampton town centre has stood vacant for more than a decade. The future scheme will complement the wider...

06 November, 2023

Shoppers are being urged to ‘Win Your Christmas’ by taking part in a Northampton town centre Golden Ticket giveaway.Four lucky winners will each win £500 of vouchers as part of the £2,000 prize fund, simply by hand-posting an entry ticket into one of 10 special post boxes found in shops and businesses in the town centre from Saturday, 18 November onwards.Tickets are available from retailers around the town and can also be downloaded from the BID’s website.The Golden Ticket campaign, organised by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) will encourage people to ‘shop local’ this Christmas and support Northampton...

06 November, 2023

Following a similar event last year, North Northamptonshire Council teamed up with partners last week to host a wellbeing event for HGV drivers who use the Welcome Break Rothwell Truck Stop.The previous event received national recognition with the work being Highly Commended at the MJ Awards and the team have built on this success with this year’s event.Officers from NNC’s Public Health, Community Wellbeing and Environmental Health teams were joined by representatives from the Road Haulage Association, Action for Happiness, the University of Northampton who offered health tests, Kettering Mind and Welcome Break.Once again, there was a high level of...

03 November, 2023

Northamptonshire Membership organisation NNBN is marking their first anniversary of signing the Prompt Payment Code by encouraging businesses leaders to commit to signing the code and helping to reduce the time in payment of invoices.The Prompt Payment Code (PPC) sets standards for payment practices and best practice and is administered by the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade. The Code covers prompt payment, as well as wider payment procedures.The Small Business Commissioner, Liz Barclay, is responsible for regulation and governance of the Prompt Payment Code and signatories of the Code. The Small Business Commissioner...

03 November, 2023

Past and present students at Northampton College were the stars of the show at a top awards night, landing a total of six trophies between them.The Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards took place at the Royal & Derngate theatre on Wednesday, November 1 – celebrating the producers, artisans, chefs and restaurateurs who have catapulted the county’s hospitality and catering sector into one of the best in the country.Northampton College curriculum manager for culinary arts, hospitality, travel and tourism, Phil Martin was given the Patron’s Award in recognition of his services to the sector.He said: “Winning this award was a...

02 November, 2023