Iconic buildings across the world inspired Bhangals Construction Consultants senior estimator Kieran Rollings to join the construction industry.Today, he celebrates his career choice as part of a month-long spotlight on the sector.Kieran, 23, has always been amazed by notable architecture, including the Sagrada Familia, Petronas Towers and Singapore Supertree Grove and was determined to start a career in the sector.He said: “I have been interested in construction from a very young age and became fascinated about buildings around the globe and how they are constructed.“Once I left school, I completed a Level 3 in construction management and the built environment...

26 October, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council has announced plans to begin construction works to Northampton’s main shopping street in early 2024 and begin preparatory works in November, following investigatory works with its partner, Kier Transportation.Following an extensive public consultation over the summer, vital works to enhance the appearance of Abington Street and Fish Street have been confirmed. This will include new paving and seating, additional trees and planting to enhance the landscaping.Kier and WNC are liaising directly with businesses in the area to keep them up to date on the progress of works. As part of this, there will be a dedicated single...

26 October, 2023

Commercial landlords have been left in limbo following the Prime Minister’s speech last month, says commercial property agent Prop-Search, wondering if key changes to environmental targets will affect them.In his speech, Rishi Sunak scrapped targets which would have seen residential landlords required to bring their properties up to an EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher by 2025 for new tenancies and for all existing tenancies by 2028.But is the same coming for commercial premises?Currently, all tenanted non-domestic properties with existing leases cannot continue to be let with an EPC rating of ‘F" or "G’.  However, a Government consultation in 2021...

25 October, 2023

Future support for businesses and economic prosperity across the region has been assured this week following a recent agreement by six councils.This week the SEMLEP Board and Central Area Growth Board (CAGB), the group of Leaders from the area’s six local authorities, approved recommendations for West Northamptonshire Council to be the host authority to take on Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions by 1st April 2024.These include strategic economic planning, the Growth Hub, which supports and strengthens businesses, and the Careers Hub, which links schools and colleges with employers to create world-class careers opportunities.The decision follows an announcement from Central Government...

25 October, 2023

Northamptonshire Membership organisation NNBN have become the latest organisation to sign the Northampton Sustainability Accord to raise further awareness of work being done in the County towards Net Zero and show their commitment in working towards Net Zero.The Northampton Sustainability Accord recognises the significance of collective action in addressing shared sustainability challenges. It aims to establish a framework for collaboration among stakeholders to achieve mutually agreed sustainability goals.Unveiled following the University of Northampton Sustainability Summit held in May, the Accord brings together a range of stakeholders including local and national businesses, governmental organisations, and third-sector businesses in a collaborative effort...

24 October, 2023

Northamptonshire based AM Labels Limited (AM Labels), an award-winning supplier of complete labelling solutions including manufacturing and warehouse automation, robotics, barcoding and RFID systems, has announced the appointment of Bianca Richards as Software Developer. Bianca will support the company in developing its internal systems to improve processes for its customers, as well as enhancing AM Labels’ bespoke software offering.Bianca joined AM Labels after spending nine years working at DYSC IT Solutions, an agency that specialises in website, software and app development. During this time, Bianca gained hands-on experience in planning, developing and maintaining a wide range of business systems across...

24 October, 2023

There have been celebrations at the Chester House Estate as this nationally significant heritage site celebrates its second birthday.Since opening in October 2021, the site has gone from strength to strength welcoming over 250,000 visitors, developing the offering and events calendar, including the Halloween themed events in the coming weeks.The past year has seen two pedestrian bridges officially opened, which cross the main River Nene and link Wellingborough, Irchester and Rushden with the Chester House Estate, the introduction of large storyboards showcasing the site’s 10,000 years of history, the opening of the new escape rooms and the creation of a...

24 October, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are seeking residents’ views on renewing two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) in Northampton.The current PSPOs covering Jeyes Jetty and Dunster Street were introduced three years ago in response to issues of anti-social behaviour and nuisance.Jeyes Jetty is an alleyway connecting Drapery and College Street in Northampton Town Centre which was gated in 2021 following the tragic death of a young man in the alley in 2019.Dunster Street alleyway connects Dunster Street to St Michaels Road and was a hotspot for arson, drug dealing, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour before being gated in 2021, following a...

24 October, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has applied for and secured over £400,000 worth of funding from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capability Fund.An initial £73,000 worth of funding was secured earlier in the year, and the Council have now successfully received an additional £335,000 from the fund.The LEVI Fund is designed to support local authorities to develop their electric vehicle charge-point infrastructure. It has two main objectives, to transform the deployment of on-street EV charging infrastructure across England and to accelerate the commercialisation of the local EV charging sector.As part of the next steps WNC will go to the...

24 October, 2023

Royal & Derngate is pleased to be working once again with the Northamptonshire Community Foundation and Lamport Hall Preservation Trust on this year’s Unforgettable Gift appeal. With their support and with the generosity of the theatre’s audience members and many of its Business Club Members, this yearly collaboration enables the theatre to gift hundreds of free tickets for its Christmas shows to children and young people who live in, or are at risk of, child poverty.After a series of annual campaigns which started in 2015, the appeal has now been able to give away over 3000 tickets to families in...

23 October, 2023

Self Assessment customers have just 100 days left to submit their tax return ahead of the deadline on 31 January 2024, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.And with the clock ticking down, customers can find various types of help from webinars to step by step guides at the click of a mouse.Anyone who needs support to complete their return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year can access the online help available on GOV.UK. It explains how to access HMRC’s services and ask for help, without having to call HMRC.Completing a tax return sooner means that customers can find out what they owe...

23 October, 2023