Leisure developer, STACK is set to transform the vacant Market Walk shopping centre in Northampton Town Centre as they work with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and acquire the central site.STACK completed the acquisition of the Market Walk site on Monday, 1 August and will now bring forward an exciting regeneration and development project to transform this site to offer an innovative food hall and leisure space.Market Walk, previously known as Peacock Place, boasts a prominent spot at the heart of Northampton Town Centre adjacent to the historic Market Square, but has stood empty for many years.The council will provide up...

Green loans, online tools to improve people’s financial wellbeing, a financial education programme for young people and new offices to support growth – just a few of the pledges and plans from the newly appointed CEO of Northampton-based Commsave Credit Union.Dominic Masterson, who has more than 35 years’ experience working in the financial services sector and was formerly Head of Operations for CCLA Investment Management and Chief Operating Officer for Yealand Fund Services, has officially joined Commsave as its new CEO this month – following a few months of bedding in and getting to know the team and organisation.Dominic said:...

A community green space in Northamptonshire has been awarded a Green Flag, an international quality mark which recognises and rewards well-managed green spaces and parks.The team from Kettering-based Green Patch, managed by Groundwork Northamptonshire, is celebrating after being awarded the Green Flag for the 6th time.Kate Williams, Chief Executive of Groundwork Northamptonshire said: “We are delighted to be awarded the Green Flag status – our staff and volunteers work so hard to make Green Patch a green space that is preserved and meets the needs of the local community.“Green Patch has grown into a thriving and essential community asset, one...

As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with messages from businesses showcasing their products or services and boasting that their offerings are the best in the market. However, have you ever wondered how businesses differentiate themselves in such a crowded marketplace? This is where USP comes in. USP or Unique Selling Proposition is a key element in marketing, and it plays an essential role in creating a brand's identity. In this article, we will explore what a USP is, why it is important, and how businesses can create and leverage their USP for better performance.What is a USP?Unique Selling...

Artisan Local Vegetarian/Vegan product category sponsor Daily Bread in Northampton hosted the announcement of this year’s Artisan Producer category awards.  With sponsors J Sweeney Accountants and Heygates Flour and Animal Feed, sponsors of Artisan Local Drink and Artisan Local Product respectively, it was an opportunity to spread the word that buying local is good for the economy and tastes good too!Morcea Walker MBE, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and Kristina Rhianoff (former Strictly dancer and co-owner of Soo Yoga in the town) joined the celebrations to add their support to the finalists.  Bronze, Silver and Gold winners were presented with their...

Following the success of last month’s collectable and vintage fair at Northampton’s Commercial Street, people are invited to step back in time and discover hidden treasures as it returns on Sunday, 13 August.From 10am to 3pm, antique enthusiasts, collectors, and curious shoppers alike can explore a unique array of vintage delights, showcased by ten dedicated antique and vintage traders alongside some of the market's regular vendors.The antiques market promises a diverse range of items, from diecast cars and toys to vinyl records, chinaware, books, and a delightful mix of retro, vintage, and costume jewellery.And regular traders will be present selling...

This week has been one of the busiest we can remember as we announced the Finalists for this year's NNBN Awards. It's been crazily busy, but in a good way! MONDAY"Starting the week with a bang" is my immediate comment! It was literally working on the Press Release for the NNBN Awards and finalising the announcement to the media. A huge thank you to Jessica Pilkington and the team at Pilkington Communications for their support with our announcement and helping to prepare the news that we were excited to share. There was a lot of interest around the NNBN Awards this...

Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust is pleased to announce that the historic sword belonging to Everard Bouverie, former owner of Delapré Abbey, is now on display to the public.The sword, which was acquired through a successful fundraiser launched by the Trust in April, is a significant addition to the Trust's collection and will help to develop its interpretation and the stories that it tells about the Abbey and Northampton's rich history. The sword, which was won at auction with the help of the community, has a unique link to the Battle of Waterloo.Visitors will now have the opportunity to see the...

WITH soaring energy prices still a big issue for many homeowners, finding sustainable and fuel efficient ways to heat your home has never been more important.With the cost of gas extremely high, wood burners have become a popular solution for many, with the latest designs built to ensure they fall within the latest emissions targets.Ryan Howe, Fire and Stoves Consultant at Bell of Northampton, says that advances in technology mean there is a style to suit every home and budget.He said: “Various news outlets are reporting that wood burners are to be banned, but actually there has been a change...

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are seeking residents’ views on renewing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Northampton to help tackle nuisance and problem behaviour.The current PSPO covering the Northampton Town area was introduced in 2020 in response to issues of anti-social behaviour which included drug use, street drinking and urinating in public places.A PSPO is a power that allows councils to impose restrictions on a defined area to tackle problem behaviour under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.It can deal with persistent and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that has a negative effect on the quality of...

WITH the cost of farm fires hitting more than £95 million in 2021 the need for regular fire safety risk assessments has never been more important to UK farmers.As harvest time approaches, the risks increase significantly, with electrical problems known to be one of the biggest causes of devastating farm fires.John Crockett, Health and Safety Manager at Northampton-based Acorn Safety Services urged farmers to get on top of their health and safety issues before the busiest time of the year gets underway.He said: “Discarded cigarettes, hot fuel and broken bottles can all cause fires given the right conditions.“With some statistics...