Nearly three quarters of Northamptonshire firms which took part in a survey on local business affairs predicted their sales revenue will increase during the next 12 months.The Wellingborough & East Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Business Times in the first quarter of this year to create the survey investigating the state of business affairs in Northamptonshire.The newly released results also show 98 per cent of those surveyed expected to maintain or increase the size of their workforces and nearly half expect to see their profits rise during the same period.Chamber president Pritesh Ganatra said: “We know that...

05 July, 2023

Big-hearted team members at Panther Logistics announced their latest charity efforts to raise money for the company’s corporate charity, Over The Wall Children’s Charity.Members of the Panther team in Northampton and from depots across the company’s extensive UK network, are joining forces to run for miles to raise thousands of pounds for the charity. Training is underway for multiple members of the Panther team as they spend their summer pounding the pavements to get fit for their latest charity challenge.The fitness feat will see a total of 13 Panther colleagues collectively taking part in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon...

05 July, 2023

WORKING parents are among the most highly skilled people within the UK’s workforce but often face an uphill struggle when it comes to juggling the demands of parenthood with the expectations of a career.With the Chancellor of the Exchequer now tempting more parents – and particularly new mums – back to work to help boost the nation’s economy with the promise of more free childcare, businesses are being encouraged to review maternity packages and embrace flexible working to relieve some of the pressure on working families.For Kate Coulson, Founder and Director of Ena HR & Training, who works with SMEs...

05 July, 2023

Leisure developer, STACK is set to bring their first facility in the midlands to Northampton Town Centre as they work to acquire the Market Walk site.At the Cabinet meeting of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) on 11 July, Councillors will receive an update on the plans to redevelopment Market Walk as it is set to host an innovative food hall and leisure space.During the meeting, Cabinet will receive further information on the approval of the Towns Fund business case in order to secure the development scheme.Market Walk, previously known as Peacock Place, boasts a prominent spot at the heart of Northampton...

05 July, 2023

Whether you want to grow your business, develop your management skills, enhance your workforce or connect to inspirational business events the University of Leicester School of Business can support you.Help to Grow: Management – starting 21 September If you’re a senior manager in a business with 5-249 employees looking to develop your business and enhance your leadership skills then our fully-funded Help to Grow: Management course can help. You will study 12 modules over 12 weeks with a time commitment of 4-5 hours a week and develop a growth action plan to lead your business to its full potential.Distance Learning We have...

04 July, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet is set to consider plans to invest £450,000 into purchasing a JCB pothole pro, which will enable WNC’s Highways partners, Kier, to carry out an improved repair service.The investment forms part of the Council’s long-term vision to improve the road network across the area and follows the announcement to invest more than £2.8 million additional funds into the Highways contract in 23/24.The investment will accompany a second Thermal Road Repairs machine. The new machinery offers advanced technology and deliver high-quality outputs and benefits from low emissions, zero waste, and offers a quality solution to defect repairs.Cabinet...

04 July, 2023

Northamptonshire Community Foundation is recruiting up to three trustees to join their Board from November 2023.The Board of Trustees acts collectively to govern the foundation, which is the leading grant-making charity in the county, promoting and managing philanthropy to create long-term and sustainable funding for the voluntary and community sector.Rachel McGrath, CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: ‘We warmly welcome interest from a broad range of people that are passionate about Northamptonshire’s communities and especially candidates with expertise or experience in the areas of investment, equity, diversity and inclusion, use of digital technologies and environmental philanthropy.’Interest is welcomed from people...

04 July, 2023

The offer will be available for single bus tickets on over 5,000 routes in England (outside London), helping passengers save a third off the average ticket price.Millions of people can save money on every day travel to work, and make the most of affordable days out this summer, as the ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme is extended for another 4 months, supporting households with the cost of living while growing the economy.The £2 bus fare cap – previously due to come to an end on 30 June – will now continue until 31 October 2023, helping passengers save a third...

03 July, 2023

Motorists are being put in the driving seat to find the best fuel prices as the government prepares to force retailers to publicly fess up to how much they are charging at the pump.   In a win for consumers, they will be able to compare prices in real time in any area of the UK, through a new fuel price reporting scheme. Drivers will be able to easily identify those charging fair prices and those failing to pass on savings from falling wholesale costs.   The government will change the law to force retailers to comply by providing up to date price information, which is...

03 July, 2023

People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to have their say on the proposed policy for street trading across the area as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) launches an eight-week consultation on the Draft Street Trading Policy 2023.WNC is responsible for regulating street trading across the West Northants area including:Providing Street Trading Consent to traders wishing to sell goods from designated streets (or consent streets) Preventing illegal trading across the areaThe draft policy will replace the existing policies in the former South Northants, Northampton and Daventry areas, providing one policy for the Unitary Council.The aims of the draft policy is...

03 July, 2023

Leading parcel delivery company DPD has confirmed plans to expand autonomous robot deliveries to 10 UK towns and cities in the next 12 months, starting with Raunds in Northamptonshire, following a successful trial in Milton Keynes.Based at DPD’s depot at Warth Park on the western edge of Raunds, the robots will deliver to nearby residential areas within a mile of the depot, via the existing network of footpaths.  In Raunds, the robots will have three separate parcel compartments, instead of just one in the original trial, and an extended battery life of up to 12 hours.DPD parcel recipients in Raunds...

03 July, 2023