Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th April 2025

Award-winning business owner ‘optimistic’ despite needing to sell extra 200 pints per week to offset rising costs

An award-winning business owner who has made a success of two venues across Northamptonshire remains “optimistic” despite the lengths needed to offset rising costs. Luke Bavester took over West Haddon’s country pub The Sheaf Inn back in September 2018 as chef-director, having worked in the hospitality industry since his early teens.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th April 2025

Northampton town centre business replaces homeware store with event space to meet growing demand

A Northampton town centre business has replaced its homeware store with an event space to meet the growing demand from the community for their quirky and innovative offerings. Grandbies, which opened in St Giles’ Street in August 2023, aimed to create a Scandinavian-inspired haven with a coffee house, clothing boutique and a space for the community to gather under one roof.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th April 2025

Dearly loved member of the Daventry community and former Mayor celebrates 90th birthday

A dearly loved member of the Daventry community, who was the Mayor back in 1982, is celebrating her 90th birthday today (April 29). Mavis Matthews has had a positive impact on her town over the decades, and her daughter Annie wanted to share this milestone with the community through a newspaper feature.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th April 2025

Innovative illustrator who turns buildings into collectable merch ‘astonished’ to approach eight years

An innovative illustrator who turns Northampton buildings into collectable merchandise is “astonished” that her business is well on its way to being open for eight years in the town. Fridge Street, which sells magnets, textiles and mugs featuring recognisable buildings, is available to shop online and from a number of local stores.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th April 2025

Northampton woman celebrating 100th birthday is described as ‘gentle natured, cheery and selfless’

A Northampton woman, described by her granddaughter as “gentle natured, cheery and selfless”, is celebrating her 100th birthday today (April 28). Margaret Kirby, who has lived in the town her entire life and now resides in Abington Park View Care Home, cannot believe she has reached her centenary milestone.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th April 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: Nutrition clinic founder used her own health journey to improve others’ lives

The founder of an online nutrition clinic has shared how she has used her own health journey to help improve the lives of others across the country and beyond. Natalie Louise Burrows founded Integral Wellness in the midst of the pandemic in January 2021, and she looks forward to attending the Female Founders Summit for the first time this year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th April 2025

Meet the cake and catering business owner who has shot to success over the past eight years

Meet this cake and catering business owner who has shot to success over the past eight years since establishing her venture in Northampton. Homemade By Victoria offers fresh and homemade private catering services for every customers’ needs – including afternoon teas, buffets, canapes and cakes for weddings, parties and any social gatherings.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th April 2025

Meet the 22-year-old fitness business founder who has introduced saunas and ice baths to his offering

Meet the 22-year-old fitness and wellness business founder who has recently introduced saunas and ice baths to his offering across Northamptonshire. Finley Chudley is a qualified fitness instructor and set up Warrior Training & Wellness back in 2019, which began by providing personal training outside to create a unique experience.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 25th April 2025

Brand new coffee shop now open at Northampton landmark which boasts 900 years of history

A brand new coffee shop is now open at one of Northampton’s most iconic landmarks, which boasts 900 years of history. The Walled Garden reopened at Delapré Abbey at the end of March and with it came the introduction of their new takeaway coffee shop, The Old Larder.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th April 2025

One of Northampton’s last soft play centres has CLOSED and will soon open for occasion venue hire

One of Northampton’s last soft play centres closed at the start of this week and is rebranding to offer special occasion venue hire from next month. Zoomania, which evolved from Hullabaloo and has been open in Gladstone Road since 2020, closed for the final time on Monday (April 21).

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th April 2025

‘Final chapter in the saga’ as ‘landmark’ former Steffans building goes up for sale for £500,000

This moment has been described as the “final chapter in the saga” by the Steffans team as their former Northampton town centre building has gone up for sale at a guide price of £500,000. The long-standing jewellers closed its flagship store for good on January 11 after an impressive 48 years of trading.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 24th April 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: Returning attendee applauds event for making you feel ‘capable of anything’

An attendee and business owner, who is returning to the Female Founders Summit for a second year, has applauded the event for making you feel “capable of anything”. This one-of-a-kind experience is returning to Northampton from June 12 to 14, for its second consecutive year in the town and fourth year since it first launched.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd April 2025

Brand new look and Sunday roast offering for Northampton village pub run by mother and daughter duo

A Northampton village pub, run by a mother and daughter duo, is pleased to have given the venue a brand new look and to introduce Sunday roasts – which are already proving popular. Cherelle and Michelle Cobley run The Wooden Walls of Old England in Collingtree village and took over the pub in August 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd April 2025

Northampton father of three urges everyone to act on gut instincts following sarcoma cancer diagnosis

A Northampton father of three urges everyone to act on their gut instincts when it comes to their health following his Ewing Sarcoma cancer diagnosis at the start of the year. 33-year-old Danny Shanahan, who is a father to three daughters aged two, three and five, considered himself to have a normal life before last Christmas.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 23rd April 2025

Popular cafe offering vital experiences to young adults with special needs nominated for national award

A popular Northampton cafe offering vital experiences to young adults with special educational needs is proud to be nominated for a national award. The Place To Bee, in Harborough Road, is a cafe and old-fashioned sweetshop associated with Northgate School Academy Trust and The Beehive.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd April 2025

Father to run half marathon following five-year-old son’s shock diagnosis with muscle-wasting condition

A father will soon take on a half marathon following his five-year-old son’s diagnosis with a muscle-wasting condition, which he has described as a “devastating shock”. Luke Sherwood’s son Lucas was diagnosed with Becker Muscular Dystrophy in April last year, which is a progressive muscle-wasting condition that will cause them to weaken and deteriorate over time.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd April 2025

Business owner shares ‘heartbreak’ as second burglary in seven weeks leaves them a further £1,000 out of pocket

The owner of an independent business has shared his “heartbreak” following a second burglary incident in seven weeks, which has left them a further £1,000 out of pocket. St Giles Cheese was launched by Steve and Caroline Ward back in 2010 following a holiday to France, where they enjoyed all the products they are now accustomed to selling to the community.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 22nd April 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: ‘Young Woman of the Year’ looks forward to returning to ‘empowering’ event

A 15-year-old business owner, who was named ‘Young Woman of the Year’ at last year’s Female Founders Summit, looks forward to attending the “empowering” event again in 2025. This one-of-a-kind experience is returning to Northampton from June 12 to 14, for its second consecutive year in the town and fourth year since it first launched.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th April 2025

Female Founders Summit 2025: Champions praise event for aiding connection with yourself and others

Two champions of the Female Founders Summit have praised the unique event as aiding connection with yourself and like-minded others. This one-of-a-kind experience is returning to Northampton from June 12 to 14, for its second consecutive year in the town and fourth year since it first launched.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th April 2025

Mother and daughter praise starting business four years ago as ‘best decision’ during grief journey

A mother and daughter have praised starting their business four years ago as the “best decision” they could have made during their journey with grief. Trudy and Kerry Evans lost their husband and father Antony after he took his own life in November 2020.