Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st November 2025

Award-winning baker from Northampton ends ‘incredible’ year on a high with national recognition

An award-winning baker from Northampton is ending an “incredible” year on a high after receiving national recognition, as she waits to learn her fate in two award categories. Carly Batty founded CBrownies in April 2020, when she could not carry out her day job as a hairdresser during the pandemic and decided to embrace her passion for baking.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st November 2025

County’s ‘best retailer’ brands 2025 a ‘wild ride’ as festive season has already exceeded expectations

Northamptonshire’s “best retailer” has branded this year as a “wild ride” as the festive season has already exceeded her expectations. Binkys Boutique, a women’s clothing shop located in Weedon Depot, was founded by Charlotte Newton-Harris back in 2012.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 21st November 2025

Ambitious village pub owner takes on second venue and hopes to find out exactly what regulars want

The ambitious owner of a village pub has taken on a second Northampton venue and is committed to finding out exactly what regulars want to see moving forward. Mother and daughter duo Michelle and Cherelle Cobley run The Wooden Walls of Old England in Collingtree village and took over the pub in August 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th November 2025

‘Excellent year’ for long-standing and family-run Northants garden centre as ice rink and festivities arrive

It has been an “excellent year” for a long-standing and family-run Northamptonshire garden centre, which is preparing to end 2025 on a high with the arrival of its ice rink and festivities. Whilton Locks Garden Village, in Daventry, was first purchased in 2002, the building works began in 2003 and it opened to the public in March 2004.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th November 2025

Cafe owner proud to have created ‘welcoming’ space in Northampton often praised for innovative food menu

A cafe owner is proud to have created a “welcoming” space in Northampton, which is most often praised for its innovative and delicious food menu. Genevieve’s Cafe, a family-run business in Dragonfly Way, Pineham village, hoped to become a vibrant community hub after opening in May last year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 20th November 2025

Northampton business owner’s Italian food hamper praised as ‘best present ever’ by happy recipient

A Northampton business owner’s Italian food hamper offering was recently praised as the “best present ever” by a happy recipient. Hample Italian Hampers, launched at the end of 2022, was founded by Adriana Staniscia who has more than a decade of experience specialising in Italian food.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th November 2025

Here’s how you can support a Christmas Day experience for 18-to-25 year old care leavers across Northants

Here is how you can support a wholesome Christmas Day experience for 18-to-25 year old care leavers across Northamptonshire this festive season. Penny Dickens has fostered children since 2009 and wanted to do something new for care leavers by introducing ‘The Christmas Dinner’ initiative to the county.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th November 2025

Northampton primary school teacher visits Ghana in the hope of educating students about connection and culture

A Northampton primary school teacher is currently in Ghana in the hope of spreading the message about the importance of connection and differing cultures to her students. The Abbey Primary School on Winchester Road has been described as a wonderfully inclusive and diverse place for pupils.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 19th November 2025

Award-winners join forces to host branding workshop for small businesses in the run up to Christmas

Two award-winners have joined forces to host a branding workshop for small businesses in the run up to Christmas, to get them as prepared as possible for 2026. Designer Olivia Krawczyk from OneKind Creative and Emma Colton from Emma Annie Colton Photography have teamed up to host ‘Beyond the Bio’ on December 9.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th November 2025

Meet the founder hoping to one day make ‘scary jump’ to run her business full-time in Northampton

Meet the founder hoping to one day make the “scary jump” to run her innovative soap business full-time in Northampton. Ruth Coote started her journey with Fred & Betty Soaps in December 2019, and what started as eight products has now increased to more than 50 over the past six years.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th November 2025

‘Independents matter’: Three-time award-winning food business celebrates another ‘busy’ year in Northampton

A three-time award-winning food business is celebrating another “busy” year in Northampton and continues to spread the important message that “independents matter”. The Food Library, located in Cecil Road, is run by Michael Mayhew and Laura Elliott. Sustainability is a priority for the pair, who run a year-round programme of workshops, events and dining at the evolving slow food hub.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 18th November 2025

Creative to move location of pottery painting venture due to pending Workbridge closure in Northampton

A creative has unfortunately been left with no choice but to move her pottery painting venture to a new location despite an “absolutely fantastic” start, due to the pending Workbridge closure. After many years of providing vocational opportunities and training for people with mental health needs, St Andrew’s Healthcare has made the decision to close Workbridge on Bedford Road.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th November 2025

Revived restaurant and pub hopeful about reopening next month in Northants under new ownership

The team behind a revived restaurant and pub are hopeful about reopening next month in Northamptonshire under new ownership. Canalside venue The Wharf Bugbrooke has been closed since the start of the year and is now preparing to welcome the public back after being taken over by Stuart Jones’ Northampton Event Company.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th November 2025

Much-loved pre-school faces financial struggles after almost two decades making a positive impact in Northampton

A much-loved pre-school is facing financial difficulties after almost two decades of having a positive impact on families across Northampton. Highfield Pre-School, which operates from The Pastures Community Centre, has been run with love and dedication by Julia Snedker and her team at the heart of Kingsthorpe since 2006.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 17th November 2025

‘Absolutely manic’ first two months for booming pottery painting business in popular shopping centre

It has been an “absolutely manic” first two months for a booming pottery painting business since its move to a popular shopping centre in Northampton. Potz Ceramic Studio, which was previously situated at Billing Garden Village, is a family-friendly environment for people of all ages and abilities with a desire to paint pottery.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th November 2025

Founder pivots from ‘in-person wedding directory’ to helping couples plan their big day in Northampton

A founder has pivoted from offering an in-person wedding directory at the heart of Northampton town centre, to helping couples plan their big day and launching a podcast. The Wedding Rooms, located in Market Square above Cafe Track, hoped to become the go-to place for brides and grooms-to-be to find out about local suppliers and plan their wedding in a fun and relaxed environment.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th November 2025

Santa afternoon tea with highland cows will open for three days only at family-run Northants farm

A Santa afternoon tea with highland cows will be available for three days only at a family-run farm in Northamptonshire, following its success throughout the spring and summer months. Colready Highlands, in Brackley, has been run by the Dyer family for more than 100 years – and has attracted people from all of the UK since launching their highland cow experience in 2023.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 14th November 2025

Mother celebrates ‘most successful year to date’ for leading Northampton sweet business

A mother is celebrating the “most successful year to date” for her leading Northampton sweet business, as demand continues to ramp up ahead of Christmas 2025. Dani Martin founded Simply Sweetie, a premium confectionery company with more than 100 varieties to choose from, back in February 2021.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th November 2025

‘We’ve peaked’: Social enterprise bakery celebrates a decade of success in Northampton

A social enterprise bakery has celebrated a decade of success in Northampton, which was excitingly marked by a Royal visit. Founded in 2015, The Good Loaf is on a mission to provide employment opportunities for vulnerable women through work placements in their community cafe and catering departments.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 13th November 2025

Meet the founder who gave up everything to go travelling and launched wellness venture after Covid hit

Meet the founder who gave up everything to go travelling just before the pandemic set in, and was encouraged to launch a wellness venture upon her return. Ali Mitchell is the founder of Wildflowers Healing & Breathwork, which she established during the pandemic having previously worked in the childhood trauma and charity sectors.