Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd February 2026

I dined at one of Northampton’s best rated restaurants – here’s whether it lived up to expectations

I dined at one of Northampton’s best rated restaurants and with 4.7 stars based on 563 Google Reviews, I certainly went in with high expectations. La Pazienza, located amongst the hustle and bustle of Wellingborough Road, is run by Orlando Lupsia – a passionate chef with a deep love for Sicilian culture and cuisine.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd February 2026

Documentary on harrowing impacts of knife crime in Northampton soon to premiere after months of hard work

A documentary on the harrowing impacts of knife crime in Northampton is soon to premiere after months of hard work with people personally affected across the town. Losing Our Children (The War on Knife Crime) will air for the first time at Odeon in Sixfields on the evening of February 23, and film producer Gary Halliday from UK Film School spoke to the Chronicle & Echo about the project.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 3rd February 2026

Meet the 27-year-old hoping to make dream of becoming a country singer a reality after turning his life aroundmake-dream-of-becoming-a-country-singer-a-reality-after-turning-his-life-around-5501227

Meet the 27-year-old hoping to make his dream of becoming a well-established country singer a reality after turning his life around. Harry Walker, from Moulton, has loved music since he was a child and was inspired by his late pap who played the piano and performed at the village working men's club.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd February 2026

In-demand highland cow afternoon teas soon to return to family-run Northants farm for 2026 season

The in-demand and highly popular highland cow afternoon teas are soon to return to a family-run Northamptonshire farm for the 2026 season. Colready Highlands Farm has proudly been in the Deeley family for more than 100 years and it was during the pandemic when Joanna and her son Thomas Dyer took over.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd February 2026

Join the fun at Delapré Abbey as this free weekly session is on a mission to build happier communities

Join the fun at Northampton’s historic landmark Delapré Abbey, as this free weekly session is on a mission to build happier and healthier communities. ParkPlay takes place every Saturday from 10am, during which time families and people of all ages come together to have fun and make memories through the life-changing power of play.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 2nd February 2026

We Mean Business: Chron campaign hopes to curb closures after bleak start to 2026 across Northampton

Today, the Chronicle & Echo launches a new campaign in the hope of helping to curb future business closures after a bleak start to 2026 across Northampton. We Mean Business will not only help us continue our work as an active champion of the town’s business community and give them a platform, but encourage greater support from the powers that be and the community before it is too late.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Passionate Italian chef and pasta maker from Northampton shares ‘optimistic’ attitude for what’s to come

A passionate Italian chef from Northampton has shared her “optimistic” attitude towards what is to come, at what is a turbulent time for the hospitality industry. Carmela Sereno Hayes, founder of Carmela’s Kitchen, is a passionate Italian cookery tutor who specialises in the art of pasta making.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Award-nominee proud to work with well-renowned businesses after taking venture full-time five months ago

The founder of a multi-award-nominated venture is proud to already work with well-renowned businesses across Northamptonshire after going full-time less than half-a-year ago. Cameron Brookes-Williams launched The Event Man as a limited company in February 2025, having built the foundations of the business since the start of the pandemic.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 30th January 2026

Successful business owner who revolutionised afternoon tea in Northampton hopes to open coffee shop

A successful business owner, who revolutionised the way afternoon tea is offered in Northampton over the past decade, is hopeful about opening a coffee shop in the right location in 2026. Amy Whiting, from Duston, founded Amy’s Vintage Teas in 2013 when she started collecting vintage china.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

Meet the founder whose business was born from lived experience, resilience and turning pain into purpose

Meet the Northamptonshire founder whose business was born from lived experience, resilience and turning pain into purpose. Ria Farmer is the founder of Rainbow Ri Holistic Health Coach, located at The Old Vicarage in Flore which is an up-and-coming location for independent businesses.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

‘A good starter but needs to be maintained’: Stalwart town centre business reacts to ice rink breaking even

A stalwart business owner in Northampton town centre has reacted to recent figures released by West Northamptonshire Council, which revealed the Market Square ice rink broke even. 2025’s town centre Christmas events, including the ice rink, brought in more than 55,000 visitors – and with revenue from tickets and bar sales at the ice rink reaching £122,000, WNC says it broke even without placing additional pressure on core council services.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 29th January 2026

Exciting plans to turn Northants building into community hub are starting to become a reality

Exciting plans to turn a Northamptonshire building into a community hub are starting to become a reality, which is hoped to have a positive impact moving forward. The South Northants Volunteer Bureau (SNVB), which supports the voluntary and community sector by providing guidance to organisations and delivering community services to improve lives, is in the process of enhancing the Riverside Resource Centre in Islington Road, Towcester.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

Calling all food and drink traders – don’t miss your chance to be part of Duston Food Festival 2026 in Northampton

Calling all food and drink traders across Northampton – do not miss your chance to be part of Duston Food Festival later this year. Duston Village Bakery took to social media to announce Duston Food Festival 2026, which aims to be a celebration of flavour, community and freshly baked joy.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

7 independents have already closed in Northampton in 2026 – your favourite businesses need YOU

It is concerning that seven independents have already closed across Northampton in 2026, and your favourite businesses need you more than ever. You may have seen that we published a round-up of businesses that have announced they have shut, or plan to shut in the near future, during the first three weeks of the new year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 28th January 2026

Family-run hair and beauty salon proudly approaches 70th anniversary at the heart of the high street

A family-run hair and beauty salon, which has been passed down a generation, is proudly approaching its 70th anniversary at the heart of a Northamptonshire high street. Hays Hair & Beauty, located on Daventry’s High Street, was founded by Anne Hay and passed down to her daughter Clare Hay around three decades ago.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

IN PICTURES: Take a look at the businesses that have already announced their closures in 2026 across Northampton

Take a look at the businesses that have already sadly announced their closures across Northampton in 2026 – and these all happened within the first three weeks of the new year. It has been a bleak start to the year for the business community, with eight independents who announced shock shut downs.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

Iconic Northants roadside cafe and truckstop reopens in hope of becoming motoring destination once again

An iconic Northamptonshire roadside cafe and truckstop has reopened, in the hope of becoming a well-renowned destination among the motoring industry once again. Jack’s Hill Cafe & Truckstop, located on the A5 Watling Street near Towcester, has been around since 1955. After closing during the pandemic, the business was fully restored and reopened in October last year.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 27th January 2026

One florist replaces another at the heart of Northampton town centre as founder took leap to follow passion

One florist has replaced another at a premises in Northampton town centre as a new business founder has taken the leap to follow her passion. KS Bloomery opened in The Ridings Arcade in November 2022 and although the business still operates, it is no longer based in this premises – and a new florist has now opened its doors.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th January 2026

Popular sandwich shop bounces back from hit and run as temporary new location was launched in five days

A popular sandwich shop in Northampton has bounced back from a hit and run incident, as its new temporary location was prepared in just five days to reopen in January as planned. Spread in Adnitt Road was left with structural damage after a stolen car hit another vehicle which ploughed into the building.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo • 26th January 2026

Don’t miss these two romantic musical experiences coming to Northampton this Valentine’s season

Do not miss out on these two romantic musical experiences coming to Northampton this Valentine’s season. Candlelight is a series of live concerts presented by leading tech platform Fever, with the aim of making classical music accessible.